Only 7 weeks to the NACCHO OCHRE Day in Melbourne and registrations are open
Between now and the 29-30 August National men’s Conference NACCHO will be publishing each Monday articles about Men’s Health and contributions from an amazing line up of speakers: Our first contribution from Trevor Pearce Acting CEO VACCHO
” For so many of the men at Ochre Day, healing had come about through being better connected to their culture and understanding, and knowing who they are as Aboriginal men. Culture is what brought them back from the brink.
We’ve long known culture is a protective factor for our people, but hearing so many men in one place discuss how culture literally saved their lives really brought that fact home.
It made me even more conscious of how important it is that we focus on the wellbeing side of Aboriginal health. If we’re really serious about Closing the Gap, we need to fund male wellbeing workers in our Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
In Victoria, the life expectancy of an Aboriginal male is 10 years less than a non-Aboriginal male. Closing the Gap requires a holistic, strength- based response. As one of the fellas said, “you don’t need a university degree to Close the Gap, you just need to listen to our mob”.
I look forward to this year’s Ochre Day being hosted on Victorian country, and for VACCHO being even more involved.”
Trevor Pearce is Acting CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Health Organisation (VACCHO)Originally published here
6 – 8 August 2019 Our Health, Our Way Leadership Conference Alice Springs
Download the 2019 Health Awareness Days Calendar
7 -14 July 2019 National NAIDOC
5 July NAIDOC week Symposium
6 July National NAIDOC Awards Canberra
10 July Minister Ken Wyatt at the National Press Club
2-5 August Garma Festival
4 August National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 2019
13- 14 August Indigenous Health Justice Conference (IHJ) Darwin
29th – 30th August 2019 NACCHO OCHRE DAY
2- 5 September 2019 SNAICC Conference
23 -25 September IAHA Conference Darwin
24 -26 September 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference
2- 4 October AIDA Conference 2019
9-10 October2019 NATSIHWA 10 Year Anniversary Conference
16 October Melbourne Uni: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Conference
November date TBA World Indigenous Housing Conference
4 November NACCHO Youth Conference -Darwin NT
5 – 7 November NACCHO Conference and AGM -Darwin NT
5-8 November The Lime Network Conference New Zealand
Featured Save a date this week
6 – 8 August 2019 Our Health, Our Way Leadership Conference Alice Springs
AMSANT is holding a one and a half day conference to celebrate its 25th Anniversary of working with and supporting the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector and member services.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) have a long and successful history as leaders in providing best practice primary health care to our communities, starting in the NT in 1973 with the establishment of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress). This was only two years after the first Aboriginal Medical Service was established at Redfern in Sydney.
At a meeting in Alice Springs in 1994, ACCHSs in the NT formed our own peak body, the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT). Our sector has not looked back. AMSANT now has 26 member services across the Territory and is continuing to expand and strengthen its membership.
The last 45 years has seen our sector grow significantly, supported for the past 25 years through AMSANT’s leadership and advocacy. The innovation and leadership of the ACCHSs sector has influenced system-wide improvements in primary health care.
This record of achievement has ensured that ACCHSs are the preferred model for primary health care services to Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. Currently, our member ACCHSs provide over half of all primary health care services delivered to our people in the Northern Territory and there is an ongoing process for further transition to community control in coordination with our partners in the NT Aboriginal Health Forum.
A nationally-significant conference
The Our Health Our Way – 25 of Health Leadership Conference 2019 will be held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre and will bring together key local and national speakers to discuss the achievements and successes of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector in the Northern Territory and the future development of Aboriginal comprehensive primary health care here and beyond.
The themes of the conference will cover key aspects of our sector, from health leadership and governance through to research and data and continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes, and growing a sustainable Aboriginal health workforce.
The conference will showcase the successes of AMSANT’s member health services in effectively delivering primary health care services and developing local, community based and led programs across a range of areas including social and emotional well-being, health and housing, and expanding community controlled health services.
The conference format will include keynote speakers, plenary sessions and breakout workshop sessions on key topics. The conference program will be available soon on AMSANT’s website.
Conference Dinner
A Conference Dinner will be held on the evening of Wednesday 7th August at the Convention Centre featuring dinner and entertainment.
Individual seats or tables may be booked as part of the registration process.
Partner information stalls
The Our Health, Our Way – 25 Years of Health Leadership Conference 2019 will provide opportunities for government and NGO partners to hold information stalls within the conference venue to promote their work.
If you are interested in holding a stall during the conference please contact us using the details provided below.
Further information and registration
Further information including registration for the event will be available on AMSANT’s website: http://www.amsant.org.au
Inquiries can be made by phone or email or in person:
Download the NACCHO 2019 Calendar Health Awareness Days
For many years ACCHO organisations have said they wished they had a list of the many Indigenous “ Days “ and Aboriginal health or awareness days/weeks/events.
With thanks to our friends at ZockMelon here they both are!
It even has a handy list of the hashtags for the event.
Download the 53 Page 2019 Health days and events calendar HERE
We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.
The Indigenous voice of this country is over 65,000 plus years old.
They are the first words spoken on this continent. Languages that passed down lore, culture and knowledge for over millennia. They are precious to our nation.
It’s that Indigenous voice that include know-how, practices, skills and innovations – found in a wide variety of contexts, such as agricultural, scientific, technical, ecological and medicinal fields, as well as biodiversity-related knowledge. They are words connecting us to country, an understanding of country and of a people who are the oldest continuing culture on the planet.
For generations, we have sought recognition of our unique place in Australian history and society today. We need to be the architects of our lives and futures.
For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have looked for significant and lasting change.
Voice. Treaty. Truth. were three key elements to the reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. These reforms represent the unified position of First Nations Australians.
However, the Uluru Statement built on generations of consultation and discussions among Indigenous people on a range of issues and grievances. Consultations about the further reforms necessary to secure and underpin our rights and to ensure they can be exercised and enjoyed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It specifically sequenced a set of reforms: first, a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution and second, a Makarrata Commission to supervise treaty processes and truth-telling.
(Makarrata is a word from the language of the Yolngu people in Arnhem Land. The Yolngu concept of Makarrata captures the idea of two parties coming together after a struggle, healing the divisions of the past. It is about acknowledging that something has been done wrong, and it seeks to make things right.)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people want their voice to be heard. First Nations were excluded from the Constitutional convention debates of the 1800’s when the Australian Constitution came into force. Indigenous people were excluded from the bargaining table.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia’s democracy.
In the European settlement of Australia, there were no treaties, no formal settlements, no compacts. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people therefore did not cede sovereignty to our land. It was taken away from us. That will remain a continuing source of dispute.
Our sovereignty has never been ceded – not in 1788, not in 1967, not with the Native Title Act, not with the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It coexists with the sovereignty of the Crown and should never be extinguished.
Australia is one of the few liberal democracies around the world which still does not have a treaty or treaties or some other kind of formal acknowledgement or arrangement with its Indigenous minorities.
A substantive treaty has always been the primary aspiration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander movement.
Critically, treaties are inseparable from Truth.
Lasting and effective agreement cannot be achieved unless we have a shared, truthful understanding of the nature of the dispute, of the history, of how we got to where we stand.
The true story of colonisation must be told, must be heard, must be acknowledged.
But hearing this history is necessary before we can come to some true reconciliation, some genuine healing for both sides.
And of course, this is not just the history of our First Peoples – it is the history of all of us, of all of Australia, and we need to own it.
Kick off NAIDOC week in Canberra with a Symposium event with keynote speakers and expert panel on the topic of good governance through strong leadership. A daylong event, fully catered with morning and afternoon tea, lunch and post-event drinks and canapes with entertainment to conclude.
This is an exclusive ticketed event in a stunning lakeside venue with limited seats available.
10 July Minister Ken Wyatt at the National Press Club
During NAIDOC week and in his first major Address as Indigenous Affairs Minister, Ken Wyatt will lay out the pathway towards possible constitutional recognition for Australia’s first peoples and the importance of its view on the voice to parliament.
Ken Wyatt AM will outline how he and the Government want to do things differently – how partnerships, pride, respect and responsibility underpin his vision for a better future for Indigenous Australians and a stronger nation, even more confident in its cultural heritage and history.
Our first Aboriginal Minister for Indigenous Australians will detail the critical role of education, culture, community safety, suicide prevention, health, hope, employment and business development.
He will share the importance of co-designing and planning with Indigenous Australians at all levels, from the grassroots to peak representative bodies – and how inclusion and understanding is the only pathway towards Constitutional recognition.
As he has said, his dream is to ensure the greatness of our many Indigenous nations is reflected in the greatness of our Australian nation, now and forever.
Ken Wyatt was elected in 2010 as the Federal Member for Hasluck, located east of Perth, making history as the first Aboriginal Member of the House of Representatives.
The traditional garment worn by Ken on special occasions is a booka, a traditional kangaroo skin cloak presented to him by Perth’s Noongar elders and decorated with cockatoo feathers that signify his status in Noongar culture as a leader.
Since his election, Ken has worked tirelessly to be a strong advocate for his electorate to help build a stronger local community.
In 2015 Ken became the first Aboriginal member of the Federal Executive after being sworn in as Assistant Minister for Health, responsible for Aged Care, as well as for Dementia, the Organ and Tissue Authority and Australian Hearing.
In January 2017, Ken made history as the first Aboriginal Minister to serve in a Federal Government, after being appointed as Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health.
In August 2018, he was made Minister for Senior Australians & Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health.
In May 2019, he again made history when he became the first Aboriginal person to be made Minister for Indigenous Australians.
Before entering politics Ken worked in community and senior government roles in the fields of health and education including as Director of Aboriginal Health in both New South Wales and Western Australia.
In addition to Ken’s extensive public service career, he has made an enormous contribution to the wider community which was recognised in 1996 when he was awarded the Order of Australia for services to health, education and Indigenous affairs.
In 2000, Ken received a Centenary of Federation Medal for his contribution to improving the quality of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and mainstream Australian society.
4 August National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 2019
We Play, We Learn, We BelongWe play on our land.We learn from our ancestors.
We belong with our communities.
In 2019, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is celebrating the early years, and promoting the importance of early years education and care for our little ones.
We recognise the critical role that family, community, country and culture play in their development.
And we will continue to fight for better access to culturally appropriate early childhood education for our children through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
Our 2019 Ambassador is Nanna from the animated children’s series Little J & Big Cuz.
We are delighted to have Nanna representing Children’s Day this year.
Children’s Day has been celebrated on the 4th of August for more than 30 years. It’s a special time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to celebrate our children, and for all Aussies to learn about our cultures.
Around the 4th of August, schools, kinders and communities run Children’s Day events. On this website you can get ideas for how to run a Children’s Day event, and register your event so we can see Children’s Day growing each year across the nation.
We sell Children’s Day bags with fun toys and activities for kids to play with at your event. We can send you posters to promote Children’s Day and we will have a video of Nanna that you can show at your event.
Are you holding a Children’s Day event this year? Call us on (03) 9419 1921 or email info@snaicc.org.au to order your FREE Children’s Day poster!
13- 14 August Indigenous Health Justice Conference (IHJ)
This year AMSANT is pleased to partner with the group representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander lawyers and law students in the Northern Territory – Winkiku Rrumbangi NT Indigenous
Lawyers Aboriginal Corporation – to host the Indigenous Health Justice Conference (IHJ) in Darwin
This conference will run parallel to the 14th National Indigenous Legal Conference being held in Darwin for the first time. Collaborations between Health and Justice services are gaining momentum nationally and internationally because the broadly accepted evidence shows these can lead to improved outcomes.
AMSANT’s policy focus has raised the importance of dealing with the social determinants of healthand, for some individuals, unresolved legal issues can also be determinants of health.
To discuss this conference further, please contact John Rawnsley via email directors.wrnt@gmail.com.
Ochre Day is on again! This is the space to let us know you are interested in attending ! Register to get on the Early Bird list now!
About this Event
This year the event will be held at the Pullman on the Park in Melbourne between 29-30 August 2019.
As we count down to the conference we are calling for you to express your interest in attending.
Your expression of interest will secure you a spot at the FREE OCHRE DAY MENS CONFERENCE .
TELLING US YOU WANT TO COME MEANS YOU WILL KNOW:
– when registration opens
– link to the registration
– the code to book your accommodation direct with the hotel BEFORE registration opens, securing your room with the fabulous PULLMAN ON THE PARK MELBOURNE
A night of celebrating excellence and action – the Gala Dinner is the premier national networking event in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health.
The purpose of the IAHA National Indigenous Allied Health Awards is to recognise the contribution of IAHA members to their profession and/or improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The IAHA National Indigenous Allied Health Awards showcase the outstanding achievements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health and provides identifiable allied health role models to inspire all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider and pursue a career in allied health.
The awards this year will be known as “10 for 10” to honour the 10 Year Anniversary of IAHA. We will be announcing 4 new awards in addition to the 6 existing below.
24 -26 September 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference
The 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference will be held in Sydney, 24th – 26th September 2019. Make sure you save the dates in your calendar.
Further information to follow soon.
Date: Tuesday the 24th to Thursday the 26th September 2019
The AIDA 2019 Conference is a forum to share and build on knowledge that increasingly disrupts existing practice and policy to raise the standards of health care.
People with a passion for health care equity are invited to share their knowledges and expertise about how they have participated in or enabled a ‘disruptive innovation to achieve culturally safe and responsive practice or policy for Indigenous communities.
The 23rd annual AIDA Conference provides a platform for networking, mentoring, member engagement and the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of AIDA’S Indigenous doctor and students.
9-10 October 2019 NATSIHWA 10 Year Anniversary Conference
2019 Marks 10 years since the formation of NATSIHWA and registrations are now open!!!
Come and celebrate NATSIHWA’s 10 year Anniversary National Conference ‘A Decade of Footprints, Driving Recognition’ which is being held in Alice Springs. We aim to offer an insight into the Past, Present and Future of NATSIHWA and the overall importance of strengthening the primary health care sector’s unique workforce of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners throughout Australia.
During the 9-10 October 2019 delegates will be exposed to networking opportunities whilst immersing themselves with a combination of traditional and practical conference style delivery. Our intention is to engage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners in the history and knowledge exchange of the past, todays evidence based best practice programs/services available and envisioning what the future has to offer for all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.
16 October Melbourne Uni: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Conference
The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health are pleased to advise that abstract
submissions are now being invited that address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and
wellbeing.
The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference is an opportunity for sharing information and connecting people that are committed to reforming the practice and research of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health and celebrates Aboriginal knowledge systems and strength-based approaches to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal communities.
This is an opportunity to present evidence-based approaches, Aboriginal methods and models of
practice, Aboriginal perspectives and contribution to health or community led solutions, underpinned by cultural theories to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
In 2018 the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference attracted over 180 delegates from across the community and state.
We welcome submissions from collaborators whose expertise and interests are embedded in Aboriginal health and wellbeing, and particularly presented or co-presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and community members.
closing date for abstract submission is Friday 3 rd May 2019.
As per speaker registration link request please email your professional photo for our program or any conference enquiries to E. aboriginal-health@unimelb.edu.au.
Kind regards
Leah Lindrea-Morrison
Aboriginal Partnerships and Community Engagement Officer
Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne T. 03 5823 4554 E. leah.lindrea@unimelb.edu.au
November date TBA World Indigenous Housing Conference
Want to be kept updated on the WIHC in November 2019 ?
Inbox us your email address and we will add you to the mailing list or email our Principal Project Manager- Brandon.etto@nationalcongress.com.au
4 November NACCHO Youth Conference -Darwin NT
Darwin Convention Centre
Website to be launched soon
Conference Co-Coordinator Ben Mitchell 02 6246 9309
5-8 November The Lime Network Conference New Zealand
This years #LIMEConnection whakatauki (theme for the conference) was developed by the Scientific Committee, along with Māori elder, Te Marino Lenihan & Tania Huria from @otago.
20 – 21 June First Nations led content and free tickets at Progress 2019
2019 Dr Tracey Westerman’s Workshops
5 July NAIDOC week Symposium
6 July National NAIDOC Awards Canberra
7 -14 July 2019 National NAIDOC Grant funding round opens
2-5 August Garma Festival
4 August National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 2019
29th – 30th August 2019 NACCHO OCHRE DAY
2- 5 September 2019 SNAICC Conference
23 -25 September IAHA Conference Darwin
24 -26 September 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference
2- 4 October AIDA Conference 2019
9-10 October2019 NATSIHWA 10 Year Anniversary Conference
16 October Melbourne Uni: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Conference
November date TBA World Indigenous Housing Conference
4 November NACCHO Youth Conference -Darwin NT
5 – 7 November NACCHO Conference and AGM -Darwin NT
5-8 November The Lime Network Conference New Zealand
June 10 Men’s health receives lower grades than women’s health says new report card
The state of men’s health in Australia is lagging behind women’s health, according to a new report published ahead of Men’s Health Week (10-16 June 2019).
The Men’s Health Report Card 2019 produced by the Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF) highlights a number of areas of concern including the fact that men in Australia are dying six years younger than women on average.
AMHF, the national peak body for men’s health, is calling on politicians at federal, state and territory level to invest more time, money and resources into improving the lives and health of men and boys.
AMHF President Jonathan Bedloe said:
“This report card on the state of men and boys’ health in Australia tells us we must do better.
“Our sons are less educated than our daughters. Our brothers die younger than our sisters. Our fathers are more likely to die at work than our mothers. Our male friends are more likely to die by suicide than our female friends.
“The solution to these problems is not to stop working to improve the lives of women and girls, but to increase our efforts to tackle the issues facing men and boys. This means investing more time, money and resources into helping health services become more male-friendly and focused on the needs of men and boys.
“It also means looking at the wider social factors that shape men’s health, which include boys’ education, our experiences of fatherhood, our working lives, our financial wellbeing and our social connections.”
According to the report, which brings together the latest available data from a range of Government sources:
4 times more men under 65 die from more heart disease than women the same age
1 in 3 men die of cancer compared with 1 in 4 women
3 in 4 suicides are men (with 6 men and 2 women dying each day on average)
93% of workplace fatalities are men
3 in 4 road fatalities are male, with 3 men and boys a day dying in road accidents
The report also highlights some of the broader social issues that are known to impact men and boys’ health such as education, employment, finances and family life. According to the most recent Government data:
boys are 50% more likely than girls to drop out of school before the end of year 12
1 in 3 new fathers are not married
1 in 5 children live in lone-parent families
around two million men are experiencing economic insecurity
the number of men not in the labour force has risen by 180% since 1978, five times the rate at which the number of women not in the labour force has risen.
AMHF says Australia is one of the few countries in the world that has developed a national men’s health strategy. AMHF CEO Glen Poole said:
“The National Men’s Health Strategy calls on governments at all levels to address the unique needs of men and boys through their policies, programs and services,” said Poole.
“To date, just two states have developed a men’s health strategy and most government initiatives to improve our physical and mental health aren’t specifically targeted at men and boys.
“The statistics uncovered in our report on the current state of male health in Australia demonstrate that there is much work still to do. The National Men’s Health Strategy, launched in April, was a vital step forward. We now need to see all levels of Government investing more, time, money and resources into initiatives that improve the lives and health of men and boys.”
Download the NACCHO 2019 Calendar Health Awareness Days
For many years ACCHO organisations have said they wished they had a list of the many Indigenous “ Days “ and Aboriginal health or awareness days/weeks/events.
With thanks to our friends at ZockMelon here they both are!
It even has a handy list of the hashtags for the event.
Download the 53 Page 2019 Health days and events calendar HERE
At the Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2019 delegates from around the world will discuss the role of First Nations in leading change and will showcase Indigenous solutions.
The conference program will highlight ways of thinking, speaking and being for the benefit of Indigenous peoples everywhere.
Join Indigenous leaders, researchers, health professionals, decision makers, community representatives, and our non-Indigenous colleagues in this important conversation.
20 – 21 June First Nations led content and free tickets at Progress 2019
Progress 2019 is a two day conference to bring together 1,500 change makers from
across First Nations, racial justice, environment, social services, refugees, health, aid and union movements in Australia. Over the two days we’ll work to breakdown silos, build partnerships and campaigns to create stronger movements and set the tone for the new term of government.
Progress will take place at Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st June and we’re offering free tickets to all First Nationsparticipants –registerhereand use the code: full scholarship-progress2019.
At Progress 2019 we’re working to make sure issues of First Nations justice and self-determination are central to the conference agenda. On Thursday there will be a First Nations stream, which is being coordinated by Larissa (details on sessions below). It’ll be a chance to connect with folks from across the country, hear from people working with communities and organising at scale and talk about what First Nations people need from the rest of the movement.
We have free tickets available for First Nations people to attend Progress 2019 and we’d love if you could pass this email through your contacts and to First Nations people you work with. And if you have any suggestions for people to invite please let us know!
Some sessions that are being led by Larissa Baldwin that might be of interest to you:
· Progress 2019 opening plenary – Rod Little (National Congress), Larissa Baldwin (Getup!), Bruce Pascoe (Author), Lara Watson (ACTU), Ruby Wharton (WAR) and other First Nations community advocates will open Progress 2019 with a discussion about truth telling, the role of First Nations people in organising First Nations communities, how we’re agitating against the status quo, and what comes next.
· A breakout conversation on land justice, co-developed with Karrina Nolan from Original Power. Karrina and Larissa will be joined by Gadrian Hoosan (Borroloola community leader) and Dwayne Coulthard (SA advocate organising his community against underground coal seam gasification) for an open discussion to celebrate our achievements, and examine the challenges and opportunities ahead.
· Two First Nations caucus spaces – the first will be a breakout session after the opening plenary, offering the chance for participants to meet and greet, and space to talk about our issues. The second will be an informal caucus over lunch.
First Nations speakers on other sessions in the agenda include:
Kick off NAIDOC week in Canberra with a Symposium event with keynote speakers and expert panel on the topic of good governance through strong leadership. A daylong event, fully catered with morning and afternoon tea, lunch and post-event drinks and canapes with entertainment to conclude.
This is an exclusive ticketed event in a stunning lakeside venue with limited seats available.
7 -14 July 2019 National NAIDOC Grant funding round opens
VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH.
We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.
The Indigenous voice of this country is over 65,000 plus years old.
They are the first words spoken on this continent. Languages that passed down lore, culture and knowledge for over millennia. They are precious to our nation.
It’s that Indigenous voice that include know-how, practices, skills and innovations – found in a wide variety of contexts, such as agricultural, scientific, technical, ecological and medicinal fields, as well as biodiversity-related knowledge. They are words connecting us to country, an understanding of country and of a people who are the oldest continuing culture on the planet.
For generations, we have sought recognition of our unique place in Australian history and society today. We need to be the architects of our lives and futures.
For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have looked for significant and lasting change.
Voice. Treaty. Truth. were three key elements to the reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. These reforms represent the unified position of First Nations Australians.
However, the Uluru Statement built on generations of consultation and discussions among Indigenous people on a range of issues and grievances. Consultations about the further reforms necessary to secure and underpin our rights and to ensure they can be exercised and enjoyed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It specifically sequenced a set of reforms: first, a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution and second, a Makarrata Commission to supervise treaty processes and truth-telling.
(Makarrata is a word from the language of the Yolngu people in Arnhem Land. The Yolngu concept of Makarrata captures the idea of two parties coming together after a struggle, healing the divisions of the past. It is about acknowledging that something has been done wrong, and it seeks to make things right.)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people want their voice to be heard. First Nations were excluded from the Constitutional convention debates of the 1800’s when the Australian Constitution came into force. Indigenous people were excluded from the bargaining table.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia’s democracy.
In the European settlement of Australia, there were no treaties, no formal settlements, no compacts. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people therefore did not cede sovereignty to our land. It was taken away from us. That will remain a continuing source of dispute.
Our sovereignty has never been ceded – not in 1788, not in 1967, not with the Native Title Act, not with the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It coexists with the sovereignty of the Crown and should never be extinguished.
Australia is one of the few liberal democracies around the world which still does not have a treaty or treaties or some other kind of formal acknowledgement or arrangement with its Indigenous minorities.
A substantive treaty has always been the primary aspiration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander movement.
Critically, treaties are inseparable from Truth.
Lasting and effective agreement cannot be achieved unless we have a shared, truthful understanding of the nature of the dispute, of the history, of how we got to where we stand.
The true story of colonisation must be told, must be heard, must be acknowledged.
But hearing this history is necessary before we can come to some true reconciliation, some genuine healing for both sides.
And of course, this is not just the history of our First Peoples – it is the history of all of us, of all of Australia, and we need to own it.
4 August National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 2019
We Play, We Learn, We BelongWe play on our land.We learn from our ancestors.
We belong with our communities.
In 2019, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is celebrating the early years, and promoting the importance of early years education and care for our little ones.
We recognise the critical role that family, community, country and culture play in their development.
And we will continue to fight for better access to culturally appropriate early childhood education for our children through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
Our 2019 Ambassador is Nanna from the animated children’s series Little J & Big Cuz.
We are delighted to have Nanna representing Children’s Day this year.
Children’s Day has been celebrated on the 4th of August for more than 30 years. It’s a special time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to celebrate our children, and for all Aussies to learn about our cultures.
Around the 4th of August, schools, kinders and communities run Children’s Day events. On this website you can get ideas for how to run a Children’s Day event, and register your event so we can see Children’s Day growing each year across the nation.
We sell Children’s Day bags with fun toys and activities for kids to play with at your event. We can send you posters to promote Children’s Day and we will have a video of Nanna that you can show at your event.
A night of celebrating excellence and action – the Gala Dinner is the premier national networking event in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health.
The purpose of the IAHA National Indigenous Allied Health Awards is to recognise the contribution of IAHA members to their profession and/or improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The IAHA National Indigenous Allied Health Awards showcase the outstanding achievements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health and provides identifiable allied health role models to inspire all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider and pursue a career in allied health.
The awards this year will be known as “10 for 10” to honour the 10 Year Anniversary of IAHA. We will be announcing 4 new awards in addition to the 6 existing below.
24 -26 September 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference
The 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference will be held in Sydney, 24th – 26th September 2019. Make sure you save the dates in your calendar.
Further information to follow soon.
Date: Tuesday the 24th to Thursday the 26th September 2019
The AIDA 2019 Conference is a forum to share and build on knowledge that increasingly disrupts existing practice and policy to raise the standards of health care.
People with a passion for health care equity are invited to share their knowledges and expertise about how they have participated in or enabled a ‘disruptive innovation to achieve culturally safe and responsive practice or policy for Indigenous communities.
The 23rd annual AIDA Conference provides a platform for networking, mentoring, member engagement and the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of AIDA’S Indigenous doctor and students.
9-10 October 2019 NATSIHWA 10 Year Anniversary Conference
2019 Marks 10 years since the formation of NATSIHWA and registrations are now open!!!
Come and celebrate NATSIHWA’s 10 year Anniversary National Conference ‘A Decade of Footprints, Driving Recognition’ which is being held in Alice Springs. We aim to offer an insight into the Past, Present and Future of NATSIHWA and the overall importance of strengthening the primary health care sector’s unique workforce of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners throughout Australia.
During the 9-10 October 2019 delegates will be exposed to networking opportunities whilst immersing themselves with a combination of traditional and practical conference style delivery. Our intention is to engage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners in the history and knowledge exchange of the past, todays evidence based best practice programs/services available and envisioning what the future has to offer for all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.
16 October Melbourne Uni: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Conference
The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health are pleased to advise that abstract
submissions are now being invited that address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and
wellbeing.
The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference is an opportunity for sharing information and connecting people that are committed to reforming the practice and research of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health and celebrates Aboriginal knowledge systems and strength-based approaches to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal communities.
This is an opportunity to present evidence-based approaches, Aboriginal methods and models of
practice, Aboriginal perspectives and contribution to health or community led solutions, underpinned by cultural theories to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
In 2018 the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference attracted over 180 delegates from across the community and state.
We welcome submissions from collaborators whose expertise and interests are embedded in Aboriginal health and wellbeing, and particularly presented or co-presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and community members.
closing date for abstract submission is Friday 3 rd May 2019.
As per speaker registration link request please email your professional photo for our program or any conference enquiries to E. aboriginal-health@unimelb.edu.au.
Kind regards
Leah Lindrea-Morrison
Aboriginal Partnerships and Community Engagement Officer
Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne T. 03 5823 4554 E. leah.lindrea@unimelb.edu.au
November date TBA World Indigenous Housing Conference
Want to be kept updated on the WIHC in November 2019 ?
Inbox us your email address and we will add you to the mailing list or email our Principal Project Manager- Brandon.etto@nationalcongress.com.au
4 November NACCHO Youth Conference -Darwin NT
Darwin Convention Centre
Website to be launched soon
Conference Co-Coordinator Ben Mitchell 02 6246 9309
5-8 November The Lime Network Conference New Zealand
This years #LIMEConnection whakatauki (theme for the conference) was developed by the Scientific Committee, along with Māori elder, Te Marino Lenihan & Tania Huria from @otago.
5 – 7 November NACCHO Conference and AGM -Darwin NT
Download the 2019 Health Awareness Days Calendar
21 May First Peoples Disability Network, Is hosting a Human Rights Literacy forum
24 May National Sorry Day Bridge Walk Canberra
24-26 May AMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE – #amanatcon
25 May The Long Walk Melbourne
27 May to 5 June National Reconciliation Week #NRW2019
18 -20 June Lowitja Health Conference Darwin
2019 Dr Tracey Westerman’s Workshops
5 July NAIDOC week Symposium
6 July National NAIDOC Awards Canberra
7 -14 July 2019 National NAIDOC Grant funding round opens
2-5 August Garma Festival
29th – 30th August 2019 NACCHO OCHRE DAY
23 -25 September IAHA Conference Darwin
24 -26 September 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference
9-10 October2019 NATSIHWA 10 Year Anniversary Conference
16 October Melbourne Uni: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Conference
4 November NACCHO Youth Conference -Darwin NT
5 – 7 November NACCHO Conference and AGM -Darwin NT
5-8 November The Lime Network Conference New Zealand
Featured Save a dates date
20-26 May 2019 Family Matters Week of Action
” SNAICC congratulates the returning Coalition Government, and is ready to work alongside a new Indigenous Affairs Minister and Social Services Minister to prioritise better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
We believe that this most urgently requires a national strategy, with generational targets, to eliminate over-representation of our children in out-of home care and address the causes of child removal, as well as ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have adequate access to quality education in the early years of their lives.
The complexity and depth of the issue – spanning both federal and state government powers – requires a holistic national strategy if we are to make any real dents. The incoming Federal Government has a responsibility to demonstrate commitment and leadership by starting this process, premised on the principles of self-determination and partnership agreed under the Closing the Gap refresh process.”
“ We need to see better commitment from our federal leaders to break the cycle of trauma for our children and families, and support evidence-based, community-led solutions.
So many Aboriginal children aren’t able to access early years education, which is such a crucial time in their education journey. It’s clearly an area that Australia should and must be doing better.
There are over 17,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-ofhome care at this very minute, having been removed from their families; there’s no denying that’s a national crisis. Through the Closing the Gap refresh, the government has shown a clear desire to work with communities to address this crisis, and we’re hopeful that a strong relationship with a new minister can produce some real change for our children and families.”
Muriel Bamblett, SNAICC Chairperson
This week SNAICC is leading the Family Matters campaign National Week ofAction, to raise awareness of the causes and solutions to the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the out-ofhome care system.
Throughout the National Week of Action, from 20-26 May, child welfare organisations and individual supporters from across the country are encouraged to play their part in raising awareness about the escalating number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being removed from family.
“Family Matters seeks to foster an environment where there is wellbeing, safety and stability for all children. For Aboriginal children this means fostering a greater sense of belonging by growing up in family and community, and in a society that respects and values who they are as Aboriginal people.”
Muriel Bamblett, SNAICC Chairperson
During this week, we highlight the fundamental issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Most importantly, we’re working to shine a light on the disconnection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from community, culture and country.
Take action!
Together, we’ll:
inform service providers, policy decision makers, and the Australian public of the national crisis in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander over-representation in out-of home care
garner support to ensure that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people grow up safe and cared for within family, community and culture
ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and organisations are empowered to exercise their responsibilities for the safety and wellbeing of their children
Find out more about what you can do and use our resources below to take action
What you can do
As a Family Matters supporter, we are calling on your organisation to further support Family Matters by hosting an event and promoting the National Week of Action via your organisation’s website, social media and other communications channels.
Hold an event in your workplace, engage your supporters, members and staff in discussions about the escalating number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being removed from their family, and the power you have to influence change.
And copy and paste the following messaging to use on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Facebook
Check back soon for a Facebook frame so you can change your profile to show your support for the campaign.
Twitter
On Twitter, use the hashtag #BecauseOfThemWeMust
[I / We / your organisation] believe/s that #FamilyMatters. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 11x more likely to be removed from their families than other Australian children. Our children deserve better. #BecauseOfThemWeMust
Without real change now, the story remains the same. It’s time for a new approach. Together, we can break the cycle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child removal.
Download the NACCHO 2019 Calendar Health Awareness Days
For many years ACCHO organisations have said they wished they had a list of the many Indigenous “ Days “ and Aboriginal health or awareness days/weeks/events.
With thanks to our friends at ZockMelon here they both are!
It even has a handy list of the hashtags for the event.
Download the 53 Page 2019 Health days and events calendar HERE
All welcome, Catering will be provided.
Location: Aboriginal Advancement League
THORNBURY, Tuesday 21 May 2019
24 May National Sorry Day Bridge Walk Canberra
24-26 May AMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE – #amanatcon
The 2019 AMA National Conference at Sofitel Brisbane, from 24-26 May, will feature an impressive line-up of influential health leaders, speakers and panellists, prestigious awards, and international speakers.
International speakers include Dr Barbara McAneny, the President of the American Medical Association, and Dr Michael Myers, a specialist in doctors’ health and the author or co-author of 150 scientific publications and eight books, including Why Physicians Die By Suicide: Lessons Learned from Their Families and Others Who Cared.
Policy sessions include: Doctors’ Health – Protecting Doctors and Their Families: A Call to Action; Aged Care – Improving Clinical Care in an Era of Financial Constraint; Artificial Intelligence in Health Care; and Reforming Australia’s Mental Health System.
Delegates will also debate key contemporary health issues from the floor of the Conference.
27 May to 5 June National Reconciliation Week #NRW2019
At the heart of reconciliation is the relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To foster positive race relations, our relationship must be grounded in a foundation of truth.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have long called for a comprehensive process of truth-telling about Australia’s colonial history. Our nation’s past is reflected in the present, and will continue to play out in future unless we heal historical wounds.
Today, 80 per cent of Australians believe it is important to undertake formal truth telling processes, according to the 2018 Australian Reconciliation Barometer. Australians are ready to come to terms with our history as a crucial step towards a unified future, in which we understand, value and respect each other.
Whether you’re engaging in challenging conversations or unlearning and relearning what you know, this journey requires all of us to walk together with courage. This National Reconciliation Week, we invite Australians from all backgrounds to contribute to our national movement towards a unified future.
What is National Reconciliation Week?
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
At the Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2019 delegates from around the world will discuss the role of First Nations in leading change and will showcase Indigenous solutions.
The conference program will highlight ways of thinking, speaking and being for the benefit of Indigenous peoples everywhere.
Join Indigenous leaders, researchers, health professionals, decision makers, community representatives, and our non-Indigenous colleagues in this important conversation.
Kick off NAIDOC week in Canberra with a Symposium event with keynote speakers and expert panel on the topic of good governance through strong leadership. A daylong event, fully catered with morning and afternoon tea, lunch and post-event drinks and canapes with entertainment to conclude.
This is an exclusive ticketed event in a stunning lakeside venue with limited seats available. Save the date – July 5 – and follow https://www.facebook.com/ailcleaders/ on Facebook to be the first in line to book tickets
6 July National NAIDOC Awards Canberra
7 -14 July 2019 National NAIDOC Grant funding round opens
VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH.
We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.
The Indigenous voice of this country is over 65,000 plus years old.
They are the first words spoken on this continent. Languages that passed down lore, culture and knowledge for over millennia. They are precious to our nation.
It’s that Indigenous voice that include know-how, practices, skills and innovations – found in a wide variety of contexts, such as agricultural, scientific, technical, ecological and medicinal fields, as well as biodiversity-related knowledge. They are words connecting us to country, an understanding of country and of a people who are the oldest continuing culture on the planet.
For generations, we have sought recognition of our unique place in Australian history and society today. We need to be the architects of our lives and futures.
For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have looked for significant and lasting change.
Voice. Treaty. Truth. were three key elements to the reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. These reforms represent the unified position of First Nations Australians.
However, the Uluru Statement built on generations of consultation and discussions among Indigenous people on a range of issues and grievances. Consultations about the further reforms necessary to secure and underpin our rights and to ensure they can be exercised and enjoyed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It specifically sequenced a set of reforms: first, a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution and second, a Makarrata Commission to supervise treaty processes and truth-telling.
(Makarrata is a word from the language of the Yolngu people in Arnhem Land. The Yolngu concept of Makarrata captures the idea of two parties coming together after a struggle, healing the divisions of the past. It is about acknowledging that something has been done wrong, and it seeks to make things right.)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people want their voice to be heard. First Nations were excluded from the Constitutional convention debates of the 1800’s when the Australian Constitution came into force. Indigenous people were excluded from the bargaining table.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia’s democracy.
In the European settlement of Australia, there were no treaties, no formal settlements, no compacts. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people therefore did not cede sovereignty to our land. It was taken away from us. That will remain a continuing source of dispute.
Our sovereignty has never been ceded – not in 1788, not in 1967, not with the Native Title Act, not with the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It coexists with the sovereignty of the Crown and should never be extinguished.
Australia is one of the few liberal democracies around the world which still does not have a treaty or treaties or some other kind of formal acknowledgement or arrangement with its Indigenous minorities.
A substantive treaty has always been the primary aspiration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander movement.
Critically, treaties are inseparable from Truth.
Lasting and effective agreement cannot be achieved unless we have a shared, truthful understanding of the nature of the dispute, of the history, of how we got to where we stand.
The true story of colonisation must be told, must be heard, must be acknowledged.
But hearing this history is necessary before we can come to some true reconciliation, some genuine healing for both sides.
And of course, this is not just the history of our First Peoples – it is the history of all of us, of all of Australia, and we need to own it.
Venue: Pullman Hotel – 192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne Vic 3000
Website to be launched soon
23 -25 September IAHA Conference Darwin
24 September
A night of celebrating excellence and action – the Gala Dinner is the premier national networking event in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health.
The purpose of the IAHA National Indigenous Allied Health Awards is to recognise the contribution of IAHA members to their profession and/or improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The IAHA National Indigenous Allied Health Awards showcase the outstanding achievements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health and provides identifiable allied health role models to inspire all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider and pursue a career in allied health.
The awards this year will be known as “10 for 10” to honour the 10 Year Anniversary of IAHA. We will be announcing 4 new awards in addition to the 6 existing below.
24 -26 September 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference
The 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference will be held in Sydney, 24th – 26th September 2019. Make sure you save the dates in your calendar.
Further information to follow soon.
Date: Tuesday the 24th to Thursday the 26th September 2019
Location: Sydney, Australia
Organiser: Chloe Peters
Phone: 02 6262 5761
Email: admin@catsinam.org.au
9-10 October 2019 NATSIHWA 10 Year Anniversary Conference
SAVE THE DATE for the 2019 NATSIHWA 10 Year Anniversary Conference!!!
We’re so excited to announce the date of our 10 Year Anniversary Conference – A Decade of Footprints, Driving Recognition!!!
NATSIHWA recognises that importance of members sharing and learning from each other, and our key partners within the Health Sector. We hold a biennial conference for all NATSIHWA members to attend. The conference content focusses on the professional support and development of the Health Workers and Health Practitioners, with key side events to support networking among attendees. We seek feedback from our Membership to make the conferences relevant to their professional needs and expectations and ensure that they are offered in accessible formats and/or locations.The conference is a time to celebrate the important contribution of Health Workers and Health Practitioners, and the Services that support this important profession.
We hold the NATSIHWA Legends Award night at the conference Gala Dinner. Award categories include: Young Warrior, Health Worker Legend, Health Service Legend and Individual Champion.
Watch this space for the release of more dates for registrations, award nominations etc.
16 October Melbourne Uni: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Conference
The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health are pleased to advise that abstract
submissions are now being invited that address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and
wellbeing.
The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference is an opportunity for sharing information and connecting people that are committed to reforming the practice and research of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health and celebrates Aboriginal knowledge systems and strength-based approaches to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal communities.
This is an opportunity to present evidence-based approaches, Aboriginal methods and models of
practice, Aboriginal perspectives and contribution to health or community led solutions, underpinned by cultural theories to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
In 2018 the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference attracted over 180 delegates from across the community and state.
We welcome submissions from collaborators whose expertise and interests are embedded in Aboriginal health and wellbeing, and particularly presented or co-presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and community members.
closing date for abstract submission is Friday 3 rd May 2019.
As per speaker registration link request please email your professional photo for our program or any conference enquiries to E. aboriginal-health@unimelb.edu.au.
Kind regards
Leah Lindrea-Morrison
Aboriginal Partnerships and Community Engagement Officer
Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne T. 03 5823 4554 E. leah.lindrea@unimelb.edu.au
4 November NACCHO Youth Conference -Darwin NT
Darwin Convention Centre
Website to be launched soon
Conference Co-Coordinator Ben Mitchell 02 6246 9309
5-8 November The Lime Network Conference New Zealand
This years #LIMEConnection whakatauki (theme for the conference) was developed by the Scientific Committee, along with Māori elder, Te Marino Lenihan & Tania Huria from @otago.
NACCHO News readers and followers are invited to join a Twitter festival on Wednesday 8 May to profile important health issues ahead of the Federal election.
You can follow the discussions on Twitter and contribute your views by using the hashtag #AusVotesHealth.
Please encourage your networks and organisations to follow the discussions during the day and to retweet as much as possible.
Leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations and experts will contribute to the discussions and policy analysis, including NACCHO chair Donella Mills (guest tweeter from 9.15-9.45am AEST).
NACCHO has developed a set of policy 10 #Election2019 recommendations that if adopted, fully funded and implemented by the incoming Federal Government, will provide a pathway forward for improvements in our health outcomes.
We are calling on all political parties to include these 10 recommendations in their election platforms and make a real commitment to improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and help us Close the Gap.
Our ACCHO TOP 10 key asks of a new Federal Government
The #AusVotesHealth Twitter festival will be timely, setting the scene for the third leaders debate, to be held during prime time at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday moderated by ABC journalist and National Press Club President Sabra Lane.
The #AusVotesHealth discussions will be moderated by Croakey editors Melissa Sweet (@Croakeyblog), Marie McInerney (@mariemcinerney) and Jennifer Doggett (@JenniferDoggett).
Download the NACCHO 2019 Calendar Health Awareness Days
For many years ACCHO organisations have said they wished they had a list of the many Indigenous “ Days “ and Aboriginal health or awareness days/weeks/events.
With thanks to our friends at ZockMelon here they both are!
It even has a handy list of the hashtags for the event.
Download the 53 Page 2019 Health days and events calendar HERE
‘This engagement process is important to ensure the definition is co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, health professionals and organisations across Australia.
Cultural safety is essential to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and we are committed to a genuine partnership approach to develop a clear definition “
NHLF Chair, Pat Turner said the forum’s partnership with the Strategy Group meant that the definition is being led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health experts, which is an important value when developing policies or definitions that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
The NHLF has been operating since 2011 and is national representative committee for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health peak bodies who provide advice on all aspects of health and well-being.
Help define this important term for the scheme that regulates health practitioners across Australia.
AHPRA, the National Boards and Accreditation Authorities in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme which regulates registered health practitioners in Australia have partnered with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders and the National Health Leadership Forum (NHLF) to release a public consultation.
Together, they are seeking feedback on a proposed definition of ‘cultural safety’ to develop an agreed, national baseline definition that can be used as a foundation for embedding cultural safety across all functions in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme and for use by the National Health Leadership Forum.
In total, there are 44 organisations represented in this consultation, which is being coordinated by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Group (Strategy Group), which is convened by AHPRA, and the NHLF (a list of representatives is available below).
Strategy Group Co-Chair, Professor Gregory Phillips said the consultation is a vital step for achieving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. (see Picture below )
‘Patient safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is inextricably linked with cultural safety. We need a baseline definition of ‘cultural safety’ that can be used across the National Scheme so that we can help registered health practitioners understand what cultural safety is and how it can help achieve health equity for all Australians’, said Prof Phillips.
The NHLF has been operating since 2011 and is national representative committee for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health peak bodies who provide advice on all aspects of health and well-being.
The consultation is a continuation of the work by the National Scheme’s Strategy Group that has achieving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as its overall goal. Members of the Group include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders and members from AHPRA, National Boards, Accreditation Authorities and NSW Councils.
AHPRA’s Agency Management Committee Chair, Mr Michael Gorton AM, said the far reach of this work is outlined in the Strategy Group’s Statement of intent, which was published last year.
‘The approach to this consultation is embodied in the Strategy Group’s Statement of intent, which has commitment, accountability, shared priorities, collaboration and high-level participation as its values. As a scheme, we are learning from our engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, who are the appropriate leaders in this work. I thank these leaders, and the experts who have shared their knowledge and expertise with us, for their generosity and leadership which will lead to better health outcomes’, said Mr Gorton.
The six-week consultation is open to the public. Everyone interested in helping to shape the definition of ‘cultural safety’ that will be used in the National Scheme and by NHLF members is warmly invited to share their views.The consultation is open until 5:00pm, Wednesday 15 May 2019.
For more information:
All feedback to the consultation will be published on the AHPRA website. If you would not like your feedback published, please let us know when you submit it.
If you have any questions, please email rap@ahpra.gov.au or call (07) 3149 6948.
18 May Federal Elections
Welcome to our special NACCHO #Election2019#VoteACCHO resource page for Affiliates, ACCHO members, stakeholders and supporters. The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is not a partisan political issue and cannot be sidelined any longer.
NACCHO has developed a set of policy #Election2019 recommendations that if adopted, fully funded and implemented by the incoming Federal Government, will provide a pathway forward for improvements in our health outcomes.
We are calling on all political parties to include these recommendations in their election platforms and make a real commitment to improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and help us Close the Gap.
With your action and support of our #VoteACCHO campaign we can make the incoming Federal Government accountable.
20 – 26 May Family Matters Week of Action is 20-26 May
The theme is ‘Because of them, we must’ – for the good of our kids, we must act right now. Will you hold an event in your organisation, company or community to raise awareness of this urgent issue? http://ow.ly/CLCo50tNJOF
At the Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2019 delegates from around the world will discuss the role of First Nations in leading change and will showcase Indigenous solutions.
The conference program will highlight ways of thinking, speaking and being for the benefit of Indigenous peoples everywhere.
Join Indigenous leaders, researchers, health professionals, decision makers, community representatives, and our non-Indigenous colleagues in this important conversation.
7 -14 July 2019 National NAIDOC Grant funding round opens
The opening of the 2019 National NAIDOC Grant funding round has been moved forward! The National NAIDOC Grants will now officially open on Thursday 24 January 2019.
Head to www.naidoc.org.au to join the National NAIDOC Mailing List and keep up with all things grants or check out the below links for more information now!
A night of celebrating excellence and action – the Gala Dinner is the premier national networking event in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health.
The purpose of the IAHA National Indigenous Allied Health Awards is to recognise the contribution of IAHA members to their profession and/or improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The IAHA National Indigenous Allied Health Awards showcase the outstanding achievements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health and provides identifiable allied health role models to inspire all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider and pursue a career in allied health.
The awards this year will be known as “10 for 10” to honour the 10 Year Anniversary of IAHA. We will be announcing 4 new awards in addition to the 6 existing below.
24 -26 September 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference
The 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference will be held in Sydney, 24th – 26th September 2019. Make sure you save the dates in your calendar.
Further information to follow soon.
Date: Tuesday the 24th to Thursday the 26th September 2019
Location: Sydney, Australia
Organiser: Chloe Peters
Phone: 02 6262 5761
Email: admin@catsinam.org.au
9-10 October 2019 NATSIHWA 10 Year Anniversary Conference
SAVE THE DATE for the 2019 NATSIHWA 10 Year Anniversary Conference!!!
We’re so excited to announce the date of our 10 Year Anniversary Conference – A Decade of Footprints, Driving Recognition!!!
NATSIHWA recognises that importance of members sharing and learning from each other, and our key partners within the Health Sector. We hold a biennial conference for all NATSIHWA members to attend. The conference content focusses on the professional support and development of the Health Workers and Health Practitioners, with key side events to support networking among attendees. We seek feedback from our Membership to make the conferences relevant to their professional needs and expectations and ensure that they are offered in accessible formats and/or locations.The conference is a time to celebrate the important contribution of Health Workers and Health Practitioners, and the Services that support this important profession.
We hold the NATSIHWA Legends Award night at the conference Gala Dinner. Award categories include: Young Warrior, Health Worker Legend, Health Service Legend and Individual Champion.
Watch this space for the release of more dates for registrations, award nominations etc.
16 October Melbourne Uni: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Conference
The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health are pleased to advise that abstract
submissions are now being invited that address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and
wellbeing.
The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference is an opportunity for sharing information and connecting people that are committed to reforming the practice and research of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health and celebrates Aboriginal knowledge systems and strength-based approaches to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal communities.
This is an opportunity to present evidence-based approaches, Aboriginal methods and models of
practice, Aboriginal perspectives and contribution to health or community led solutions, underpinned by cultural theories to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
In 2018 the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference attracted over 180 delegates from across the community and state.
We welcome submissions from collaborators whose expertise and interests are embedded in Aboriginal health and wellbeing, and particularly presented or co-presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and community members.
closing date for abstract submission is Friday 3 rd May 2019.
As per speaker registration link request please email your professional photo for our program or any conference enquiries to E. aboriginal-health@unimelb.edu.au.
Kind regards
Leah Lindrea-Morrison
Aboriginal Partnerships and Community Engagement Officer
Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne T. 03 5823 4554 E. leah.lindrea@unimelb.edu.au
4 November NACCHO Youth Conference -Darwin NT
Darwin Convention Centre
Website to be launched soon
Conference Co-Coordinator Ben Mitchell 02 6246 9309
5-8 November The Lime Network Conference New Zealand
This years #LIMEConnection whakatauki (theme for the conference) was developed by the Scientific Committee, along with Māori elder, Te Marino Lenihan & Tania Huria from @otago.
” We, the Aboriginal males gathered at the Ochre Day Men’ Health Summit, nipaluna (Hobart) Tasmania in August 2018; to continue to develop strategies to ensure our roles as grandfathers, fathers, uncles, nephews, brothers, grandsons, and sons caring for our families.
We commit to taking responsibility for pursuing a healthy, happier, life for our families and ourselves, that reflects the opportunities experienced by the wider community.
We acknowledge the NAIDOC theme “Because of her we can”We celebrate the relationships we have with our wives, mothers, grandmothers, granddaughters, aunties, nieces sisters and daughters.
We also acknowledge that our male roles embedded in Aboriginal culture as well as our contemporary lives must value the importance of the love, companionship, and support of our Aboriginal women, and other partners.
We will pursue the roles and practices of Aboriginal men grounded in their cultural as protectors, providers and mentors. “
Our nipaluna (Hobart) Ochre Day Statement: That our timeless culture still endures
” For so many of the men at Ochre Day, healing had come about through being better connected to their culture and understanding, and knowing who they are as Aboriginal men. Culture is what brought them back from the brink.
We’ve long known culture is a protective factor for our people, but hearing so many men in one place discuss how culture literally saved their lives really brought that fact home.
It made me even more conscious of how important it is that we focus on the wellbeing side of Aboriginal health. If we’re really serious about Closing the Gap, we need to fund male wellbeing workers in our Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
In Victoria, the life expectancy of an Aboriginal male is 10 years less than a non-Aboriginal male. Closing the Gap requires a holistic, strength- based response. As one of the fellas said, “you don’t need a university degree to Close the Gap, you just need to listen to our mob”.
I look forward to next year’s Ochre Day being hosted on Victorian country, and for VACCHO being even more involved.
Trevor Pearce is Acting CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Health Organisation (VACCHO) Originally published CROAKEY see in full part 2 below : Aboriginal men’s health conference: “reclaim our rightful place and cultural footprint “
The National Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Chairperson John Singer, closed recent the Hobart Ochre Day Conference-Men’s Health, Our Way. Let’s Own It!
Ochre Day is an important Aboriginal male health initiative to help draw attention to Aboriginal male health in a holistic way. The delegates fully embraced the conference theme, many spoke about their own journeys in the male health sector and all enjoyed participation in conference sessions, activities and workshops.
More than 200 delegates attended and heard from an impressive line-up of speakers and this year was no exception.
Delegates responded positively to The Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health funding of an Aboriginal Television network.
and Mr Rod Little from National Congress delivered a brief history on the progress of a Treaty in Australia as a keynote address for the Jaydon Adams Oration Memorial Dinner. The winner of the Jaydon Adams award 2018 was Mr Aaron Everett.
A comprehensive quality program involving presentations from clinicians, researches, academics, medical experts and Aboriginal Health Practitioners were delivered.
Delegates listened to passionate speakers like Dr Mick Adams, Dr Mark Wenitong, Patrick Johnson.
Joe Williams, Deon Bird, Kim Mulholland and Karl Briscoe. Topics included those on suicide, Deadly Choices, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases as well as family violence impacting Aboriginal Communities. Initiatives to address these problems were explored in workshops that were held to discuss how to make men’s health a priority and how to support the reaffirmation of cultural identity.
Speeches by Ross Williams, Stan Stokes and Charlie Adams addressed the establishment of Men’s Clinics within the Anyinginiyi Aboriginal Health Service and Wuchopperen Aboriginal Health Service, which demonstrated the positive impact that these facilities have had on men’s health and their emotional wellbeing.
These reports as well as the experiences related by delegates highlighted the urgent need for more Aboriginal Men’s Health Clinics to be established especially in regional, rural and remote areas.
As a result of interaction with a broad cross section of delegates the NACCHO Chairman
Mr John Singer was able to put forward a range of priorities that he believed would go some way to addressing some of the concerns raised.
These priorities were the acquisition of funds to enable the;
Establishment of 80 Men’s Health Clinics in urban, rural and remote locations and
The employment of both a Male Youth Health Policy Officer and Male (Adult) Health Policy Officer by NACCHO in Canberra.
Delegates also welcomed the funding of $3.4 million for the Aboriginal Health Television network provided that the programs were culturally appropriate and supported a
strength-based approach to Men’s Health.
Our Thanks to the Sponsors
Part 2Trevor Pearce is Acting CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Health Organisation (VACCHO) Originally published CROAKEY
Aboriginal men’s health conference: “reclaim our rightful place and cultural footprint “
I’ve just returned from my first NACCHO Ochre Day Men’s Health Conference in Hobart, and it was so deadly, it most definitely won’t be my last.
About 260 Aboriginal men from the Kimberleys to urban environments and everywhere in between attended. White Ochre Day started as an Aboriginal response to White Ribbon Day. For Aboriginal people, White Ochre has significant cultural and ceremonial values for Aboriginal people.
It’s not just about the aesthetics of painting white ochre on to our skin, there are strong cultural elements to the ceremony and identity. Ochre Day is a gathering of Aboriginal men for sharing ideas of best practice and increasing access to better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men for us to deal with family violence, and with spiritual healing, as Aboriginal men.
I was privileged to attend this conference with all the male Aboriginal staff members from VACCHO, who represented a diversity of ages and backgrounds. They work at VACCHO in areas including cultural safety, mental health, policy, sexual health and bloodborne viruses, telehealth, and alcohol and other drugs. It was a great bonding experience for us, and fantastic to be part of this national conversation.
Aboriginal men die much younger than Aboriginal women, and we die an awful lot younger than the non-Aboriginal population. We have the highest suicide rates in the world, and suffer chronic disease at high rates too.
We walk and live with poor health every day, and much of this is down to the symptoms that colonisation has brought us. We didn’t have these high rates of illness and suicide pre-colonisation, when we had strength in our culture, walked on our traditional homeland estates and we all spoke our languages. And we certainly didn’t have incarceration before contact.
A rightful place
The Ochre Day Conference covered all aspects of health and wellbeing for Aboriginal men; physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing. It was about our need to reclaim our rightful place and cultural footprint on the Australian landscape.
It is a basic human right to be healthy and have good wellbeing, as is our right to embrace our culture. Improving our health is not just about the absence of disease, it’s about developing our connection to Country, our connection to family, and feeling positive about ourselves.
This position of reclamation of our right place within Australia society is critical given the current political landscape, and the challenges that Aboriginal people face. Victoria has an election in November, and a national election to come soon too. As Aboriginal people we know that race relations will be a tool used against us, and our lives will often be portrayed from the deficit point of view that will focus on what’s wrong with us.
In light of the above, it was good to hear about all the positive things Aboriginal men are doing across the country to help their families and communities, from the grassroots to the national level.
Rightfully, we talked a lot about mental health issues. There was a lot of personal sharing; men talking about their own issues; men who had attempted suicide speaking openly about it. There were survivors of abuse, of family violence. For any man, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal, these are big things to get up and talk about.
I was so impressed and moved by what these Aboriginal men had to share. There was such generosity of spirit from these men in sharing their stories, and I’m not ashamed to say some of these brought me to tears.
“ I was fortunate enough to attend the first White Ochre Day in Mossman Gorge, after seeing the potential affect this type of event could make, I took the opportunity to share the concept with Mark Saunders from NACCHO and who then adopted the concept and developed it into the national event it is today.
Without the development through Mark and now NACCHO chair, John singer, this event wouldn’t have been possible.”
The name has changed from White Ochre to simply Ochre Day, because of the different meaning that Ochre plays in communities and culture across Australia. Dan should be incredibly proud that he started something as significant as this for Aboriginal Men’s Health “
Dr Mark Wenitong, the Public Health Medical Advisor at Apunipima ACCHO Cape York
Ochre Day is celebrated each year on 27th August; Ochre Day recognises the importance of Aboriginal Men’s Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing and forms an integral of NACCHO’s Aboriginal Men’s Health initiative.
In 2012, Dan Fischer, an Indigenous Male Health Worker at Apunipima Cape York Health Council in Mossman Gorge wanted to share with the men of his community, the support and guidance that his much loved grandfather had shown him. Dan saw that many of the programs and support services that were offered to the men in his community were developed to solve a problem, not to prevent them.
Dan wanted to help the men and boys of his community in a positive way that celebrates and upholds the traditional values of respect for Aboriginal laws, respect for elders, cultures and traditions. He also saw that there was a need to encourage the men of his community to become leaders and role models.
“My Grandfather, Peter Fischer, was a great role model for me. I was lucky.” Said Dan.
From the humble beginnings, of a group of men sharing and supporting each other, in a remote community in Far North Queensland, Ochre Day was celebrated.
Ochre Day was adopted the following year, by NACCHO (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) at an event held in Canberra, where Dan’s passion and commitment to Close the Gap and help the men in his community was recognised.
Ochre Day is now celebrated right across Australia. It is an opportunity for Aboriginal males of all ages to share knowledge and explore ways to engage with their local communities, as an essential and positive part of family and community life.
“My grandfather told me that I would do good things for the health of my people and all these years later, here I am,” Dan said.
Dan believes that the success of Ochre Day from these humble beginnings is because of the great role models he has had in his life, both personally and professionally. White Ochre Day in Mossman Gorge is Dan’s way of paying forward his good fortune.
Ochre Day is evidence that one person can make a difference.
” In the context of NACCHO Ochre Day — with its focus on men’s health — we need Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to continue stepping up across the board and being the warriors they have been for 65,000 years.
If we are to truly transform the health status of our First Australians, we need every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man to take responsibility and be proud of themselves and their heritage — proud of the oldest continuous culture on Earth, and the traditions that kept us healthy, from the very beginning.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture must also be front and centre of the early years of our children’s lives.
It must be an integral part of our children’s early learning and quest for knowledge.
And our fathers, grandfathers and uncles — as well as our mothers, aunties and grandmothers — must play a key role in protecting our children.
Our men, in particular, must be warriors for our children’s welfare and future, every day.
Ken Wyatt AM, MP Minister for Indigenous Health opening speech Via Video : See Full Text part 2
Today 200 + delegates at the Ochre Day Conference –Men’s Health, Our Way. Let’s Own It heard an address from The Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health.
The Minister highlighted that “This Day shines a light on the issues that affect the social and emotional health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
He asks them to become “home-based heroes — modern-day warriors for health and wellbeing — who are crucial in Closing the Gap in the health outcomes experienced by our First Peoples.
Wyatt believes and NACCHO Chairperson John Singer agrees “that we need every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man to take responsibility and be proud of themselves and their heritage — proud of the oldest continuous culture on Earth, and the traditions that kept us healthy, from the very beginning.”
Recently John Singer attended the Council of Australian Governments Health Council meeting in Alice Springs, when it made two critical decisions to advance First Nations health. Firstly, it has made Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health a national priority, including by inviting the Indigenous Health Minister to all future meetings.
The Council also resolved to create a national Indigenous Health and Medical Workforce Plan, to focus on significantly increasing the number of First Nations doctors, nurses and health professionals.
John Singer was also grateful that the former Turnbull Government has just committed $3.4 million over the next three years, to develop the Aboriginal Health TV network. It is an anticipated that this will deliver health and wellbeing messages through television screens in 144 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, reaching up to 1.2 million people each month.
Local community TV production will be fostered and encouraged, to ensure that the broadcasts are relevant and engaging for their audiences. Health messages will be delivered on issues such as smoking, eye and ear checks, skin conditions, diet, immunisation, sexual health, diabetes and drug and alcohol treatment services.
Ochre Day is an important Aboriginal male health initiative to help raise awareness as well as provide an opportunity to draw national public awareness to Aboriginal male health and social and emotional wellbeing.
Good morning. In West Australian Noongar language, I say “kaya wangju” – hello and welcome.
I acknowledge the Muwinina people, on whose land you are gathered today, and pay my respect to Elders past and present.
Apologies that I am unable to join you in person — but I am grateful for the opportunity to address you about the critical importance of men’s health.
I congratulate the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation for the leadership it has shown in raising awareness of the importance of the health of First Nations men, through the creation of Ochre Day.
This Day shines a light on the issues that affect the social and emotional health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
This summit provides a welcome opportunity for all of you to hear the latest health and medical developments, share ideas — and learn more about how, together, we can improve the health of our men.
I believe that the word “ochre” perfectly encapsulates the way forward, to secure lasting change.
For thousands of years – and still today – ochre has been a marker of tradition and respect.
It has been dug up and used from time immemorial, to help tell our stories through decoration, dance and painting.
Like ochre, respect for culture will, I believe, play a vital role in improving the health of our First Nations people.
For at least 65,000 years, our societies have been family oriented, with responsibilities shared between men and women.
Women playing their key roles as mothers and protectors.
But equally, men, playing their parts as father figures and family shields.
Why am I saying this?
Because I believe that home-based heroes — modern- day warriors for health and wellbeing — are crucial in Closing the Gap in the health outcomes experienced by our First Peoples.
And in the context of Ochre Day — with its focus on men’s health — we need Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to continue stepping up across the board and being the warriors they have been for 65,000 years.
If we are to truly transform the health status of our First Australians, we need every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man to take responsibility and be proud of themselves and their heritage — proud of the oldest continuous culture on Earth, and the traditions that kept us healthy, from the very beginning.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture must also be front and centre of the early years of our children’s lives.
It must be an integral part of our children’s early learning and quest for knowledge.
And our fathers, grandfathers and uncles — as well as our mothers, aunties and grandmothers — must play a key role in protecting our children.
Our men, in particular, must be warriors for our children’s welfare and future, every day.
In a targeted manner, the development of local warriors has taken a significant step forward this month, with the new Hearing for Learning initiative, launched in the Northern Territory.
As you know, the alarmingly high rates of childhood ear infection in both regional and urban communities can hinder our children’s development and limit their opportunities as adults.
First Nations children suffer an average of 32 months of hearing loss compared with three months for other Australian children, as well as unacceptably high levels of otitis media.
A healthy ear one day may show signs of infection the next.
While doctors and specialists attend many communities and work hard with families to protect hearing, we need local people to continuously monitor our children’s ears and maintain strong messages about the importance of ear health.
With almost $8 million from the Turnbull and Northern Territory Governments, and the Balnaves Foundation, the Hearing for Learning initiative will develop a network of up to 40 ear health warriors, to do just that across 20 communities.
They will be local people, speaking their local languages, and living with and communicating directly with local parents and families.
They will strengthen and complement the work of fly-in fly-out ear specialists and protect the hearing of up to 5,000 children from birth to 16 years old.
Hearing for Learning aims to dramatically lift the capacity of families and communities to identify ear disease within the first few months of life and then maintain vigilance.
These ear health warriors will integrate with existing primary care services, assisting health professionals to diagnose and manage ear disease and where necessary, to refer children for specialist treatment.
I hold considerable hope for this project, and I believe there is potential for it to be replicated across other states and territories, once the implementation has been proven.
Building on this local warriors theme, I attended the Council Of Australian Governments Health Council meeting in Alice Springs earlier this month, when it made two critical decisions to advance First Nations health.
Firstly, it has made Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health a national priority, including by inviting the Indigenous Health Minister to all future meetings.
Secondly, the Council resolved to create a national Indigenous Health and Medical Workforce Plan, to focus on significantly increasing the number of First Nations doctors, nurses and health professionals.
This is about more Aboriginal doctors, nurses and health workers on country and in our towns and cities.
While it will be positive for creating First Nations jobs across Australia, it has particular potential for tackling chronic disease and improving the lives of people in remote communities.
This plan is a high priority and we can expect further announcements to bolster the local Aboriginal health workforce in coming months.
I would also like to highlight another national project which I believe has great potential to help improve men’s health awareness.
The Turnbull Government has just committed $3.4 million over the next three years, to develop the Aboriginal Health TV network.
This will deliver health and wellbeing messages through television screens in hundreds of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, reaching up to 1.2 million people each month.
Local community production will be fostered and encouraged, to ensure that the broadcasts are relevant and engaging for their audiences.
Health messages will be delivered on issues such as smoking, eye and ear checks, skin conditions, diet, immunisation, sexual health, diabetes and drug and alcohol treatment services.
Content will be developed by the Aboriginal Health TV Network in partnership with local Aboriginal health services, to ensure it is culturally appropriate and relevant.
The new network will also use social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to extend its reach and engagement.
Its potential is vast, and I encourage everyone to consider how the network could be used to engage local men and help them understand how they can improve their health.
The Turnbull Government’s commitment to working and walking together for better First Nations health is absolute.
The Government has also initiated development of a National Male Health Strategy for the period 2020-2030.
Building on the 2010 National Male Health Policy, a key consideration of the new Strategy will be addressing the specific health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys.
I look forward to hearing how your work during this two-day summit can inform the strategy.
Like every one of you here today, I am deeply committed to Closing the Gap.
Fundamental to this is the continuous improvement of the health of our First Nations men.
For now – and for the future – let’s join together with local men across the nation and support and encourage them to go forward as warriors for health.
“The National Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Chairperson John Singer, will today 27 August open the Ochre Day Conference -Men’s Health, Our Way. Let’s Own It! in Hobart
The two-day conference will discuss how the sector that has an Aboriginal male population of over 350,000 can continue to Close the Gap in Aboriginal men’s health across Australia.
Ochre Day is an important Aboriginal male health initiative to help raise awareness as well as provide an opportunity to draw national public awareness to Aboriginal male health and social and emotional wellbeing.”
Picture above VACCHO mob flying to Hobart and Oliver Tye NACCHO Conference Team
Download the full #OchreDay2018 Program here or read Keynote speakere Bio’s below
Over the years, Ochre Day have had an impressive line-up of speakers and this year is no exception, some of the country’s leading Aboriginal Male Health thinkers, policymakers, clinicians, researchers, academics and practitioners are joined by health workers interested in learning about the latest medical advice, solutions and the practical aspects of cultural safety for our patients who still suffer institutional racism in our hospital system.
The annual event for almost 200 delegates, will feature NACCHO Chairperson John Singer will open the Conference, then delegates will hear an address from The Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health, then Mr John Paterson CEO of AMSANT will be speaking about the importance of women as partners in men’s health and Mr Rod Little from National Congress will discuss the progress of a treaty in the Australia as a keynote address for the Jaydon Adams Oration Memorial Dinner.
See Keynote Speaker Bio’s below or program for all
Ken Wyatt AM MP
Dr Mick Adams
John Singer
Dr Mark Wenitong
John Paterson
Deon Bird
Charlie Jia
Joe Williams
Rod Little
Kim Mulholland
Karl Briscoe
Last year 144 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) provided nearly 3 million episodes of care to over 340,000 clients.
It is clear that putting Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands is working. “Now we need to see more Aboriginal people have access to our culturally appropriate services that have been proven to be effective, efficient and affordable in more areas around Australia” Mr Singer said.
Part 2 Speaker Bio’s noting Picture below 2017 Darwin
Ken Wyatt AM MP
The Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP is the Federal Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health. He was born at Roelands Mission Farm, a former home for young Aboriginal children removed from their families, located near Bunbury in Western Australia (WA).
Ken’s heritage is Yamatji, with Irish ancestry on his father’s side, and Wongi and Noongar ancestry on his mother’s side. In 2015, Ken became the first Aboriginal member of the Federal Executive after being sworn in as the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care.
He made history again in 2016, as the first Aboriginal Minister to service in a Federal Government after being appointed as the Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health.
Ken is an active member of the Health and Human Rights Committees and is the Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Dr Mick Adams
Dr Mick Adams is Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet and Kurongkurl Katitjin at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia.
He is a descendent of the Yadhaigana/Wuthathi people of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, the Gurindji people of central western Northern Territory with extended family relationships with the people of the Torres Straits.
Dr Adams is recognised and credited as one of the leading Aboriginal researchers on male health. Mick has worked in the health sector for over 30 years and has experiencing working in both government and community-controlled health service sector.
John Singer
John Singer was appointed as the Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) in November 2017.
John is an experienced administrator and visionary thinker.
He worked in Community Administration from 1989 to 1996 at Iwantja, Fregon, Pukatja and Papunya. In 1997, he became the Manager of Iwantja Clinic, which is one of Nganampa Health Council’s 6 clinics.
In 2000, he was appointed Executive Director of the Nganampa Health Council and still holds this position today.
Mr Singer’s family is from Ngaanjatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Lands, which is the cross-border area of Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.
He began working in community control at the Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service where he started his health worker training, later completed in the late 1980s.
Dr Mark Wenitong
Mark is from the Kabi Kabi tribal group of South Queensland and is passionate about improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
To complement this passion and energy, Mark has extensive expertise and experience and has been involved in both clinical and policy work throughout his career. He is currently the Aboriginal Public Health Medical Officer at Apunipima Cape York Health Council, where he is working on health reform across the Cape York Aboriginal communities.
Mark has also previously been a Senior Medical Officer at Wuchopperen Health Services in Cairns, a Medical Advisor for the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) in Canberra, the acting CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), and has worked in community development with World Vision in Papunya, Northern Territory.
Mark is a past president and founder of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association and sits on numerous councils and committees. Previously a member on the National Health Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council, he is Chair of Andrology Australia – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Advisory Committee, board member of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and the AITHM.
Mark is heavily involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and has helped develop several national workforce documents and sat on the COAG Australian Health Workforce Advisory Council. He is also involved in several research projects, and has worked in prison health, refugee health in East Timor, as well as studying and working in Indigenous health internationally.
In recognition of his achievements, Mark received the 2011 AMA Presidents Award for Excellence in Healthcare, the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council Hall of Fame award in 2010 and more recently, was one of the chief investigators awarded the MJA best research journal article for 2012.
John Paterson
John Paterson is a born and bred Territorian, John’s family is affiliated with the Ngalakan tribe, located in the Roper River region.
John was appointed as the EO of AMSANT in June 2006 and immediately outlined his priorities for the organisation in the coming years.
“John’s goal is to strengthen and enhance our community-controlled health services in the NT so we can improve both the quality and duration of life for Aboriginal people,”
John says. “I’m particularly keen to help improve the mental health of the people in our region, with a holistic approach to primary health care.
“His other important agenda is to advocate vigorously for the further roll-out of the Primary Health Care Access program (PHCAP) to improve the access of Aboriginal people to comprehensive primary health care services.”
Deon Bird
Deon has been a part of the Institute of Urban Indigenous Healths (IUIH) MomenTIM program since 2015 as Facilitator and more recently has moved into a Workforce Development Role.
A proud Wakka Wakka man, Deon has developed an unwavering passion for this work around mens mental health, which has seen him become an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Mental Health.
Trainer as a part of his role with IUIH. Formerly, Deon was the Founder & CEO of the Australian Indigenous Youth Academy Inc.
AIYA was established in 2010 as a not-for-profit organization, which existed to ‘inspire future generations’ of Indigenous youth to achieve higher educational outcomes through a school-based traineeship program & healthy lifestyle initiatives.
Prior to his move to the not-for-profit and health services sector, Deon played professional rugby league in the English Super League for 11 years from 1996 to 2006.
Charlie Jia
Charlie is a proud Yindinji man (Cairns, North Queensland) and Torres Strait Islander. Charlie Jia has worked in private and public positions at local, state and national levels. His drive, commitment and passion are with his community, its people, friends and family.
Charlie sits on various committees representing his immediate community and is a founding member of the South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (SEQICC) and the inaugural President from 2006 to 2011.
He recently returned to the Chamber after moving to North Stradbroke Island to live and set up his small business, CJ’s Island Pizza which he still owns, being managed by his eldest son.
Charlie is the Regional Coordinator Men’s Mental Health overseeing MomenTIM which is one of many health-related programs delivered by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health.
Joe Williams
Joe Williams is a Wiradjuri, 1st Nations man born in Cowra, raised in Wagga, NSW, having lived a 15-year span as a professional sports person, playing in the NRL for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching to professional Boxing in 2009.
As a boxer he is a 2x WBF World Jnr Welterweight champion and also won the WBC Asia Continental Title. Although forging a successful professional sporting career, Joe has battled the majority of his life with suicidal ideation and Bi Polar Disorder.
After a suicide attempt in 2012, he felt his purpose was to help people who struggle with mental illness.
Recently Joe developed a cultural wellbeing program which concentrates on First Nations people becoming the best version of themselves and released his autobiography titled Defying The Enemy Within; which not only tells his story, but offers practical wellbeing tips that anyone can implement in their lives to keep themselves mentally well.
Rod Little
Rod Little is from the Wilunyu-Amangu and Wajuk peoples of Geraldton and Perth areas of Western Australia and lives in Canberra.
He is the Co-chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples. Before this role he was a Director at Congress and has previously been an elected member and Chairperson of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body since its inception in 2008.
He is a native title applicant and a member of a negotiation team of traditional owners’ negotiating long lasting outcomes for his mob through an alternative settlement agreement process with the Western Australian Government.
Rod has a long employment history in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs in education and senior leadership positions in social policy areas and has represented first peoples at international forums including the United Nations. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Commonwealth Peoples Forum.
He is passionate and committed to our peoples and improving their lives, particularly through advocating for our rights; equal education and health; and through consulting, encouraging and collaborating with our leaders, professionals and institutions.
Kim Mulholland
An Aboriginal descendant of the Larrakia Nation and Yanyuwa Clan group of the Northern Territory, Kim has lived a contrast between traditional Yanyuwa and contemporary Larrakia, granting him a unique insight and depth of understanding the rich tapestry that is our modern Aboriginal Australia.
Kim has a wealth of experience in community development & Aboriginal social & emotional wellbeing, and works from a unique integrative perspective with deep respect, drawing on lessons from his traditional cultural knowledge, and forging with principles in western education.
Karl Briscoe
Karl Briscoe is a proud Kuku Yalanji man from Mossman — Daintree area of Far North Queensland and has worked for over 17 years in the health sector at various levels of government and non-government including local, state and national levels which has enabled him to form a vast strategic network across Australia.
Karl has taken up the position as the Chief Executive Officer of NATSIHWA to progress and represent the invested interests of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.
Previous to NATSIHWA Karl was the Clinical Services Manager at the Galambila Aboriginal Health Service in Coffs Harbour.
He has a vast array of experience at Senior Executive levels including previous positions as the Executive Director of Indigenous Health and Outreach Services in Cape York and Torres Strait Hospital and Health Service, which provided the skills and knowledge to coordinate strategic intent to address the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
June 25 – July 6 Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition
The Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples has just concluded hearings at the Barunga Festival and in the Kimberley.
The Committee conducted hearings at Barunga, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Kununurra and Broome. The Committee heard from organisations and individuals about how constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples might be implemented.
The Committee will be conducting hearings in Canberra on 25 June 2018.
It will be conducting further hearings in:
• Dubbo – 2 July 2018;
• Sydney/ Western Sydney – 3/4 July 2018;
• Adelaide – 5 July 2018; and
• Perth – 6 July 2018.
For location details etc
In particular the Committee is interested in hearing from witnesses about the design of the Voice proposal including proposals for constitutional change which emerged from the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This includes:
• Should the Voice be national, regional or local?
• How should its members be chosen?
• What functions should it have?
To make a submission on these issues please contact the secretariat on jsccr@aph.gov.au.
The Committee is due to present its interim report to Parliament on 30 July and the final report on 29 November 2018.
19 June 21 St Century Aboriginal Health Research
21st Century Aboriginal Health Research
The Aboriginal Health College is thrilled to be hosting a showcase of Aboriginal Health Research projects. This event is the first in a series of educational seminars promoting best practice in Aboriginal Health Research by exploring community engagement, Aboriginal Governance, evidence-based practice and how researchers achieved success working with community.
Please join us to hear from the SEARCH team at the Sax Institute, the POCHE Centre’s Adjunct Associate Professor Kylie Gwynne and University of Wollongong’s Professor Kathleen Clapham.
2 – 4 July 2018 First Nations Governance Forum; : Canberra
Museum of Australian Democracy
Old Parliament House, Canberra
As Australia’s national university, ANU has an obligation to constructively contribute to the discussion of policy reform and processes of significant issues concerning Indigenous Australia.
The University seeks to reignite national debate about Australia’s First Nations governance models and their contribution to policy. We are in a unique position to facilitate an International Indigenous-led discussion, with academic rigour, on some of the most challenging issues affecting the country.
We recognise that the academic expertise on these issues is distributed among universities around Australia and the world and welcomes contributions from interested parties.
Forum details
In 2018 ANU will host the First Nations Governance Forum with a goal to provide a series of policy options relevant to Australia through learning from models in other colonial settler states that demonstrate Indigenous peoples leadership in the governance of their affairs. The Forum will include a welcome dinner, keynote presentations, a series of high-level panel discussions and workshop sessions.
The Forum will be hosted with the support of Australia’s Federal Indigenous parliamentarians, Indigenous leaders, academics, government, leading international policy makers and other interested stakeholders. The Forum will consider First Nations governance reform in Australia and, share the experiences of Indigenous people in comparable jurisdictions including Aotearoa (New Zealand), Canada, USA and Scandinavian countries. The Forum will build on the extensive work undertaken on this issue including the Report of the Expert Panel on Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Constitution (2012), the Report of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (2015) and the Uluru Statement from the Heart (2017).
Attendance options
Broad participation in the Forum from across the community is encouraged and supported. The Forum is a public event. Attendance is free (though attendees will be responsible for their own expenses including travel, accommodation and meals). The Forum will also be live-streamed and recorded to ensure remote access.
The following attendance options are available:
Onsite
An Expression of Interest process will be conducted for a limited number of seats available at the Museum of Australian Democracy. Complete the Expression of Interest form by 13 June. Applicants will be selected across representative groups and notified in the first week of June.
Live-stream at ANU
A facilitated, live-streamed broadcast will be hosted at Llewellyn Hall on the ANU campus. Those who are unsuccessful in registering a place at the Museum of Australian Democracy are encouraged to register to attend this event at Llewellyn Hall.
* Note: the Forum is a public event and will be live-streamed and recorded, and research may be conducted using data obtained from the event. Live-stream analytics data from the event may be collected and used in research.
8 July : Because of Her, We Can! – NAIDOC Week 2018 will be held nationally from Sunday 8 July and continue through to Sunday 15 July.
As pillars of our society, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played – and continue to play – active and significant roles at the community, local, state and national levels.
As leaders, trailblazers, politicians, activists and social change advocates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women fought and continue to fight, for justice, equal rights, our rights to country, for law and justice, access to education, employment and to maintain and celebrate our culture, language, music and art.
They continue to influence as doctors, lawyers, teachers, electricians, chefs, nurses, architects, rangers, emergency and defence personnel, writers, volunteers, chief executive officers, actors, singer songwriters, journalists, entrepreneurs, media personalities, board members, accountants, academics, sporting icons and Olympians, the list goes on.
They are our mothers, our elders, our grandmothers, our aunties, our sisters and our daughters.
Sadly, Indigenous women’s role in our cultural, social and political survival has often been invisible, unsung or diminished.
For at least 65,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have carried our dreaming stories, songlines, languages and knowledge that have kept our culture strong and enriched us as the oldest continuing culture on the planet.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were there at first contact.
They were there at the Torres Strait Pearlers strike in 1936, the Day of Mourning in 1938, the 1939 Cummeragunja Walk-Off, at the 1946 Pilbara pastoral workers’ strike, the 1965 Freedom Rides, the Wave Hill walk off in 1966, on the front line of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972 and at the drafting of the Uluru Statement.
They have marched, protested and spoken at demonstrations and national gatherings for the proper recognition of our rights and calling for national reform and justice.
Our women were heavily involved in the campaign for the 1967 Referendum and also put up their hands to represent their people at the establishment of national advocacy and representative bodies from the National Aboriginal Congress (NAC) to ATSIC to Land Councils and onto the National Congress for Australia’s First Peoples.
They often did so while caring for our families, maintaining our homes and breaking down cultural and institutionalised barriers and gender stereotypes.
Our women did so because they demanded a better life, greater opportunities and – in many cases equal rights – for our children, our families and our people.
They were pioneering women like Barangaroo, Truganini, Gladys Elphick, Fannie Cochrane-Smith, Evelyn Scott, Pearl Gibbs, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Celuia Mapo Salee, Thancoupie, Justine Saunders, Gladys Nicholls, Flo Kennedy, Essie Coffey, Isabel Coe, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Eleanor Harding, Mum Shirl, Ellie Gaffney and Gladys Tybingoompa.
Today, they are trailblazers like Joyce Clague, Yalmay Yunupingu, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Nova Peris, Carol Martin, Elizabeth Morgan, Barbara Shaw, Rose Richards, Vonda Malone, Margaret Valadian, Lowitja O’Donoghue, June Oscar, Pat O’Shane, Pat Anderson Jill Milroy, Banduk Marika, Linda Burney and Rosalie Kunoth-Monks – to name but a few.
Their achievements, their voice, their unwavering passion give us strength and have empowered past generations and paved the way for generations to come.
July 11-12 National NAIDOC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Woman’s Conference in Sydney.
When the National NAIDOC Committee announced the 2018 Theme: Because of Her, We Can in November 2017 there was a huge round of applause around Australia particularly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women.
Amongst those women were Christine Ross, Sharon Kinchela and Chris Figg who all agreed we needed to celebrate this fabulous theme.
So, with great excitement Ngiyani Pty Ltd announced they would host a National NAIDOC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Conference to be held on 11 – 12 July 2018 at UNSW Kensington Campus Sydney. They are utlising the services of Christine Ross Consultancy as the Project Manager.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (Children’s Day) is a time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to celebrate the strengths and culture of their children. The day is an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that community, culture and family play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.
Children’s Day is held on 4 August each year and is coordinated by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children. Children’s Day was first observed in 1988, with 2017 being the 29th celebration. Each year SNAICC produces and distributes resources to help organisations, services, schools, and communities celebrate.
The theme for Children’s Day 2018 is SNAICC – Celebrating Our Children for 30 Years.
Our children are the youngest people from the longest living culture in the world, with rich traditions, lore and customs that have been passed down from generation to generation. Our children are growing up strong with connection to family, community and country. Our children are the centre of our families and the heart of our communities. They are our future and the carriers of our story.
This year, we invite communities to take a walk down memory lane, as we revisit some of the highlights of the last 30 years. We look back on the empowering protest movements instigated by community that had led to the establishment of the first Children’s Day on 4 August 1988. We look back at all of the amazing moments we’ve shared with our children over the years, and how we’re watching them grow into leaders.
We look back to see what we’ve achieved, and decide where we want to go from here to create a better future for our children. If you have celebrated Children’s Day at any time during the past 30 years, we would love to hear from you.
The recent week-long #MensHealthWeek focus offered a “timely reminder” to all men to consider their health and wellbeing and the impact that their ill health or even the early loss of their lives could have on the people who love them. The statistics speak for themselves – we need to look after ourselves better .
That is why I am encouraging all men to take their health seriously, this week and every week of the year, and I have made men’s health a particular priority for Indigenous health.”
Federal Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care Ken Wyatt who will be a keynote speaker at NACCHO Ochre Day in August
To celebrate #MensHealthWeek NACCHO has launches its National #OchreDay2018 Mens Health Summit program and registrations
The NACCHO Ochre Day Health Summit in August provides a national forum for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male delegates, organisations and communities to learn from Aboriginal male health leaders, discuss their health concerns, exchange share ideas and examine ways of improving their own men’s health and that of their communities
All too often Aboriginal male health is approached negatively, with programmes only aimed at males as perpetrators. Examples include alcohol, tobacco and other drug services, domestic violence, prison release, and child sexual abuse programs. These programmes are vital, but are essentially aimed at the effects of males behaving badly to others, not for promoting the value of males themselves as an essential and positive part of family and community life.
To address the real social and emotional needs of males in our communities, NACCHO proposes a positive approach to male health and wellbeing that celebrates Aboriginal masculinities, and uphold our traditional values of respect for our laws, respect for Elders, culture and traditions, responsibility as leaders and men, teachers of young males, holders of lore, providers, warriors and protectors of our families, women, old people, and children.
NACCHO’s approach is to support Aboriginal males to live longer, healthier lives as males for themselves. The flow-on effects will hopefully address the key effects of poor male behaviour by expecting and encouraging Aboriginal males to be what they are meant to be.
In many communities, males have established and are maintaining men’s groups, and attempting to be actively involved in developing their own solutions to the well documented men’s health and wellbeing problems, though almost all are unfunded and lack administrative and financial support.
To assist NACCHO to strategically develop this area as part of an overarching gender/culture based approach to service provision, NACCHO decided it needed to raise awareness, gain support for and communicate to the wider Australian public issues that have an impact on the social, emotional health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Males.
It was subsequently decided that NACCHO should stage a public event that would aim to achieve this and that this event be called “NACCHO Ochre Day”.
October 30 2018 NACCHO Annual Members’ Conference and AGM SAVE A DATE
Follow our conference using HASH TAG #NACCHOagm2018
This is Brisbane Oct 30—Nov 2
The NACCHO Members’ Conference and AGM provides a forum for the Aboriginal community controlled health services workforce, bureaucrats, educators, suppliers and consumers to:
Present on innovative local economic development solutions to issues that can be applied to address similar issues nationally and across disciplines
Have input and influence from the ‘grassroots’ into national and state health policy and service delivery
Demonstrate leadership in workforce and service delivery innovation
Promote continuing education and professional development activities essential to the Aboriginal community controlled health services in urban, rural and remote Australia
Promote Aboriginal health research by professionals who practice in these areas and the presentation of research findings
Develop supportive networks
Promote good health and well-being through the delivery of health services to and by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people throughout Australia.
7. NATSIHWA National Professional Development Symposium 2018
We’re excited to release the dates for the 2018 National Professional Development Symposium to be held in Alice Springs on 2nd-4th October. More details are to be released in the coming weeks; a full sponsorship prospectus and registration logistics will be advertised asap via email and newsletter.
This years Symposium will be focussed on upskilling our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners through a series of interactive workshops. Registrants will be able to participate in all workshops by rotating in groups over the 2 days. The aim of the symposium is to provide the registrants with new practical skills to take back to communities and open up a platform for Health Workers/Practitioners to network with other Individuals in the workforce from all over Australia.
Building on the foundations of our membership, history and diversity, AIDA is shaping a future where we continue to innovate, lead and stay strong in culture. It’s an exciting time of change and opportunity in Indigenous health.
The AIDA conference supports our members and the health sector by creating an inspiring networking space that engages sector experts, key decision makers, Indigenous medical students and doctors to join in an Indigenous health focused academic and scientific program.
AIDA recognises and respects that the pathway to achieving equitable and culturally-safe healthcare for Indigenous Australians is dynamic and complex. Through unity, leadership and collaboration, we create a future where our vision translates into measureable and significantly improved health outcomes for our communities. Now is the time to put that vision into action.
AIDA Awards
Nominate our members’ outstanding contributions towards improving the health and life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
We invite you to be part of the CATSINaM Professional Development Conference held in Adelaide, Australia from the 17th to the 19th of September 2018.
The Conference purpose is to share information while working towards an integrated approach to improving the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The Conference also provides an opportunity to highlight the very real difference being made in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health by our Members.
To this end, we are offering a mixed mode experience with plenary speaker sessions, panels, and presentations as well as professional development workshops.
The CATSINaM Gala Dinner and Awards evening, held on the 18th of September, purpose is to honour the contributions of distinguished Members to the field.
10.Healing Our Spirit Worldwide
Global gathering of Indigenous people to be held in Sydney
University of Sydney, The Healing Foundation to co-host Healing Our Spirit Worldwide
A global movement, Healing Our Spirit Worldwidebegan in Canada in the 1980s to address the devastation of substance abuse and dependence among Indigenous people around the world. Since 1992 it has held a gathering approximately every four years, in a different part of the world, focusing on a diverse range of topics relevant to Indigenous lives including health, politics, social inclusion, stolen generations, education, governance and resilience.
The International Indigenous Council – the governing body of Healing Our Spirit Worldwide – has invited the University of Sydney and The Healing Foundation to co-host the Eighth Gathering with them in Sydney this year. The second gathering was also held in Sydney, in 1994.
Please also feel free to tag us in any relevant cross posting: @HOSW8 @hosw2018 #HOSW8 #HealingOurWay #TheUniversityofSydney
