26 November 2024

The NACCHO Sector 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.

VACCHO celebrates the outstanding achievements of 59 student graduates

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) celebrated the accomplishments of 59 dedicated students at their Education Training Unit Graduation Ceremony.

VACCHO’s Education Training Unit is called ‘Yagilaith Djerring’ which is Woi-Worrung language for ‘learning from each other’. It is the largest Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) Registered Training Organisation in Australia.

The event represented a special moment for the students, some of whom were the first in their family to achieve a qualification. VACCHO CEO Dr. Jill Gallagher AO, commended the graduates on their hard work dedication and resilience.

“Students that study and train with VACCHO experience wrap-around support, including support and guidance from an Aboriginal mentor throughout their journey, empowering them to achieve their goals and career aspirations.”

Read more here.

Image source: VACCHO.

Rainbow Mob Gathering

VACCHO also held an unforgettable evening filled with singing, dancing, and yarning at the Rainbow Mob Gathering in Geelong. Rainbow Mob and allies from across Victoria came together to celebrate the strength, identity, and vibrant Culture of our rainbow Community.

VACCHO posted on social media:

“We are deeply grateful to Kristi Watts for the warm Welcome to Wathaurong Country and want to thank everyone who came along to make it a great night.

“A special shout out to Wathaurong Aboriginal Co Op for co-hosting this deadly event and to Waii Bean Soul Foods and Yam Daisy for serving up an incredible feed.”

For VACCHO Rainbow Mob resources, go here.

Image source: VACCHO.

New maternal health program launched at Mookai

Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan in Cairns has expanded its midwifery service with the launch of the Mookai Maternal Health Program. Mookai Maternal Health is a completely unique program: a community-integrated, midwife and doula-led, trauma, attachment and culturally informed model of care. This includes:

  • the development of culturally tailored doula education and training,
  • provision of culturally appropriate doula services in the community (recruiting and training place-based community representatives), in Cairns via Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan and Cairns Hospital,
  • the continuity of the midwifery and doula model of care for all Cairns referrals.

As part of this program, Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan is also progressing towards becoming a recognised birthing centre — one of its long-term strategic goals.

The birthing centre will include comprehensive and collaborative practice in a cultural safe space, offering seven to 10-day postnatal checks, postnatal and breastfeeding support, and support for early labour. Part of Mookai’s project site at Edmonton is under renovation to support this space.

Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan CEO Theresa Simpson said the introduction of Indigenous birth support (doulas) would provide education, advocacy and act as a go-between for women birthing through the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.

Read more here.

Image source: Sector Leader.

Sleep Bub Safe’ education campaign

In June 2023, as part of the ACCC’s product safety infant sleep priority, the ACCC commenced Phase 1 of a campaign to raise broad community awareness about safety risks to infants if sleeping on inclined products.

The ACCC has now commenced Phase 2 of the campaign. Phase 2 focuses on promoting safety messages associated with infant inclined sleep products for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The campaign seeks to help protect infants from the risk of serious injury by raising awareness of risks and promote safer practices.

The ACCC has developed a suite of creative assets including:

  • An educational animated video which aims to present key information in accessible way. This will be available on the ACCC’s YouTube Channel and the ACCC’s Product Safety website.
  • A one-page brochure with key information. This includes a QR code with a direct link to more information on the Product Safety website.
  • Social media tiles to use and promote on your own communications channels
  • A new webpage that presents information in an easy-to-understand way. All of the campaign assets are available under the resources section.

This Gunnai and Gunditjmara man ran a marathon on all 7 continents for mob’s mental health

Proud Gunnai and Gunditjmara man Andrew Googz Thorpe has just finished competing in the Great World Race, where runners travel to each of the seven continents to run a marathon in just seven days. Mr Thorpe made history, becoming the first Aboriginal man to compete.

Mr Thorpe wanted to compete to raise awareness for mental health and money for the Black Dog Institute.

“I’ve only been running for five years and now I’m travelling the world with some amazing people to share my story and to help raise funds to help and support mob that are fighting battles with their mental health,” he said.

Mr Thorpe started his journey off in Antarctica and finished it in America. He says that he hopes to inspire mob to do things that will better their emotional and mental well-being.

“I want mob to go out and try their own seven day challenge,” he said.

“I want you all to do something that helps your mental health for seven days straight, whether that’s sport, painting, gardening, meditation.

“The catch is, you have to finish that activity with a smile on your face and a heart full of pride – that’s how you can start to build resilience and that’s how we can become healthier.”

Read more here.

Andrew Thorpe completing his race in Antarctica. Image source: NITV.

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.

2024 NACCHO Members’ Conference

The 2024 NACCHO Members’ Conference will be held at the National Convention Centre Canberra, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December as part of a broader program commencing on Sunday 1 December with the NACCHO Men’s Health Day, NACCHO Youth Conference on Monday 2 December and the 2024 NACCHO Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting on Tuesday 3 December. A Conference dinner will be held on Wednesday 4 December.

If you are thinking about coming to the NACCHO Conference, the only way to register is via the NACCHO Website – www.naccho.org.au/conference. We are using the secure Cvent system for registrations. NACCHO will not call you directly about registering for the conference.

 If you have any queries, please contact the NACCHO Conference Team: conference@naccho.org.au

To register, go here.