This weeks feature #VoteACCHO Good News Story
5.1 QLD : Deadly Choices : Deadly Days Ahead for Queensland Murri Carnival
Plus
1.1 NACCHO Launches new #VoteACCHO website resources page for #Election2019
Press Release : NACCHO welcomes ALP Pledge of additional $115.1 million to focus on Aboriginal health
1.2 National : Pat Turner ACOSS Budget Breaky panel Speaker
1.3 National : All NACCHO members should be aware of Corporation Act Changes
2.1 NSW : Katungul ACCHO one of only six high-performing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services who were selected as part of the Deadly Blues Origin Partnership
2.2 NSW : Armajun Aboriginal Health Service staff can’t wait for work to begin on their new $4.7 million building.
2.3 NSW : Armajun Aboriginal Health Service in Tenterfield couples the Walkabout Barber with mental health
3.VIC : VAHS ACCHO to open new clinic in northern suburbs of Melbourne
4. ACT : Winnunga ACCHO hosted our CTG event with a screening of “Take Heart
5.2 QLD : Wuchopperen Health Service Cairns launches for their Deadly Choices Health Program
6. WA : Indigenous youth health forum focus : Kimberley Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Trial’s Empowered Young Leaders Project
7. NT : The Administrator of the Northern Territory, the honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM visits Congress Alukura to learn about the service to Aboriginal women and babies in Central Australia.
How to submit in 2019 a NACCHO Affiliate or Members Good News Story ?
Email to Colin Cowell NACCHO Media
Mobile 0401 331 251
Wednesday by 4.30 pm for publication Thursday /Friday
This weeks feature #VoteACCHO Good News Story
Deadly Choices QLD : Deadly Days Ahead for Queensland Murri Carnival
Great to have the support of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, the Arthur Beetson Foundation and Moreton Bay Regional Council at the Launch of the 2019 Queensland Murri Carnival at South Pine Sports Complex.
Queensland rugby league royalty and Deadly Choices Ambassadors, Steve Renouf, Petero Civoniceva and Bo de la Cruz, came together at South Pine Sports Complex on Wednesday, to launch the 2019 QAIHC Arthur Beetson Foundation Queensland Murri Carnival.
This year’s format is bound to entice interest from right across Queensland, with up to 30,000 people expected at the venue across five days of competition from October 1-5.
Established in 2011, the Carnival draws on the popularity of rugby league in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to promote the value of health and education to young Indigenous people.
“Upwards of 100 teams across Open Men’s and Women’s divisions, plus under-age grades in boys and girls will compete in our annual showpiece, focussed on community connection and overall health and well-being among participants and spectators,” confirmed ABF Director Brad Beetson.
“We encourage all Queensland communities to start thinking about their plans for the week, as the 2019 QMC will be an event not to be missed.
“On the back of last year’s successes at the Bindal Sharks in Townsville, we’ll see an expansion of underage competition with Under 13s, 15s and 17s for boys and Under 15s and 17s for the girls.
“With the support of the various Deadly Choices regional teams scattered throughout Queensland, we’re looking to have all regions well represented across the grades and in open competition.
“Our smoke-free, alcohol-free event will require participants to have their 715 health checks up to date, adults enrolled to vote, while youngsters also need a 90% school attendance rate.”
Local, State and Federal funding, coupled with the valued support of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), Moreton Bay Regional Council and Queensland Rugby League (QRL), sees the annual showpiece make its debut appearance at South Pine Sports Complex.
“The Murri Rugby League Carnival is a major health promotion event in Queensland and contributes to increased health literacy and access to primary and preventative health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s so much more than just a football carnival”, said CEO of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), Neil Willmett.
“The Murri Carnival achieves significant health and education outcomes, and the requirements for all participants to have a health check and those of school age to maintain a high level of school attendance emphasise the important messaging underpinning the event.
“QAIHC is proud to sponsor the Murri Carnival and its contribution to closing the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Mr Willmett.
“QAIHC is excited to be undertaking a study to explore how Carnival participation as a player, spectator, or an official, may influence levels of accessing health services and overall knowledge and understanding of preventive health, contributing important data to inform evidence-based health promotion.”
As proud hosts, the Moreton Bay Regional Council sees major benefit in its association with such a prestigious sporting tournament that attracts visitation from right across Queensland.
“Moreton Bay Regional Council is a proud sponsor of this deadly event and I’m looking forward to the carnival taking place at the South Pine Sports Complex, home of the Albany Creek Crushers, later this year,” Mayor Allan Sutherland said.
“Sport is more than just a game – it’s culture, community and opportunity. Sport has the power to give us something to strive for.
“It teaches discipline, work ethic and above all, solidarity with our peers and teammates.
“The Queensland Murri Carnival takes this to another level — championing the health, education and Deadly Choices for Indigenous people.
“We are proud to be sponsors of a carnival which stands for so much more than just a game.”
Registrations are now open for the QAIHC ABF Queensland Murri Carnival. Team coaches and managers need to ensure all their players are up-to-date with their 715 health checks, adults currently enrolled to vote, while youngsters must maintain a 90% school attendance rate.
If not, book in for your 715 at your local Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), before going online to register for the QMC at www.murrirugbyleague.com.au.
1.1 NACCHO Launches new #VoteACCHO website resources page for #Election2019
“ Welcome to the launch of our NACCHO #Election2019 #VoteACCHO campaign for Affiliates, ACCHO members, stakeholders and supporters.
The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is not a partisan political issue and cannot be sidelined any longer.
NACCHO has developed a set of 10 policy #Election2019 recommendations that if adopted, fully funded and implemented by the incoming Federal Government, will provide a pathway forward for improvements in our health outcomes.
We are calling on all political parties to include these recommendations in their election platforms and make a real commitment to improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and help us Close the Gap.
With your action and support of our #VoteACCHO campaign we can make the incoming Federal Government accountable. ”
Donnella Mills Acting Chair NACCHO
Check out the new #VoteACCHO Website Page
and add #VoteACCHO to your Twitter Handle
NACCHO welcomes ALP Pledge of additional $115.1 million to focus on Aboriginal health
NACCHO welcomes the commitment made by Labor leader Bill Shorten to pledge an additional $115.1 million toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health if a Labor government is elected on 18 May.
“We are encouraged by the funding commitment made by the Labor Party today,” said NACCHO Acting Chair, Donnella Mills.
“This level of funding shows an acknowledgment of the unequal burden Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities face when it comes to health outcomes.”
“Our communities face a life expectancy gap of ten years less than non-Indigenous Australians – and this gap is only widening. And the death rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is more than double the rate of non-Indigenous children. How can this be?” Ms Mills said.
“The current national health policy hasn’t addressed the urgent needs that Indigenous peak organisations and medical professionals have been advocating for.”
“We hope to see a new direction embraced by all parties – one that places Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health at the forefront of national policy and one that has a genuine partnership and shared decision making with community health providers and organisations,” Ms Mills said.
Read or Download the Full NACCHO Press Release HERE
1.2 National : Pat Turner ACOSS Budget Breaky panel Speaker
At the ACOSS #BudgetBreaky #VoteACCHO event this morning our CEO of NACCHO Pat Turner said
1.That she’s sick of a ‘body parts’ approach to health funding. We need a comprehensive approach.
2 The Importance of preventative health and social determinants of health totally missed in budget and budget response
3.Calls on next Federal Govt to strengthen universal health care for every person in Australia, as well as resourcing the Aboriginal specialist services addressing additional health concerns using #SDOHand holistic care models
1.3 National : All NACCHO members should be aware of Corporation Act Changes
Any changes to the Corporations Act either automatically apply to the CATSI Act or are closely followed by amendments dependent upon the relevant rules.
Particular changes of concern:
Maximum prison terms increase from five years to 15 years for serious criminal offences such as:
- Recklessly or dishonestly breaching directors’ and officers’ duties (s184).
- Dishonestly failing to comply with financial and audit obligations (s344(2)).
- Intentionally or recklessly breaching the duties of officers or employees of the responsible entity of a registered scheme (ss601FD, 601FE).
- Knowingly or recklessly providing defective disclosure documents or statements (ss952D, 952F, 1021D).
See ORIC Website
Changes to the CATSI Act
More accountability, less red tape
The Australian Government is proposing reforms to strengthen and improve the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) 2006 (CATSI Act). The reforms are intended to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations by reducing red tape, especially for small corporations. Other proposed changes seek to increase transparency for members. There are also minor changes to streamline and clarify some parts of the CATSI Act.
The proposed changes cover the topics of:
- size classifications
- rule books
- business structures
- meetings and reporting
- membership
- transparency of senior executives
- payments to related third parties
- special administrations
- voluntary deregistration
- compliance powers.
2.1 NSW : Katungul ACCHO one of only six high-performing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services who were selected as part of the Deadly Blues Origin Partnership
Nathan Blacklock, Chin Weerakkody, Jaden Hansen and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs at the Deadly Blues launch in Batemans Bay.
This week Katungul launched a new health campaign at its Batemans Bay Clinic that aims to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to receive regular medical check-ups and improve their health.
The Deadly Blues health campaign, which involves the NSWRL, NRL clubs and other elite sports, is being run by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and has been backed by the Australian government with $1.2million in funding.
It aims to target chronic disease, nutrition, physical activity and smoking which can have a negative impact on Indigenous Australian communities.
NRL’s Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Nathan Blacklock with supporters at the launch.
It will begin this month in the lead-up to the Holden State of Origin series in June and July 2019.
When clients visit any of Katungul’s three clinics on the South Coast for a health check, they will receive a free NSWRL-inspired jersey.
Katungul is one of only six high-performing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services who were selected as part of the Deadly Blues Origin Partnership.
2.2 NSW : Armajun Aboriginal Health Service staff can’t wait for work to begin on their new $4.7 million building.
Cosy: Megan McIntosh and Tara Price with (front) Brock Kinchela and Lucy Ridds in one of Armajun Aboriginal Health Service’s current offices.
With cramped office spaces, a lack of wheelchair ramps and the carpark doubling as a dental moulding room, Armajun Aboriginal Health Service staff can’t wait for work to begin on their new $4.7 million building.
The service is currently finalising designs for the purpose-built centre, which has already received development approval from the Inverell Shire Council. A $2.35 million federal government grant will help fund the building.
With construction expected to begin before the end of the year, the new centre could be ready by early 2021.
“We’ve been here since 2011. It’s OK, but it’s not really fit for purpose. Downstairs we’ve done a lot of renovations, but we’ve renovated it all that we can, and it’s a rabbit warren,” chief executive officer Debbie McCowen said of the current centre.
She said Armajun had been lucky to find such a convenient location, but had outgrown the rented space. The upstairs area has limited use due to a lack of accessibility for patients and, because they are not purpose-built, several consultation rooms have awkward layouts.
“The new building for Armajun AHS will be beneficial to both staff and patients as it will add much needed space and accessibility to the health care that we can offer our patients,” registered nurse Tara Price said.
“The new centre will enable us to try to reduce the impact of early mortality on the current and next generation of Aboriginal people in our community.”
Dental services are currently limited to a small office with two desks for a dental manager, two dentists, two dental assistants and an oral health therapist. Staff are looking forward to having a two chair dental clinic as well as a new sterilisation room to create mouth guards and dentures – which are currently made in the carpark due to space limitations.
The new space also promises a gym, children’s area, an outside meeting area and 10 consultation rooms for both in-house and visiting medical professionals.
“We’ve been limited by the number of doctors we’ve been able to have, because of the size of the current building,” Ms McCowen said.
“We’ve got about 3500-4000 clients who use Armajun. And there’s a lot of services. We have the medical clinic, the dental clinic, we have the drug and alcohol service, we have a mental health service.” With an exercise physiologist for the gym and visiting specialists ranging from paediatricians to ear, nose and throat specialists to optometrists; Ms McCowen said there’s often “a lot of traffic”.
She hopes the new space might attract more permanent general practitioners, and says it will allow Armajun to expand their services. “This makes the service more sustainable and viable into the future.”
2.3 NSW : Armajun Aboriginal Health Service in Tenterfield couples the Walkabout Barber with mental health,
Few can resist opening up to their hairdresser as they relax in the chair.
That’s the aim of an initiative that couples grooming with mental health, and it was all happening at Armajun Aboriginal Health Service in Tenterfield on Tuesday.
Walkabout Barber is the brainchild of Newcastle-based Brian Dowd, with the creed We cut hair anywhere. Mr Dowd and his team of cutters — and their customised Walkabout Barber truck — were part of a health roadshow the service was hosting, including dental and hearing checks.
The truck had visited Inverell, Tingah and Armidale communities earlier in the year. On this tour it stopped in at Ashford before Tenterfield, continuing on to Glen Innes the next day.
“Our main objective is to make people fresh on the outside, and to come out fresher on the inside,” Mr Dowd said.
“The barber’s chair is a magical experience especially for men. I’ve built the business as a healing space, for men and women to have a chat.”
The operation can do upwards of 60 cuts a day, so that’s a far reach. Mr Dowd said his barbers can also provide the styles and patterns that clients may find difficult to access in city areas.
He said that Armajun is an amazing partner to have on this journey, which is turning out to be a huge success.
It’s also providing employment for barbers to do a job they enjoy. Some of the crew come from Dubbo and Moree and just the previous day Mr Dowd had recruited someone from Ashford.
He’s going to need a lot more. A fixed Walkabout Barber location is about to open in Newcastle, and more trucks are on the way. One will be Walkabout Beautiful offering pedicures and manicures, and another one is heading to Western Australia.
One constant, however, will be the Walkabout moniker.
“The name sticks with our culture’s way of moving around,” Mr Dowd said.
He hopes the Walkabout truck will be a regular visitor to Tenterfield, in conjunction with Armajun. He feels positive repetition will be helpful, providing a safe place to not only receive a trim but also to have a talk especially about matters that people are finding difficult to discuss with family.
“I have to thank Armajun for the opportunity to let us do what we do,” he said.
3.1 VIC : VAHS ACCHO to open new clinic in northern suburbs of Melbourne
It’s finally completed!!!!! After 10 weeks of construction of our new Epping Clinic, it is now officially done!!! VAHS received the keys to our new building today.
VAHS will notify the community very soon on the official opening date but it’s definitely opening in a few weeks.
We need to add more medical equipment, supplies, I.T. hardware, accreditation and upskill the new staff members on our new clinical system. Stay tune for further updates! Very exciting!
4. ACT : Winnunga ACCHO hosted our CTG event with a screening of “Take Heart
Winnunga hosted our CTG event recently with a screening of “Take Heart”, The quest to rid Australasia of Rheumatic Heart Disease (DVD) narrated by Stan Grant.
What powerful stories from such brave kids.
Also check out the Take Heart Info
5.2 QLD : Wuchopperen Health Service Cairns launches for their Deadly Choices Health Program
The Bumma Bippera Team were broadcasting live from Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd for their Deadly Choices launch 🚀
The Deadly Choices team
Check out these prizes at the Deadly Choices launch
6. WA Indigenous youth health forum focus : Kimberley Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Trial’s Empowered Young Leaders Project
Young indigenous health and social workers from across the region united in Broome recently to brainstorm ideas for encouraging youth to speak up about their mental health.
The workshop and forum was held across three days last fortnight, as part of the Kimberley Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Trial’s Empowered Young Leaders Project, which provides resources for Aboriginal role models between 18 and 30 to drive change in the region.
The seminar consisted of a panel discussion about unique challenges faced by indigenous people in the region, a number of speakers, including senator Pat Dodson, as well as team-building and self-care activities.
EYLP working group member Jacob Smith said the event took a very positive approach and left many feeling ready to create change.
“The forum focused more on the strengths of us as young people and not just on the negatives, such as the statistics around suicide,” he said. “The goal was to build the people here up and empower them to recognise themselves as leaders and celebrate the role they can play in the community.
“It was put together by young people for young people and I think there are a lot of people leaving feeling very motivated with the tools and techniques to drive change.”
Soleil White, also a member of the working group, said self-care was a major topic highlighted throughout the three days.
“The realities of suicide can be very heavy and daunting and so it is important for us as young leaders to take care of ourselves before taking care of family and community,” she said.
“This includes coping mechanisms and skills to deal with the issues we are being faced with to have a strong body, spirit and mind.
“Overall I think this forum has absolutely been a success and a number of the delegates have expressed that it has been extremely helpful for them.”
The Kimberley Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Trial was launched by the Federal Government in 2016 in response to the high rate of suicide in the region.
It is led by the WA Primary Health Alliance and Country WA Primary Health Networks in partnership with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services and the region’s working group.
7. NT : The Administrator of the Northern Territory, the honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM visits Congress Alukura to learn about the service to Aboriginal women and babies in Central Australia.
Congress Alukura has always been at the forefront of providing comprehensive and cultural responsive health care to Aboriginal women and babies, embedded in the knowledge of our traditional Grandmothers.
We were thrilled to receive a visit from the Administrator of the Northern Territory, the honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM who was keen to learn about the unique service Alukura provides to Aboriginal women and babies in Central Australia.
