1.1 National : Our NACCHO CEO Pat Turner joins the senior advisory group co-designing an Indigenous Voice to Government 

1.2 National Our NACCHO Deputy CEO Dawn Casey at Vision 2020 AGM

1.3 National : NACCHO is a proud partner of the Mayi Kuwayu Study

2. NSW : Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service facility to undergo $3.1 million major refurbishment

3. VIC : On World Diabetes Day, VACCHO celebrated our 12 year partnership with Diabetes Australia Vic

4.1  QLD : The Yarrabah ACCHO has an opportunity to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of the community with the launch of a new health centre.

4.2 QLD  Apunipima ACCHO at the  Mapoon Health Summit on Cape York

4.3 New National Agreement on Closing the Gap community engagement dates in Queensland

Please note #SA #WA #NT #TAS and #ACT continued next week 22 November

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

1.1 National : Our NACCHO CEO Pat Turner joins the senior advisory group co-designing an Indigenous Voice to Government 

” Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has urged the senior advisory group co-designing an Indigenous Voice to Government to take hold of the “moment in time” before them to change the lives of Indigenous Australians.

The minister led the first meeting of the consultation body made up of 19 people at Old Parliament in Canberra on Wednesday.

The senior advisory group is seeking to shape a framework towards developing options for an Indigenous voice to all levels of government. 

But his actions have earned some backlash for already taking enshrining the voice in the constitution off the table.

Mr Wyatt called on the leadership group to embrace their opportunity to “enact meaningful” and “long-lasting change” for Indigenous Australians and the entire nation.

“All of us have been around for a long time – we have seen communities grow but we’ve seen them struggle,” he said.

“We talk about community control – but I don’t see it on the ground.

“The bottom line is for the elder in the community, the child … the family – that’s where we have to make the difference.”

Introduction and photos from NITV Online

Download the Ministers press release and opening speech HERE

Minister Wyatt Press Release speech the Voice

Read all 30 plus articles Aboriginal Health and the Uluru Statement 

1.2 National Our NACCHO Deputy CEO Dawn Casey at Vision 2020 AGM

Dawn Casey Chair of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Committee providing the Committee update, Vision 2020 AGM.

Commending all committee members, sector & Minister Hunt (support for eye health & ACCHOs)

At the AGM, Chair Amanda Vanstone described Vision 2020 Australia as a vital and financially stable organisation. She highlighted the significant support received from both the Australia and Victorian governments and thanked all member organisations, including major financial supporters, for their contributions.

Vision 2020 Australia Chief Executive Officer Judith Abbott spoke to some of the highlights of the year, including development of 10 submissions to government, high levels of member and stakeholder engagement, a growing social media presence and sustained efforts and impact through the Victorian Government funded Vision Initiative.

1.3 National : NACCHO is a proud partner of the Mayi Kuwayu Study

Mayi Kuwayu is the National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing, based at the Australian National University in Canberra.

This project is a major longitudinal study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults that examines the connection between culture, health and wellbeing.

You can participate in the survey by visiting: https://forms.savant.net.au/lfserver/mkstudy

2. NSW : Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service facility to undergo $3.1 million major refurbishment

The Macleay and Nambucca Valley Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community will receive a massive health boost, with Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service (ACMS) announcing a $3.1 million funding package to undertake a major refurbishment of its Kempsey facility.

The funding package, which was awarded through the Federal Government’s Indigenous Health (Major Capital Works) Program, has been deemed one of the most noteworthy achievements in the organisation’s 40-year history.

The grant will see Durri ACMS undertake a much-needed refurbishment of its existing medical service building on York Lane, which provides a dedicated range of health care services for the local Indigenous community.

The refurbishments, which are scheduled to commence in May 2020, will reap great benefits for current patients, staff and the broader community.

Initial plans reveal a complete transformation of the original front and reception area into a sleek, modern and accessible space, with a focus on providing both indoor and outdoor spaces to create a welcoming environment for patients and staff.

Durri ACMS Chief Executive Officer Tim Aguis thanked the Government for its generous support, which will greatly benefit the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

“As the second largest Aboriginal medical service in New South Wales, Durri has been proudly serving the local community for 40 years,” said Mr Aguis.

“These long-overdue refurbishments will help improve our delivery of vital Primary Health Care Services to this community. We deeply appreciate the Federal Government’s support, as we enter this exciting new phase in the organisation’s history.

“I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the Durri ACMS Board, whose members committed a great deal of time and commitment to put forward the successful application.

“This funding is one of the biggest achievements for Durri ACMS since the Board’s appointment three years ago.”

The funding announcement comes as an early birthday present for Durri ACMS, which is due to celebrate its 40th anniversary later this year.

3. VIC : On World Diabetes Day, VACCHO celebrated our 12 year partnership with Diabetes Australia Vic.

Through this partnership we have had a significant impact on prevention and management of diabetes in Victorian Aboriginal communities.

The famous ‘Feltman’ and the recent addition of ‘Feltmum’ were developed through this partnership and have been educating our mob about diabetes for over 10 years across Australia.

4.1  QLD : The Yarrabah ACCHO has an opportunity to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of the community with the launch of a new health centre.

“The whole community is lifted when its youth have a bright future and Yarrabah is doing great things to provide the best opportunities for the next generation,”

Minister Wyatt says making support services more accessible in remote regions will have a flow-on effect

The Indigenous community of Yarrabah in far north Queensland has a new Aboriginal community-controlled Youth Hub.

The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, attended the opening and said he hopes the hub will have a positive effect on the community.

“This great facility is a safe-space for young people to meet up and connect with each other and access support services that promote wellbeing, resilience and responsibility,” he said.

“It is a place that shows young people facing challenges in Yarrabah that they don’t need to do so alone.”

Under the broader Yarrabah Youth and Family Social and Wellbeing Project, the facility will aim to help disengaged and at-risk youth and families aged 15-25.

Located 55 kilometres east of Cairns, the community is home to over 2,500 people.

According to the latest ABS statistics, 97% of Yarrabah residents are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with more than 50% under the age of 25.

The Hub, operated by Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation, includes a community kitchen, laundry facilities and bathrooms as well as counselling rooms, office space and more social areas.

It follows a new report from the Productivity Commission that says Indigenous people are three times as likely to suffer from high levels of psychological distress compared to other Australians.

It also recommends Indigenous-controlled organisations to operate Aboriginal suicide prevention programs, online navigation programs, and additional funding for mental health nurses in Indigenous communities in particular.

Minister Wyatt says making support services more accessible in remote regions will have a flow-on effect.

“The whole community is lifted when its youth have a bright future and Yarrabah is doing great things to provide the best opportunities for the next generation,” Minister Wyatt said.

Days after announcing the federal government will begin 12 months of consultations on an Indigenous voice to government, the Minister spent his time in far North Queensland visiting the Yarrabah State School and the Mandingalbay Yidinji Eco-Cultural Tourism project

4.2 QLD  Apunipima ACCHO at the  Mapoon Health Summit on Cape York

4.3 New National Agreement on Closing the Gap community engagement dates in Queensland

Thursday Island: Monday 11 November ( Closed )
Townsville: Tuesday 19 November
Cairns: Wednesday 20 November
Mt Isa: Tuesday 26 November
Ipswich: Thursday 28 November
Rockhampton: date t.b.c.

More information available HERE