2.1 National  : NACCHO and Heart Foundation Resources survey

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Resource Survey – ACCHO

2.2 National : Talking About Tobacco Use #QUIT4LIFE Comic

The Koori Mail latest edition on sale Nov 15 , features the The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence TATU – Talking About Tobacco Use #QUIT4LIFE Comic.

The TATU Schools Program created the comic, encouraging students to discuss the benefits of a smoke free lifestyle, and develop community ideas to reduce the harm caused by tobacco use.

‘Traditional smoke heals – tobacco smoke kills.

2.3 NACCHO Presents #FASD Poster at Lowitja NHMRC #ResearchTranslation17

NACCHO Policy Officer Bridie Kenna pictured with symposium chair Professor Sandra Eades and FASD project members Dr Nikki Percival and Hayley Williams .Bridie was presenting  a poster on the FASD Prevention and Health Promotion Resources Project. A collaboration between NACCHO, Menzies School of Health Research and the Telethon Kids Institute.

This international movement, which ­focuses on nutrition, has been broadened by a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ­Islander health researchers and practitioners to ­include child protection, early life ­literacy, the role and contribution of men and the range of other issues that impact on indigenous parents and infants in Australia.

TAIHS chair Morris Cloudy said ­although they had a successful record of ­providing quality health care and social ­services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait community, there remained many obstacles to ensuring kids received the best possible opportunities in life.

“We believe that this model will assist us in addressing these gaps,” he said.

Heather Lee, midwife and manager of TAIHS’ Child and Maternal Health services, said it was important for future generations.

“The aspiration for me personally is to have healthier women, children and dads in our community.”

Ms Lee said TAIHS aimed to ­decrease the number of chronic diseases within the community.

Chair of ­Indigenous Health at the University of ­Melbourne Professor Kerry Arabena, who heads the One Thousand Days initiative nationally, said it was a unique indigenous-designed and managed intervention that would improve co-ordination between services and organisations catering to Aboriginal and Torres Strait ­Islander child and maternal health.

“It will also ensure that the so-called ­social determinants of health, including housing, education, employment and ­exposure to racism and discrimination, are addressed,” she said.

4.NSW : Wellington ACCHO Health Choices and community the focus at inaugural National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout

History was made in Dubbo at the weekend with the inaugural National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout held at Apex Oval. More than 20 men’s and mixed teams competed across five divisions on Saturday and Sunday, with organisers Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (WACHS) and NSW Touch hailing it a great success.

“We’ve certainly had a couple of thousand people through the gates,” WACHS marketing and communications manager Jodie Evans said.

“I think what we’ve proven is you can have all ages and all shapes and sizes actually playing and no one actually has any issues with that, and having mixed teams is great too, it just brings different elements into it.

“Next year we hope to build on the women’s sides and certainly bring the kids in.

NSW Touch game development officer Stacey Parker said she was impressed by the “outstanding” quality of play on show, with players coming from as far away as Western Australia.

“We look forward to what’s going to happen in 2018,” she said. “Hopefully we can double the numbers.”

Touch football wasn’t the only focus of the weekend, with the crew from QuitBFit on hand at the smoke and alcohol-free event to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Current and former NRL stars were on hand to help spread the message, including Scott Prince (who played with the All-Blacks), Timana Tahu, Nathan Merritt, Cody Walker and Will Smith.

“We’re trying to get that communication through from a young age that smoking isn’t great for you and drinking so much soft drink,” Evans said.

“It’s all about healthy eating and living, and sport is obviously vital to that.”

“Being at the inaugural National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout was something special and something I won’t forget,” Prince said. “It was great to see the family coming together to promote healthy choices.”

5. WA : AHCWA Members complete training course

Staff from AHCWA, Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service – East Perth office, Carnarvon Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation and the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service recently completed an Internal Auditor Training Course at AHCWA’s head office in Highgate.
The two-day training course enabled the participants with the skills and knowledge to prepare for and participate in a quality audit. The types of audits may include external or internal systems audit or process or products/service audits.
Participants were given the opportunity to work through the process of reviewing designated documentation; identifying and developing checklists and audit-related documentation; preparing audit schedules; gathering, analysing and evaluating information; and reporting findings to the lead auditor in a fun and interactive setting.
Thanks to Claire, the Quality & Compliance Officer at AHCWA and Christine from SAI Global for organising and delivering a very informative, interesting and useful course.

6. VIC : Mallee ACCHO #MDAS to hold Pamper and Pap event for women clients

AFTER a successful pilot event last year, Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) will hold the second Pamper and Pap day on November 30 at MDAS Commun­ity Hall.

Prevention and health promotion officer Jade Klaebe said  MDAS had decided to make the event annual.

“We held this event at around the same time last year for the first time, and we had 67 Aboriginal women attend.

7. SA: AHCSA Sexual Health and Maternal Health Tackling Smoking Teams

The team was up at Coober Pedy hosting a Womens Pamper Day….lots of fun, laughter & education. #ourhealthourchoiceourway #educationispower #fun

8. NT : AMSANT and Congress Alice Springs CEO’s present at Lowitja NHMRC #ResearchTranslation17