NACCHO Sector News: 9 July 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.

National Lung Cancer Screening Program: “It’s about starting a conversation… not about blame”

As of 1 July 2025, our Mob can get free lung scans to find cancer early – when it’s easiest to treat.

Director of Cancer at NACCHO, Peter Bligh had a yarn with the National Indigenous Radio Service about the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program:

“The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is a non-invasive screening program, designed to check the lungs for early signs of cancer before symptoms appear.”

“The program is for people aged 50-70, who smoke or have quit in the past 10 years. It’s not about judgement, it’s about supporting people who’ve smoked for a long time, many of whom started young and many of whom were targeted by the tobacco industry.”

“…It’s about starting a conversation really, not about blame, and looking forward not back. It’s about understanding how much you’ve smoked and what we can do now to protect your future.”

“…The best way to get help is to chat with your doctor or Aboriginal Health Worker, that’s probably the first step, they’ll help work out if lung screening is right for you and support people in every step of the way.”

Listen here (13:55 – 18:20)

Mob turn out across Tasmania to celebrate NAIDOC Week

Aboriginal people in Tasmania have begun marking NAIDOC Week’s 50th iteration with ceremonies and events held across the state. Addressing the crowd of hundreds, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign coordinator, Nala Mansell, said this year’s theme hours past generations through the actions of young Aboriginal people.

“Our Elders fought their whole lives against racist policies that said we didn’t exist, so seeing young people today caring for countries, speaking their language and speaking about our rights … it really honours every single Aboriginal person who’s gone before them,” she said, The Mercury reports.

Read more here.

Children’s sing to the crowd at a community event as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations in Hobart on Monday. (Image: Linda Higginson)

Indigenous doctor wants to inspire next generation in healthcare

Dr Kieran Cubby, proud Wiradjuri Murrawarri man from Dubbo is a resident medical officer at John Hunter Hospital after completing a Bachelor of Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine through the University of Newcastle’s Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) initiative.

“There’s three areas where Indigenous people are underrepresented that I know of and that’s teaching, law and medicine,” he said.

With few Indigenous doctors across the country, it was a driving force for Dr Cubby to pursue a career in medicine finding his passion in orthapeadics.

“It was something that was really a big driving force for me especially with the Aboriginal health statistics as they are. I thought I could have a lot of impact in the area,” he said.

“Someone like myself who comes from not only my Aboriginal background but a low socio-economic background, I can relate to a certain amount of our patients where I feel like maybe some other health professionals can’t,” he said.

Read more here.

Resident medical officer at John Hunter Hospital Dr Kieran Cubby. Picture supplied

Expressions of interest paid internship in Indigenous genomics

SAGC – in conjunction with ALIGN and Wardliparingga – are seeking expressions of interest from Indigenous students, researchers or professionals to participate in a full time 12-week paid internship in genomics commencing November 2025. The internship will provide opportunities for hands-on lab training in genomics; to learn how genomic sequencing is conducted; to conduct a small genomics project; and to expand your knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal health research in SA.

The successful candidate will:

  • Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
  • Be an undergraduate or postgraduate student, professional or researcher looking for practical placement experience in genomics.
  • Have a background in biology, genetics, biotechnology, health and medical sciences or another relevant discipline and want to expand their knowledge in Indigenous genomics.
  • Have prior knowledge of or exposure to a laboratory environment.
  • Be available to undertake the placement.

To submit your expression of interest, please upload your CV and cover letter outlining your interest in Indigenous genomics and how this placement opportunity will support your career or study aspirations here.

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.