Prime Minister Tony Abbott has talked the talk about improving the lives of Indigenous people but now he needs to walk the walk, says the head of Illawarra Koori Men's Support Group.

Uncle Gee, a Yuin man and president of the Albion Park Rail-based group, was talking about federal funding being cut for Illawarra programs that aimed to improve the health and employment outcomes of Indigenous people.

He spoke to the Wollongong Advertiser after Illawarra Shoalhaven Medical Local staff and Aboriginal representatives marked National Close the Gap Day in Wollongong on March 18.

Uncle Gee runs the Illawarra Aboriginal Men's Physical, Health and Training (IAMPHAT) group, which works to improve the health of Aboriginal men.

"We get together every Thursday and get our observations, blood sugar and pressure done," he said.

"We get a bit of backing from Medicare Local but the majority we fund ourselves."

Uncle Gee said the group was successful, with about 20 men ranging in age from mid-30s to mid-80s coming along for tips on healthy cooking, losing weight and quitting smoking.

"We feel it's very important, there's been a big improvement in health."

Uncle Gee said the federal government was not doing enough to fund these type of programs, which focus on employment, men's health and keeping children in school.

Its School Kids Indigenous Peer Program, which mentored schoolchildren aged eight to 10 between Kiama and Bulli, had to be axed after funds ran out.

"All the principals were really happy with the outcomes of it but the government didn't see it that way."

Federal funds for the Brothers Against Domestic Violence program were also cut.

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