1.1 NSW: Galambila ACCHO Coffs Harbour leads the way incorporating cultural healing artwork into new building and staff uniforms
1.2. NSW : Indigenous Doctor to specialise in women’s health and high-risk pregnancy care. after graduating this month
2.1 NT : Danila Dilba ACCHO Darwin hosts Wurrumiyanga community on Bathurst Island with information about improving health and career pathways in health.
2.2 NT : Katherine West Health Board Timber Creek’s Women’s Health Day 2018.
3.QLD :Institute for Urban Indigenous Health :Because of Her I must : Adrian Carson and Aunty Pamela Mam
4. SA : Colourful health bus provides medical services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in remote areas
5. VIC : Officially launch in Mildura partnership with MDAS & Deadly Choices hosting a community day for the mob.
6. 1 ACT : Winnunga has commenced a new program for first time mothers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.
6.2 ACT : Winnunga Save a date : celebrating 30 Years of excellence ACCHO health
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1.1 NSW: Galambila ACCHO Coffs Harbour leads the way incorporating cultural healing artwork into new building and staff uniforms
” On behalf of the Board and management, NACCHO congratulates the Galambila Aboriginal Health Service in Coffs Harbour on the opening of its new reception and patient waiting area. It is good that staff and community members alike will benefit from this new facility.
It is also great to have the Commonwealth Government’s financial support for this initiative. It is pleasing to see the Galambila Aboriginal Health Service improving its facilities for the benefit of our community, and I congratulate you on your continued efforts to improving Aboriginal health outcomes in the region.”
Pat Turner CEO NACCHO
Galambila ACCHO Compassionate, Respectful, Empowering & Inclusive
This week the Chair of the Galambila ACCHO Rueben Robinson officially opened the new building and reception at a smoking ceremony on Gumbaynggirr country
Local artist, Brentyn Lugnan, who designed the artwork for the building and is also embedded on the staff shirts.
Brentyn attended the opening and explained the story his art that follows the journey from the foundations of the family / community thru to the travels of kangaroos , middens connecting to country and the role of bush medicine for Gumbaynggirr people
1.2. NSW : Indigenous Doctor to specialise in women’s health and high-risk pregnancy care. after graduating this month
“I had the opportunity to undertake placement at the Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Medical centre in Wyong, attend rural obstetrics clinics in Moree – the birthplace of my Nan, and complete an elective subject at the Menzies School of Health Research in Brisbane, which explored barriers to early diagnosis and poor outcomes in gynaecological cancers in Indigenous women,”
Following in the footsteps of her Aunty, Professor Gail Garvey, Nicole Whitson is proud to be the third person to graduate from her large Indigenous family of almost 40 immediate relatives.
Commencing her studies at the University as an Open Foundation student, Nicole persevered with her studies and has become a doctor, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine with Distinction.
Nicole said she was particularly interested in medical care for Indigenous people and enjoyed the opportunity to tailor her study to reflect her interests.
It was through this practical experience that Nicole realised her desire to specialise in high-risk pregnancy care.
Reflecting on her experience at the University of Newcastle, Nicole said she was “glad to study in a supportive environment.
“As an Indigenous medical student from a large family with little exposure to the tertiary education system, I expected to encounter challenges but I had a lot of support from the University, its Wollotuka Institute, and my husband Elliot.”
Nicole said she was grateful for her time at university, not only to realise her dream of becoming a doctor, but to have built a network of life-long friends.
“One of the highlights was definitely the close-knit community, I met some of my best friends during my studies at university,” Nicole said.
The University of Newcastle has graduated approximately one-third of Australia’s Indigenous doctors and today celebrates a proud milestone, graduating its largest ever cohort of Indigenous students from the Joint medical Program, with ten students crossing the graduation stage today.
2.1 NT : Danila Dilba ACCHO Darwin hosts Wurrumiyanga community on Bathurst Island with information about improving health and career pathways in health.
This week visiting students from Xavier Catholic College in the Wurrumiyanga community on Bathurst Island came to visit Danila Dilba.
The students got an overview of our organisation, including information about improving health and career pathways in Danila Dilba.
Great to see the enthusiasm of these students and their interest in health.
2.2 NT : Katherine West Health Board Timber Creek’s Women’s Health Day 2018.
A successful day where the ladies from Timber Creek region and Bulla community came together to yarn about women’s health.
A shout out to SARC Katherine for coming long. Thank you Victoria Daly Regional Councill for your spport.
3.QLD :Institute for Urban Indigenous Health :Because of Her I must : Adrian Carson and Aunty Pamela Mam
Adrian Carson has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health for more than 25 years and has been the CEO of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health since 2011.
Adrian nominated Aunty Pamela Mam’s story to lead the Because of Her campaign, a celebration of women who have made our communities what they are today.
Aunty Pamela Mam (Aunty Pam) was one of the first Aboriginal nurses in Queensland. She was the first Nurse Manager of the Aboriginal and Islanders Community Health Service Brisbane (now ATSICHS Brisbane) and the first Manager of the Jimbelunga Nursing Centre – where she worked for 15 years.
Raised on Palm Island, Aunty Pam started working as a Nurse Aide at Palm Island Hospital, later receiving permission to train as a nurse at Townsville Hospital.
She went on to study midwifery at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Brisbane and in conjunction with her late husband, Uncle Steve Mam, was hugely active in advocating for and establishing many services that exist today.
Adrian says that he chose to nominate Aunty Pam because of the sacrifices she has made to lead our community to where we are today. He says, “She has supported IUIH since we were established in 2009 and has always been here for us when we needed her.
“Aunty Pam is a great leader in the community and we are so lucky to have her as our patron. Her hard work and tireless efforts to make sure we are accessing the health care we need in the way that we need it has made a huge impact on the health of our people.
“Through her amazing work in the community, she connects all of us to our humble beginnings.”
He mentions that Aunty Pam has impacted his life greatly by providing support within the work that IUIH does. He says, “She has always been a great support for me, she always gives a good counsel, and she’s there when I need her.”
“She lives by three words, commitment, compassion and dedication. These are the qualities that IUIH as an organisation reflects on when working with and for our people.”
Aunty Pam continues to serve as the patron for IUIH, and supports many other community projects that focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in South East Queensland.
To recognise Aunty Pam’s contribution the Because of Her project was launched at Aunty Pam’s 80th birthday celebration held at Jimbelunga Nursing Centre in March this year.
Share your own story of a deadly woman in your life at www.facebook.com/IUIHBecauseofHer
Image: Adrian Carson (IUIH), Aunty Pamela Mam, Jody Currie (ATSICHS Brisbane)
4. SA : Colourful health bus provides medical services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in remote areas
See original story in full here
Remote communities often grapple with challenges of distance from health care and support, but an outreach service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia’s Riverland is hoping to change this, with the help of a bus.
Bright and colourful, the Pi:Lu Bus is designed to be a safe place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to receive help and health advice.
The bus is highly regarded and well recognised by Riverland locals, with a role of providing specific health prevention messages and free testing.
The mobile service is one of only a few in Australia.
“The bus is available to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community who may not be able to get into our service for reasons that they could not have transport available or their funds may be really low,” Riverland Aboriginal Health Service coordinator Corinne Thompson said.
“I think the bus is helping to build relationships between our local Aboriginal people and some of our mainstream services as well.
“Any needs that the community have around their health, we’re there to support them.”
Community shines spotlight on its health
The Pi:Lu Bus was returned to the community last year at NAIDOC Week celebrations following extensive consultation around local health services.
Previously known as the Peelies Bus — the Aboriginal word for eyes — the bus travelled the region conducting health examinations, with a particular focus on eyes.
It was decomissioned for five years due to mechanical troubles, but a push from the community saw its re-commissioning and name change to the Pi:Lu Bus — Aboriginal for all-seeing eyes.
“Aboriginal people, Torres Straight Islander people have vastly different health needs to mainstream Australia,” Ms Thompson said.
“I guess we need to be working more to get those prevention messages out there.”
5. VIC : Officially launch in Mildura partnership with MDAS & Deadly Choices hosting a community day for the mob.
6. 1 ACT : Winnunga has commenced a new program for first time mothers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.
See attached brochure ANFPP brochure (2)
6.2 ACT : Winnunga Save a date : celebrating 30 Years of excellence ACCHO health
7. WA : @AHCWA pioneering new ways of working in Aboriginal Health :Our Culture Our Community Our Voice Our Knowledge