Category Dental

NACCHO Sector News: 4 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.

Oral Health Online Yarning Circle

Oral health gaps affect our mob’s overall health – Join the conversation and be part of bridging the gap by informing the National Oral Health Plan (2025-2034).

Details:

Wednesday 16 July: 3.30PM-5PM: Register here.

Speakers:

  • Cas Nest (She/her) Endorsed Midwife, Managing Director, First Peoples Health Consulting, Co-founder and Managing Director, Gullidala
  • Nadine Blair, Director ‑ Policy, NACCHO
Oral Health Online Yarning Circle

Oral Health Online Yarning Circle – Wednesday 16 July 2025

Untreated ear infections hindering First Nations children’s speech and learning

A leading hearing health advocate says undetected ear disease is preventing many First Nations children from developing key skills needed to thrive.

Yorta Yorta woman and Hearing Australia Cultural Leader, Kirralee Cross, said early, frequent and long-lasting ear infections continue to have a serious impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

“These type of ear infections are very common but in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids they usually occur more often, they start very early in life and it actually lasts longer,” Ms Cross said.

“It can start in infancy without any obvious symptoms.”

New data from Hearing Australia shows 35 per cent of young First Nations children experience fluctuating middle ear disease, while 8 per cent have persistent trouble.

The findings come from the government-funded Hearing Assessment Program – Early Ears (HAPEE), which has supported more than 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–6 each year since 2019.

Read the full article.

A Hearing Australia audiologist conducting an ear examination. (Image: Hearing Australia)

A Hearing Australia audiologist conducting an ear examination. (Image: Hearing Australia)

Yarning about Dementia videos in Armidale

Currently there are more than 433,000 Australians living with dementia, and by 2058, that figure is expected to rise to almost 1.1 million people, according to Dementia Australia, with rates of dementia three to four times higher in Aboriginal populations than the rest of the country.

Talking, or in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, “yarning,” about dementia can help people maintain their dignity and self-esteem, according to health professionals’ group HealthWISE.

HealthWISE New South Wales recently launched a new video series about dementia, at the Armidale Cultural Centre, to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers looking after people with dementia and related illnesses.

Integrated Team Care coordinator Valerie Cutmore said the videos offer practical guidance and personal stories from other carers who’ve walked the same path.

Read the full article.

Kerry Strong, Lesley Widders, Sally Henry, Valerie Cutmore, Cate Doyle and Letecia Kearney at the series launch.

Kerry Strong, Lesley Widders, Sally Henry, Valerie Cutmore, Cate Doyle and Letecia Kearney at the series launch.

NSW birthing centre next step to better maternity services for Aboriginal mothers

To be built among the trees in South Nowra, the maternity centre will aim to improve clinical outcomes for women and babies by fusing traditional and non-traditional practices.
Melanie Briggs is gazing out at a grassy field, swatting away mosquitoes as we walk through the brush and scrub on a sunny autumn afternoon on the New South Wales south coast. We come to a stop amid the knee-length grasses where the tall eucalyptus trees reach up to the blue sky. Here she unfurls her vision for women giving birth on country.

“I can see the first birth here,” she says. “It will happen at night.”

The birth will take place at a new, culturally safe holistic maternity care centre. The NSW government has committed $45m over seven years to Waminda Minga Gudjaga Gunyah, a local Aboriginal health clinic, for the three-storey Gudjaga Gunyahlamai birth centre. Some of the eucalypts that surround us will have to be felled to make way for the clinic but the wood will be used in the building and to make coolamons – traditional

Read the full article.

Waminda midwife Melanie Briggs says the new centre will use cultural practices Indigenous women cannot access in the mainstream medical system. Photograph: Tamara Dean/The Guardian

Waminda midwife Melanie Briggs says the new centre will use cultural practices First Nations women cannot access in the mainstream medical system. Photograph: Tamara Dean/The Guardian

Geraldton teenager Trevor Farrell named finalist for Youth of the Year in National NAIDOC Awards

As an advocate for multicultural unity, Geraldton teenager Trevor Farrell is already quite the high achiever and role model, which has seen him nominated as a finalist for the NAIDOC Youth of the Year award.

The 16-year-old from Yued Wilunyu country has been recognised in the National NAIDOC Awards for his cultural leadership, sporting achievements and commitment to uplifting the community.

A speaker at Yamatji Country and the NACCHO Youth Forum, Trevor wears many hats throughout his week — coaching junior boxing, playing colts with Brigades Football Club and being a boundary umpire for the GNFL.
He has also represented WA in the State Performance Program and First Nations Basketball Australia tournament which was run by Patty Mills, playing a three-point contest against the Australian NBA star.

Trevor believes Australia’s strength lies in its willingness to embrace differences.

“I think the fact that everyone is different from one another is what’s so beautiful about this country. It should be the thing that unites us, that we all come from different backgrounds, that we all love different things, that we all have different cultures,” he said.

Read the full article

NAIDOC youth finalist Trevor Farrell. Credit: Stuart Quinn

NAIDOC youth finalist Trevor Farrell. Credit: Stuart Quinn

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.

 

12 September 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.

Program empowering pregnant First Nations women to live smoke-free expands nationally

The iSISTAQUIT Program, a ground-breaking initiative designed by community, has this week announced its national expansion. iSISTAQUIT developed to support pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in quitting smoking as well as improving their health and wellbeing.

After clinical trials and testing of training and resources involving over 40 health services throughout Australia, including many Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHOs), the iSISTAQUIT program is now ready to expand its rollout. A self-paced four-hour online training is available now to individual health professionals (e.g., midwives, nurses, Aboriginal health workers, GPs and obstetricians) and health services (e.g., ACCHOs, Medical Centres and Hospitals).

For more information, go here.

Image source: iSISTAQUIT.

Ensuring the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan reflects the needs of communities

SNAICC – the peak body for Indigenous children – will oversee the consultation process as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan is developed and is calling for submissions.

Catherine Liddle, SNAICC CEO said making a submission will help to ensure the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“It’s vital we emphasise the importance of including voices from across the country, encompassing lived experiences, grassroots perspectives, organisations, and academics to inform a standalone plan to enhance safety for women and children,” Ms Liddle said.

To read the NITV article in full, go here.

Family violence survivors are being asked for their thoughts on how the abuse can be stopped. Credit: Dan Peled/AAPImage.

  • 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
  • Lifeline 13 11 14
  • 13YARN 13 92 76

Increasing access to culturally safe oral health care

Members of the University of Adelaide’s AKction (Aboriginal Kidney Care Together – Improving Outcomes Now) team worked with TAFE SA dental hygiene students and educators including to co-design strategies to increase oral health care information and services for AKction’s Kidney Warriors (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People living with kidney disease).

For those in remote or regional areas, access to oral health care is limited, which creates additional difficulties for those with kidney issues. Through the project, TAFE SA students visited Kanggawodli Aboriginal Hostel, a culturally safe accommodation service available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live more than 100km from Adelaide.

Three dialysis chairs have been installed at Kanggawodli, enabling Kidney Warriors to receive dialysis in a more culturally supportive environment.

“Accessing oral health care is often the one thing preventing Kidney Warriors from being on the kidney transplantation waitlist, and so accessing oral health care is so vitally important,” said University of Adelaide’s Nursing School Professor Janet Kelly.

“Good oral health is required for someone to become eligible for kidney transplantation, due to the increased risk of infection if there are dental problems post transplantation.”

To read the article in full, go here.

TAFE SA dental hygiene students speak to a resident at Kanggawodli Aboriginal Hostel during the project.

Connected Beginnings expands to Port Adelaide

The Federal Government’s Connected Beginnings program has again expanded, with the appointment of Kura Yerlo Incorporated to deliver the program in South Australia’s Port Adelaide.

Connected Beginnings is a key contributor to the early childhood targets set in Closing the Gap and is a community led initiative which aims to increase preschool enrolments and drive improvements to developmental outcomes.

The Government partners with SNAICC National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to deliver the Connected Beginnings program.

Dr Anne Aly, Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education announced that $1.8 million will be given to Kura Yerlo Incorporated for the program, which connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged zero to five years of age with a range of early childhood education, health and family support services, helping children meet the learning and development milestones necessary to achieve a positive transition to school.

The new site in Port Adelaide will support around 350 local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Other Connected Beginnings sites in South Australia include, Ceduna, Port Augusta and Salisbury/Playford.

To read more, go here.

Image source: The Sector.

Recommendations to ensure access to latest medicines and treatments

The Albanese Government has released the final report of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review. Health technology assessment involves a range of processes and mechanisms that use scientific evidence to assess health technologies for their quality, safety, efficacy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. This informs Australian Government decisions to fund and subsidise health technologies through programs such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Medicare Benefits Schedule and National Immunisation Program.

The HTA Review Report is a consensus report overseen by a Reference Committee that represent the views of experts and patient organisations, First Nations peoples, scientific and clinical practice, industry and government.

The HTA Review Report makes 50 recommendations across a range of areas, including improving access to new health technologies, tackling inequity, and making HTA processes simpler and easier for consumers and clinicians to participate in.

“The government acknowledges the expertise, dedication and tireless work of the Review Committee: Adjunct Professor Debora Picone (Chair), Dr Dawn Casey PSM, Ann Single, Professor Andrew Wilson AO, Professor Andrew Roberts AM, Adjunct Professor Adriana Platona PSM, and Medicines Australia CEO, Liz De Somer,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care.

To learn more, go here.

Image source: health.gov.au

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.

R U OK? Day

Thursday September 12 is R U OK? Day. However, people are encouraged to ask the question, R U OK? Any day if the year because a conversation could change a life.

By having regular, meaningful conversations, you build trust and normalise talking about what’s really going on, so when the people in your world find themselves struggling, they know you’re someone they can talk to.

Bailey Carney, Suicide Prevention Officer at Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services spoke with team members about the importance of asking R U OK?

To learn more about R U OK? Day, go here.

If this article brought up anything for you or someone you love, please reach out to, call or visit the online resources listed below for support. The four organisations in blue offer immediate help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

14 August 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.

What’s in store at the ACN’s national forum

The Australian College of Nursing’s National Nursing Forum is set to take place from 14-16 August in Cairns. The forum will feature around 700 nurses from across Australia and will include presentations from various speakers, including nursing advocate Professor Dame Anne Marie Rafferty. The theme for the forum is “Regenerate, Reinvigorate, Reclaim: Sustainable Solutions for our Future,” and it will cover a wide range of topics such as palliative care, Indigenous health, mental health, aged care, and more. Government representatives, including federal health minister Mark Butler, will address the forum through video messages.

More information about the NNF 2024 is available online.

To read the article in full, go here.

Internationally acclaimed nursing advocate, Professor Dame Anne Marie Rafferty leads a stellar line up of speakers.

Enhanced oral health services for Wagga

Wagga Wagga will receive $45,000 worth of improved dental services for First Nations people as part of a funding boost to the region. The Riverina Aboriginal Medical and Dental Corporation (RIVMED) will purchase an intraoral camera and additional dental equipment.

This funding is part of a $1,705,000 allocation to 15 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to support equipment purchase and delivery of additional dental services. The aim is to address disparities experienced in vulnerable populations and positively impact the overall population’s health and well-being.

Further information on public dental services can be found online.

To read the article in full, go here.

Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation provides culturally safe, holistic health and wellbeing services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Wagga Wagga and surrounding areas. Photo: Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation.

Blue Plaque honours legacy of Aboriginal healthcare pioneer Emma Jane Callaghan

The legacy of Aboriginal healthcare pioneer Emma Jane Callaghan has been honoured through the unveiling of a blue plaque in New South Wales. Ms. Callaghan, who died in 1979 at the age of 95, was an Aboriginal nurse, midwife, missionary, and advocate who dedicated her life to breaking barriers in healthcare and advocating for the rights of Aboriginal people.

She was known for opening her home as an impromptu hospital and caring for everyone in need. Her granddaughter, Kodie Mason, said she nominated her grandmother for a blue plaque because her story deserves to be told and remembered.

The New South Wales government said the blue plaque ensures her story is shared with generations to come and serves as a reminder of her significant contributions to improving healthcare for Aboriginal communities and advocating for their rights.

To read the article in full, go here.

Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill, LPLALC chief executive Chris Ingrey, NSW Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe and great, great, great granddaughter of Emma Jane Callaghan, Kodie Mason at Sunday’s plaque unveiling.

Women’s health funding for VIC

The State Government of Victoria is investing $18 million in women’s health organisations to provide initiatives focused on sexual and reproductive health, chronic illness, and reducing the impact of family violence on women and the health system.

The work will be delivered by women, for women, including those from multicultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and women with disabilities. This investment aims to improve health outcomes for women across the state.

This funding is part of the government’s broader investment into women’s health to close the gender pain gap and deliver equity in healthcare.

To read the article in full, go here.

Victoria Parliament Building

Indigenous yoga training program part of Curtin mental health campaign

Curtin University has been awarded $1.1 million from Healthway to continue its Act Belong Commit mental health promotion campaign for the next two years, with an Australian-first Indigenous youth yoga training program among the initiatives.

The latest National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing found that a significant percentage of Australians had experienced a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Curtin has been running Act Belong Commit since 2008 and has partnered with over 400 organisations to encourage Western Australians to take action to improve their mental well-being.

Additionally, they have taken stewardship of Deadly Minds, Australia’s first Indigenous youth yoga teacher training program, which aims to improve mental, cultural, physical, and spiritual health.

To read the article in full, go here.

Image credit: Act Belong Commit | Mentally Healthy WA

Batemans Bay to host public hearings on Healthcare Funding

The Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding will hold public hearings in Batemans Bay on Thursday, August 15th, and Friday, August 16th, 2024.

The hearings aim to gather evidence on various healthcare issues, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, workforce development and support programs, funding challenges, healthcare workforce, education and training, specialist healthcare, collaboration between providers, innovation, and issues relating to local healthcare facilities. The public can observe the proceedings in person or via live streaming.

For more information, including the Terms of Reference, please visit the Special Commission website.

To read the article in full, go here.

Eurobodalla Regional Hospital

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.

ACCHO Governance Workshops

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

Registrations are now open for:

  • Port Macquarie: 20-21 August
  • Dubbo: 22-23 August.

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.

TEST 9 August 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.

40 years of Aboriginal Women in Leadership

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s address to the weekend Garma festival had a different tone from last year’s, when the Voice referendum was approaching. The Prime Minister is resetting policy, moving the focus to the economic empowerment of Indigenous communities as a path to reducing Indigenous disadvantage and “closing the gap”. Indigenous outcomes continue to go backwards for some key closing-the-gap targets.

Albanese said the government would work closely with the Coalition of Peaks, a grouping of more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.

Pat Turner is lead convener of the Coalition of Peaks and CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), joined the ‘Politics with Michelle Grattan’ podcast.

On increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, Turner says:

“We’ve been working with the Treasury as the Coalition of Peaks now since the [2022] jobs summit. And the Coalition of Peaks’ priority is to ensure that we get real jobs at the local level. And then we have the issue in relation to the leveraging of our land assets for all future development opportunities. So, there is a good opportunity there, but it must involve the statutory landholders directly.”

On reducing incarceration rates, she highlights bail laws:

“All jurisdictions should be reviewing their bail laws.

“You’ve got to have an address for people to be bailed to. And so, there’s got to be some form of accommodation whereby people can give an address to be bailed to. This is how everything’s interrelated and I say that you can’t do economic policy on its own. That means that state governments should be investing more money into housing and different types of accommodation that are required for different, situations.”

On the Voice’s defeat and the future of Aboriginal leadership, Turner says the loss was “a massive hit to morale across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia”.

“But I have to say that it hasn’t deterred the Coalition of Peaks from pursuing full implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“While we all need new generations to come forward, they have to do it by listening to the elders and being guided by them.”

To listen to the podcast, go here.

Pat Turner, NACCHO CEO and lead convener of the Coalition of Peaks.

Nominations now open for 2024 PenCS Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2024 PenCS Awards, which celebrate the achievements of healthcare practices and networks that use the PenCS health informatics platform to improve the health of their communities.

2024 winners will be announced at a gala ceremony, celebrating their achievements and acknowledging primary health networks and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) who contribute to driving quality improvement to improve community health outcomes.

Nominations are now open for all eight award categories:

  • ‘Closing the Gap’ Award
  • Quality Improvement Initiative of the Year Award
  • Data-driven Clinical Excellence Award
  • Research in General Practice Award
  • Data Quality Award
  • Sustainable Business Award
  • Patient-centred Care Award
  • Digital Innovation Award

Nominations close at 11:59pm (AEST) on Monday 30th September 2024.

For more information, go here.

Image source PHN North Western Melbourne.

Cultural program to reconnect Indigenous men to their roots

A Dalby local has launched an initiative to connect Indigenous people to culture and country. Supported by Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement, Gamilaraay man Lionel Cubby’s Men’s Peer Support Program will take young Indigenous men on trips to reconnect them to their cultural roots.

“It’s a bit of an offshoot from the Men’s Peer Support Program, it’s run once a quarter for men to come together and we will go out on land and introduce them to a bit of material culture, show them the country and collect didgeridoos and boomerangs,” Mr Cubby said.

“It’s all about identity, we lost some of the connection to the land because the systems we had to teach our young boys how to be men were taken from us so now this is an initiative to bring that back slowly but surely.

“…It’s a type of knowledge that shouldn’t just be chucked around, it’s valuable to our people.”

Mr Cubby said the trips would have a far-reaching benefit for young Indigenous men in the Western Downs.

“I identify people in the community who need the help, it’s for fellas who are ready to move and ready to change and people I feel are ready,” he said.

“As a young fella a lot of my group of friends were locked up and there’s lots of benefits to these trips to help keep people out of trouble, it’s important to have a mentor who can take them out.”

Mr Cubby encouraged people who were interested in getting involved to reach out.

To read the Cairns Post article in full, go here.

Renowned Aboriginal artist Lionel Cubby has started a new program aiming to reconnect Indigenous men with their culture. Image source: Cairns Post.

Indigenous-led education centre opens in Shepparton “to create healthy people, healthy communities and the leaders of tomorrow”

Doors have opened at Shepparton Sports Precinct’s newest facilities, with Yorta Yorta leadership and knowledge at the forefront. Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence houses education facilities, study areas, yarning spaces and an Elders’ room. The project has been built by TVN On-Country and creating a dozen jobs in the process. Munurra Ltd partnered with the footy club, Kaiela Institute and University of Melbourne – who offered $6 million in support – with $30million from the state government.

Following construction, the wider community and future generations are poised to benefit. Munarra said the Centre for Regional Excellence “is a chance to achieve; a chance to enhance Aboriginal cultural identity, expression and celebration; grow in our leadership; improve our health; build our education; enhance our employment options; and move towards equitable social inclusion and reconciliation”.

“It will combine education, culture, the arts and sport to create healthy people, healthy communities and the leaders of tomorrow.”

The centre is designed for Aboriginal-led pathways education and knowledge central to curriculum and programs.

To read the National Indigenous Times article in full, go here.

As the region’s newest education hub, Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence aims to ‘combine education, culture, the arts and sport to create healthy people, healthy communities and the leaders of tomorrow’. 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.

Dental Health Week – 5-11 August 2024

Dental Health Week (August 5-11) is the Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) major annual oral health campaign. The campaign focuses on the importance of taking steps to care for your teeth and gums to help you keep your teeth and smile for life.

 In honour of Dental Health Week, Mob Smiles has a bunch of free resources available on how to care for your teeth and gums and habits to keep good mouth health. There are posters, brochures and fact sheets for bubs, teenagers, pregnant mums, and Elders.

Mob Smiles was created by First Nations people for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults. The development of the Mob Smiles resources was led by Ms Kirrily Phillips, a proud Gumbaynggirr woman, and Oral Health Therapist.

For more information, go here.

Image source: Mob Smiles.

ACCHO Governance Workshops

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

Registrations are now open for:

  • Port Macquarie: 20-21 August
  • Dubbo: 22-23 August.

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.

8 August 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.

Pat Turner on Indigenous empowerment, Closing the Gap, and future Indigenous leadership

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s address to the weekend Garma festival had a different tone from last year’s, when the Voice referendum was approaching. The Prime Minister is resetting policy, moving the focus to the economic empowerment of Indigenous communities as a path to reducing Indigenous disadvantage and “closing the gap”. Indigenous outcomes continue to go backwards for some key closing-the-gap targets.

Albanese said the government would work closely with the Coalition of Peaks, a grouping of more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.

Pat Turner is lead convener of the Coalition of Peaks and CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), joined the ‘Politics with Michelle Grattan’ podcast.

On increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, Turner says:

“We’ve been working with the Treasury as the Coalition of Peaks now since the [2022] jobs summit. And the Coalition of Peaks’ priority is to ensure that we get real jobs at the local level. And then we have the issue in relation to the leveraging of our land assets for all future development opportunities. So, there is a good opportunity there, but it must involve the statutory landholders directly.”

On reducing incarceration rates, she highlights bail laws:

“All jurisdictions should be reviewing their bail laws.

“You’ve got to have an address for people to be bailed to. And so, there’s got to be some form of accommodation whereby people can give an address to be bailed to. This is how everything’s interrelated and I say that you can’t do economic policy on its own. That means that state governments should be investing more money into housing and different types of accommodation that are required for different, situations.”

On the Voice’s defeat and the future of Aboriginal leadership, Turner says the loss was “a massive hit to morale across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia”.

“But I have to say that it hasn’t deterred the Coalition of Peaks from pursuing full implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“While we all need new generations to come forward, they have to do it by listening to the elders and being guided by them.”

To listen to the podcast, go here.

Pat Turner, NACCHO CEO and lead convener of the Coalition of Peaks.

Nominations now open for 2024 PenCS Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2024 PenCS Awards, which celebrate the achievements of healthcare practices and networks that use the PenCS health informatics platform to improve the health of their communities.

2024 winners will be announced at a gala ceremony, celebrating their achievements and acknowledging primary health networks and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) who contribute to driving quality improvement to improve community health outcomes.

Nominations are now open for all eight award categories:

  • ‘Closing the Gap’ Award
  • Quality Improvement Initiative of the Year Award
  • Data-driven Clinical Excellence Award
  • Research in General Practice Award
  • Data Quality Award
  • Sustainable Business Award
  • Patient-centred Care Award
  • Digital Innovation Award

Nominations close at 11:59pm (AEST) on Monday 30th September 2024.

For more information, go here.

Image source PHN North Western Melbourne.

Cultural program to reconnect Indigenous men to their roots

A Dalby local has launched an initiative to connect Indigenous people to culture and country. Supported by Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement, Gamilaraay man Lionel Cubby’s Men’s Peer Support Program will take young Indigenous men on trips to reconnect them to their cultural roots.

“It’s a bit of an offshoot from the Men’s Peer Support Program, it’s run once a quarter for men to come together and we will go out on land and introduce them to a bit of material culture, show them the country and collect didgeridoos and boomerangs,” Mr Cubby said.

“It’s all about identity, we lost some of the connection to the land because the systems we had to teach our young boys how to be men were taken from us so now this is an initiative to bring that back slowly but surely.

“…It’s a type of knowledge that shouldn’t just be chucked around, it’s valuable to our people.”

Mr Cubby said the trips would have a far-reaching benefit for young Indigenous men in the Western Downs.

“I identify people in the community who need the help, it’s for fellas who are ready to move and ready to change and people I feel are ready,” he said.

“As a young fella a lot of my group of friends were locked up and there’s lots of benefits to these trips to help keep people out of trouble, it’s important to have a mentor who can take them out.”

Mr Cubby encouraged people who were interested in getting involved to reach out.

To read the Cairns Post article in full, go here.

Renowned Aboriginal artist Lionel Cubby has started a new program aiming to reconnect Indigenous men with their culture. Image source: Cairns Post.

Indigenous-led education centre opens in Shepparton “to create healthy people, healthy communities and the leaders of tomorrow”

Doors have opened at Shepparton Sports Precinct’s newest facilities, with Yorta Yorta leadership and knowledge at the forefront. Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence houses education facilities, study areas, yarning spaces and an Elders’ room. The project has been built by TVN On-Country and creating a dozen jobs in the process. Munurra Ltd partnered with the footy club, Kaiela Institute and University of Melbourne – who offered $6 million in support – with $30million from the state government.

Following construction, the wider community and future generations are poised to benefit. Munarra said the Centre for Regional Excellence “is a chance to achieve; a chance to enhance Aboriginal cultural identity, expression and celebration; grow in our leadership; improve our health; build our education; enhance our employment options; and move towards equitable social inclusion and reconciliation”.

“It will combine education, culture, the arts and sport to create healthy people, healthy communities and the leaders of tomorrow.”

The centre is designed for Aboriginal-led pathways education and knowledge central to curriculum and programs.

To read the National Indigenous Times article in full, go here.

As the region’s newest education hub, Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence aims to ‘combine education, culture, the arts and sport to create healthy people, healthy communities and the leaders of tomorrow’. 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.

Dental Health Week – 5-11 August 2024

Dental Health Week (August 5-11) is the Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) major annual oral health campaign. The campaign focuses on the importance of taking steps to care for your teeth and gums to help you keep your teeth and smile for life.

 In honour of Dental Health Week, Mob Smiles has a bunch of free resources available on how to care for your teeth and gums and habits to keep good mouth health. There are posters, brochures and fact sheets for bubs, teenagers, pregnant mums, and Elders.

Mob Smiles was created by First Nations people for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults. The development of the Mob Smiles resources was led by Ms Kirrily Phillips, a proud Gumbaynggirr woman, and Oral Health Therapist.

For more information, go here.

Image source: Mob Smiles.

ACCHO Governance Workshops

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

Registrations are now open for:

  • Port Macquarie: 20-21 August
  • Dubbo: 22-23 August.

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.

2 August 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.

NT organisations respond to latest Closing the Gap data

Organisations from the NT have responded to the latest Closing the Gap data which showed 14 of 19 metrics are not on target, arguing the government needs to “step away from business-as-usual and invest in First Nations led solutions”. On Wednesday, the latest Annual Data Compilation Report (ADCR) found progress towards four Closing the Gap targets were worsening, including Indigenous adults in incarceration, Indigenous children in out-of-home care (OOHC), and First Nations people dying by suicide.

The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) condemned the latest data, with the Territory recording the worst results of any Australian jurisdiction — eight out of 17 targets are actively worsening.

John Paterson, AMSANT chief executive said the latest data showed in many areas, governments were not delivering on their promise to “address the poor health, poverty and discrimination that our people continue to suffer due to the historical and continuing processes of colonisation”.

“The unacceptably high rate of suicide among Aboriginal people, and particularly our young people – who are more likely to go to jail and more likely than in previous years to die by suicide – should be urgently prioritised by all governments,” Dr Paterson said.

Catherine Liddle, the chief executive of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) and co-convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, told ABC TV a fresh approach wasn’t needed, highlighting the success of ACCOs, who instead needed more support to help Indigenous communities.

“It’s not about finding a new pathway – certainly that’s not what the productivity commission is saying. It’s saying: share the decision-making – this is common-sense, governments talking to the people about the issues that impact them, and the solutions to solve that,” Ms Liddle said.

To read the National Indigenous Times article in full, go here.

For further details, readers are encouraged to view the full Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report.

John Paterson, AMSANT chief executive.

If this article brought up any concerns for you or someone you love, please reach out to the resources listed below for support. Immediate help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • 13 Yarn (13 92 76)
  • Beyond Blue (1300 224 636)
  • Brother-to-brother (1800 435 799)
  • Kids Helpline (1800 551 800 + webchat)
  • Lifeline (13 11 14 + online chat)
  • MensLine Australia (1300 789 978)
  • NACCHO Connection, Strength and Resilience Portal
  • QLife – anonymous LGBTIQ support (1800 184 527 + webchat)
  • Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467)

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative celebrates National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day was celebrated on Thursday, August 1 at Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative in Mooroopna. Over 150 children and their families came together for a day filled with joy, culture, and community spirit.

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative wrote on social media:

“A special shoutout to our four participating kindergarten kids who brought so much energy and excitement to the event!

“It was truly significant to facilitate this event on country, creating lasting memories and honoring our rich heritage.

“A huge thank you to our incredible staff who made this day possible. Your hard work and dedication are deeply appreciated!”

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is held annually on 4 August and is our day dedicated to celebrating our children. The 2024 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day theme Strong in Culture, Stronger Together elevates the intention of Children’s Day, focusing on the strength of our children that comes from their connection to culture and mob.  

For more information, go here.

Image source: Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative.

Frequent sorry business points to delayed Closing the Gap success says QAIHC

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are attending Sorry Business “weekly,” according to the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC). Paula Arnol, Gunggandji woman and QAIHC Acting Chief Executive Officer said that government progress on Closing the Gap targets has stagnated.

QAIHC regularly receives feedback from communities about the trauma and burden of frequently attending Sorry Business. There has been some improvement in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies born in Queensland with a healthy birthweight, but more progress is needed. The Productivity Commission has indicated that governments require a paradigm shift in their thinking.

“Although the Productivity Commission’s three-year review into Closing the Gap progress saw ‘pockets of good practice’ by governments, we need a true whole-of-government approach,” Ms Arnol said.

She notes the Queensland Government’s Budget commitment of $156.7 million to the ACCHO sector to strengthen the capacity and capability of the ACCHO sector was a positive step forward.

“The next step is to share decision-making with the ACCHO sector, as per Priority 2 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap that the Queensland Government signed,” she said.

“The review of the Closing the Gap targets clearly stated that a strengthened community-controlled sector, shared decision making, and shared data were the key to improved outcomes.”

“QAIHC is working towards this goal through its future plan, The Blueprint, and sees a strong ACCHO sector that is recognised as a core participant in our health system as essential to making real progress.”

To read the National Indigenous Times article in full, go here.

If this article brought up any concerns for you or someone you love, please reach out to the resources listed below for support. Immediate help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • 13 Yarn (13 92 76)
  • Beyond Blue (1300 224 636)
  • Brother-to-brother (1800 435 799)
  • Kids Helpline (1800 551 800 + webchat)
  • Lifeline (13 11 14 + online chat)
  • MensLine Australia (1300 789 978)
  • NACCHO Connection, Strength and Resilience Portal
  • QLife – anonymous LGBTIQ support (1800 184 527 + webchat)
  • Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467)

Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service and Waminda South Coast Women’s Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation receive funding to enhance end of life care and support

The NSW Government is investing more than $630,000 to deliver end of life and palliative care initiatives in co-design with Ballina’s Aboriginal community. As part of the End of Life and Palliative Care NGO Grants Program, Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service has been chosen as one of six organisations to share in more than $3.5 million in funding over four years to increase community capacity to engage with death and dying.

Bullinah, established by the Goori people in and around Ballina, is well-placed to implement the project as they have regular engagement with more than 2000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients each year. Working with the community, Bullinah will use its $632,250 grant to develop culturally safe place-based education and promotional material, as well as the provision of culturally safe grief and loss counselling support and practical supports.

Waminda South Coast Women’s Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation is also set to receive $670,019 in funding to deliver End of Life and Palliative Care initiatives in co-design with the Waminda Aboriginal community.

David Harris, NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty said, “This palliative care and end of life project will be complemented by the existing cultural and social connection, and social and emotional wellbeing programs within Bullinah’s service.”

To learn more, go here.

Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service.

Warruwi Community Health Centre official opening

The community of Warruwi has celebrated the official opening of the Warruwi Community Health Centre that has been run by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, the Red Lily Health Board (Red Lily) for the past two years. The Red Lily Health Board consists of representatives from areas including Warruwi, Minjilang, Gunbalanya, Jabiru and surrounding homelands.

June Nadjamerrek, Red Lily Chair said, “The Board would like to recognise Mr Lami Lami from Warruwi for his original vision for a community-controlled health service in West Arnhem.

“Many of the current Board members were inspired by his example and so pleased to see his dream become a reality in his homeland in September 2022.

“It is now time to come together to celebrate this achievement.  This milestone provides the Board, staff, community members, stakeholders and all supporters the opportunity to thank those that have contributed to improving health in the community, and hear more ideas for future improvements.”

The health centre is staffed by a permanent team of clinicians including an Aboriginal Health Practitioner, doctors, experienced registered nurses and a midwife who are supported by local staff to deliver better health outcomes for people in West Arnhem.

To read the article in full, go here.

Image source: West Arnhem Regional Council.

Improved dental services for NSW ACCHOs

Patients at 15 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across NSW will benefit from improved dental services following a $1,705,000 funding boost.

These one-off grants will see selected metropolitan, regional and rural ACCHOs replace, update or purchase additional dental equipment such as an intra oral camera, prosthetist services dental chairs and x-ray machines.

The additional funding will ensure ACCHOs can tailor their services as needed, allowing them to both improve and increase their ability to provide holistic health care to the community now and into the future.

Ryan Park, NSW Minister for Health said, “Oral health can influence general health. A healthy mouth ensures people can eat, speak and socialise without discomfort and embarrassment.

“A targeted funding boost to allow ACCHOs to update or replace their equipment helps address disparities experienced in vulnerable population groups and will have a positive impact on the overall population’s health and wellbeing.”

To learn more, go here.

Image source: Shutterstock.

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.

ACCHO Governance Workshops

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

Registrations are now open for:

  • Port Macquarie: 20-21 August
  • Dubbo: 22-23 August.

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.

15 July 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.

FASD Strong Born Grants closing soon

Applications for the third round of the FASD Strong Born Campaign Grants close this Friday July 19. ACCHOs can apply for funding to raise awareness, enhance resources, and strengthen workforce capability around fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

Funding and Activities: ACCHOs can apply for grants of up to $60,000 (GST excl.), depending on annual client numbers. Example activities include:

  • Creating locally relevant communications materials and resources by using existing ‘Strong Born’ campaign materials. This covers translation services, design, printing, and publishing costs.
  • Hosting FASD community events and yarning circles.
  • Conducting FASD information and awareness sessions for staff and community members.

Refer to the funding guidelines for more information on eligible activities.

Eligibility: All ACCHOs are strongly encouraged to apply, regardless of whether they currently deliver FASD-specific programs or received funding under Grant Rounds 1 or 2 in 2023.

How to Apply: To apply, please complete the short application form, below. Key documents to assist with the application process include:

Questions: Please reach out to the NACCHO FASD Grants team at fasdprograms@naccho.org.au with any questions – we are here to help!

Investment in First Nations postgraduate scholarships aims to close the gap in cancer outcomes

The Aurora Foundation has announced a $5.9m investment supporting a First Nations postgraduate scholarship program to assist more Indigenous people to specialising in cancer care. Funded by the Australian government through Cancer Australia, the First Nations Cancer Scholarship aims to increase the network of Indigenous people who lead and contribute to cancer control, with First Nations scholars to receive $120,000 per year for up to three years, as well as academic, wellbeing and community support.

Wiradjuri woman and Aurora chief executive, Leila Smith, said putting First Nations scholars and researchers onto the pipeline for success was critical in closing the gap in cancer outcomes for First Nations people nation-wide.

Cancer Australia notes that despite Indigenous Australians only having a slightly higher rate of cancer diagnosis than their non-Indigenous counterparts, they are approximately 40% more likely to die from cancer than non-Indigenous Australians.

“This Scholarship creates opportunities for the best and brightest Indigenous scholars to develop specialist skills and expertise that will strengthen how cancer-related professions lead and contribute to cancer control,” Ms Smith said.

“I am excited about the potential of this Scholarship and look forward to the announcement of the successful scholars later this year.”

Expressions of Interest for the First Nations Cancer Scholarship are now open until 30 August and can be found online.

To read the National Indigenous Times article in full, go here.

Previous Aurora scholar Naarah Barnes (left) with Aurora CEO Leila Smith. (Image: supplied).

1 van, 3 days, 20 dentistry students, 15,000 mouthguards: TAMS ambitious plan for the Koori Knockout

Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS) has an audacious plan to debut its new dental van: to craft 15,000 mouthguards at the Koori Knockout in Bathurst, over the October Long Weekend.

The Koori Knockout is the largest Indigenous sporting event of the year, attracting around 150 Indigenous rugby league teams from across the state. Now in its fifty-second year, it is both a significant sporting and cultural event, with over 30,000 people attending, many from the New England. The Narwan Eels have won the competition five times, while the Moree Boomerangs have won twice.

“We’ve been invited to the Knockout to provide a mouthguard service,” Executive Assistant to the TAMS CEO Kevin Duroux said, “in partnership with NSW Health and the Western Sydney University.”

“There’ll be 21 people who can make the mouthguards – twenty of them are students, and I have a really, really good working relationship with Dr. Ismail Larney, who will be leading the students throughout the weekend.”

Not everyone can afford a mouthguard, and while “boil and bite” mouthguards are better than nothing they cannot compare to one made by dental professionals.

“To play without a mouthguard, to cop an injury to your mouth, could be devastating both mentally and physically.”

TAMS has only had the dental van for a number of months. It’s set up as a dental technician lab, designed to be able to make dental prostheses like dentures and plates, as well as mouthguards.

The plan is to take the van on the road, and provide services to any and all Indigenous communities in the region, though Duroux says that if the van were fully funded and equipped there’s no limit on where he’d like to see it go.

To read the article in full, go here. 

Image source: New England Times.

Calling for more First Nations say in the design of housing

The peak body for Aboriginal Housing in the NT has made their demands clear before the upcoming election, calling for more First Nations say in the design of housing, and more government accountability. Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory (AHNT) said all Territorians should have access to “safe, appropriate and affordable housing”, with chief executive Skye Thompson calling on all parties at the election to take action to provide affordable and appropriate housing for Indigenous people in the NT.

Housing insecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing Indigenous people in regional and remote communities in the NT. According to NT Shelter, the NT has 12 times the national average rate of homelessness compared to the national rate, whilst in 2022-23 one in 25 people received homelessness assistance, higher than the national rate of one in 95.

“Compounding the issue, about 10,000 Aboriginal people live across homelands which have seen no government funding for new houses since 2015,” the AHNT said in their election platform position.

“The housing that does exist on homelands is run-down, energy inefficient (hot boxes in the desert, rusting out on the coast) and in many cases beyond economic repair.”

The AHNT said they were calling for several commitments from all major parties at the election. These include new housing for homelands and enough funding for repairs and maintenance; more Aboriginal control of design, construction, and management of housing; better government accountability; and action to alleviate the rising cost of living.

To read the National Indigenous Times article in full, go here.

Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory CEO Skye Thompson. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Tiny bus a critical lifeline between Kalgoorlie and communities in WA’s remote Eastern Goldfields

Every Thursday morning in Kalgoorlie, 600 kilometres east of Perth, families climb onto the bus, which takes them, with their bags of groceries, paintings, and sometimes even puppies, back home to the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Every week, a small bus covers the 900km of mostly unsealed roads separating Kalgoorlie from the remote Aboriginal community of Warburton, stopping in a few northern Goldfields towns along the way.

It’s the closest hub for residents of Aboriginal communities near the tri-state border, who have to visit the outback city for reasons ranging from healthcare to family gatherings. If not for the bus, many would be left sleeping rough, or forced into overcrowded homes.

The bus service employs local Aboriginal drivers and chaperones.

“It’s important to have Indigenous people on the bus, for the sake of language, for the sake that they are comfortable with their own family members,” chaperone Charmaine Tucker explains.

With travellers from communities where culture and language are strong and English is used, if at all, as a second language, Ms Tucker’s language skills and cultural knowledge help her meet their needs.

Goldfields Indigenous Housing Organisation chief executive Merri Best says the bus is a “mobile agency”.

“It’s much more than just a person on a seat travelling 12 hours, the possibilities within that bus are huge,” she says.

Ms Best says the service “fills the gaps of the gaps”, connecting people who may not find it easy to walk into an office and ask for help with critical services.

To read the ABC News article in full, go here.

Charmaine Tucker says her language skills help her connect with the travellers.(ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio).

Indigenous-led youth program fighting for change

On the outskirts of Alice Springs, at the end of a winding red dirt track, there’s a peaceful property nestled against the West MacDonnell Ranges. It isn’t far from town, but for many young men, this desert land can feel miles away from the peer pressure and police sirens of the city centre. Here, they’re back on country. This is the home of the All-Rounder Program, an initiative led by Arrernte, Alyawarre and Pertame brothers Damien and Warren Kunoth. The program works with young men in the community and youth detention centre, taking them back in time and teaching them traditional stockman skills.

For 19-year-old Layne Kunoth, whose uncle launched the program, the experience has been transformational.

“Just getting out of all that stuff in town and just being around horses, it’s really good,” he says.

“I make myself proud and try to make this mob proud with the stuff that I’m doing.”

Layne has been caught up in crime in the past, but through this program, he’s working to stay on track. After two years with it, he now has his first job — building fences for cattle stations around Alice Springs – as well as big dreams for the future.

“I’ve got a job instead of just doing no good things in town — fighting and drinking around and all that,” he said.

“It’s been really good for me.

It comes as many locals argue curfews are just “bandaid” solutions, which don’t address the deeper issues behind the region’s crime woes. Those include severe rates of poverty, incarceration, chronic health issues, domestic and family violence and overcrowded housing in local Aboriginal communities.

To Read the ABC News article in full, go here.

Layne Kunoth, 19, says the program has turned his life around.(ABC News: Xavier Martin).

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.

 

3 July 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.

CTG PBS Co-payment Program has been expanded

The Closing the Gap (CTG) PBS Co-payment Program has been expanded to include section 100 (S100) PBS medicines dispensed by community pharmacies, approved medical practitioners, and private hospitals in Australia. This expansion is in addition to the section 85 (general schedule) medicines which are also dispensed under this program. The initiative also covers all section 100 PBS medicines supplied under Continued Dispensing arrangements. Starting from 1 January 2025, the program will extend to all section 85 and 100 PBS medicines currently dispensed by public hospitals around the country.

The CTG PBS Co-payment Program aims to improve access to PBS medicines for First Nations people with or at risk of chronic diseases, and addresses the significant barrier of medicine costs. It helps ensure they can adhere to their prescribed medication regimen, reducing the likelihood of setbacks in the prevention or management of their conditions.

Registered participants on the CTG PBS Co-payment Register who would normally pay the full general PBS co-payment amount now pay the concessional rate. Those who already pay the concessional rate receive their medicines for free, without any co-payment costs. Additionally, the Remote Area Aboriginal Health Services (RAAHS) program complements this initiative by allowing clients in remote areas to receive free PBS medicines directly from their RAAHS without the need for a normal PBS script.

You can find more detailed information about the expansion of the CTG PBS Co-Payment Program on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s PBS News webpage here. 

New programs to combat diabetes and chronic conditions

Two new programs will be rolled out this year to help combat diabetes and other chronic conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is good news for the Mackay community, according to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Mackay Integrated Team Care (ITC) team.

ATSICHS Mackay Indigenous Health Project Officer Sharni Scott-Knight (nee Dorante) said the ITC team recently participated in the Diabetes Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetes training as well as the My Health for Life facilitator training. “These programs are currently in the planning stages and will be rolled out this year,” Mrs Scott-Knight said.

“These programs will be extremely beneficial to help people manage their chronic conditions and continue to access culturally safe and high-quality health care services, at both ACCHOs and mainstream private practice” said Mrs Scott-Knight.

To view the PHN Northern Queensland article Our Region, Our People: Meet Sharni in full click here.

-R: ITC Outreach Worker Atha Power, ITC Care Coordinator - Private Practices patients Alma Hawdon, ITC Care Coordinator - ATSICHS Mackay patients Thelma Fry, and Indigenous Health Project Officer/Team Leader Sharni Scott-Knight

L-R: ITC Outreach Worker Atha Power, ITC Care Coordinator – Private Practices patients Alma Hawdon, ITC Care Coordinator – ATSICHS Mackay patients Thelma Fry, and Indigenous Health Project Officer/Team Leader Sharni Scott-Knight. Image source: PHN Northern Queensland website.

GPs key to overcoming immunisation misinformation

AMA President Professor Steve Robson says support for general practitioners (GPs) in continuing to play the lead role in vaccinating the community must be at the heart of Australia’s next National Immunisation Strategy. In its submission, available here, to the federal government’s public consultation on the 2025–2030 National Immunisation Strategy, the AMA has highlighted the critical role GPs have played in the achievement of world leading rates of vaccination in Australia and calls for this to be strengthened even further. Prof Robson said the situation around the world was concerning, as a drop in childhood vaccinations is driving a global resurgence of measles and other infectious diseases.

“Australia’s world-leading National Immunisation Program has led to an exceptionally high rate of childhood immunisation, but there are many challenges to overcome on the path to the national coverage target of 95%,” Professor Robson said. “We are unfortunately still seeing misinformation about vaccines spreading like wildfire on social media, while a mixture of vaccine hesitancy and fatigue set in following the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Data shows immunisation rates are falling among Australia’s most vulnerable cohorts, including the elderly and children, amid a significant rise of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, RSV and whooping cough this winter. “GPs have proven to be the best at ensuring Australians receive their vaccinations in a safe and timely manner, as shown by the impressive growth in vaccination rates over the past 25 years,” Professor Robson said. “This is because GPs spend time with patients to answer questions and discuss any concerns a patient might have, helping to counter the rise of dangerous misinformation.”

To view the AMA’s media release GPs critical to overcoming vaccine misinformation and fatigue in full click here.

Utju (Areyonga) NT resident receiving a vaccination

Residents in the remote NT community of Utju (Areyonga) were proud of the community’s vaccination efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Samantha Jonscher, ABC Alice Springs.

Healthcare workforce growing slower than demand

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) report Australian’s Health 2024 shows Australia’s healthcare system is facing increasing strain despite record resourcing. Despite workforce growth, increasing demand on the healthcare system has led to a shortage of healthcare workers across the country. Four out of five (82%) of health occupations were in shortage in 2023, with particularly acute shortages of general practitioners, nurses and mental health professionals.

The report gives three main reasons for the growth in healthcare demand: an aging population, rising concerns about mental health, and redistribution. As people age, there is a higher prevalence of chronic conditions and a greater need for medical care. AIHW CEO Zoran Bolevich said “Chronic conditions present a key challenge for individuals, health providers and society as a whole. Individuals with chronic conditions often have complex needs that require services from all levels of the health system.”

AIHW reports routinely show the relationship between healthcare quality and proximity to a major city is almost linear. The cost of programs that redistribute health resources to under-serviced areas increases costs to the system as a whole. Health inequalities persist for many population groups in Australia — including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people living in rural and remote communities.

To view The Mandarin article AIHW data shows healthcare workforce growing slower than demand in full click here.

Shield yourself from shingles – what you need to know

In the video below Dr Richard Mills (GP) speaks with Trina Scott (Registered Nurse and Bundjalung woman) about the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, that’s just been made free for nearly 5 million eligible Australians. Dr Mills has been a GP for over 30 years with half that time spent working as a GP for an ACCHO in Qld and also in the NT.  Trina Scott works in primary health care, First Nations health, diabetes education and nurse navigation.

Dr Mills and Ms Scott explain what shingles is and why it’s important for people to protect themselves against shingles, especially as they get older and if they are immunocompromised. Over 95% of Australians over the age of 30 have had chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox as a child, there’s a good change that you’ll have shingles as an adult. About one in three people will get shingles in their lifetime with the risk increasing with age and in those 65 years and older. First Nations Australians are more likely to experience complications from shingles from the age of 50.

There are changes to the shingles vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. The shingles vaccine, Shingrix, replaced Zostavax and is available for free for a broader group of people at higher risk of serious illness. You’re eligible for the free Shingrix vaccine if you’re aged 65 years and over, you’re a First Nations person aged 50 and over, or you’re an immunocompromised adult with eligible medical conditions.

To view the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s webpage Shield yourself from shingles – Get your questions answered here.

Integrated PHC key oral health in remote areas

Access to oral health care for rural and remote Australians is limited, particularly for underserved populations that rely on public dental services. This includes First Nations Peoples. This is largely due to poor distribution of oral health services and a limited dental workforce supply in these areas.

Released on 20 June by Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association’s (AHHA) Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research, the Issues Brief ‘Integrating oral health into primary healthcare for improved access to oral health care for rural and remote populations’ synthesises evidence about the extent of access challenges in rural and remote Australia.

AHHA CEO Kylie Woolcock said the Issues Brief “highlights the missed opportunities for inter-professional collaboration and interoperability of oral and primary healthcare professionals, as there are no mandated data reporting, management, and sharing mechanisms between dental and broader healthcare systems.” The Issues Brief recommends improving health training for rural and remote primary healthcare professionals, allowing primary healthcare professionals to include oral health care in their scope of practice, identifying oral health as a ‘core’ primary healthcare service, increasing interoperability and data sharing, and improving access to oral health care under Medicare for rural and remote populations.

To view the Retail Pharmacy article Integrated Primary Health Care key to oral health improvement in rural and remote Australia in full click here.

UQ Dental Clinic in Dalby; Aboriginal man receiving treatment

University of Queensland Dental Clinic in Dalby. Photo: Laura Cocks, BC Southern Qld.

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.

24 June 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.

Aged Care leaders commit to cultural safety

Four major Australian aged care providers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ACCO Yokai this week signalling the groups’ commitment to enhancing culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal customers. Juniper, MercyCare, Bethanie, and Hall and Prior reached the MOU with Yokai, an Aboriginal rights and Stolen Generations advocacy group.

Yokai’s CEO Jim Morrison, “It’s encouraging to see aged care organisations committing to understanding that caring for older Aboriginal people, especially Stolen Generations Survivors, should focus not only on their clinical needs but also on their cultural needs, such as their connection to Country and lived experience.”

Yokai, a term derived from the Noongar language, serves as a powerful call to action, conveying the message of ‘enough is enough’. The initiative has been collaboratively developed by the Bringing Them Home Committee (WA) and the WA Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, which serves as the representative body for Stolen Generation Survivors in WA. The work undertaken by Yokai is grounded in thorough consultation and extensive research, with the aim of achieving improved outcomes for the Aboriginal community and Stolen Generations Survivors.

To view the National Indigenous Times article Aged care leaders commit to Aboriginal cultural safety with Yokai agreement in full click here.

Russell Bricknell & Jim Morrison shake hands at culturally safe aged care MOU signing

Russell Bricknell and Jim Morrison shake hands at the MOU. Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Denticare is the goal but long road ahead

The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association’s (AHHA) Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research has released an issues paper titled ‘integrating oral health into primary healthcare for improved access to oral health care for rural and remote populations’, available here. The brief collated information on issues, particularly for rural and remote and Indigenous Australians, in accessing oral health care, namely maldistribution of oral health services and a constrained dental workforce supply in these areas. The brief found that integrating oral health promotion, screening and non-invasive preventive care provision into primary care could have far reaching effects.

“Primary care providers are often the first point of contact for health services in rural and remote communities and are well positioned to provide basic oral health care,” said AHHA chief executive Kylie Woolcock. “However, limited oral health knowledge and skills and boundaries to professional scopes of practice curb the possibility of leveraging existing primary healthcare resources for oral health care provision.”

According to Adjunct Associate Professor at the Menzies Centre for health policy and economics Lesley Russell while the goal should eventually be a Medicare-like support system for oral health care, “Denticare”, or incorporation of dentistry into Medicare, getting there would need to be an iterative process. In the interim, Professor Russell suggested that health checks could be broadened to include the mouth and particular populations could be supported through Medicare for oral health care, such as those with relevant chronic conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS and diabetes – and Indigenous communities. “Ideally, you’d have a dentist or at least a dental technician within an ACCHO or a primary care practice,” she said.

To view the Medical Republic article ‘Denticare’ is the goal, but it’s a long road ahead here.

Aboriginal woman in dental chair

Image source: Central Australian Aboriginal Congress website.

National Anti-Racism Framework workshops

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is developing a National Anti-Racism Framework as a central reference point for anti-racism action by government, non-profits, businesses, communities, and other sectors. Guided by a community-led and human rights-based approach, the Commission is currently progressing national First Nations and multicultural community-level consultations to seek community advice and input on designing the Framework. These consultations are all led, designed, and facilitated by First Nations Co., and offer various modes of participation.

Following the completion of in-person consultations, First Nations Co. is excited to announce 12 virtual workshops dedicated to informing the development of a National Anti-Racism Framework. If you work in the Education, Health, or Justice sectors, your voice is crucial!

Healthcare Services, ACCHOs, Health Organisations/Departments

  • Wednesday 26 June, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEST)
  • Thursday 27 June, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEST)
  • Wednesday 3 July, 10:00 am – 11:00 am (AEST)
  • Thursday 4 July, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEST)

To register complete this registration form and receive your meeting invite from the First Nations Co. team.

Can’t attend? Share your insights via our online survey. Your participation is invaluable in building a framework that truly represents our community’s needs.

If needed and preferred, the First Nations Co. team is open to engaging in one-on-one virtual consultations with individuals and peak bodies, and these sessions can be arranged with First Nations Co. directly on a case-by-case basis. Written submissions are also accepted if this method is preferred.

If you have questions or want to learn more about this project, you can access the First Nations Co. website here or contact First Nations Co. by email here.

You can view NACCHO’s National Anti-Racism Framework Submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission – February 2022 here. 

Australian Human Rights Commission national Anti-Racism Framework tile, AHRC logo & circle with different colour wedges

Image source: AHRC website.

Identifying upper GI cancers GP training

The Pancare Foundation, which provides support to people impacted by a diagnosis of Upper Gastrointestinal cancer, have launched their first GP education module: Trust your gut: identifying upper gastrointestinal cancers in general practice. This comprehensive module focuses on recognising signs and symptoms for earlier detection of oesophageal and stomach cancers.

Trust Your Gut is a video-based activity, for GPs and nurses, designed to increase awareness of symptoms warranting urgent referral for stomach and oesophageal cancers. By the end of the activity, participants will be able to:

  • identify patients at high risk of oesophagogastric cancer and those who present with symptoms.
  • facilitate appropriate and timely referral of patients at risk of, or with suspected, oesophagogastric cancer for further investigations and/or specialist intervention.

You can access the GP module here and the nurse module here.

You can view a flyer for the education modules here.

More support for birthing on Country

More First Nations families now have access to culturally safe maternal healthcare in NE Arnhem Land thanks to a growing workforce of Djäkamirr. Djäkamirr are First Nations skilled companions and caretakers of pregnancy and birth, who use both Yolŋu and western knowledge to support women in Birthing on Country.

First Nations women and their babies experience poorer health outcomes compared to non-Indigenous mothers and their babies. The rate of preterm birth in First Nations mothers is almost double that of non-Indigenous mothers (14.1% in First Nations mothers, compared with 7.9% in non-Indigenous mothers in 2021).

The federal government said in a statement yesterday (Sunday, 23 June 2024) that as part of its commitment to Closing the Gap, it is investing $6m in funding in the Djäkamirr Birthing on Country Project in Galiwin’ku. Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights director of research and innovation, Professor Sue Kildea, said the initiative “is an absolute game changer that is likely to have lifelong impact and change the way we deliver services across Australia – a landmark in cultural recognition and the blending of western and Yolŋu knowledges and culture.”

To view the National Indigenous Times article Funding boost for maternal healthcare in North East Arnhem Land in full click here.

Aboriginal mum & baby

Image source: National Indigenous Times.

Millions unknowingly at risk of heart failure

Heart failure is estimated to affect approximately half a million Australians, with over 67,000 Australians being diagnosed each year. Heart failure patients often suffer from multiple comorbidities (cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular), such as an irregular heart rate or rhythm, high blood pressure, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, iron deficiency, and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. A new survey commissioned by YouGov, on behalf of leading charity Hearts4heart, indicates more than four million Australians are not aware of the comorbidities that can increase the risk of heart failure.

Despite the name, heart failure doesn’t mean the heart has stopped or failed, it means that the heart is ‘failing’ to keep up with the body’s demands. A comorbidity, which is any co-existing health condition, is one contributing factor to heart failure if not properly managed so, it’s essential to speak to your GP to understand your risks and treat any underlying medical conditions you may have.

In May 2023, the Heart Health Check program, subsidised by Medicare, was extended for another two years, allowing people aged 45 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 30 and over to assess their risk of heart disease during a 20-minute consultation with a medical practitioner.

To view the The Heart4Heart article Millions of Australians unknowingly at increased risk of heart failure article in full click 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.

30 May 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.

National Own It Cervical Screening Campaign talent callout

The National Own It Cervical Screening Campaign aims to communicate the importance of cervical screening and the availability and the efficacy of the self-collect test. It encourages women and people with a cervix aged 25-74 years, particularly those from First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, to have a cervical screen. The campaign will also raise awareness about the importance of the screening and the availability of the self-collection option.

We are seeking a diverse group of women and people who have a cervix aged 25-74 years to share your cervical screening journey to motivate others to get screened.

Requirements:

  • Camera-confidence and energy. A comfortability discussing sexual health and cervical screening.
  • Comfortable working with a film crew, taking direction, and conveying emotions and expressions.
  • People who have completed a Cervical Screening Test are desirable, but not mandatory.

What’s in it for you:

  • You will be participating in making a positive impact towards raising the health awareness of all women and people with a cervix!
  • You will receive $800 to compensate for your time (half a day) and effort. This amount will be directly deposited into your bank account. Your travel and accommodation expenses (if applicable) to Sydney for filming will also be reimbursed.
  • You will be featured across multiple advertising channels and appear in print advertising in both metropolitan and regional areas across Australia.

The campaign is being developed by ACON in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative an initiative of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), and Cultural Perspectives.

The national Own It campaign is planned to launch September 2024 and will run through 2025.

For more information visit the ACON website here.

Indigenous people waiting longer for elective surgery in ACT

Across Australia, Aboriginal people wait longer for elective surgery compared to other Australians, as measured by median (50th percentile) wait times. On that measure, while the ACT is not unique, it does not have the challenges in service provision that remote communities, in the states and the NT, with sizeable remote Aboriginal populations, face. In theory, there should be no discernible difference in the ACT in access between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples given its geographic compactness and urban population.

In 2021-22, the median wait time for elective surgery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT was 50 days compared to 43 days for other Australians, a 16% longer wait for First Nations people. In 2022-23, wait times for Aboriginal people in the ACT were 24% longer than for non-Aboriginal people, while nationally it dropped to 14%. VIC was the only jurisdiction in which the variance in median wait times for Aboriginal people awaiting surgery compared to non-Aboriginal people was larger than in the ACT.

The Productivity Commission report also shows that compared to non-Aboriginal people, in the emergency department, Aboriginal Canberrans are 1.6 times more likely not to wait, 2.2 times more likely to leave at their own risk, and 2.8 times more likely to discharge themselves against medical advice.

To read the full article, go here.

Canberra Hospital. Image source: CBR City News.

New transitional facility in NSW enhances hopes of women in recovery

A new First Nations-owned $9 million transition facility on Darkinjung Country in NSW will further empower rehabilitated Indigenous women to have meaningful impacts on their return to community. Located in Wyong the new accommodation space can safely house 40 Indigenous and non-Indigenous women each year transitioning from residential programs at The Glen for Women Rehabilitation Centre. The new female-only transition facility will provide a safe housing space for women to obtain job-skills training, seek employment opportunities and receive essential social support services as they transition back into the community.

One former resident said the comfort of knowing a transition house was now available for women in recovery gave them renewed hope of making meaningful returns from addiction to lead better, healthier lives.

“I’m comforted knowing other women will be given the opportunity to live a life free from addiction, and go home healthy to their families,” the ex-resident said.

Cultural dance and education, significant site visits, meetings with Elders, traditional cooking, artistic pursuits, storytelling and craftsmanship are some holistic elements of the new program. Emphasis on the womens’ connection to land, ancestry and Indigenous identity also aims to embed a sense of familial and communal belonging. Participants can also draw inspiration and behavioural learnings by talking with Elders and Indigenous workers who have overcome substance abuse problems and share their lived experiences of recovery and reintegration.

Read the full National Indigenous Times article here.

The Glen for Women program along the NSW coast first opened in 2022. (Image: The Glen Group).

Durri Aboriginal Medical Service receives iPads for patients’ well-being

Staff from Deadly Science, Optus, and Learning the Macleay have recently handed over three iPads to the Durri Aboriginal Medical Service in West Kempsey to assist elderly patients in staying connected to their families while undergoing medical treatment at the hospital.

The initiative originated from a conversation earlier in the year between Norma Kelly from Durri AMS and Corey Tutt from Deadly Science at the Culture in the Park event in Kempsey. Kelly expressed concerns about the mental well-being of patients undergoing dialysis, a treatment that can last for hours each week.

“These iPads will have a significant impact on the lives of our patients undergoing dialysis treatment,” said Tony McMahon, Clinical Team Leader at Durri Chronic Care in West Kempsey.

“They are required to spend extended time each week with us, and the opportunity to stay connected while they are doing so will have a positive impact on their mental and physical health.”

Read more here.

From L to R: Chris Simon (Optus), Taylor Kelly-Scholes (Learning the Macleay), Corey Tutt (Deadly Science), Tony McMahon (Durri AMS), Norma Kelly (Durri AMS). Image source: The Macleay Argus.

How initiatives like WSLHD’s Byala speech pathology clinic are Closing the Gap in paediatrician and speech pathology care

The Aboriginal Health Hub is home to programs dedicated to providing culturally appropriate, familiar and high-quality healthcare services, addressing the healthcare needs of the local community. One new initiative is the speech pathology clinic named “Byala” which has been established to provide timely and culturally appropriate speech pathology services for Indigenous children.

WSLHD Speech Pathologists Narelle Ferris-Smith and Angela Stankovska highlighted the clinic’s focus on early childhood development and support services, aiming to support families and children in their early developmental stages.

By offering individual therapy sessions and early language playgroups, the clinic aims to address language and speech delays in Aboriginal children. Early intervention is crucial in closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children, setting them on the right track for future success.

By operating within the community, the clinic becomes an extension of the existing support network, tapping into cultural knowledge and community resources to empower families to take charge of their children’s healthcare.

“What we provide in the Aboriginal Health Hub is so special because we can work holistically with all the other health professionals to ensure that we’re able to not just provide our service but we can identify any other needs for the family,” said Angela Stankovska, WSLHD Speech Pathologist.

To read the full article, go here.

Image source: The Pulse.

Bridging cultures while improving dental health

For Flight Lieutenant Maryam Ferooz, storytelling proved to be a bridge between two cultures in supporting improved dental health. As a dental officer in 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, Ferooz led a team providing dental care and training to remote First Nations peoples in Derby near RAAF Base Curtin, WA.

“Some patients have to travel hundreds of kilometres to get to Derby, and when there isn’t a dentist they face an even larger, and more expensive, commute to Broome,” Ms Ferooz said

“Not everyone can afford the travel, nor do they want to be so far from home, especially for things they dismiss as ‘just a toothache.”

Ferooz first found it challenging to communicate with the patients about their dental concerns.

“Working with our Indigenous Liaison Officers, I started to change how I asked questions, and I found it made a significant difference in how open people were with me,” she said.

“For example, I found that using the word ‘hurt’ instead of ‘pain’ helped people share their needs.”

She also reflected on how her own cultural heritage helped her engage with First Nations communities in a more meaningful way.

“Sometimes, rather than answering my question directly, people would tell me a story, which might reference a family member or anecdote,” she said.

“In Persian culture, storytelling is often passed through generations, weaving narratives that embody the essence of our identity. Similarly, among Indigenous Australians, songlines are integral to cultural heritage and passing knowledge.”

To read the full article, go here.

Flight Lieutenant Maryam Ferooz discusses dental hygiene with Norma, a resident of the Juniper Numbala Nunga Aged Care Facility in Derby.

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.