28 March 2024

The NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.

We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.

Greater First Nations participation flagged in national water policy overhaul

The federal government has released details of a plan that will readjust Australia’s outdated overarching water policy, to better prepare for climate change and boost participation of First Nations peoples in water management. Now 20 years old, the National Water Initiative (NWI) aligns state, territory and federal water policies by setting objectives for how water is shared and managed, and ensuring they are in harmony with other areas of policy, international treaties and commitments. In a 2021 review of the NWI, the Productivity Commission concluded that it was outdated and would struggle to meet population and climate challenges without a major overhaul. It also said the NWI had failed to consider the rights and aspirations of First Nations people to manage, own and control water for their own economic and cultural purposes.

In a document released this morning, federal environment and water minister Tanya Plibersek said the updated NWI would “strengthen the connection between climate science and water planning, alongside a greater consideration of, and influence for, First Nations peoples in water management”.

“A renewed NWI will provide an extra level of confidence for communities that our precious water resources are efficiently managed in the face of climate change,” she said.

“We are also entrenching an ongoing commitment to First Nations voices in water management, ensuring the needs and aspirations of First Nations communities are integral to water planning in our country.”

Read the full ABC News article here.

Image source: ABC Rural: Clint Jasper.

Kambu Health 2024 Men’s Retreat a huge success

The Kambu Health 2024 Men’s Retreat at Kokoda Park over the weekend, was a terrific success. Men engaged in loads of activities aimed at cultural immersion and personal growth.

Activities included welcome rituals, hands-on artistic endeavours such as painting woodwork, and Didgeridoo playing and making. The men also participated in problem-solving, team building and archery activities to foster strong relationships with each other. This included the distribution of domestic violence materials and discussion on culture and connection to Country and its meaning.

The fellas enjoyed watching the footy together, eating great tukka, and bonding through yarning circles and ending shame around men talking about their social and emotional wellbeing.

Dr Marjad Page, Kambu Health’s First Nation General Practitioner, delivered health checks.

Read more about the Men’s Retreat here.

Kambu Health 2024 Men’s Retreat group photo. Image source: Kambu Health.

FREE online workshops: Cervical Cancer Prevention Program

Aboriginal Health Council of WA (AHCWA) is teaming up with the WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. In Support of the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy, the teams are offering free workshops to increase cervical awareness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, clinical and non-clinical staff working in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health setting and health promotion officers who engage with First Nations women.

Information will be shared to build confidence to use the cervical screen flip chart to engage with Aboriginal women about the importance of regular cervical screening. Topics covered include; what is Human Papilloma Virus; HPV self-collection option; women with menopause; and exit testing.

There will be two online workshops hosted by AHCWA:

  • Friday May 10: 12.00 – 1.00pm (register by Friday March 29)
  • Tuesday May 21: 12.00 – 1.00pm (register by Tuesday April 9)

There is also a face-to-face workshop on Wednesday April 10: 12.00 – 2.00pm, held at AHCWA (register by Wednesday April 3).

 To register, go here.

WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program online Workshops brochure.

SNAICC CEO on Q+A: How the housing crisis effects First Nations people

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle spoke on Q+A on Monday March 25. Ms Liddle discussed the current housing crisis and how it effects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

“…This is one of the richest countries in the world and yet those families that are suffering the highest levels of vulnerabilities are the ones most overrepresented in those numbers.

“When you think about what we’re looking at in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, 20% of the people that have nowhere to live are our families in the Northern Territory.

“90% of the people who don’t have anywhere to live are our people. When you look at what housing is available, again, grossly overrepresented. We’re looking at stats like 34% of the housing available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has major structural flaws, and 20% of current housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would be considered ‘not fit to live in.’ That’s something we should be ashamed of.”

Watch it here.

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle on Q+A.

Helping reduce harm and alcohol-fuelled violence in Community

Geraldton police have welcomed its first Aboriginal community liaison officer for the region, helping to improve the lives of Aboriginal people exposed to domestic or alcohol-fuelled violence. Yamatji, Badimaya, Wajarri and Noongar woman Natalie Clark began the new role in the Mid West-Gascoyne district in February, in a move to be closer to her family while keeping busy and staying in touch with her local community. Ms Clark will work alongside the liquor enforcement unit, helping to reduce harm and alcohol-fuelled violence in the community.

Ms Clark said she wanted to be a point of contact for Aboriginal people in the community when times were tough.

“I just love getting out there. I want my Aboriginal community to know that I’m here if they ever need to talk, or if they need me to help with anything, I can help. I’ll go to as far as I can, and if I have any issues, I’ll go to my boss,” she said.

“I’ve already been to the GRAMS (Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service), I want to do more there, and within the Indigenous agencies as well. I just want to get involved.”

To read the full article, go here.

Natalie Clark is the first Aboriginal liaison officer at the Geraldton Police Station. Credit: Jessica Moroney/Geraldton Guardian.

Yamatji researcher receives 2024 World Indigenous Cancer Conference award

A researcher from the University of Western Australia’s WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to Indigenous cancer care in the regions at a prestigious international Indigenous cancer conference recently held in Naarm/Melbourne. Proud Yamatji woman Lenny Papertalk received the 2024 World Indigenous Cancer Conference award for her consumer and advocacy work in Geraldton and Mullewa in the Midwest of Western Australia. The award recognises someone who has provided a voice for Indigenous cancer care and shown outstanding energy and influence in cancer care for Indigenous people.

In accepting the award, Ms Papertalk spoke about having to choose as a 17-year-old between education and caring for her grandmother, her cultural knowledge holder, who had cancer.

A qualified Social Worker and Community Engagement Officer employed with WACRH in Geraldton, Ms Papertalk was instrumental with her WACRH and UWA colleagues in developing the ‘Whisper No More: Sharing Our Stories for better cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ program.

WACRH described her as “a passionate advocate in encouraging her Yamatji community to share their lived experiences living with cancer”. With Ms Papertalk’s help and community engagement, Aboriginal cancer patients shared their stories on video and agreed to the use of the material to make resources for health professionals to enhance their understanding of what matters to Aboriginal people when they have cancer.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

WA Centre for Rural Health colleagues Professor Sandra Thompson, Lenny Papertalk, Dr Charmaine Green with Professor Tom Calma at the World Indigenous Cancer Conference in Melbourne. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.

Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

Free, specialised governance workshops for ACCHOs will be delivered in multiple locations across the country during 2024 and 2025. 

Registrations are open now for Perth: 16-17 April 2024. 

The program is delivered by legal experts and covers:  

  • Delegation of powers 
  • Finance for Boards
  • Governance documents
  • Managing conflicts of interest 
  • Managing risk  
  • Principles of good governance  
  • Structure and role of boards and sub-committees 

To register, go here.

For more information, please contact NACCHO using this email link.