NACCHO Sector News: 4 March 2025

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.

2025 NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship now open!

Providing subsidy and support for full-time equivalent prospective or current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacy students, the NACCHO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacist Scholarship aims to build the First Nations pharmacist workforce & highlights the beneficial role pharmacists play in supporting culturally safe care for Mob.

James Sowter, proud Yorta Yorta man and previous recipient says: “This scholarship has directly allowed me to continue my career path as a pharmacist by supporting me along my university journey.
“Before receiving the scholarship, I had considered returning to work and dropping my university load to part-time to pay for basic necessities.
“The scholarship provides numerous opportunities for networking and mentorship. I have been invited to attend conferences as well as given a direct contact line to a registered Indigenous pharmacist whom I can contact for advice as needed.”
Applications close 24 March 2025. To apply, go here.
Proudly supported by a grant from Sanofi Australia & New Zealand.

Returning to First Knowledges for better health

Community control of health care has been hard fought in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and it’s delivering results.

In their book First Knowledges Health: Spirit, Country and Culture, Shawana Andrews, Sandra Eades and Fiona Stanley map the history and importance of this movement.

They also outline how returning to traditional ways of life can improve outcomes through nutrition, activity and community engagement.

Listen here. 

Health experts gather in Sydney/Gadigal land to examine latest disease screening evidence

The launch of the national Lung Cancer Screening Program, eliminating cervical cancer, emerging screening evidence for chronic conditions and more will be examined when over 200 experts gather for the Screening Conference.

The conference, held on Tuesday 4 March – Wednesday 5 March, will take a critical look at the benefits and harms of screening programs and the evidence needed to make sure we strike the right balance. Notable topics include:

  • A whole session on the July 2025 launch of the national Lung Cancer Screening Program (Concurrent session 1: 1:30-3pm AEDT, Tues 4 March).
  • Putting Participants at the centre of Screening, featuring speakers including Dr Dawn Casey, Deputy CEO, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (3:30-5pm AEDT, Tues 4 March).
  • Elimination of Cervical Cancer: leaving no-one behind (7:50-8:50am AEDT, Wed 5 March).
  • Obesity, body image and past screening experiences: impacts on breast screening participation (Concurrent Session 2C, 11-12:30 AEDT, Wed 5 March; Speaker, A/Prof Kate McBride, Western Sydney Uni, available for interview).

The two-day inaugural conference is organised by the peak body, Public Health Association of Australia.

Read more here. 

CATSINaM Regional Congress scholarship opportunities

The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) is offering 5 incredible scholarships to attend our Regional Congress on Waibene (Thursday Island) from the 2nd – 5th July 2025.

hese scholarships are open to CATSINaM members who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Nurses and/or Midwives employed in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
The scholarship includes:
  • Return travel to and from your place of residence, including transfers
  • Accommodation
  • Registration for both Congress days. This includes access to the main plenary, panel discussions, and art and music workshops.
  • Social events such as the Island Night (Wednesday 2nd) and Gala Dinner (Thursday 3rd)
Learn more about this great opportunity including how to apply here.

Image source: CATSINaM

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.