1.1 National : NACCHO , Affiliates and members visit Kimberleys to learn about renal services
1.2 National : Registrations to this year’s Youth Conference and the NACCHO National Conference will now close on 25th October 2019.
1.3 National : Closing the Gap / Have your say CTG deadline extended to Friday, 8 November 2019.
2.1 QLD :Australia’s Sportswoman of the Year Ash Barty and tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley helping out at the Deadly Choices NAIDOC Tennis Camp hosted by Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd
2.2 QLD : Treaty consultations in Queensland could deliver better housing and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
3.NSW : AHMRC : A primary care oasis: Community Control success stories at Walgett AMS
4.VIC : VACCHO partners with BreastScreen Victoria’s to arrange the hot pink van, known as “Marjorie” to visit Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative ACCHO in Warrnambool
5. WA Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporations staff support Rowans Walk and suicide prevention awareness
6. SA : First Syphilis Point of Care Test at Nunyara ACCHS’ Community Connection Day
7. NT : Congress ACCHO Alice Springs healthy promotions teams are getting out to communities to spread prevention messages
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
1.National : NACCHO , Affiliates and members visit Kimberleys to learn about renal services
Pictured here at Derby Renal Health Centre are Neil Willmett (CEO, QAIHC), Dania Ahwang (CEO, Wuchoperren Health Service, Cairns), Donnella Mills (Acting Chairperson, NACCHO) and Dawn Casey (Deputy CEO, NACCHO).” REPOST – QAIHC CEO Neil Willmett
The incidence of Kidney Disease in the Kimberley is one of the highest in Australia. Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) and End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) incidence within the Aboriginal population of the Kimberley greatly exceeds the national burden of disease.
Dialysis prevalence for this region has more than tripled in the last decade and is increasing at a much faster rate than in the rest of Western Australia (WA).
Kimberley Renal Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Ltd established to manage regional renal support and dialysis services in Broome, Derby, Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing.
Fitzroy Crossing Renal Health Centre opened in July 2012 and currently has 4 chairs
Broome Renal Health Centre (previously known as Kimberley Satellite Dialysis Centre KSDC) has been in operation since 21st October 2002 and currently has 10 chairs
Kununurra Renal Health Centre opened in May 2013 and currently has 6 chairs
Derby Renal Health Centre opened in May 2013 and currently has 6 chairs
Each Renal Health Centre operates Monday to Saturday with varying opening hours providing dialysis services to clients across the Kimberley.
Care is provided largely by Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers (AHW) and support staff includes Aboriginal Care Coordinators, Patient Care Assistants, Receptionists and Administrative Support Staff and Cleaners.
1.2 National : Registrations to this year’s Youth Conference and the NACCHO National Conference extended to 25 October 2019.
Monday 4th November 2019 NACCHO Youth Conference *Youth Registration is Free of Charge
The central focus of the NACCHO Youth Conference Healthy youth, healthy future is on building resilience.
For thousands of years our Ancestors have shown great resolve thriving on this vast continent. Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who make up 54% of our population, now look to the example set by generations past and present to navigate ever-changing and complex social and health issues.
Healthy youth, healthy future provides us with opportunities to explore and discuss issues of importance to us, our families and communities, and to take further steps toward becoming tomorrow’s leaders. We hope to see you there!
Registrations are now open for the 2019 NACCHO Youth Conference, which will be held November 4th in Darwin at the Darwin Convention Centre.
5 – 7 November NACCHO Conference and AGM -Darwin NT
Tuesday 5th & Wednesday 6th November 2019
7th November 2019 NACCHO AGM
This year, NACCHO’s Members’ Conference focuses on the theme –
Because of them we must: improving health outcomes for our people aged 0-29 years.
We have chosen this focus because we know that investing in the health and wellbeing of our babies, children and young people can help prevent ill health, disease and disability. Strong investment in this age group will help them to thrive, help them build strong and healthy families and communities, and help to positively influence their future health outcomes and life expectancy measures.
Because of them we must provides an opportunity to place our future generations at the forefront of our discussions, to hear about the innovative work that is happening in our community controlled and other sectors, to exchange ideas and share our knowledge.
Registrations to this year’s Youth Conference and the NACCHO National Conference will close on 25th October 2019. Late registrations will not be accepted.
We hope you can join us!
If you have any questions or would like further information contact Ros Daley and Jen Toohey on 02 6246 9309 or via email conference@naccho.org.au
1.3 National : Closing the Gap / Have your say CTG deadline extended to Friday, 8 November 2019.
The engagements are now in full swing across Australia and this is generating more interest than we had anticipated in our survey on Closing the Gap.
The Coalition of Peaks has had requests from a number of organisations across Australia seeking, some Coalition of Peak members and some governments for more time to promote and complete the survey.
We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to have their say on what should be included in a new agreement on Closing the Gap so it is agreed to extend the deadline for the survey to Friday, 8 November 2019.
This will help build further understanding and support for the new agreement and will not impact our timeframes for negotiating with government as we were advised at the most recent Partnership Working Group meeting that COAG will not meet until early 2020.
There is a discussion booklet that has background information on Closing the Gap and sets out what will be talked about in the survey.
The survey will take a little bit of time to complete. It would be great if you can answer all the questions, but you can also just focus on the issues that you care about most.
To help you prepare your answers, you can look at a full copy here
The survey is open to everyone and can be accessed here:
https://www.naccho.org.au/programmes/coalition-of-peaks/have-your-say/
2.1 QLD :Australia’s Sportswoman of the Year Ash Barty and tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley helping out at the Deadly Choices NAIDOC Tennis Camp hosted by Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd
It’s not every day a tennis World Number 1 is in Cairns but that was the case today when Ash Barty, along with Evonne Goolagong-Cawley came to have a hit with some of Cairns up-and-coming stars.
2.2 QLD : Treaty consultations in Queensland could deliver better housing and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The first Indigenous woman elected to Queensland’s parliament has encouraged all Queenslanders to take part in the 26 treaty consultation sessions to be held across the state.
Official talks of a treaty that could deliver better housing and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland began in Cairns on Thursday.
They were the first in a series of community consultation sessions across the state with plans to reach a treaty with First Nations people.
“I encourage all Queenslanders to attend a consultation session and participate in this important conversation,” said Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch.
“This is an historic step we take together, one that is long overdue but one that will strengthen the way to greater reconciliation, self-determination and a more inclusive, respectful shared future.”
The state government outlined plans towards a treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people in July, with the aim for greater self-determination in Indigenous communities.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Jackie Trad told parliament on Thursday it was time for the truth about the state’s ancient history and colonisation to be told as part of steps towards a shared and inclusive future
3.NSW : AHMRC : A primary care oasis: Community Control success stories at Walgett AMS
Driving through Gamilaraay country in the remotest reaches of northwestern NSW, the single most striking feature is the dry; vast expanses of parched land.
At the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service, the walls are beginning to crack because the soil the building stands on is too dry to support its weight.
On the day I visit, the water from the taps runs yellow, sediment settling in it from the artesian basin below, and the Shire Council advises locals to boil it before drinking.
Walgett is not expecting rain for another three years, and though it is nowhere to be seen, water – or, more precisely, the lack of it — courses through every conversation.
The situation is so precarious the AMS is now receiving donated water and storing it casks on palates for distribution on Mondays and Wednesdays to those who need it most.
Water stored in casks on palates. Photo credit Dr Tim Senior.
This doesn’t seem sustainable, but for Christine Corby, CEO of the long-running Walgett AMS, it is simply one more way in which the service offers comprehensive and holistic primary care.
It may look like a conventional medical clinic, offering a range of programs including acute medical care, chronic disease management, dental and oral health services, allied health, psychology, specialist clinics, child health and antenatal care, but Walgett AMS is so much more than a one-stop shop for health. It is of, by and for the community. Really, it *is* the community, and Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners are integral to its success.
This article was written by Dr Tim Senior and edited by Amy Coopes, on behalf of Croakey Professional Services.
It was sponsored by The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) of NSW, which had final say over the content.
Croakey Professional Services help generate funds to sustain our public interest journalism activities, and also aim to provide a useful service to our readers. To find out more about the range of services on offer, see here.
4.VIC : VACCHO partners with BreastScreen Victoria’s to arrange the hot pink van, known as “Marjorie” to visit Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative ACCHO in Warrnambool
To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Aboriginal women in Warrnambool this week got free breast screens – the best way to find cancer early and save lives.
BreastScreen Victoria’s hot pink van, known as “Marjorie” visited Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative at Harris Reserve to give free breast screens to women aged 50 .
The first 50 women to receive a mammogram received a free cultural screening shawl to wear during the procedure, and to take home with them.
These shawls have been developed to make breast screening more comfortable for Aboriginal women across Victoria, with Warrnambool’s shawl featuring a design by local Warlpiri artist, Rebecca Clayton.
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea was also be provided throughout the day.
BreastScreen Victoria CEO, Vicki Pridmore, said that the initiative was a culmination of months of hard work and planning with project partner, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO).
“We hope that the beautiful shawls created by Aboriginal artists as a part of this project can assist women screening to feel comfortable, welcome andrespected,” Ms Pridmore said.
We hope that the beautiful shawls created by Aboriginal artists as a part of this project can assist women screening to feel comfortable, welcome and respected.
BreastScreen Victoria CEO, Vicki Pridmore
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Aboriginal women in Victoria. A breast screen can find cancer as small as a grain of rice, long before a woman or her doctor can see or feel anything.
Typically, women aged between 50 and 74 should have a breast screen every two years – the best way to find breast cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
All breast screens are with a female radiographer, in a friendly and safe environment. Clients don’t need a doctor’s referral or Medicare card, and only take 10 minutes.
Ms Pridmore is encouraging Aboriginal women aged 50 to 74 to take advantage of the van’s visit to town.
“When found early, breast cancer can be treated very successfully. This visit has been organised with our partners at VACCHO and Gunditjmara to make sure that Aboriginal women in Warrnambool have access to a potentially life-saving breast screen,” she said.
“The vans use the highest quality digital radiography machines to ensure that women receive the best service, regardless of their location.”
5. WA Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporations staff support Rowans Walk and suicide prevention awareness
In support for Rowans Walk and suicide prevention awareness, WMHSAC staff had a great time yesterday encouraging all participants with cool refreshments, as they completed the awareness walk.
6. SA : First Syphilis Point of Care Test at Nunyara ACCHS’ Community Connection Day
7. NT : Congress ACCHO Alice Springs healthy promotions team are getting out to communities to spread prevention messages
The Congress FASD Prevention Program visited Ntaria community this week, promoting ‘NO grog before, during and after pregnancy is safest for dad, mum and bub’….here is Donna and Justine having a yarn with Ntaria school kids.
Check out our health promotion team who are out at Amoonguna community spreading health messages about risky alcohol behaviours, nutrition, Tackling Indigenous Smoking and Sexual Health education