NACCHO Aboriginal Health : Download @ScottMorrisonMP speech and annual #Closingthegap report to Parliament

 “This year’s Closing the Gap Report is an opportunity to reflect on a decade’s efforts under an ambitious framework aimed at improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

While progress has been made over the past decade, only two of the ambitious targets are on track. It shows we need to change the way we work.

I believe that the progress needed can only be accelerated through a deeper partnership with the states and territories and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Top-down does not work, only partnerships do.”

Download the Prime Minister Speech

Prime Minister Close the Gap Speech 

Download CTG  report Here 

NACCHO Members Service 2019 CtG Report –

This is why, two years ago, we embarked on the Closing the Gap Refresh. Ten years of the Closing the Gap implementation provides an important opportunity to reflect on what has worked and what has not. There have been shortfalls in both the implementation and leadership of the Closing the Gap agenda. In 2019, we want to try something new, to change the way we work as governments – to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

In early December 2018, a Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians made representation to me. They came to me seeking a partnership, one that shared decision making on how future policies are developed, especially at a regional or local level.

On 12 December 2018, I met with COAG First Ministers and together we agreed to form a partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives. This is the partnership the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians asked for. In listening to this group I realised that for Closing the Gap to be successful, we must change the way we work and work together. This partnership provides a platform for genuine collaboration as we agree how to move forward.

Since the initiation of Closing the Gap in 2008, each successive Prime Minister has delivered a report on outcomes and efforts by the Australian Government. Each year, the Prime Minister has delivered the message that the targets are not on track. There are many reasons for this, which inform our future approach. We know that beneath this story are examples of improvement and progress – more children are staying in school for longer and achieving year 12 qualifications. This education sets them up for better employment opportunities.

This report of 2019 marks the final report against the Closing the Gap framework established in 2008 and a transition to the commitment of all Australian governments to do things differently.

As we move into this next phase, Closing the Gap will be embraced as a whole of government agenda with all governments sharing accountability for progress and extending this shared accountability to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We should not let our failure to meet targets overshadow the successful, thriving lives of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Australians and the great work that many in our communities have been doing to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses are growing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are in meaningful jobs and doing well in our economy and the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are accessing education from early childhood to university. We should however embrace the requirement to change, we simply will not succeed by continuing to work in the same way.

The main area of change needs to be in how governments approach implementation of policies and delivery of services. Stronger accountability can be achieved through co-designed action plans that link targets to policy action, funding decisions, and regular evaluations. This provides transparency for how we expect to achieve each target and by when.

We know that Closing the Gap is foundational to building a fairer, stronger and connected Australia. It is equally important to recognise and celebrate Australia as the home of the longest living civilisation on earth, and acknowledge that the cultures of our First Nations peoples enrich us all.

The Australian Government is committed to working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, a partnership which is critical to progress towards Closing the Gap.

The Hon. Scott Morrison MP
Prime Minister of Australia

The journey to close the gap began in 2005, with the release of the Social Justice Report 2005, which called for Australian governments to commit to achieving equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health and life expectancy within 25 years (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, 2005). Non-government agencies responded with a National Indigenous Health Equality Campaign in 2006, and launched the Close the Gap campaign in 2007.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) listened to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their stakeholders. In December 2008, COAG pledged to close key gaps, and recognised that a concerted national effort was needed to address Indigenous disadvantage in key areas. Six Closing the Gap targets were introduced, contained within an overarching Commonwealth and state and territory agreement called the National Indigenous Reform Agreement. A school attendance target was added in 2014 and an expanded early childhood target was added in 2015 following the expiry of the remote early childhood education target in 2013 (unmet).

As four of the seven targets were due to expire in 2018, the Australian Government has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and state and territory governments to develop the Closing the Gap Refresh. This is a new framework which builds on the original Closing the Gap targets and represents a continued commitment in effort and accountability from all governments for a further ten years. This report both acknowledges the future framework, while reporting progress against the original targets set in 2008.

PROGRESS AGAINST THE TARGETS

There are currently seven Closing the Gap targets. Two targets, early childhood education and Year 12 attainment, are on track to be met.[1]

  • The target to halve the gap in child mortality rates by 2018 is not on track. Since the target baseline (2008) Indigenous child mortality rates have declined by 10% (not statistically significant) but the gap has not narrowed as the non-Indigenous rate has declined at a faster rate.
  • The target to have 95% of Indigenous four year olds enrolled in early childhood education by 2025 is on track. In 2017, 95% of Indigenous four year olds were enrolled in early childhood education.
  • The target to close the gap in school attendance by 2018 is not on track. Attendance rates for Indigenous students have not improved between 2014 and 2018 (around 82% in 2018) and remain below the rate for non-Indigenous students (around 93%).
  • The target to close the gap in life expectancy by 2031 is not on track. Between 2010–12 and 2015–17, Indigenous life expectancy at birth improved by 2.5 years for Indigenous males and by 1.9 years for Indigenous females (both not statistically significant), which has led to a small reduction in the gap.
  • There is no new national data available for three targets and their status remains the same as for the 2018 Report.[2] The target to halve the gap in Year 12 attainment or equivalent by 2020 is on track. The target to halve the gap in reading and numeracy by 2018 is not on track. The target to halve the gap in employment by 2018 is not on track.

PROGRESS ACROSS STATES AND TERRITORIES

Progress against the targets for each state and territory varies and is summarised in Table 1, which indicates where targets are on track. More detailed analysis of progress in each of the target areas is found in the chapters of this report.


FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

The Closing the Gap Framework established in 2008 recognised that a national effort was required to address Indigenous disadvantage. Ten years on, we know that the lives of First Australians have improved, however it is clear that more work is needed.

Targets set in 2008 were ambitious, complex and aimed at long-term, intergenerational change without all the levers to make it happen. In addition, there were weaknesses in the approach which we will address in future implementation. We have learned key lessons from the past ten years which inform the future as we commit to continue our efforts and the efforts of all Australian governments through COAG under the Closing the Gap Refresh. A number of key elements are critical to our approach in the future including:

  • Working in partnership. We have developed partnerships at all levels to draw on the enduring wisdom and local knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This recognises genuine partnerships are required to drive sustainable, systemic change. In particular, we recognise the need to work together to address the drivers of intergenerational trauma through our focus on early childhood, and using economic participation to drive social change.
  • A strengths-based, community-led approach. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been calling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policies to recognise and build on the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We understand we need to support initiatives led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to address the priorities identified by those communities. Governments alone cannot create change, but we can commit to share responsibility and work alongside Indigenous Australians to enable change towards improved outcomes within their families and communities.
  • Working with state and territory governments. We recognise a whole of government approach is needed to harness effort across agencies to ensure a cohesive approach to providing services for First Australians. Part of the approach under the Closing the Gap Refresh process will involve providing the leadership which ensures Commonwealth, state and territory governments have direct ownership of targets by the Commonwealth or states, specific action plans, and the oversight of the Indigenous Productivity Commissioner tracking outcomes.
  • A robust evidence base. We know the most effective policies and programs are informed by evidence. We have established a cohesive approach to research and evaluation through the establishment of the Evaluation Framework and the Indigenous Research Exchange. This will strengthen policy decision making by providing high quality evidence, and recognises the importance of realistic targets and evaluation in directing effort to meet priorities.
  • Accountability. A new role has been created in the Productivity Commission to develop a whole of government evaluation strategy for policies and programs that have an impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Ensuring accountability from Commonwealth, state and territory governments will enable us to monitor and direct effort towards the outcomes that will deliver improved outcomes.

These lessons have informed the way forward for Closing the Gap. In 2018, COAG agreed to refresh the Closing the Gap agenda.

MOVING FORWARD: THE CLOSING THE GAP REFRESH

In December 2018, COAG committed to ensuring that the finalisation of targets and implementation of the refreshed Closing the Gap framework occurs through a genuine, formal partnership between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and Indigenous Australians through their representatives.

COAG reinforced that the formal partnership must be based on mutual respect between parties and an acceptance that direct engagement and negotiation is the preferred pathway to productive and effective outcomes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must play an integral part in the making of the decisions that affect their lives – this is critical to closing the gap.

To this effect, COAG issued a statement outlining a draft strengths-based framework, which prioritises intergenerational change and the aspirations and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all Australian communities. The finalisation of this framework and associated draft targets will be agreed through a formal partnership.

In this statement, COAG committed to ensure that the design and implementation of the next phase of Closing the Gap is a true partnership. Governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will share ownership of and responsibility for a jointly agreed framework which includes targets and ongoing monitoring of the Closing the Gap agenda. This will include an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led three yearly comprehensive evaluation of the framework and progress.

The Commonwealth, states and territories share accountability for the refreshed Closing the Gap agenda and are jointly accountable for outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. COAG committed to working together to improve outcomes in every priority area of the Closing the Gap Refresh, these include:

  • Families, children and youth
  • Housing
  • Justice, including youth justice
  • Health
  • Economic development
  • Culture and language
  • Education
  • Healing
  • Eliminating racism and systemic discrimination

Meeting specific targets in these priority areas will require the collaborative efforts of the Commonwealth, states and territories, regardless of which level of government has lead responsibility. Commonwealth, state and territory actions for each target will be set out in jurisdictional action plans, and may vary between jurisdictions. COAG acknowledged that all priority areas have interdependent social, economic and health determinants that impact the achievement of outcomes and targets.

The 12 December 2018 COAG communique and COAG Statement on the Closing the Gap Refresh are available on the COAG website.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #RefreshTheCTGRefresh : Prime Minister Scott Morrison will today unveil a revamped #ClosingtheGap strategy which will give First Nations leaders equal standing with government in designing targets to overcome Indigenous disadvantage.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will today unveil a revamped “Closing the Gap” strategy which will give First Nations leaders equal standing with government in designing targets to overcome Indigenous disadvantage.

In the run-up to the last COAG meeting in November, the head of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Pat Turner, called for Aboriginal bodies to be given “full partnership” in the process

From SMH 14 February 

Read NACCHO COAG CTG Article HERE 

Mr Morrison is expected to tell Parliament that the decade-old framework used by federal and state governments to “close the gap” had been well-intentioned, but “doomed to fail” because it did not sufficiently share “objective and process” with Indigenous Australians and did not hold different levels of government to account.

He will say previous targets have been too narrow, sometimes with counterproductive effect.

“The very nature of looking at this from a ‘closing the gap’ point of view takes a deficit mentality to the task which can sometimes mask progress being made,” Mr Morrison will say.

“The progress may not be fast enough or far enough but it still can discourage further efforts because of that approach, so we do always need to mark what’s been accomplished.”

The 11th Closing the Gap report to Parliament is expected to show that the targets set in 2008 have “by and large” not been met, though there is some positive news.

CLOSING THE GAP TARGETS

* Early education: 95 per cent of all indigenous four-year-olds enrolled in early childhood education by 2025. ON TRACK.

* Year 12 attainment: Halve the gap in Year 12 attainment by 2020. ON TRACK.

* Life expectancy: Close the gap in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians within a generation by 2031. NOT ON TRACK.

* Child mortality rates: To halve the gap in mortality rates for indigenous children under five within a decade, by 2018. NOT ON TRACK

* Employment: Halve the gap in employment by 2018. NOT ON TRACK

* Reading and Numeracy: Halve the gap in reading and numeracy for indigenous students by 2018. NOT ON TRACK

* School attendance: Close the gap in school attendance within five years, by 2018. NOT ON TRACK

Progress towards meeting two of seven goals – for getting more Indigenous children into early childhood education and for halving the year 12 attainment gap – are on track, but progress on five others are not.

Closing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by 2031 is not on track, nor is a halving of the gap in child mortality rates by 2018, halving the employment gap, halving the gap in reading and numeracy for Indigenous students and closing the gap in school attendance.

On reading and numeracy, results are mixed. The share of Indigenous students meeting national minimum standards in years 3 and 5 reading, and years 5 and 9 numeracy, increased by around 11 to 13 percentage points. But only year 9 numeracy was on track in all states.

The Indigenous child mortality rate has declined by 10 per cent but the gap has not narrowed, as the non-Indigenous rate has declined even faster. Just over half the Indigenous Australians of working age living in major cities were employed, while in remote areas the figure was as low as 31 per cent.

New targets are expected to be more evidence-based and “strike the balance between ambition and what is achievable”, Mr Morrison is expected to say.

The government also wants to see a pivot towards increasing opportunities for economic development,  not reflected in the current closing the gap framework.

The fresh approach to Closing the Gap builds on work under way since 2017, when the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a “refresh” of the strategy, in line with calls from Indigenous leaders for a greater role in deciding and designing the targets.

In the run-up to the last COAG meeting in November, the head of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Pat Turner, called for Aboriginal bodies to be given “full partnership” in the process.

However for  many Indigenous leaders, a top priority is achieving a First Nations “Voice” to be embedded in the Constitution, in line with the historic 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Labor has promised a referendum on the issue in its first term if elected, while the Coalition remains wary of the move, saying it runs the risk of becoming a “third chamber” of Parliament.

FROM AAP 14 February 

Efforts to close the health and education gap for indigenous Australians will be revised and broadened to get more input from the people they’re meant to help.

Just two of the seven Closing the Gap targets are on track to be met, more than a decade after the original report.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will deliver the 11th annual Closing the Gap report today , detailing proposed changes to how it works.

The report shows efforts to get more indigenous children into early education are on track, but improving life expectancy, infant mortality and employment status were not.

Mr Morrison will say the targets need to be revised to make states and territories more accountable, and give indigenous Australians more ownership of them.

“The Closing the Gap targets have been well intentioned but ‘top down’, so it was always doomed to fail in both its ambitions and also its process,” Mr Morrison will say on Thursday.

“It didn’t genuinely bring on board states and territories in making sure they have accountabilities and sharing the objective and process with indigenous Australians.”

Mr Morrison says the current way of measuring the targets masks progress, discouraging further efforts.

For instance, child mortality among indigenous Australians has decreased 10 per cent since 2008 – but the target is not on track because the non-indigenous figure has declined at a faster rate.

The “refresh” of the Closing the Gap targets, announced in 2016, will ask indigenous Australians to develop the targets.

It will also hold different levels of government to account, and include new priorities on housing, employment, family violence and land and water rights.

The draft targets include an effort to reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention by 11 to 19 per cent, and adults held in incarceration by at least five per cent by 2028.

CLOSING THE GAP TARGETS

* Early education: 95 per cent of all indigenous four-year-olds enrolled in early childhood education by 2025. ON TRACK.

* Year 12 attainment: Halve the gap in Year 12 attainment by 2020. ON TRACK.

* Life expectancy: Close the gap in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians within a generation by 2031. NOT ON TRACK.

* Child mortality rates: To halve the gap in mortality rates for indigenous children under five within a decade, by 2018. NOT ON TRACK

* Employment: Halve the gap in employment by 2018. NOT ON TRACK

* Reading and Numeracy: Halve the gap in reading and numeracy for indigenous students by 2018. NOT ON TRACK

* School attendance: Close the gap in school attendance within five years, by 2018. NOT ON TRACK

© AAP 2019

 

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #ClosingTheGap : Download Queensland’s first Closing the Gap report card

“For the past decade the greatest progress towards Closing the Gap has been in areas where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have led the design and implementation from the very start.

Gone are the days of doing things “to” people as we reframe our relationship to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have every opportunity to truly thrive across all aspects of life.”

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Jackie Trad said partnering with Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples to co-design policies and programs was vital for guaranteed outcomes.

Please Note : The Prime Ministers Closing the Gap report (10.00 AM ) and the Oppositions reply speech will be covered by NACCHO Media extensively over next 2 days

Download CTG Snap Shot

ctg-snapshot

Download Full CTG report 

ctg-full-report

The Palaszczuk Government has today, on the anniversary of the National Apology to Stolen Generation, become the first state to release a whole-of-government report card on efforts towards Closing the Gap.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the public report, a historic first, documented the state’s progress and highlighted opportunities for improvement, a decade on from the landmark Closing the Gap Report.

“Closing the Gap is a nationwide effort with all governments accountable for driving change in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” the Premier said.

“Queensland is making significant progress in key areas including in early childhood education, Year 3 reading and numeracy, Year 9 numeracy and Year 12 attainment and we want to duplicate this success across all areas including school attendance, employment and child mortality targets.

“Latest available data shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders now have the highest life expectancy in Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“But we still have a lot more to do. This report card is a reality check and sets the tone as we develop meaningful, communityled solutions to create real change.

“The Queensland Government welcomes the Council of Australian Governments’ decision to finalise Closing the Gap targets and implementation through a genuine, formal partnership between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through their representatives.”

The COAG partnership announced on 12 December will include a Ministerial Council on Closing the Gap and is anticipated to be in place by late February 2019.

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Jackie Trad said partnering with Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples to co-design policies and programs was vital for guaranteed outcomes.

“Queensland is proudly home to the nation’s second highest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and we are determined to move towards an approach underpinned by the strengths, knowledge and rich cultural traditions of the world’s oldest living cultures.

“We must work better together to guarantee improvements as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities are empowered to move beyond surviving to thriving.”

Ms Trad said Queensland’s approach towards Closing the Gap, including any new and revised targets, would be informed by community consultation and Queensland voices.

“The Queensland Government supports calls for the next phase of the Closing the Gap agenda, including every priority and target, to be guided by overarching principles of healing, eliminating racism and systemic discrimination, and self determination.”

Consultation also identified additional targets for national consideration including out-of-home care, family violence, adult imprisonment, youth justice (10-17 years), housing, entrepreneurship (economic development), land and waters, social inclusion and disability, and culture and language.

For more information visit https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/programs-initiatives/closing-gap

About Closing the Gap

Closing the Gap is a long-term framework that builds on the foundation of respect and unity provided by the 2008 National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It acknowledges that improving opportunities and life outcomes for Indigenous Australians requires intensive and sustained effort from all levels of government, as well as the private and not-for-profit sectors, communities and individuals.

In 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed the National Indigenous Reform Agreement (NIRA) (PDF), which included the following targets:

  • close the life expectancy gap within a generation (by 2031)
  • halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under 5 within a decade (by 2018)
  • ensuring that 95% of all Indigenous 4-year-olds are enrolled in early childhood education (by 2025)
  • halve the gap for Indigenous students in reading, writing and numeracy within a decade (by 2018)
  • halve the gap for Indigenous people aged 20-24 in Year 12 attainment or equivalent attainment rates by 2020, and
  • halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade (by 2018)
  • close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous school attendance within 5 years (by 2018).

Queensland Closing the Gap Report Card 2018

This Queensland Closing the Gap Report Card 2018 (Report Card) is an important step in the Queensland Government’s commitment to closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Queenslanders. It moves away from the deficit model and towards an approach underpinned by the strengths, knowledge and rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Report Card also:

  • supports ongoing and regular reporting to track progress, identify and build on strengths and success stories, and inform areas of focus
  • informs a partnership and co-design approachwith Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and communities, moving away from ‘doing to’ to ‘doing with’
  • uses the latest data to measure Queensland’s progressin the COAG Closing the Gap targets
  • provides additional data on other priority areasraised by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders including through nine community consultations held across remote, regional and urban Queensland.

The Queensland Government is committed and dedicated towards working in genuine partnership to guarantee improved outcomes that move Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities from surviving to thriving.

 

NACCHO Aboriginal #Eldercare Health #Apology11 and #CaringForOurStolenGenerations How you can get involved ? : Stolen Generations want a commitment on aged care @KenWyattMP

“Even compared to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders contemporaries, who are already at a disadvantage in Australia, Stolen Generations members aged 50 and over are suffering more – financially, socially and in areas of health and wellbeing,

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were removed from their families are two times as likely to have been incarcerated and almost three times as likely to rely on government payments, compared to those who were not removed as children.

We’ve just been scratching the surface. We need government and service providers to commit to long term and widespread healing programs, trauma informed resources and culturally appropriate care.”

Chair of The Healing Foundation’s Stolen Generations Reference Group Ian Hamm said the data draws a clear distinction in the health and welfare outcomes between ageing Stolen Generations and the general Indigenous population.

Read NACCHO Elder Care Articles HERE 

Read NACCHO Stolen Generation Articles HERE

” This year we will commemorate the National Apology to the Stolen Generations by sharing stories that have been shared with us over the years.

Witnessing the stories of Stolen Generation members who were removed from their homes, families and communities allows all Australians to join in on the healing journey and be part of the solution moving forward. This is the spirit of commemorating the National Apology.

We are sharing Stolen Generations stories via Facebook. Tune in on 13 February at 2pm and 6pm (AEST)

Share the Facebook event: http://bit.ly/2WUynLv

Eleven years on from the National Apology, members of the Stolen Generations are calling on governments to ensure aged care services are sensitive to their needs and support publicly funded alternatives to residential care that deal with trauma related issues arising from re-institutionalisation.

Hope Beyond the Window by Jacqui Stewart. The painting represents children from a Stolen Generation. The church symbolises religion and the window represents ‘hope’ looking through to the sky. The children are portraying despair but also at the same time hopefulness and belief for a better future. The old tree beside the church symbolises an Aboriginal Elder who is protecting and watching the children while the leaves illustrate “free spirits” flying through the wind. The painting was influenced by photographs of the Moore River Native Settlement in WA and the movie Rabbit Proof Fence. Image reproduced with kind permission from the artist.

Source: Stolen Generations stories – Creative Spirits, retrieved from 

It follows the release of data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that uncovers alarming and disproportionate levels of disadvantage for Stolen Generations aged 50 and over.

The AIHW report forecasts that by 2023 all remaining Stolen Generations survivors will be eligible for aged care. The data shows that 89 per cent of those aged 50 and over were not in good health and 76 per cent relied on government payments as their main source of income.

The Healing Foundation CEO Richard Weston said the report provides a clear evidence base to the complex needs of Stolen Generations aged 50 and over who suffered profound childhood trauma when they were forcibly removed from their homes, isolated from family and culture and often institutionalised, abused and assaulted.

“While appalling, this level of disadvantage should not come as a surprise. If people don’t have an opportunity to heal from trauma, it continues to impact on the way they think and behave, leading to a range of negative outcomes including poor health and isolation, which in turn leads to social and economic disadvantage,” Mr Weston said.

“The Aged Care Royal Commission has been running for less than a week and we’re already hearing about the profound trauma experienced by those in care. Clearly, the Stolen Generations need and deserve assistance in their aging years, but given their past experiences with institutionalisation, it’s vital that we find public funded alternatives that respond to trauma related issues.”

How you can get involved

-Share the Facebook event: http://bit.ly/2WUynLv
-Share the Stolen Generations stories via YouTube
-Visit our webpage to learn more about Apology11
-Share the factsheet: http://bit.ly/2I7xjk4
-Talk about the recent findings in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations aged 50 and over report.

Tag us on Facebook: @Healing Foundation and Twitter: @healingourway using #Apology11 and#CaringForOurStolenGenerations

Read more: https://healingfoundation.org.au/app/uploads/2019/02/190212-Apology11-Caring-for-Stolen-Generations-InformationSheet.pdf

NACCHO Aboriginal Health #Jobalerts as at 13 February 2019 : This week features #WA @TheAHCWA #NT @DanilaDilba @CAACongress @MiwatjHealth #NSW #Yerin ACCHO @Galambila Coffs Harbour @TISprogramme and GWAHS ACCHO #VIC Ballarat ACCHO Plus #QLD #SA #TAS

Before completing a job application please check with the ACCHO that the job is still open

1. ACCHO Employment NEWS

1.1 Job/s of the week 

1.2 NT Aboriginal Health Practitioner Scholarships. Close March 11

2.Queensland

    2.1 Apunipima ACCHO Cape York

    2.2 IUIH ACCHO Deadly Choices Brisbane and throughout Queensland

    2.3 ATSICHS ACCHO Brisbane

    2.4 Wuchopperen Health Service ACCHO CAIRNS

3.NT Jobs Alice Spring ,Darwin East Arnhem Land and Katherine

   3.1 Congress ACCHO Alice Spring

   3.2 Miwatj Health ACCHO Arnhem Land

   3.3 Wurli ACCHO Katherine

   3.4 Sunrise ACCHO Katherine

4. South Australia

4.1 Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc

5. Western Australia

  5.1 Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Inc

  5.2 Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)

6.Victoria

6.1 Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)

6.2 Mallee District Aboriginal Services Mildura Swan Hill Etc 

6.3 : Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative 

6.4 Ballarat ACCHO

7.New South Wales

7.1 AHMRC Sydney and Rural 

7.2 Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service 

8. Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre ACCHO 

9.Canberra ACT Winnunga ACCHO

10. Other : Stakeholders Indigenous Health 

Over 302 ACCHO clinics See all websites by state territory 

NACCHO Affiliate , Member , Government Department or stakeholders

If you have a job vacancy in Indigenous Health 

Email to Colin Cowell NACCHO Media

Tuesday by 4.30 pm for publication each Wednesday 

1.1 Jobs of the week 

Human Resources Advisor AHCWA Perth

AHCWA is the peak body for the 23 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in Western Australia. We are an evolving organisation that acts as a forum to lead the development of Aboriginal Health policy, to influence and monitor performance across the health sector, to advocate for and support community development and capacity building in Aboriginal Communities.

We advocate for the rights and entitlements of all Aboriginal people throughout Western Australia, at a local, regional, State and National level.

To find out more about AHCWA, click here to visit our website.

About the Opportunity 

We are currently seeking an experienced and suitably qualified HR professional to provide comprehensive, high quality and culturally appropriate Human Resource services across AHCWA’s management team, employees’ and member services.

Working within the Human Resources team, your responsibilities will include (but not be limited to) the following:

  • Providing consultancy and advisory services to management and employees on HR management issues
  • Providing high quality, flexible advice and support to Member Services in relation to the HR needs of the organisation and in line with legislative requirements and best practice
  • Facilitating organisational development activities to promote organisational effectiveness and workplace reform
  • Contributing to the development, implementation and revaluation of human resource policies, strategies, procedures and practices
  • Advising, supporting and coaching managers in relation to employee management issues including performance management and disciplinary action
  • Analysing and evaluating the delivery of human resources services and contributing to the development and implementation of solutions to improve and enhance service delivery

To view the full position description and selection criteria, click here.

To be successful in this position you will have Tertiary qualifications in Human Resource Management or a related field and sound experience in the provision of generalist human resource activities including knowledge and understanding of relevant standards and legislation.

Your highly developed interpersonal, negotiation and consultation skills will enable you to proactively establish and sustain effective stakeholder relationships and interact with management and employees at all levels of the organisation in the resolution of HR issues.

Most importantly, you must be able to effectively communicate, promote and uphold AHCWA’s initiatives and values.

About the Benefits

$83,207.97 – $94,302.37 + superannuation + salary sacrifice.

In addition, you will have access to a number of fantastic benefits including:

  • Mobile phone allowance
  • Ipad
  • Support to further invest in your career through additional professional development
  • Study leave options
  • Annual leave loading
  • Bring your dog to work day
  • Employee assistance program
  • Up to 2 days volunteer leave per year

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Applications close 20 February 2019 at 5pm.

For further information about this position please call Sarah Calder on 08 6145 1049 or email application@ahcwa.org

As per section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) AHCWA seeks to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the different needs of our clients and stakeholders and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our employees.

Website 

Career News February 2018Danila Dilba Health Service is going through a dynamic period of expansion and growth. In this newsletter, we have information about a number of career opportunities, with 14 positions in total available in our leadership, clinical and community services team. Below are stories about some of the great work being done by our team:

Current Positions
Our current positions available are listed below. All employees must hold a current Drivers Licence, be willing to undergo a Police Check and be able to obtain working with children clearance.

Clinic Manager – Malak
*Total Salary $119,326 – $127,425
Full Time / 1 position / Darwin
This position is responsible for coordinating the delivery of quality, culturally sensitive, comprehensive primary health care clinical service programs at the Malak Health Clinic aimed at improving the health status of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander residents of the greater Darwin region. The position is also the second on call for after hour’s issues.
For further information, please contact Sharni Cardona on 0427 109 425 or email sharni.cardona@ddhs.org.au

Indigenous Outreach Worker – Clinical
*Total Salary $68,311 – $73,517
Full Time / 3 positions / Darwin, Rapid Creek & Palmerston
The Indigenous Outreach Worker will have sound liaison and negotiation skills to provide extensive support to identified clients of Danila Dilba Health Service to address social and family needs and to ensure their access to health services in the region.
For further information on Darwin and Rapid Creek positions, please contact Malcolm Darling on 0418 855 839 or email Malcolm.Darling@ddhs.org.au 
For further information on Palmerston position, please contact Corrine Swan on 0400 924 377 or email Corinne.swan@ddhs.org.au

Primary Health Care Nurse
*Total Salary $99, 795 – $106,627
Full Time / 1 position / Darwin
To facilitate the delivery of primary health care within Danila Dilba Health Services, by providing high quality, comprehensive and culturally appropriate clinical care to for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients odd the great Darwin Area.
For further information on the position, please contact Corrine Swan on 0400 924 377 or email Corinne.swan@ddhs.org.au

Clinical Project Officer
*Total Salary $94,924 – $106,627
Full time / 1 Position / Palmerston

The Clinical Project Officer will support DDHS client access to paediatric specialist services and support effective integration of these services into Primary Health Care. This position will work effectively with DDHS staff and the community to undertake a Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder project in accordance with project design and in collaboration with project partners and will play a lead role in Continuous Quality Improvement for child health in DDHS primary health care.
For further information please contact Tiana McCoy (General Manager – Palmerston Region) on (08) 8931 5700 or email Tiana.McCoy@ddhs.org.au

Continuous Quality Improvement Officer
*Total Salary $109,106 – $116,927
Full Time / 1 position / Darwin
The Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Officer will have the strategic vision to strengthen DDHS’s CQI capacity, as well as the skills and operational experience to facilitate the implementation of all aspects of CQI activities throughout our service. The CQI Officer will work effectively with the managers of both clinical services and community services to strengthen CQI capacity within clinics, with the intent to support improved service delivery and ultimately health outcomes for our clients.
For further information please contact Sarah Giles (Clinical Director) on 0429 022 272 or email sarah.giles@ddhs.org.au

Nurse Home Visitor
Total Salary $99,795 – $106,627
Full Time / 1 Position / Darwin
The Nurse Home Visitor (NHV) works with the Family Partnership Worker and provides a comprehensive home visiting service to pregnant women with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander baby and their families.
For further information please contact Flo Morcom on 0429 089 172 or email Florence.morcom@ddhs.org.au

Clinic-based Practitioner
Total Salary $98,253 – $103,247
Fixed Term Contract / 1 Position / Darwin
This position is responsible for providing high quality mental health and social and emotional wellbeing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children.
For further information, please contact Joseph Knuth on 0417 404 419 or email joseph.knuth@ddhs.org.au

Indigenous Outreach Worker – (Mental & AOD)
Total Salary $68,311 – $73,517
Full Time (Fixed Term) / 3 Positions / Darwin
The Indigenous Outreach Worker will work in partnership with Primary Health Care teams to support individuals and families to build resilience using an approach that builds on community and cultural strengths.
For further information, please contact Joseph Knuth on 0417 404 419 or email joseph.knuth@ddhs.org.au

Indigenous Outreach Worker – AOD Aftercare
Total Salary $68,311 – $73,517
Full Time / 1 Position / Darwin
The Indigenous Outreach Worker – AOD Aftercare will have sound liaison and negotiation skills to provide extensive support to identified clients of Danila Dilba Health Service (DDHS), scheduled for completion of AOD rehabilitation.
For further information, please contact Joseph Knuth on 0417 404 419  or email joseph.knuth@ddhs.org.au

APPLICATIONS FOR ALL POSITIONS CLOSE: 18 February 2019 (5pm)
APPLY HERE
YERIN ACCHO POSITION VACANT – Registered Midwife 👣

Full-time position. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Yerin Incorporating Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre is looking for a suitably qualified person to be a part of our multidisciplinary team as a full-time Registered Midwife. The position holder will sit within the Dhanggan Gudjagang Team (Maternal/Child & Family) and work within the Primary Health Care Team in order to improve access through delivering initiatives that respond to the local needs of the community.

You will need to be able to multi-task, have excellent communication skills, be well organised and able to effectively time manage. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You will participate in a team environment but also be able to work independently.

A Competitive Salary Package is available including salary sacrifice.

For a confidential discussion about the position requirements, please contact Program Manager Georgee Moore via phone – 02 4351 1040 or email – gmoore@yerin.org.au.

All applicants must obtain an Employment Package and address the Essential and Desirable criteria in the Position Description.

To download the Position Description and Employment Package, please visit bit.ly/2SkzCnC. Alternatively, contact Jo Stevens via email at recruitment@yerin.org.au or Ph: 02 4351 1040.

Applicants must be female – under Section 31 (2) (h) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977

Job applications close Monday 25 February 2019 at 5pm.

CAREER CHANGING OPPORTUNITY!!

Rumbalara Justice, AOD –Alcohol & Other Drugs and Family Violence Programs and Services now have the following vacancies based at the High Street, Shepparton office

Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative – Cultural Safety Advisor

We advertise this position as an Identified Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander position only in line with ‘special measures’ under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 Section 12 example 1.

 Full time position- 38 Hours per week

The Cultural Safety Advisor will have a significant role to work closely with all family violence services in the area to ensure they provide a culturally safe service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.

In this role you will support team members working in the Intensive Family Support (IFS) service to strengthen their practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families to deliver an inclusive service that is respectful and responsive to the diversity of our clients’ circumstances.

The Cultural Safety Advisor will also be required to assist in the development and delivery of professional development programs to our Member, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

Minimum qualifications required to be considered for this position include: Tertiary qualification in Community Services, Social Work, Youth Work or related discipline.

Salary Packaging is a benefit available for Part or Full Time Employees

Your application must include a copy of your Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and a police check obtained within the last 2 months.

For consideration for an interview, you must obtain a Position Description from Marieta on (03) 5820 6405 or email: marieta.martin@raclimited.com.au  or download the Position Description from www.rumbalara.org.au/vacancies  and address the Key Selection Criteria, include a current resume, copies of qualifications and a cover letter.

Applications close at 4pm on Friday, 15th February 2018 and are to be addressed to:

Human Resources Dept.

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative
PO Box 614
Mooroopna Vic 3629

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community are encouraged to apply

Galambila Aboriginal Health Service : Coffs Harbour  Chief Executive Officer

Closing Date is Monday, 18 February 2019

The Organisation

Galambila Aboriginal Corporation trading as Galambila Aboriginal Health Service is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service located in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Galambila is a leading provider of high quality, culturally relevant, comprehensive primary health and related care services. Galambila serves the Aboriginal communities of Coffs Harbour, Urunga, Bellingen and Woolgoolga.

Important Information

An offer of employment will be a three year contract term.

Galambila is an equal opportunity employer and all applications for vacancies are based on merit. Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply

Galambila Aboriginal Health Service considers that being Australian Aboriginal is a genuine occupational qualification under s.14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 NSW – the successful applicant will need to provide documentation that they are recognised by the Aboriginal Community as being of Aboriginal descent. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents or have legal entitlement to work in Australia.

Galambila provides a smoke-free work environment and promotes a no-smoking culture for staff where they are encouraged and supported not to smoke.

Salary

Galambila offers the following attractive salary package for the Chief Executive Officer:

  • Base salary $145,000 p/a includes salary sacrifice up to $31,177 (PBI status);
  • Additional benefits include: 11% superannuation; additional leave; ongoing professional development.

How to apply

To apply for this role you will need to provide:

  • A completed Applicant Details Form;
  • Your updated Resume; and
  • A maximum two page cover letter outlining your skills and experience relevant to the role;
  • Confirmation that you are recognised as being of Aboriginal descent from the Aboriginal community.

Download

final – application package – ceo

final – applicant details form – ceo Word File

You can submit your application directly by email to HR@Galambila.org.au – alternatively please drop in your application to Galambila Aboriginal Health Service, Corner of Harbour Drive and Boambee St, Coffs Harbour.

For further information or inquiries please ring Jane Lennis or Peter McFadyen on 02) 6652 0850

Incomplete or late applications may not be considered for interview.

Applications must be received on or before 5pm Monday, 18 February 2019

Galambila are recruiting for Aboriginal Health Workers – Do you know anyone who has a passion for working with out communities and focusing on health promotion activities?

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Ready Mob team.

We are recruiting across the region so vacancies at Port Macquarie (co located with our partner Werin Aboriginal Corporation Medical Clinic) Kempsey and here at Coffs Harbour.

Spread the word.

Ballarat ACCHO Various Positions 

  • Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care (Section 18) – Team Leader: Full Time
  • Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care (Section 18) – Case Manager x 2: Full time
  • Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care (Section 18) – Admin and Program Support Officer: 0.6 EFT
  • Program Manager—Care Services: Full time
  • Strong Culture Strong Families—Program Coordinator: Full time
  • Senior Therapeutic Care Clinician—Care Services: 0.8 EFT
  • Case Support Worker—Care Services: Full time
  • Heath Program Manager—Medical Clinic: 30 hours/ Part time
  • Clinical and Therapeutic Mental Health Clinician: 0.9 EFT
  • General Practitioner
  • Personal Assistant to the Director of Governance and Human Resources (Organisational Development Assistant)   12 month maternity leave position – part time 30 hours
  • Human Resources Co-ordinator—Full time

To express an interest in one of the above positions please forward a cover letter outlining your response to the key selection criteria and your resume to Emily Carter –  BADAC Human Resources Administrator at ecarter@badac.net.au

Applications close 4pm Friday 15th February 2019

Galangoor Duwalami Primary Healthcare Service is seeking a General Practitioner

Come for the experience, fall in love with the people and the lifestyle, stay for a lifetime.

About the Opportunity

Galangoor Duwalami Primary Healthcare Service is seeking a General Practitioner to join us in creating Healthy Living, Healthy Communities and a Healthy Future on Queensland’s fabulous Fraser Coast.

A rare and rewarding opportunity awaits you to work in Aboriginal Health at an innovative Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) with a multi-skilled and experienced team and growing client group.

Imagine being able to put your medical skills and expertise to work within a modern practice, only minutes from beautiful beaches and in one of the most desirable places to live in Australia.

If you’re in search of a more flexible and liveable lifestyle and looking to relocate, or maybe a local GP keen to make a change – we should talk.

About the Role

Galangoor provides a comprehensive suite of Primary Healthcare Services with a wraparound approach to addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and social inequities.

You’ll be joining our two doctors and friendly and supportive inter-disciplinary team, to deliver primary healthcare services with a focus on preventative medical care and linking clients with ongoing support services.

You will have the full support of three Aboriginal Health Practitioners and a growing team of Aboriginal Health Workers, as well as other nursing and allied health staff.

In return we offer a fulfilling career move, relaxed lifestyle and a chance to genuinely make the position your own.

Download the full info and contact details 

galangoor gp recruitment general practioner

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Diabetes Educator

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Diabetes Educator/Health Practitioner to work for Diabetes Queensland to improve the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders.

We are currently seeking an experienced, positive and self-motivated Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Diabetes Educator for parental leave cover to January 2020 with a possibility to extend to June 2020.

The key responsibilities will include;

  • Deliver evidence based education sessions with key messages on diabetes prevention and management, to Diabetes Queensland members, NDSS registrants, families and carers, community groups, members of the general public and health professionals both face to face, phone or via email.
  • Deliver group education programs, as required within scope of practice.
  • Travel throughout Queensland as required to support program delivery.
  • Provide general information relating to diabetes over the telephone and email via the NDSS Helpline on a rostered basis.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential client information and requested information in CRM databases.
  • Completion of administrative tasks, correspondence and reporting requirements
  • Engage with health professionals to promote Diabetes Queensland and the NDSS registration and services when required
  • Participate in diabetes education and fundraising events

If you love being challenged and are seeking a personally fulfilling role in an organisation that makes a difference to the lives of others, then this is the job for you.

Diabetes Queensland is an equal employment opportunity employer and encourages people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply.

Please see our website for a position description outlining the selection criteria. https://www.diabetesqld.org.au/about-us/careers.aspx For enquiries regarding this role please phone Diabetes Queensland People Services on 07 3506 0943.

To apply please send your resume, together with your cover letter addressing the selection criteria for the role to careers@diabetesqld.org.au

Applications close COB Friday 22 February 2019.

Email: Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button below.

1.2 National Aboriginal Health Scholarships News 

The Territory Labor Government is boosting health services with applications now open for Aboriginal Health Practitioner Scholarships.

Aboriginal Health Practitioners play a crucial role as cultural brokers and agents of change ensuring comprehensive primary health care is provided and culturally appropriate health care is delivered through prevention, early detection and early intervention.

The scheme aims to build the capacity and capability of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Health Practitioner profession and workforce.

There are four scholarships available, providing students with $5000 per year over two years of study for the Certificate IV Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice).

The Scholarship provides financial support to students studying the Cert IV Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice).

Apply and more info HERE 

Applications close 11 March 2019,

2.1 JOBS AT Apunipima ACCHO Cairns and Cape York

The links to  job vacancies are on website

 


www.apunipima.org.au/work-for-us

As part of our commitment to providing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Brisbane with a comprehensive range of primary health care, youth, child safety, mental health, dental and aged care services, we employ approximately 150 people across our locations at Woolloongabba, Woodridge, Northgate, Acacia Ridge, Browns Plains, Eagleby and East Brisbane.

The roles at ATSICHS are diverse and include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Aboriginal Health Workers
  • Registered Nurses
  • Transport Drivers
  • Medical Receptionists
  • Administrative and Management roles
  • Medical professionals
  • Dentists and Dental Assistants
  • Allied Health Staff
  • Support Workers

Current vacancies

2.4 Wuchopperen Health Service ACCHO CAIRNS 

Wuchopperen Health Service Limited has been providing primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for over 35 years. Our workforce has a range of professional, clinical, allied health, social emotional wellbeing and administration positions.

  • We have two sites in Cairns and a growing number of supplementary services and partnerships.
  • We have a diverse workforce of over 200 employees
  • 70 percent of our team identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Our team is dedicated to the Wuchopperen vision: Improving the Quality of Life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. If you would like to make a difference, and improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, please apply today.

Expressions of Interest

We invite Expressions of Interest from:

  • Aboriginal Health Workers
  • Clinical Psychologists
  • Dietitians
  • Diabetes Educators
  • Exercise Physiologists
  • Medical Officers (FAACGP / FACCRM)
  • Registered Nurses
  • Midwives
  • Optometrists
  • Podiatrists
  • Speech Pathologists

In accordance with Wuchopperen’s privacy processes, we will keep your EOI on file for three months.

 Current Vacancies

See WEBSITE 

NT Jobs Alice Spring ,Darwin East Arnhem Land and Katherine

3.1 JOBS at Congress Alice Springs including

 

More info and apply HERE

3.2 There are 30 JOBS at Miwatj Health Arnhem Land

 

More info and apply HERE

3.3  JOBS at Wurli Katherine

More info and apply HERE

3.4 Sunrise ACCHO Katherine

Sunrise Job site

4. South Australia

   4.1 Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc

Nunkuwarrin Yunti places a strong focus on a client centred approach to the delivery of services and a collaborative working culture to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. View our current vacancies here.

NUNKU SA JOB WEBSITE 

5. Western Australia

5.1 Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Inc

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Inc. is passionate about creating a strong and dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander workforce. We are committed to providing mentorship and training to our team members to enhance their skills for them to be able to create career pathways and opportunities in life.

On occasions we may have vacancies for the positions listed below:

  • Medical Receptionists – casual pool
  • Transport Drivers – casual pool
  • General Hands – casual pool, rotating shifts
  • Aboriginal Health Workers (Cert IV in Primary Health) –casual pool

*These positions are based in one or all of our sites – East Perth, Midland, Maddington, Mirrabooka or Bayswater.

To apply for a position with us, you will need to provide the following documents:

  • Detailed CV
  • WA National Police Clearance – no older than 6 months
  • WA Driver’s License – full license
  • Contact details of 2 work related referees
  • Copies of all relevant certificates and qualifications

We may also accept Expression of Interests for other medical related positions which form part of our services. However please note, due to the volume on interests we may not be able to respond to all applications and apologise for that in advance.

All complete applications must be submitted to our HR department or emailed to HR

Also in accordance with updated privacy legislation acts, please download, complete and return this Permission to Retain Resume form

Attn: Human Resources
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Inc.
156 Wittenoom Street
East Perth WA 6004

+61 (8) 9421 3888

 

DYHS JOB WEBSITE

 5.2 Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)

https://kamsc-iframe.applynow.net.au/

KAMS JOB WEBSITE

6.Victoria

6.1 Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)

 

Thank you for your interest in working at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)

If you would like to lodge an expression of interest or to apply for any of our jobs advertised at VAHS we have two types of applications for you to consider.

Expression of interest

Submit an expression of interest for a position that may become available to: employment@vahs.org.au

This should include a covering letter outlining your job interest(s), an up to date resume and two current employment referees

Your details will remain on file for a period of 12 months. Resumes on file are referred to from time to time as positions arise with VAHS and you may be contacted if another job matches your skills, experience and/or qualifications. Expressions of interest are destroyed in a confidential manner after 12 months.

Applying for a Current Vacancy

Unless the advertisement specifies otherwise, please follow the directions below when applying

Your application/cover letter should include:

  • Current name, address and contact details
  • A brief discussion on why you feel you would be the appropriate candidate for the position
  • Response to the key selection criteria should be included – discussing how you meet these

Your Resume should include:

  • Current name, address and contact details
  • Summary of your career showing how you have progressed to where you are today. Most recent employment should be first. For each job that you have been employed in state the Job Title, the Employer, dates of employment, your duties and responsibilities and a brief summary of your achievements in the role
  • Education, include TAFE or University studies completed and the dates. Give details of any subjects studies that you believe give you skills relevant to the position applied for
  • References, where possible, please include 2 employment-related references and one personal character reference. Employment references must not be from colleagues, but from supervisors or managers that had direct responsibility of your position.

Ensure that any referees on your resume are aware of this and permission should be granted.

How to apply:

Send your application, response to the key selection criteria and your resume to:

employment@vahs.org.au

All applications must be received by the due date unless the previous extension is granted.

When applying for vacant positions at VAHS, it is important to know the successful applicants are chosen on merit and suitability for the role.

VAHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to ensuring that staff selection procedures are fair to all applicants regardless of their sex, race, marital status, sexual orientation, religious political affiliations, disability, or any other matter covered by the Equal Opportunity Act

You will be assessed based on a variety of criteria:

  • Your application, which includes your application letter which address the key selection criteria and your resume
  • Verification of education and qualifications
  • An interview (if you are shortlisted for an interview)
  • Discussions with your referees (if you are shortlisted for an interview)
  • You must have the right to live and work in Australia
  • Employment is conditional upon the receipt of:
    • A current Working with Children Check
    • A current National Police Check
    • Any licenses, certificates and insurances

6.2 Mallee District Aboriginal Services Mildura Swan Hill Etc 

Trainee Customer Service Officer (Mildura)
Caseworker Homeless Assertive Outreach Response (Swan Hill)
Health Promotions Officer (Mildura)
Practice Nurse (Mildura)
Team Leader Youth and Community Services (Swan Hill)
Clinical Coordinator (Mildura)

MDAS Jobs website 

6.3 : Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative 2 POSITIONS VACANT

.

http://www.rumbalara.org.au/vacancies

6.4 Ballarat ACCHO

7.New South Wales

7.1 AHMRC Sydney and Rural 

 

Check website for current Opportunities

7.2 Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service 

Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service (GWAHS) has a number of vacant positions : These include:

·       Aboriginal Health Worker

·       General Practitioner

·       Clinic Practice Manager

·       Executive Assistant

·       Practice Nurse

·       Medical receptionist/ transport driver

·       Team Leader, Healthy for Life Blue Mountains

How to Apply

All positions are advertised on ethical jobs, Seek and on the GWAHS website. Applicants are required to provide:

  1. A detailed response to the essential criteria listed in the position description, available at www.gwahs.net.au
  2. A copy of your current resume
  3. Details of 2 referees (one must be a current supervisor)
  4. Please send your completed application to rohanl@gwahs.net.au

All enquiries can be directed to Rohan on 0433 194 552

Applications close Friday 15 February 2019

About GWAHS

Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service (GWAHS) is an entity of Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service. GWAHS provides a culturally appropriate comprehensive primary health care service for the local Aboriginal communities of western Sydney and the Nepean Blue Mountains. GWAHS provides multidisciplinary services from sites located in Mt Druitt and Penrith.

The clinical service model includes general practitioners (GPs), Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners, nursing staff, reception and transport staff. The service also offers a number of wraparound services and programs focused on child and maternal health, social and emotional wellbeing, Drug and Alcohol Support, chronic disease, as well as population health activities.

GWAHS is committed to ensuring that patients have access to and receive high quality, culturally appropriate care and services that meet the needs of local Aboriginal communities.

8. Tasmania

 

 

TAC JOBS AND TRAINING WEBSITE

9.Canberra ACT Winnunga ACCHO

 

Winnunga ACCHO Job opportunites 

10. Other : Stakeholders Indigenous Health 

Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser

The Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser, Aboriginal Health is responsible for leading and implementing strategies to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities in Victoria. This is a senior role representing the department externally and will have a key role building strong relationships with senior sector and intergovernmental stakeholders.

Reporting to the Deputy Secretary, Health and Wellbeing, the Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser will play a prominent role working within the department and sector to identify and provide strategic advice to Ministers, the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary on targeted priorities to improve health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the care continuum, from community through to acute care. The Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser will have a strong ability to create and maintain strong relationships, notably with Aboriginal organisations and the health service sector.

The new dedicated Unit signifies the department’s elevated focus on improving Aboriginal health outcomes.

The Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser will lead a small team with responsibility for driving and coordinating health reform strategies and initiatives. This includes identifying improvement priorities and opportunities, coordinating a new Aboriginal state-wide forum focusing on improving Aboriginal health outcomes, overseeing implementation of key initiatives, providing expert advice on Aboriginal health to the Health and Wellbeing executive, and driving collaboration within the department, across government and with the Aboriginal-controlled sector and other health providers. The Chief Aboriginal Health Advisor will provide leadership in embedding self-determination in the department’s activities, including the implementation of Aboriginal health recommendations within the department’s Aboriginal health, wellbeing and safety strategic plan 2017–2027: Korin Korin Balit-Djak.

Title Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser, Aboriginal Health

Classification Senior Medical Adviser (SMA)

Branch/area

Division Aboriginal Health Unit Health and Wellbeing Division

Work location 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Position number DHHS/HW/550782

Employment type Five (5) year employment contract Full-time or part time by negotiation

Salary $167,080 – $239,496 p.a. plus superannuation

Position reports to Deputy Secretary, Health and Wellbeing

Further information Terry Symonds Ph: (03) 9096 8308

Closing date Extended to 22 February 2019

Special condition Only Indigenous Australians are eligible to apply as this position is exempt under the Special Measure Provision, Section 12 (1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).

Department of Health and Human Services

Position Description

Organisational environment

The department develops and delivers policies, programs and services that support and enhance the wellbeing of all Victorians. We take a broad view of the causes of ill health, the drivers of good health, the social and economic context in which people live, and of the incidence and experience of vulnerability.

We are building an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and difference. All jobs can be worked flexibly and we actively encourage job applications from Aboriginal people, people living with disability, LGBTI and people from varied cultural backgrounds.

Download 5 Page PDF

2019-01-15 FINAL PD Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser

Director of Indigenous Health Education

Apply nowJob no: 496120
Work type: Fixed term / Full time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Head of School / Director

The Organisation

UNSW Medicine is a national leader in learning, teaching and research, with close affiliations to a number of Australia’s finest hospitals, research institutes and health care organisations. With a strong presence at UNSW Kensington campus, the faculty have staff and students in teaching hospitals in Sydney as well as regional and rural areas of NSW including Albury/Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

The Opportunity

  • Unique newly created opportunity
  • Significantly contribute to trends, initiatives and directions in Indigenous health education at UNSW
  • Full time, 3 year – Fixed Term opportunity
  • Academic Level C: $127, 663 – $146, 465 plus 17% superannuation and leave loading

The Director of Indigenous Health Education is responsible for providing strategic leadership on all matters relating to Indigenous health education, as well as curriculum development and oversight regarding education on Indigenous health-related issues. The Director of Indigenous Health Education will work with the Senior Vice Dean Education, Associate Dean Education, Medicine Program Authority, Chairs of Medicine Phase and Curriculum Development Committees, Program Authority for Exercise Physiology as well as Program Authorities for Medicine’s postgraduate coursework programs and other key areas of the University to develop and contribute towards Indigenous health-related teaching.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Provide strategic leadership on all matters relating to Indigenous health education.
  • Provide advice to the Senior Vice Dean (Education) on trends, initiatives and directions in Indigenous health education and be responsible for the oversight of Indigenous health curricula within UNSW Medicine.
  • Work with UNSW Medicine and other university members to forward various Aboriginal statements and action plans, including UNSW Elders.
  • Work with the Director of Development and Engagement to promote Indigenous philanthropy across the faculty.
  • Collaborate with Program Authorities and Committees, and Subject to the approval of the Senior Vice Dean (Education), define Faculty goals to support Indigenous health education, including indigenous-health related curriculum development and Indigenous student recruitment and retention
  • Provide support to the Senior Vice Dean (Education) and Program Authorities to ensure that accreditation standards are met regarding Indigenous health education

About the Successful Applicant

  • Bachelor’s degree; ideally in the field of education or Indigenous health. Masters or PhD in the fields of education or Indigenous health would be an advantage.
  • Demonstrated thorough understanding of the issues, directions and challenges in Indigenous health.
  • Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history or extensive experience working with Indigenous peoples.
  • Sound understanding of University and Faculty administration, practices, policies and procedures.
  • Proven record of management experience with effective strategic leadership and team building capabilities, ideally within a higher education environment.
  • Knowledge of and commitment to the principles and application of Equal Employment Opportunities, Anti-discrimination legislation and Occupational Health and Safety legislation in the work place.

You should systematically address the selection criteria from the position description in your application. Download File Director of Indigenous Health Education Position Description

Please apply online – applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact:

Professor Gary Velan – Senior Vice Dean of Education

E: g.velan@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: 11pm 3rd March 2019

This position is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only.  UNSW has obtained an exemption under section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) to designate and recruit professional and academic positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons only, to fulfil UNSW’s goal of a representative workforce rate.

Position Description

APPLY 

Spark Health is looking for full time Aboriginal Project Officer with relevant qualifications and experience in Health Promotion, Public Health or Community Development.

Applications close on Wed 13 February
Email 📧 hello@sparkhealth.com.au for PD and KSC.

#FromLittleThingsBigThingsGrow

Principal Advisor in the Centre for Aboriginal Health

Applications close 6th February 2019.

Links to the position advertisement and application process are:

NSW Health jobs site

https://healthnswgov.referrals.selectminds.com/internal/jobs/principal-advisor-system-development-and-strategic-projects-33584

NSW Ministry of Health jobs site

https://healthnswgov.referrals.selectminds.com/moh-int/jobs/principal-advisor-system-development-and-strategic-projects-33584

IWorkforNSW site

https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/principal-advisor-system-development-and-strategic-projects-140749

 

The ‘Academic Specialist – Indigenous Eye Health Policy and Practice’

Job no: 0041756
Work type: Fixed Term
Location: Parkville
Division/Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Salary: $120,993 – $139,510 (Level C)
Role & Superannuation rate: Academic – 9.5% superannuation

The ‘Academic Specialist – Indigenous Eye Health Policy and Practice’ will join a dedicated multi-disciplinary team of researchers working on Indigenous eye health. You will be based within Indigenous Eye Health (IEH) in the Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Centre for Health Equity in the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health.

IEH developed and is supporting the implementation of The Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision. The work is of national and international significance, and provides an opportunity to break new ground in the systematic implementation of evidence-based, sustainable public health strategies using Indigenous eye health as a model.

You will support the regional and jurisdictional implementation of The Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision from a health system perspective. You will contribute to and lead improvements and reform in Indigenous eye health. As part of a small team, you will collaborate with stakeholders within regions, jurisdictions and also nationally to implement the Roadmap recommendations and provide technical advice and support. You will make major contributions to national and international peer reviewed publications and be actively involved in national conferences and meeting presentations.

To be successful in this position, you will need to have:

  • Leadership experience or demonstrated potential for leadership, as well as engagement in research or health systems
  • Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of key issues related to Indigenous health
  • Demonstrated experience working, communicating, and engaging effectively with Indigenous communities
  • Established written and verbal communication skills to support advocacy and technical advice and support for policy, research, clinical and community environments
  • Demonstrated capacity to maintain and contribute to industry partnerships and collaborations with a broad range of stakeholders.

The Level of appointment is subject to qualifications and experience.

This could be the next great step in your career. In addition, you will have access to many benefits enjoyed by our staff. To learn more about the benefits and working at the University, see  http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/working/benefits and http://joining.unimelb.edu.au

For information to assist you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria, please go to: https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

PERSONAL ASSISTANT – INDIGENOUS EYE HEALTH

Job no: 0046252
Work type: Fixed Term
Location: Parkville
Division/Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Salary: $79,910 – $86,499 (HEW 6)
Role & Superannuation rate: Professional – 9.5% superannuation

The Personal Assistant / Administrator will join a dedicated multi-disciplinary team of researchers working on Indigenous eye health. This position reports to IEH Head, Professor Hugh R. Taylor AC. In this role, you will be responsible for all administrative aspects of Professor Taylor’s work, including comprehensive diary management and national and international travel. Interacting with a broad range of stakeholders, you will play a key role in the effective and efficient operation of the team.

 

Position description

This position reports to IEH Head, Professor Hugh R. Taylor AC.  In this role, you will be responsible for all administrative aspects of Professor Taylor’s work, including comprehensive diary management and national and international travel.

You will also assist Professor Taylor in maintaining IEH’s administrative systems and managing the day to day administrative work flow of IEH.  In addition, you will support the day-to-day running and productivity of IEH, working on a broad range of tasks under the direction of and supporting the IEH Team. These tasks will include financial and administrative duties, supporting the marketing and communication function of the group and helping to coordinate key events, at the same time maintaining effective working relationships with key stakeholders.

You should have previous experience which will encompass a wide range of administrative duties, excellent time management skills and strong attention to detail. You will have high level computing skills and sound judgement combined with the ability to use initiative. The Melbourne School of Population and Global Health is committed to the professional development of its employees, as such, you will be supported to gain increased competencies in the administration of research projects, be exposed to the administration processes in managing research contracts and grants, as well as the requirements of supporting the delivery of teaching, public speaking and community-based commitments and participation in public events.

You will work collaboratively with the Centre Manager and the broader administrative team and IEH personnel as required. As a member of the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health’s professional staff team, the appointee is responsible for supporting the broad ethos of the School and its compliance with University policy and statutory regulations

Position Description

NACCHO Aboriginal Children’s #FirstNationsEarlyYears #EarlyChildhood Health : NACCHO joins SNAICC #ECA and 30 other Organisations calling to make early learning a priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children #RefreshtheCTGrefresh

“We’ve known for several years that 15,000 additional early learning places are needed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s enrolment to be level with the general population.”

Geraldine Atkinson, SNAICC Deputy Chairperson

“This is a problem we can solve – it requires the political will to make sure that every single First Nations child has access to, and participates in, quality early learning for at least three days per week in the two years before school.”

Samantha Page, ECA CEO

Download Position Paper 

SNAICC-ECA-Early-Years-Position-Paper-

Download Discussion Paper 

SNAICC-ECA-Discussion-Paper-

Read over 350 Aboriginal Children’s Health articles published by NACCHO in the past 7 years

More than thirty leading child welfare, education and research organisations have endorsed a new call by Early Childhood Australia (ECA) and SNAICC – National Voice for our Children to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children receive quality early learning and family support.

Published today, the joint position paper, Working Together to Ensure Equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children in the Early Years, highlights the key issues that impede First Nations children from accessing early childhood education and care (ECEC), while further providing recommendations for improving outcomes.

The data we have tells us that our children are half as likely to attend a Child Care Benefit approved early childhood service than non-indigenous children.

Everyone who cares about child welfare in Australia is concerned that too many children are starting school with developmental vulnerability, and that two out of five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are vulnerable when they start school; that’s twice the rate of vulnerability overall.

The most important thing for our children to thrive is that we need ongoing support for culturally appropriate, community-controlled services, and help to improve the quality of those services and professional development for their staff.

“We can see from the great results in high-quality Aboriginal Child and Family Centres, that families feel welcome, the children love to come, and they make a good transition to school.”

– Geraldine Atkinson, SNAICC Deputy Chairperson

Children and families are already benefitting from evidence-based, targeted family support services, like Families as First Teachers, Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), Parents as Teachers (PAT) and Best Start (in WA).

“We want to see all First Nations families get this vital support in the early years because supporting parents in the home environment is as important as access to early learning services to improve outcomes for children.”

– Samantha Page, ECA CEO

The joint position paper by ECA and SNAICC urges the Commonwealth Government to work alongside state and territory governments to take these actions:

  1. Establish new early childhood development targets to close the gap in the AEDC domains by 2030, and an accompanying strategy—through the Closing the Gap refresh
  2. Commit to permanently fund universal access to high-quality early education for three- and four-year-olds, including additional funding to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children get access to a minimum of three days per week of high-quality preschool, with bachelor-qualified teachers
  3. Invest in quality Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled integrated early years services, through a specific early education program, with clear targets to increase coverage in areas of high Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, and high levels of disadvantage.

Further recommendations include:

  • COAG to fund a targeted program to support evidence-informed, culturally safe, integrated early childhood and family-focused programs, across the nurturing care spectrum, in early education and care services that work with high numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The paper and its recommendations are endorsed by peak bodies, children‘s education and care service organisations and major children’s organisations who all that support the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children including: Save the Children, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO); UNICEF, Brotherhood of St Laurence; Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS); Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP); Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and many more.

See the full list of endorsing organisations in the position paper.

The broad range of support for these recommendations shows the high level of agreement and concern that action needs to be taken to make sure that Australia improves our support for First Nations children to give them the best start in life.

NACCHO #SaveaDate : This week features @NationalFVPLS #OchreRibbon2019, and #DontSilenceTheViolence @ScottMorrisonMP Releases #ClosingTheGap Report @HealingOurWay #SorryDay

12- 19 February Ochre Ribbon Week 

Download the 2019 Health Awareness Days Calendar 

13 February 11 th Anniversary Sorry Day

14 February Closing the Gap Report Released by Prime Minister 

14 February Aboriginal Men’s Gathering 

20 February IAHA 2019 Special General Meeting Web Conference.

22 February Awabakal ACCHO Strong Youth Launch

6 March AIATSIS Culture and Policy Symposium

9 March  Bush to Beach Project Grazing Style Light Indigenous Marathon Fundraiser

12- 13 March Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence 

14 – 15 March 2019 Close the Gap for Vision by 2020 – National Conference 2019

21 March National Close the Gap Day

21 March Indigenous Ear Health Workshop Brisbane

24 -27 March National Rural Health Alliance Conference

20 -24 May 2019 World Indigenous Housing Conference. Gold Coast

18 -20 June Lowitja Health Conference Darwin

2019 Dr Tracey Westerman’s Workshops 

7 -14 July 2019 National NAIDOC Grant funding round opens

24 -26 September 2019 CATSINaM National Professional Development Conference

5-8 November The Lime Network Conference New Zealand 

12- 19 February Ochre Ribbon Week 

The Ochre Ribbon Campaign is an initiative supported by the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum and its member organisations across Australia, including Djirra.

The Ochre Ribbon Campaign raises awareness of the devastating impacts of family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and calls for action to end the violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – especially our women and children.

How to get involved?

  • Wear an Orange Ribbon.
  • Start conversations on how violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women devastates communities and destroys families. In comparison with other women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised from family violence and 10 times more likely to be killed as a result of violent assault. use the information from the National Forum to help you.
  • Follow the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum on Facebook and Twitter
  • Share your thoughts on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtags #OchreRibbon2019, and #DontSilenceTheViolence, and tag the National FVPLS Forum twitter page @NationalFVPLS
  • Use the Ochre Ribbon Facebook frame, image and banner:
      

12- 13 March Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence 

Djirra has been chosen to be the charity partner of the next Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence conference organised by Aventedge in Melbourne on the 12th and 13th of March.

On the first day, Tuesday 12th of March, Marion Hansen, Djirra’s chairperson, will give the opening and closing address. At 10.30am, Djirra’s CEO Antoinette Braybrook will share her experience and knowledge on Supporting Aboriginal women, their children and communities to be safe, culturally strong and free from violence.

Family violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, predominantly women and their children, is a national crisis.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their organisations hold the solutions to ending the disproportionate rates of family violence. However this requires the support and involvement of a range of stakeholders around the country.

The 5th annual Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum (Melbourne & Perth) has partnered with Djirra and brings together representatives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations, specialist family violence support and prevention services, community legal services, government, police and not-for-profit organisations.

During the course of this conference and 1-day workshop, we will explore critical issues in working to end family violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including state and federal government initiatives; how frontline services are engaging in prevention, early intervention and response; learning from the stories and experiences of survivors of family violence; working more effectively with people who use violence towards accountability and behaviour change and the impacts of family violence on children and young people.

For more information on these events, pricing and discounts click below:
Melbourne | 12th-14th March 2019
Event homepage – www.ifv-mel.aventedge.com
Register here – http://elm.aventedge.com/ifv-mel-register

Perth | 5th-6th March 2019
Event homepage – www.ifv-per.aventedge.com
Register here – http://elm.aventedge.com/ifv-per/register

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Download the 2019 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

naccho zockmelon 2019 health days and events calendar

We hope that this document helps you with your planning for the year ahead.

Every Tuesday we will update these listings with new events and What’s on for the week ahead

To submit your events or update your info

Contact: Colin Cowell www.nacchocommunique.com

NACCHO Social Media Editor Tel 0401 331 251

Email : nacchonews@naccho.org.au

13 February 11 th Anniversary Sorry Day

14 February Closing the Gap Report 2019 Released by Prime Minister

14 February Aboriginal Men’s Gathering 

15 February NACCHO RACGP Survey closes 

Survey until 15 Feb 2019 : To participate in a short survey, please CLICK HERE

Please tell us your ideas for

-improving quality of 715 health checks

-clinical software -implementation of the National Guide

-culturally responsive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

In 2018–19, NACCHO and the RACGP are working on further initiatives and we want your input!

More info 

20 February IAHA 2019 Special General Meeting Web Conference.

The Indigenous Allied Health Australia Ltd (IAHA) Board would like to thank you for your continued support of IAHA and invite you to participate in the special General Meeting of IAHA to be held at 1:00 pm (Canberra time) on Wednesday 20 February 2019 at Units 3-4, Ground Floor, 9-11 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2600.

Attending General Meeting using Zoom conferencing

Members have the option to attend the General Meeting using “Zoom” remote conferencing services by video or voice link.  Instructions to help use Zoom are available here and detailed below.

To join the meeting go to:
https://zoom.us/j/313336712

OR One tap mobile
+61280152088,,313336712# Australia
+61871501149,,313336712# Australia

Dial by your location
+61 2 8015 2088 Australia
+61 8 7150 1149 Australia
Meeting ID: 313 336 712

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adnswZr8cW

Agenda for General Meeting

The key items for the General Meeting are to consider and vote on resolutions to:

  • remove IAHA’s current auditor and appoint a replacement auditor; and
  • amend IAHA’s company constitution.

Documents for the meeting

The documents for the meeting are:

  • A letter to Members from the Company Secretary with details of the special General Meeting and how to participate click here
  • Notice of General Meeting (including the Explanatory Notes and Proxy Form) click here;
  • a letter from an IAHA Member nominating a new company auditor click here; and
  • a copy of IAHA’s company constitution, with marked-up text to show the proposed changes to be considered by Members, click here.

Members will be required to use their own computer hardware and software to access this facility and are solely responsible for connecting to the conference by 1:00 pm (Canberra time) on the meeting day.

RSVP if you intend to attend/participate
in the special General Meeting

Members who plan to attend the meeting either in person or through Zoom are asked to register for the meeting.

Please email the Company Secretary at secretary@iaha.com.au to register, preferably by 1:00pm Monday 18 February 2019.

21 February Galambila ACCHO Gumbaynggirr Cultural Show for Coffs Harbour Pharmacists 

Please join us in the evening on Thursday the 21st of February 2019 for a Gumbaynggirr Cultural Show.

Through the QUMAX program (Quality Use of Medicines for Maximised for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), Galambila AHS will be hosting a cultural event for pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and health professionals in Coffs Harbour to learn more about our local indigenous culture. QUMAX Cultural Awareness activities aim to improve culturally sensitive care for Aboriginal clients and enhance the working relationship between Galambila and local pharmacies.

The event will be run by Clark Webb and his team at Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC). BMNAC recently won a Bronze Medal at the 2018 NSW Tourism Awards for Excellence in Aboriginal Tourism. To see more information on what this great organisation is all about, visit their website at the following link: https://bmnac.org.au/

The night will include the following:

– Traditional Welcome to Country

– Traditional fire making

– Introductory Gumbaynggirr Language Lesson

– Sharing of traditional Gumbaynggirr dreaming stories that connect participants to our local landscape

– Uses of various varieties of plants, including medicinal

– Damper and tea will be provided on the night

Please RSVP by COB on Monday 18th of February 2019 via Eventbrite. Get in quick as places will be limited!

BOOK HERE 

22 February Awabakal ACCHO Strong Youth Launch

Featuring MC Sean Choolburra and performances by Koori Rep, Shanelle Dargan (as seen on X-Factor) and Last Kinnection.

RSVP: 0457 868 980 or zkhan@awabakal.org by February 15.

6 March AIATSIS Culture and Policy Symposium 

Info and Register

9 March  Bush to Beach Project Grazing Style Light Indigenous Marathon Fundraiser

The Port Macquarie Running Festival is happening over the weekend of the 9th-10th March 2019. As a part of this event we are running a fundraiser to support the important work being undertaken by Charlie & Tali Maher as a part of the Indigenous Marathon Project Running And Walking group. Come along to hear from Olympians Nova Peris, Steve Moneghette & Robert de Castella while meeting members of the Indigenous Marathon Project over lunch. We hope to see you there.

All funds raised will go towards the Bush to Beach Project. The project aims
to develop a strong relationship between the Northern Territory community of
Ntaria and the coastal community of Port Macquarie, with an exchange program
occurring several times throughout the year. This will include young Indigenous
people visiting the communities and participating in running and walking events
to promote healthy living. We thank you for your support.

Guest Speakers: Olympians Nova Peris, Steve Moneghetti & Robert de Castella.

Any enquiries please get in touch with Nina Cass or Charlie Maher (ninacass87@gmail.com / charles.maher@det.nsw.edu.au)

Tickets $59 Register HERE 

12- 13 March Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence 

14 – 15 March 2019 Close the Gap for Vision by 2020 – National Conference 2019

Indigenous Eye Health (IEH) at the University of Melbourne and co-host Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), are pleased to invite you to register for the Close the Gap for Vision by 2020:Strengthen & Sustain – National Conference 2019 which will be held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 March 2019 in the Northern Territory. This conference is also supported by our partners, Vision 2020 Australia, Optometry Australia and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

The 2019 conference, themed ‘Strengthen & Sustain’ will provide opportunity to highlight the very real advances being made in Aboriginal and Torres Strait eye health. It will explore successes and opportunities to strengthen eye care and initiatives and challenges to sustain progress towards the goal of equitable eye care by 2020. To this end, the conference will include plenary speakers, panel discussions and presentations as well as upskilling workshops and cultural experiences.

Registration (including workshops, welcome reception and conference dinner) is $250. Registrations close on 28 February 2019.

Who should attend?

The conference is designed to bring people together and connect people involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye care from local communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, health services, non-government organisations, professional bodies and government departments from across the country. We would like to invite everyone who is working on or interested in improving eye health and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Speakers will be invited, however this year we will also be calling for abstracts for Table Top presentations and Poster presentations – further details on abstract submissions to follow.

Please share and forward this information with colleagues and refer people to this webpage where the conference program and additional informationwill become available in the lead up to the conference. Note: Please use the conference hashtag #CTGV19.

We look forward to you joining us in the Territory in 2019 for learning and sharing within the unique beauty and cultural significance of Central Australia.

Additional Information:

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact us at indigenous-eyehealth@unimelb.edu.au or contact IEH staff Carol Wynne (carol.wynne@unimelb.edu.au; 03 8344 3984 email) or Mitchell Anjou (manjou@unimelb.edu.au; 03 8344 9324).

Close the Gap for Vision by 2020: Strengthen & Sustain – National Conference 2019 links:

– Conference General Information

– Conference Program

– Conference Dinner & Leaky Pipe Awards

– Staying in Alice Springs

More information available at: go.unimelb.edu.au/wqb6 

21 March National Close the Gap Day

Description

National Close the Gap Day is a time for all Australians to come together and commit to achieving health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Close the Gap Campaign will partner with Tharawal Aboriginal Aboriginal Medical Services, South Western Sydney, to host an exciting community event and launch our Annual Report.

Visit the website of our friends at ANTaR for more information and to register your support. https://antar.org.au/campaigns/national-close-gap-day

EVENT REGISTER

21 March Indigenous Ear Health Workshop Brisbane 

The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery is hosting a workshop on Indigenous Ear Health in Brisbane on Thursday, 21 March 2019.

This meeting is the 7th to be organised by ASOHNS and is designed to facilitate discussion about the crucial health issue and impact of ear disease amongst Indigenous people.

The meeting is aimed at bringing together all stakeholders involved in managing Indigenous health and specifically ear disease, such as:  ENT surgeons, GPs, Paediatricians, Nurses, Audiologists, Speech Therapists, Allied Health Workers and other health administrators (both State and Federal).

Download Program and Contact 

Indigenous Ear Health 2019 Program

24 -27 March National Rural Health Alliance Conference

Interested in the health and wellbeing of rural or remote Australia?

This is the conference for you.

In March 2019 the rural health sector will gather in Hobart for the 15th National Rural Conference.  Every two years we meet to learn, listen and share ideas about how to improve health outcomes in rural and remote Australia.

Proudly managed by the National Rural Health Alliance, the Conference has a well-earned reputation as Australia’s premier rural health event.  Not just for health professionals, the Conference recognises the critical roles that education, regional development and infrastructure play in determining health outcomes, and we welcome people working across a wide variety of industries.

Join us as we celebrate our 15th Conference and help achieve equitable health for the 7 million Australians living in rural and remote areas.

Hobart and its surrounds was home to the Muwinina people who the Alliance acknowledges as the traditional and original owners of this land.  We pay respect to those that have passed before us and acknowledge today’s Tasmanian Aboriginal community as the custodians of the land on which we will meet.

More info 

20 -24 May 2019 World Indigenous Housing Conference. Gold Coast

Thank you for your interest in the 2019 World Indigenous Housing Conference.

The 2019 World Indigenous Housing Conference will bring together Indigenous leaders, government, industry and academia representing Housing, health, and education from around the world including:

  • National and International Indigenous Organisation leadership
  • Senior housing, health, and education government officials Industry CEOs, executives and senior managers from public and private sectors
  • Housing, Healthcare, and Education professionals and regulators
  • Consumer associations
  • Academics in Housing, Healthcare, and Education.

The 2019 World Indigenous Housing Conference #2019WIHC is the principal conference to provide a platform for leaders in housing, health, education and related services from around the world to come together. Up to 2000 delegates will share experiences, explore opportunities and innovative solutions, work to improve access to adequate housing and related services for the world’s Indigenous people.

Event Information:

Key event details as follows:
Venue: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
Address: 2684-2690 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Dates: Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd May, 2019 (24th May)

Registration Costs

  • EARLY BIRD – FULL CONFERENCE & TRADE EXHIBITION REGISTRATION: $1950 AUD plus booking fees
  • After 1 February FULL CONFERENCE & TRADE EXHIBITION REGISTRATION $2245 AUD plus booking fees

PLEASE NOTE: The Trade Exhibition is open Tuesday 21st May – Thursday 23rd May 2019

Please visit www.2019wihc.com for further information on transport and accommodation options, conference, exhibition and speaker updates.

Methods of Payment:

2019WIHC online registrations accept all major credit cards, by Invoice and direct debit.
PLEASE NOTE: Invoices must be paid in full and monies received by COB Monday 20 May 2019.

Please note: The 2019 WIHC organisers reserve the right of admission. Speakers, programs and topics are subject to change. Please visit http://www.2019wihc.comfor up to date information.

Conference Cancellation Policy

If a registrant is unable to attend 2019 WIHC for any reason they may substitute, by arrangement with the registrar, someone else to attend in their place and must attend any session that has been previously selected by the original registrant.

Where the registrant is unable to attend and is not in a position to transfer his/her place to another person, or to another event, then the following refund arrangements apply:

    • Registrations cancelled less than 60 days, but more than 30 days before the event are eligible for a 50% refund of the registration fees paid.
    • Registrations cancelled less than 30 days before the event are no longer eligible for a refund.

Refunds will be made in the following ways:

  1. For payments received by credit or debit cards, the same credit/debit card will be refunded.
  2. For all other payments, a bank transfer will be made to the payee’s nominated account.

Important: For payments received from outside Australia by bank transfer, the refund will be made by bank transfer and all bank charges will be for the registrant’s account. The Cancellation Policy as stated on this page is valid from 1 October 2018.

Terms & Conditions

please visit www.2019wihc.com

Privacy Policy

please visit www.2019wihc.com

 

18 -20 June Lowitja Health Conference Darwin


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.

More Info 

​2019 Dr Tracey Westerman’s Workshops 

More info and dates

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!

https://www.finance.gov.au/resource-management/grants/grantconnect/

https://www.pmc.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/grants-and-funding/naidoc-week-funding

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

 

5-8 November The Lime Network Conference New Zealand 

This years  whakatauki (theme for the conference) was developed by the Scientific Committee, along with Māori elder, Te Marino Lenihan & Tania Huria from .

To read about the conference & theme, check out the  website. 

 

NACCHO Aboriginal Health @RecAustralia and #Racism : New Australian #ReconciliationBarometer Report shows some increased support but 33% of our mob have still experienced at least one form of verbal racial abuse in the last 6 months

“Significantly, almost all Australians (95%) believe that ‘it is important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a say in matters that affect them’ and 80% believe it is important to ‘undertake formal truth telling processes’, with 86% believing it is important to learn about past issues.

But disturbingly the barometer found that 33% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have experienced at least one form of verbal racial abuse in the last 6 months.”

Reconciliation CEO, Karen Mundine launching today The 2018 Australian Reconciliation Barometer, a national research study conducted every two years to measure and compare attitudes and perceptions towards reconciliation:

Download the full Report HERE

Reconcilation Aust 158 pages Barometer -full-report-2018

Download the brochure HERE

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Australians’ support for reconciliation and for a greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander say in their own affairs continues to strengthen according to the latest national survey conducted by Reconciliation Australia.

The 2018 Australian Reconciliation Barometer, a national research study conducted every two years to measure and compare attitudes and perceptions towards reconciliation, has found that an overwhelming number of Australians (90%) believe in the central tenet of reconciliation – that the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is important.

The 2018 Barometer surveyed a national sample of 497 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and 1995 Australians in the general community across all states and territories.

Reconciliation CEO, Karen Mundine, said that this latest Barometer once again showed a steady strengthening of the indicators for reconciliation and improved relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

“Among these indicators is the encouraging fact that 90% of Australians believe in the central tenet of our reconciliation efforts, that the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is important, and that 79% agree that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are important to Australia’s national identity,” said Ms Mundine.

“Significantly, almost all Australians (95%) believe that ‘it is important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a say in matters that affect them’ and 80% believe it is important to ‘undertake formal truth telling processes’, with 86% believing it is important to learn about past issues.

“More Australians than ever before feel a sense of pride for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; this has risen to 62% from 50% in 2008 when the first barometer was conducted,” she said.

Conducted by Reconciliation Australia the Australian Reconciliation Barometer is the only survey undertaken in Australia which measures the progress of reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians.

Ms Mundine said she was heartened by the 2018 results which indicated that the work of Reconciliation Australia and other organisations which promoted reconciliation, the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and the need to truthfully present Australia’s history, was having a positive impact.

“In welcoming these latest results, I must acknowledge the hard work undertaken by so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people to share the incredible beauty and complexity of our cultures across this continent.”

Ms Mundine said that while it was encouraging to see support for reconciliation grow again in the past two years, “there was still plenty of room for improvement”.

“Disturbingly the barometer found that 33% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have experienced at least one form of verbal racial abuse in the last 6 months.”

Ms Mundine said that there were a number of actions that should be taken to further improve the situation for Australia’s First Nations and take the next steps towards a reconciled nation.

These include:

  • Developing a deeper reconciliation process through truth, justice and healing, including supporting a process of truth telling, the establishment of a national healing centre, formal hearings to capture stories and bear witness, reform to the school curriculum, and exploration of archives and other records to map massacre sites and understand the magnitude of the many past wrongs;
  • Support for addressing unresolved issues of national reconciliation including through legislation setting out the timeframe and process for advancing the issues proposed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart;
  • Supporting the national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples – and these efforts must be underpinned by the principles of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly the right to self-determination;
  • Recommitting to the Council of Australian Government’s (COAG) Closing the Gap framework that involves renewing and increasing investments and national, state/territory and regional agreements to meet expanded Closing the Gap targets that are co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
  • Investing in, and supporting, anti-racism campaigns and resources including maintaining strong legislative protections against racial discrimination and taking leadership to promote a zero-tolerance approach to racism and discrimination.

Read the Summary Report

 

NACCHO Members Aboriginal Health Deadly Good News Stories : #NT @AMSANTaus @DanilaDilba @NRHACEO #TAS #QLD @ATSICHSBris @DeadlyChoices @Apunipima #VIC @VAHS1972 #NSW Katungul and Wellington ACCHos #SA Pika Wiya #WA @TheAHCWA #ACT

1.1 Back ACCHO medical services to #closethegap

1.2 National : In 2018–19, NACCHO and the RACGP are working on further initiatives and we want your input! Survey closes 15 February

1.3 National : SRWF inaugural Pat Turner Scholarship awarded

2. TAS : Deadly Ninja Warrior helps the Tasmanian FIAAI Tackling Smoking Team spread the message of the benefits of healthy choices.

3.1 WA : AHCWA and the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) signed an MOU

3.2 WA : AHCWA :  Do you want to be an Aboriginal Health Worker?

4.1 NSW : Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service are active members of the “Welcome Here Project ” #LGBTIQ

4.2 NSW : Katungul ACCHO credited with changing the life of Mark Scott who was using heroin for 14 years, in prison on-and-off for 14 years and an alcoholic for 17 years

5.1 VIC : VAHS ACCHO Coming soon: Aboriginal Seniors Games!!

6. ACT : Winnunga ACCHO leads the way for independent review into the “health” of Canberra’s prison

7.QLD : Apunipima’s ACCHO Mossman Gorge Clinic shares success of ACCHO’s with James Cook University’s School of Medicine and The University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine.

8.1 NT : National Rural Health Alliance promotes Sunrise ACCHO clinic at Bullman

8.2 NT: AMSANT and Danila Dilba ACCHO Darwin offer ideas on how to increase the retention of Aboriginal Health Workers

9. SA:  Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation officially reopened the doors to the Davenport Health Clinic on Monday, January 14.

How to submit in 2019 a NACCHO Affiliate  or Members Good News Story ?

Email to Colin Cowell NACCHO Media 

Mobile 0401 331 251 

Wednesday by 4.30 pm for publication Thursday /Friday

1.1 Back ACCHO medical services to #closethegap

” The widening and persistent deficit in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is arguably the nation’s biggest policy failure, but Aboriginal communities are fighting back and showing how to close the gap, .

When the very first Aboriginal medical service opened its doors in a small shopfront in Sydney’s inner-city Redfern in 1971, the leaders who launched it showed enormous guts, resourcefulness and vision to address the very poor health of their people.

Almost five decades later, there are now about 145 such medical services located around Australia, with the vast majority run by boards comprised of Aboriginal people. Each year, they provide care to around 350,000 people.

Despite the efforts of these trailblazers, Aboriginal people are still missing out on primary and preventative health care, and this explains why we are failing as a nation to close the gap and achieve Aboriginal health equality.

And Australia is doing far worse than other countries that have a similar history of dispossession and colonisation. ”

Dr Paul Cleary is Oxfam Australia’s Indigenous policy and advocacy lead.

Professor Ian Ring AO is a distinguished expert in public health and epidemiology.

Read full article Here 

” The Government’s justifying more funding into mainstream services by arguing that ACCHS only service around half of the Indigenous population ignores the strong preference of Indigenous people for community-controlled health.

Most of the services are at maximum capacity and there are many places where due to location and distance it is simply not possible to attend an ACCHS – the answer is increased investment not less,”

To make matters worse, the government seems to be giving preference to the mainstream sector in order to address Aboriginal health needs says Pat Turner, the chief executive of the peak body NACCHO

1.2 National : In 2018–19, NACCHO and the RACGP are working on further initiatives and we want your input! Survey closes 15 February

Survey until 15 Feb 2019 : To participate in a short survey, please CLICK HERE

Please tell us your ideas for

-improving quality of 715 health checks

-clinical software -implementation of the National Guide

-culturally responsive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

More info 

1.3 National : SRWF inaugural Pat Turner Scholarship awarded

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has welcomed the creation and awarding of the Pat Turner Scholarship Program by The Sir Roland Wilson foundation to six scholars. Pat Turner is the current CEO of NACCHO.

NACCHO Acting Chair Donnella Mills said, “the scholarship is named after Pat and will provide for Australian Public Service employees to complete full time post-graduate study at the Australian National University or Charles Darwin University. This honour for Pat is a testament to her years of hard work, resilience and advocacy for Indigenous peoples.”

Pat’s career as a public servant included many great achievements. She was the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Deputy CEO of ATSIC at its inception. She was also responsible for setting up the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation when working in the Dept of Prime Minister & Cabinet.

After winning the Monash Chair of Australian Studies, Georgetown University she moved to Washington DC as Professor of Australian Studies.

She was the inaugural CEO of NITV and was appointed NACCHO Chief Executive Officer in April 2016.

The Sir Roland Wilson PhD scholarship program has recently been extended to now include the Patricia Turner Scholarship program.

The Foundation decided to name it after an influential, significant and impressive Indigenous woman. She was considered a trailblazer in the APS and her legacy of encouraging her staff to seek out and undertake educational opportunities was certainly something to be celebrated.

That Pat came from humble beginnings and had to repeatedly prove herself against a system of societal inequality, was somewhat reminiscent of Sir Roland Wilson’s beginnings. He was from a very working-class background and was awarded a scholarship to study at Oxford.

In August 2018 SRWF held selection interviews for the inaugural Pat Turner Scholarship. We had 17 APS agencies participating and actively promoting the opportunity to their staff. Each participating agency conducted its own internal selection process and 13 nominations were forwarded to us. The Selection committee shortlisted 11 applicants to interview.

NACCHO congratulates the recipients and wished them well in their chosen fields of studies.

The scholarships were awarded to:

Anthony Cowley Department of Social Services Master by Research CDU

Craig Leon Department of Human Services Master by Research ANU

Martin Dallen Department of Agriculture & Water Resources Master of Forestry ANU

Peter (PJ) Bligh Department of the Environment & Energy Master of Economic Policy ANU

Steve Munns Department of Human Services PhD ANU

Deborah Katona Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Master of Public Policy CDU

2. TAS : Deadly Ninja Warrior helps the Tasmanian FIAAI Tackling Smoking Team spread the message of the benefits of healthy choices.

JACK WILSON or as he’s known, The Deadly Ninja Warrior was in Tasmania during the month of January to help the FIAAI Tackling Smoking Team spread the message of the benefits of healthy choices.

Jack is mostly known for his athleticism and skills on the widely popular TV show Ninja Warrior but he is also passionate about educating and inspiring communities to be the best versions of themselves.

Jack started his Tasmanian journey down South at the Huon Valley PCYC sharing his story and engaging with the kids in a workout at a community event in partnership with the South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation.

The event also incorporated a large number of other community organisations and services, such as the Tasmania Fire Service, SES, Misha’s Mates, Quit Tasmania, Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service, The Heart Foundation plus many more.

Jack’s next appearance was at The Link Youth Health Service in Hobart City with 17 eager attendees.

Duncan Giblin, AOD worker stated ‘Jack was down to earth and engaged really well with the young people who attended. Jack encouraged people to seek help to address the barriers in their lives and to be persistent when things seemed hard.’

Leaving the youth inspired, Jack headed just around the corner to another youth group to spread the message even further. ‘It was a very engaging session’ said Simon, Team Leader at Youth Arts and Recreation Centre.

Simon continued to state that ‘The intimate audience of young people and youth workers listened curiously which sparked many questions to Jack ranging from his time on Australian Ninja Warrior to running the New York Marathon.”

Jack and the Tackling Smoking Team then headed north to visit a Detention Centre and the Launceston PCYC to further reiterate this important message and put them through their paces with a deadly ninja workout.

Ashley’s Detention Centre Program Coordinator told the tobacco action workers that “Jack’s visit had really inspired the young people. “

40 keen participants attended the event at the Launceston PCYC with one participant lucky enough to engage in a one on one training session with Jack after the event. Aaron Gornalle of Launceston now hopes to make it onto the next season of Australian Ninja Warrior.

The final hoorah landed Jack and the team on Flinders Island at the Furneaux Islands Festival where Jack took a huge portion of the Island’s youth through a large scale ninja obstacle course and discussed that in order to be at your peak, there is no room for unhealthy habits like smoking!

3.1 WA : AHCWA and the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) signed an MOU

This week , AHCWA and the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) signed an MOU with the key objective for both parties to adopt a shared and coordinated approach in seeking to address the health and wellbeing needs of the Aboriginal population in WA in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

(L-R): Learne Durrington, WAPHA CEO; Des Martin, AHCWA CEO; Dr Richard Choong, WAPHA Chairperson; and Vicki O’Donnell, AHCWA Chairperson

3.2 WA : AHCWA :  Do you want to be an Aboriginal Health Worker?

AHCWA can help you achieve this, places are still open for the 2019 intakes.

Becoming an Aboriginal Health Worker will allow you to work within the health care setting to assist your community to access and receive the appropriate care they require.

Contact adminmembersupport@ahcwa.org for more information.

4.1 NSW : Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service are active members of the “Welcome Here Project ” #LGBTIQ

Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service are active members of the “Welcome Here Project”.

What is this project, you ask, well the Welcome Here Project is the new Safe Place Project.

The Safe Place Project started in 1998 in response to high levels of street based violence directed at Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) people.

Local businesses signed up to become a ‘Safe Pace’ by putting a sticker in their shop front to let LGBTIQ community members know they could seek refuge if they were under the threat of violence.

Check out the deadly staff and their support for the LGBTIQA+ community!

4.2 NSW : Katungul ACCHO credited with changing the life of Mark Scott who was using heroin for 14 years, in prison on-and-off for 14 years and an alcoholic for 17 years

“My name is Mark Scott but my mates call me Baldy. I’m a Wiradjuri man and I’m pretty open with my past – if by sharing my story, I can help someone else then that’s a good thing.

I was using heroin for 14 years, in prison on-and-off for 14 years and an alcoholic for 17 years and I’m only 56.

I credit Katungul for the life I live today. Rohan Moreton (Katungul Drug and Alcohol Community Support Worker) convinced me to go up to Oolong House in Nowra (Oolong House provides residential treatment for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men who wish to regain their lives and manage problems linked to alcohol and other drugs) and since I graduated from that program I’ve been drug and alcohol free.

I have my own place to live, I got my driver’s license, and I even present two hours a week on 2SeaFM community radio. What makes me most proud though is that I’m back in touch with my kids and grandkids.

I meet with Katungul’s AOD team every week in Eden because they keep me grounded and remind me of how far I’ve come. I own the word ‘no’ now”

5.1 VIC : VAHS ACCHO Coming soon: Aboriginal Seniors Games!!

Want to get out of the house or know a family member who does. Whilst getting active, meeting new people and most importantly having fun! Then come along and check it out. This is a program not to be missed.

When: Wednesday’s starting March 6th
Time: 10am-2pm
Where: Aborigines Advancement League (Thornbury)

Need help registering? Want to learn more about the games?
Come along to our registration and info day on the 27th Feb 12-2pm at VAHS Preston. Lunch provided!

Follow the link to register for the games! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/senior

Any questions contact:03  8459 0932

6. ACT : Winnunga ACCHO leads the way for independent review into the “health” of Canberra’s prison

In its submission to the Moss review, the Winnunga Aboriginal Health Care service said that the “bashing, care, treatment and death of Steven Freeman [had been] characterised by a lack of transparency, accountability and of secrecy

Recommendations from the independent Moss review “So Much Sadness In Our Lives” which examined the 2016 death in custody of indigenous detainee Steven Freeman.

The 2016 death in custody of Steven Freeman sharply focussed attention on Canberra’s prison “

An independent review into the “health” of Canberra’s prison, the first of its type for any Australian correctional centre, is inviting public submissions and commentary as part of an extensive report to be tabled in the ACT Assembly mid-year.

Independent prison review invites submissions from the Canberra public CREDIT:JAY CRONAN

Submissions are now open, and close on May 1.

The ACT Inspector of Correctional Services said that the “healthy prison review” welcomes input from all interested parties including corrections staff, community organisations, unions and the academic community.

Detainees at the prison are also invited to submit, anonymously if wished, with a stated preference by the inspectorate for all submissions to directly address one or more of the four “pillars” of the review framework.

These pillars include:

  • prison safety;
  • respect;
  • purposeful activity; and
  • rehabilitation and preparation for release.

Submissions should not raise complaints about the treatment or conduct of named individuals although anonymous case studies are permitted.

The inspectorate’s role, in reporting directly to the ACT Assembly, is to deliver an independent assessment of Canberra’s prison and services.

The role was established as a government response to the recommendations from the independent Moss review “So Much Sadness In Our Lives” which examined the 2016 death in custody of indigenous detainee Steven Freeman.

The 2016 death in custody of Steven Freeman sharply focussed attention on Canberra’s prison

The prison treatment of Freeman over a lengthy period prior to his death highlighted deficiencies in the prison’s systems, facilities and detainee treatment.

These issues included the mixing of remandees with sentenced prisoners, prisoner boredom, poor CCTV surveillance coverage, a lack of opportunities to learn a skill or trade, illicit drug use, and the delivery of health services.

In its submission to the Moss review, the Winnunga Aboriginal Health Care service said that the “bashing, care, treatment and death of Steven Freeman [had been] characterised by a lack of transparency, accountability and of secrecy”.

The prison’s inspector, Neil McAllister, is permitted to conduct unannounced visits to all correctional centres, including the cells underneath the ACT court buildings.

He works alongside, but separate from, other oversight mechanisms such as the ACT Human Rights Commission, the ACT Ombudsman, the Public Advocate and the prison’s official visitors.

Primarily, his review is seeking to ascertain whether vulnerable detainees at the prison, such as those with mental health issues or cognitive impairment, are being held safely, and whether staff are able to work in a “safe and supportive” environment.

It will also examine whether human rights and dignity are respected within the prison.

It will seek to determine whether detainees are “able, and expected to engage in activity that is likely to benefit them”.

Finally, it will assess whether prisoners have access to programs and services which will assist and prepare them for a life outside the prison.

Submissions can be addressed to the office of the inspector of correctional services at http://ics@act.gov.au.

7.1 QLD : Apunipima’s ACCHO Mossman Gorge Clinic shares success of ACCHO’s with James Cook University’s School of Medicine and The University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine.

This week the team at Apunipima’s Mossman Gorge Clinic spent time with representatives from James Cook University’s School of Medicine and The University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine.

The Canadian visitors have spent their time in Australia learning more about Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO).

Visiting a number of services across North Queensland which has given them a good insight.

“Health care for Indigenous people in Canada is delivered in a far more traditional way than what we have seen here. I am impressed by the level of consultation and how different disciplines work together to deliver the best results for the patient.” said Carlyn Seguin, who oversees the Global Health Certificate at the University of Saskatchewan.

Students studying the Global Health Certificate with the University of Saskatchewan have the opportunity to apply for an international placement as part of the program. Placements in Australia are facilitated by James Cook University’s School Of Medicine, a partnership that is now entering its fourth year.

“JCU’s partnership with the University of Saskatchewan provides a valuable opportunity to develop a collective global voice for Indigenous health needs, concerns and successes.” said Tarun Sen Gupta, Professor of Health Professional Education at James Cook University.

7.2 QLD : At ATSIHS ACCHO Brisbane get your Deadly Choices All Star Shirt

Just in…the limited edition  Choices All Stars shirts. Get in quick to get yours at your health check (715)!

Contact us Visit HERE 


8.1 NT : National Rural Health Alliance promotes Sunrise ACCHO clinic at Bullman

Positive signs of No Sugar (Zoro Coke and water ) in Indigenous communities but there is a long way to go. The link between excessive sugar levels in soft drinks and diabetes, chronic disease is well established. More effort is required in remote communities

8.2 NT: AMSANT and Danila Dilba ACCHO Darwin offer ideas on how to increase the retention of Aboriginal Health Workers

“In [these] clinics, the decisions are made at the local community level and the response is fairly quick.

In the government clinics, I’d imagine there’s a hierarchical structure and people get frustrated.

Training put strains on some hopeful AHWs, with more demands on them today to travel away from their base clinics — which are also often their home communities — to learn in Alice Springs or Darwin.

This puts a lot of strain on families, particularly families with young kids and single parents.

Once trainees graduate, many get burned out by the job, especially those working in remote locations.

Often did not get perks like cheap accommodation offered to police officers or doctors

The real challenge is to encourage and offer the proper incentives and renumeration to reward those who do want to undertake that particular work in rural and remote Northern Territory,” he said.

The salaries of Aboriginal health practitioners also needs to be reviewed.”

The chief executive of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT, John Paterson, said the data might hint at how the workers felt more supported in Aboriginal-community-controlled health clinics.

FROM the ABC

The Northern Territory is the only place in the nation with falling numbers of health sector workers trained to bridge cultural gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous people.

Key points:

  • NT Health is losing Aboriginal Health Workers
  • This may be partly due to difficult training requirements
  • Others may be moving into health streams like nursing or medicine

Data obtained by the ABC shows the number of registered Aboriginal Health Workers in the NT fell almost 17 per cent over six years, even though almost a third of the Territory’s population is Indigenous.

All of those losses came from the public health sector, rather than private or Aboriginal-controlled health services.

‘I get to help my mob’

Kiara Peacock is one year into her traineeship as an Aboriginal Health Worker (AHW) at the Aboriginal-community-controlled health clinic, Danila Dilba.

The Larrakia woman used to work in HR but jumped at the chance when the traineeship position came up in Darwin.

“I get to help my mob,” Ms Peacock said.

“We have more of an understanding with the cultural side of things, with communicating to our patients and understanding them as well.”

That is incredibly important in a place like the Territory, which has the biggest proportion of Indigenous people per capita in Australia and many different language groups often not spoken by non-Indigenous doctors and nurses.

Another Danila Dilba trainee, Darren Braun, said he believed Indigenous patients felt more able to open up to him because of their shared culture and his grasp on the language Kriol.

“I find that in consults, if a doctor is doing consults first and we do it after, we get more information than what a doctor can do,” he said.

Yet Ms Peacock and Mr Braun are entering the profession at a time when the overall numbers of AHWs working in the Territory is dwindling.

Data obtained by the ABC shows the number of registered workers in the NT fell from more than 250 in 2012 to just 211 in 2018.

The data follows a recent study by the Australian National University that found the Territory was the only jurisdiction in the country where the numbers of these workers had declined in the past decade.

ANU researcher Alyson Wright found at a national level, retiring workers were not being replaced by younger workers.

The ABC crunched the data by ANU and – in terms of workers per Indigenous person – Victoria and South Australia now have the highest proportion of workers, with Queensland, Western Australia and the NT trailing on relatively similar levels.

What sector are the workers leaving?

Danila Dilba chief executive Olga Havnen said the numbers of AHWs at the clinic had been relatively stable over the last decade.

She said they had achieved that by prioritising traineeships.

Data shows numbers of AHW working in non-government clinics like Danila Dilba had slightly increased since 2012, with the overall decline in numbers all coming from the government sector, NT Health.

NT Health — which operates clinics in Darwin through to very remote Indigenous communities — has lost a staggering 61 of these workers since 2012.

The department did not respond to questions from the ABC about whether this is directly related to the closure of NT Health Clinics.

However, in a statement, a spokesperson said the loss was not due to redundancies.

“While our numbers are declining, we have not cut positions,” the spokesperson said.

He said there were many factors behind the decline, including changes to the training requirements for AHWs in the Territory and a very low completion rate by trainees.

This is something experienced by Ms Peacock — while she is based in Darwin, she has to travel an hour for her studies every month to Batchelor.

“If anything would stop me doing this job personally, it’s the location of where I study,” she said.

“Some of us are quite young. We’ve only just got our Ps. Some don’t even have a car themselves or transport. Some of us come from places like [the remote community] Maningrida.”

Is there a silver lining to the trend?

The NT Health spokesperson said the department was, “developing a workforce strategy that will have a clear career path with the appropriate support mechanisms to attract and retain” the workers.

“Including looking at ways Aboriginal students are supported while they are studying, often away from their country,” they said.

Yet despite the decline in numbers, the spokesperson said some of the workers leaving are moving into other health streams like nursing or medicine.

That is something Ms Havnen from Danila Dilba has noticed.

“So I’m hoping that what people is doing is taking slightly different career paths,” she said.

Mr Paterson agreed this was a positive step forward, but that the growth of Indigenous people into these other roles should not come at the loss of AHWs in the Territory.

“We’ve got to get that balance right,” he said.

9. SA:  Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation officially reopened the doors to the Davenport Health Clinic on Monday, January 14.

The clinic has been closed for several months due to a “lack of staff and the ongoing problem with the recruitment of doctors”, but is now back in business, giving Davenport residents a closer option for their health requirements.

Pika Wiya CEO Alan Morris said the return of the health clinic was “long overdue”.

“We decided to address the needs out here,” Mr Morris said.

“For the first six months, we’ll be seeing and assessing what those needs will be by looking at the patient numbers coming through.

“We’re very happy to be back out here.”

Pika Wiya’s healthcare is available to the Aboriginal population in Port Augusta and surrounding towns, with about 3200 active customers and patients accessing the medical service.

With the Port Augusta centre on Dartmouth Street facing an influx of patients during the summer months, Pika Wiya began working towards reopening the Davenport clinic.

Mr Morris said Pika Wiya’s board, as well as the Davenport community, were keen for the clinic to reopen.

“Patients could have transport issues. They might not be able to access (the Port Augusta centre),” Mr Morris said.

“We’ve spent a lot of money on doing up the clinic, so it’s in pretty good nick.”

Davenport community members gathered at the clinic on Monday morning to celebrate the opening, with staff hosting a barbecue breakfast.

Mr Morris said the event was a good opportunity to let the community know that the doors were officially open.

“It was just a chance for us to say ‘here we are, we’re back and we’re going to be operating again’,” he said.

The Davenport Health Clinic is open on Monday afternoons from 2-4pm, and Wednesday and Fridays from 9am-12:30pm

Patients will have access to general practitioners and Aboriginal health workers at the refurbished clinic.

For more information about the clinic, contact 8642 2556.

 

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #SuicidePrevention : Minister @KenWyattMP @SenatorDodson and KAMS ACCHO respond to 42 recommendations of WA Coroner inquiry into the deaths of 13 Aboriginal children and young persons in the Kimberley region between 2012 and 2016


” Today, Western Australian State Coroner, Ros Fogliani, released her report of the investigation into the suicide deaths of 13 Indigenous young people that occurred between November 2012 and March 2016 in the Kimberley Region.

I cannot adequately express my sense of grief at the deaths of these young people. 

Nor can I ever comprehend the loss and devastation their families and their communities are feeling.

The families and communities who have experienced these tragedies have been deeply affected and the pain will never leave them.

The high rate of suicide among young First Australians is one of the nation’s most confronting challenges.

Minister Ken Wyatt Press Release see Part 1 Below

Download the 42 Recommendations 

13-Children-and-Young-Persons-in-the-Kimberley-Region-Finding

Key recommendations from the inquest:

  • Screen for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder during infant health assessments and when a child enters the child protection or justice systems for the first time
  • Restrict take away alcohol across the entire region, introduce a banned drinker register, resource police to enforce “sly grogging” regulations and provide more funding for patrols to take intoxicated people to a “safe place”
  • Extend an offer of a voluntary cashless debit card to the entire region
  • Build culturally-appropriate residential colleges for students who volunteer to be admitted with the consent of their parents and/or caregivers
  • Build a mental health facility in the East Kimberley that incorporates treatment for alcohol and drug abuse problems, and permanently base a mental health clinician in Halls Creek
  • Train child protection workers and teachers who have regular contact with Aboriginal children in suicide intervention and prevention
  • Expand the “Adopt-a-Cop” classroom program to improve the relationship between children and police, and expand a program where Aboriginal elders help conduct night patrols and speak with children on the streets
  • Introduce or continue to expand Aboriginal language classes in schools, and introduce re-engagement classrooms in primary schools to improve attendance rates
  • Consult more with Aboriginal people to “co-design” services and programs
  • Expand cultural programs including on-country trips, and develop or refurbish facilities for young people to meet and engage in activities.

“ The report handed down today must not join the 42 reports into Aboriginal well-being delivered over the last 15 years that simply sit and gather dust. This report must lead a paradigm shift that leads to community-led solutions that address the clear sense of suffering, hopelessness and disillusionment that is being felt.

We must continue to work towards building mabu ngarrungu, strong community, and mabu buru, strong country. Essential to this is mabu liyan – being well inside ourselves through strong connections to family, community and country. Government must understand us and our thinking around culture and well-being and not continue to simply impose its own views.

There is hope for a better way of doing things and to stop this sadness. It requires a resolve to work with First Nations peoples to establish new ways.”

Senator Patrick Dodson See full Press Release Part 2 Below

“The issues are complex. It is not something that we can simply resolve by one program or one set of funding. It is something we need to tackle across the community with the help of the government,

A shift in the way major support services approach remote communities is needed to address the specific needs.

I think we’ve got a lot of mainstream services trying to impose a particular model on the needs of the community. What we really need is to work with the community to understand what are the needs; and design the services to respond to the needs.

“We can’t continue to impose things because an organisation simply says they’re the best organisation to deliver it.”

Rob McPhee, Deputy CEO of the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, said it was going to take years to tackle the complex issues that arose in the report, but action was needed.

“I think it’s a real difference to the language I have heard previously. I thought there was recognition of all the issues that contribute to Indigenous suicide,

I think it’s not only good for the Kimberley, the outcomes, but it’s good for the whole country.”

To hear the recommendations about the social determinants, that holistic approaches are required,” 

Indigenous Health Professor Pat Dudgeon at the University of Western Australia said she felt the report showed recognition to the issues that have contributed to Indigenous suicide.

View further Interview HERE

The RACGP and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)’s National guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people includes sections relevant to suicide intervention and prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth:

  • Child health – FASD, prevention of child maltreatment, and supporting families to optimise child safety and wellbeing
  • The health of young people – social and emotional wellbeing and drug use
  • Mental health – prevention of depression and suicide
  • Lifestyle – including alcohol
  • Family abuse and violence

Read over 130+ Aboriginal Health and Suicide Prevention Articles published by NACCHO over past 7 years 

Part 1

Our national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide death rate is more than double the rate of the rest of Australian society. And among 15 to 34 year olds, it’s three times as high.

The inquest has found common elements and factors contributing to the suicide deaths of the 13 young people.

These include alcohol abuse, domestic violence, poor living conditions and poor school attendance. Tragically, these young people were never able to reach out for help from support services.

There are 42 recommendations in Ms Fogliani’s report. These recommendations have been made to help target the causes of the issues.

A number of recommendations highlighted the need for suicide programs to be culturally sensitive, and that genuine and empowered relationships with First Nations communities are critical for the success of any program.

The report also highlights the need for better coordination between government agencies responsible for suicide prevention, and has recommended a Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People be established.

The Australian Government has taken prompt action to address youth suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

On 25 January 2019, I hosted an urgent meeting in Perth with experts and members from the communities to discuss how best to respond to these recent tragedies.

As a result, an additional almost $5 million has been provided for a range of initiatives, including:

  • fast tracking the rollout of the Be You school-based support in the Kimberley and Pilbara
  • delivering of a targeted social media campaign
  • expanding of the Young Ambassadors for Mental Health project to include a special focus in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth
  • supporting to families dealing with grief with a focus on suicide prevention.
  • commitment to working with my WA state colleagues.

The Australian Government also provides $4 million to each of the 12 National Suicide Prevention Trial sites, including two sites for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Kimberley and Darwin.

The report provides a unique opportunity to rethink how we do things with local communities.

I will be reviewing the coroner’s report as a matter of urgency.

The Australian Government will carefully consider the WA Coroner’s report and recommendations. These will inform the Government’s approach towards the issue of Indigenous suicide in the Kimberley region going forward.

Part  2

Today is a difficult day for the Kimberley and the families of those who passed away.

Today, after nearly three years, State Coroner Ros Fogliani has delivered her findings in a significant inquiry into the deaths of 13 Aboriginal children and young persons in the Kimberley region between 2012 and 2016.

The Coroner’s findings were handed down in Perth, and live-streamed to the Regional Courts of Broome, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek. I sat in the Broome Court and it was crowded with a good cross-section of the community.

This inquiry confirms what we already know – we have a crisis in the Kimberley. The rate of suicide in the Kimberley by Indigenous people, in particular young Indigenous people, is amongst the highest in the world. The Coroner reinforced the well-known social determinants of well-being which First Nations peoples live in.

Ten years have passed since the last major inquiry into the deaths of young Indigenous people – the Hope Inquest. Today confirms yet again, we have made little or no progress.

Clearly, the policies and service delivery that address suicide in our communities are failing and our people are losing hope. Too much seems to be reliant on being delivered from the outside and not from within our community or the Kimberley.

Today, on this day of sorrow and reflection, we must re-think the way we address Indigenous youth suicide.

There needs to be a new form of engagement with Indigenous communities and young people need to have a voice and role in future initiatives if we are to fix the issues and deliver the opportunities for change in the future.

The Coroner, in her final key recommendation, emphasised the principles of self-determination and empowerment in initiatives, policies and programs relating to First Nations peoples. She has relied on the expressed aspirations of the Western Australian Government. The Western Australian Government must now honour this with First Nations people.

Any new approach must be informed by a rigorous analysis of the values driving the delivery of services. It must be holistic and therapeutic – addressing the complex needs of entrenched socio-economic disadvantage, unresolved trauma, cultural disruption, and systemic social exclusion and disempowerment. We need to prioritise programs that value cultural imperatives and programs controlled by Indigenous people.

There is no magical solution to be handed down by government. But government must work in collaboration with communities to achieve a new social order