NACCHO Sector News: 6 August 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.

Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities – 2025 NACCHO Members’ Conference!

By becoming a sponsor of the NACCHO 2025 Members’ Conference, your organisation will contribute to supporting the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector to showcase their community-driven initiatives, collaboration efforts, and holistic, high-quality health care that is building a healthier future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

As a sponsor, you will not only contribute to the critical work of closing the health gap, but you will also gain visibility and recognition within a network dedicated to impactful change. Your support will help drive policy development, amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and foster essential partnerships that lead to improved health outcomes across the nation. Join us in making a meaningful difference and demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility and health equity.

About the Conference:
The NACCHO Members’ Conference is an annual gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders from across the country. With up to 1,000 delegates expected each year, the conference brings opportunity for attendees to network, learn, influence and celebrate our ongoing drive to self-determination.

To learn more and view the prospectus, go here.

Elder Care Support: Staff Spotlight

My name is: Juan Andrade

My role and location within the ECS program: ECS Workforce & Training Coordinator, I work in Broome for Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS).

What I love most about my job: I love working in the Kimberley, it is a beautiful country with amazing people. I enjoy having chats and exchange of ideas with colleagues from different services and I love advocating for appropriate aged care services for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Kimberley.

My mob/nation/people: I respectfully work and live in Yawuru and Djugun Country. I am from northern Mexico and have lived in the Pilbara and the Kimberley regions of Western Australia for the last six years.

I would describe myself as: Inquisitive, cautious, upfront and friendly

When I was growing up my goal was: To become a biologist or a driver of an articulated bus.

My favourite musician/band is: The Killers!!!!

If I could hop on a plane right now, I’d be heading to: Italy!

The food I enjoy eating the most is: Steak beef tacos with salsa roja and no onions and no coriander.

My nickname or other name I’m known by is: Different pronunciations of my name: Ju-wan, Yuan, One, Ju-ann, Whoan, etc. I like them all!

The words I live by are: Respect and Freedom.

Read the full Elder Care Support Newsletter (July 2025) here.

Juan Andrade

Australian Family Partnership Program graduating class of 2025

Last Thursday our Australian Family Partnership Program (AFPP) team hosted a beautiful celebration to honour some of the program’s graduating class of 2025.

Danila Dilba Health Service celebrated eight graduating families (although not all could attend the event).

The little graduates wore their caps and gowns proudly, shared laughter and play, had their faces painted by the wonderful Fairy Jill’s Enchanted Entertainment, and enjoyed a deadly spread.

AFPP is a culturally strong, home-visiting program that supports first-time mums from pregnancy until their child turns two. It focuses on improving the health, wellbeing, and self-sufficiency of families through trusted, ongoing relationships.

Currently, over 40 families are engaged in the program, with Danila Dilba Health Service’s dedicated AFPP team walking alongside them every step of the way, building strong relationships and supporting families through their parenting journey.

To find out more about AFPP, click here.

For more images go here.

Image source: Danila Dilba Health Service

Journey mapping project aims to support culturally safe healthcare

A new research project is aiming to support culturally safe healthcare in First Nations communities through journey mapping.

Journey mapping relates to the process of recording different stages of health journeys to enable all aspects of health journeys to be recorded.

The culturally safe and person-centred approach integrates biomedical, social, emotional, spiritual, cultural, financial, access, and environmental factors in a holistic approach.

Funded by the Lowitja Institute, Australia’s only national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health research institute, the research project follows others conducted by the University of Adelaide.

It says journey mapping positions First Nations Peoples as experts of their own health journeys, with control to share their experiences from their perspective, and self-identify strengths and gaps in care and how they can best be addressed.

“Our new project, Mapping Journeys for Health and Wellbeing, builds on the work of our previous projects Managing Two Worlds Together and Health Journey Mapping, by evaluating how these tools and resources have been implemented and used,” project lead Professor Janet Kelly said.

“As part of this project, we have developed the Mapping Journeys for Health and Wellbeing webpage, a hub for people to find information about journey mapping activities, resources, examples, and to connect with one another.”

Read the full article here.

Journey mapping project lead professor Janet Kelly. (Image: The University of Adelaide)

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.