NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #Referendum #Ulurustatement : Indigenous campaigners awarded Australia Day honours for role in 1967 referendum Ruth Hennings, Diana Travis, Alfred Neal and Dulcie Flower honoured for service to their communities

 ” Ruth Henning, Diana Travis, and Alfred Neal were awarded the medal of the order of Australia (OAM) on Saturday for their service to their communities and work on the 1967 referendum.

Aunty Dulcie Flower, who was granted the OAM in 1992, was made a member of the order of Australia (AM) for her work on the referendum, her role in the establishment of the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern, and her work as a nurse.

From the Guardian 26 January 2019

Alfie Neal and Ruth Wallace Hennings – brave the tropical rain at Yarrabah where they sat and planned the vote for Australia’s indigenous population. Picture: Brian Cassey

 ” More than 50 years ago, Ruth Hennings sat with Alfred Neal day after day under the “Tree of Knowledge” in Yarrabah, near Cairns, plotting the protest movement across Queensland’s conservative north that helped bring the beginnings of equality for ­Aboriginal Australians.

It was from there that the mission-raised pair led the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advancement League, in its struggle to win support for the successful 1967 referendum, enabling laws for indigenous people and including them in the census.

The only survivors of the league, Ms Hennings, 85, and Mr Neal, 94, reunited yesterday on the beach near where the tree stood after learning they — had been awarded Order of Australia Medals for services to the indigenous community.”

From the Australian 26 January 2019

Campaigners mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum on 24 May 2017, including Alfred Neal, left, and Dulcie Flower, second right, who have both been recognised in the 2019 Australia Day honours. Photograph: Mike Bowers for the Guardian

On the day of the 1967 referendum, Ruth Hennings was handing out “vote yes” flyers at a local school in Cairns.

It was the first sign she had that the campaign to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were included in the census, and to give the federal government power to make laws specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, had won the support of a majority of Australian citizens.

“Nearly everyone who was there, they all said good luck and hoped everything would turn out good,” Hennings said. “So they gave me a good feeling of ‘it will change’.”

When the votes were counted, that feeling was confirmed: 91% of Australians voted yes.

The next step, Hennings said, was a plan to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were recognised in the constitution as the First Peoples of Australia.

See Ruths story Brisbane Times

Fifty-two years later that still has not happened and the Uluru Statement, which sets out a path forward, was rejected by the federal government.

Hennings is 85 now, a celebrated elder. On Saturday she was one of four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people honoured for their role in the 1967 referendum, and for a lifetime of other community work.

She was a founding member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advancement League in Cairns, which began in 1958, and attended meetings while working as a cleaner around the town for 15 shillings a day.

She told Guardian Australia constitutional recognition was still badly needed.

“We really need to get a body together where we can talk in one voice,” she said. “All of these things have been happening, money is being thrown around, and there’s no result … the main thing is getting that constitution right and making sure that we are all one people, we are all one Australia.”

Travis was just 19 when her grandfather Sir Douglas Nicholls, one of the most revered figures in Victoria, drove her to Canberra to take part in the referendum alongside her heroes: Charlie Perkins, Chicka Dixon, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, and Faith Bandler.

“They were all wonderful leaders, wonderful workers, focused and aware, so I was just in my joy being there, mingling and being amongst them all in Canberra,” she said.

Travis is now involved in native title work as a Dja Dja Wurrung claimant and a member of the Dhuudora native title group, and is an active participant in the Victorian treaty process.

“It may be a different time now but I still believe that there’s good people out there,” Travis said. “Some of them may not understand, but I just say: listen please, listen to us, talk to us. We’re not targeting you, it’s all about the government.”

She said she was in “two or three minds” about accepting the Australia Day honour, both because she does not support the celebration of Australia Day on 26 January – she will spend the morning in protest in Melbourne, as she does every year – and because she was not sure she had done enough to earn it.

Both Hennings and Travis said the singular focus and united purpose behind the 1967 referendum campaign was absent from modern reform debates.

“At that time we all had that one goal,” Henning said. “We all knew what we wanted, we were focused and willing and happy and we had FCAATSI (Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders) … But today there’s nothing.”

 

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and #AustraliaDay2019 or #InvasionDay1788 Debate : With Editorial from PM @ScottMorrisonMP, Jeff Kennett and Marion Scrymgour : On #SurvivalDay 2019 we recognise the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

” Yesterday 25 January my family and I spent time with the Ngunnawal people — the first inhabitants of the Canberra region. We attended a smoking ceremony, an ancient cleansing ritual, in what I believe should become a prime ministerial tradition on the eve of Australia Day.

The timing, ahead of our national day, is entirely appropriate because the sacred custodianship of our indigenous people marked the first chapter in the story of our country.

Our First Australians walked here long before anyone else, loving and caring for these lands and waters. They still do. We honour their resilience and stewardship across 60,000 years. We pay respect to the world’s oldest continuous culture.

A culture that is alive; a culture that has survived. A culture that speaks to us no matter what our background as Australians because it is part of the living, breathing soul of our land.

Scott Morrison is the Prime Minister of Australia see full Text Published 26 January 2019 The Australian see Part 1 Below 

Watch video

 Minnie Tompkins ochreing the PM’s two Daughters at the event : Copyright Billy T.Tompkins

” We cannot celebrate 26 January when our children still face the devastating impacts of colonisation. Instead, on Survival Day we recognise the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

If we are to celebrate the many great things about our nation, we need a new date that is inclusive of all Australians and ensures we can all participate in celebrations together.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 26 January and the colonisation of Australia is a reflection of the ongoing discrimination and violation of human rights that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children face today.”

SNAICC Press Release 26 January 2019 

“ It was with profound sadness that I read two stories in The Australian this week: first was the front-page piece “Conservative MPs push to protect January 26”, published on Thursday, and then yesterday, “Dutton puts pressure on PM with support for Australia Day law”. This second story was accompanied by a report on an “invasion day” rally planned for the steps of Parliament House today.

In my column in Melbourne’s Herald Sun this week, I presented the case for changing the date from January 26.

I am the first to admit the issue of the date on which we celebrate Australia Day is not the top priority for Australians. Nor is the recalibration of the way in which Australia recognises its First Peoples. But changing the date is a start in building the recognition and trust I believe is necessary in an educated country

Stop this insult to our First Peoples in the Australian 26 January 2019

Jeff Kennett was the Liberal premier of Victoria, 1992-99 see Part 2 Below

” How can Australia possibly persist in celebrating as its national day the colonial acts of a foreign country? Without even touching on the sensitivities of Indigenous people, where does that leave the majority of Australians who came to or are descended from people who came to this country since Federation (including exponentially increasing numbers of Asian Australians)?

And finally, just to return to the issue of the stake of Indigenous people in this nation. Some have suggested that because there are pressing and immediate issues which are undermining our prospects for progress and wellbeing, it is inappropriate to spend time and energy participating in the debate about our national day.

Like many others who are committed to tackling domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and unemployment amongst our people, I believe we can walk and chew gum at the same time.” 

Marion Scrymgour is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Tiwi Islands Regional Council. Prior to this she was the Chief Executive Officer of the Wurli-Wurliinjang Health Service and was Chair of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the Northern Territory.

Part 4 Invasion Day rally 2019: where to find marches and protests across Australia

Part 1 January 26, 1788 marked the birth of today’s modern Australia Scott Morrison

Today we also remember the second chapter of our country’s history that began on January 26, 1788, with the arrival of the First Fleet.

Wooden convict ships came carrying men and women who were sick, poor and destitute. Those men and women, who included my own ancestors, persevered, endured and won their freedom. They braved hardship and built lives and families. Indeed, the wonder of our country is that out of such hardship would emerge a nation as decent, as fair and as prosperous as ours.

For along with the cruelties of empire came the ideas of the Enlightenment, and Australia was the great project. Notions of liberty, enterprise and human dignity became the foundation for modern Australia.

And we embrace, too, all those who’ve come since — to make us the happy, thriving, multicultural democracy that we are. That’s the third chapter of our story: the one we’re still writing.

Across Australia, 16,212 men, women and children will become citizens today in more than 365 ceremonies. They will be endowed with the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities as every other Australian. Australia’s great bounty is that she is now made up of people from every nation on earth. Together, all these chapters make us who we are.

They’re not unblemished. We don’t have a perfect history. We’ve made mistakes, but no nation is perfect. But we have so much to be grateful for and so much to be proud of.

We’re a free nation, with an elected parliament, an independent judiciary and a free press. We believe in the equality of men and women — of all citizens no matter their creed, race, sexuality or gender. We’ve worked to create a nation that is harmonious, prosperous and safe — one where every individual matters.

That’s what today is about. Gratitude for all we have. Pride in who we’ve become together.

Australia Day is the day we come together. It’s the day we celebrate all Australians, all their stories, all their journeys. And we do this on January 26 because this is the day that Australia changed — forever — and set us on the course of the modern Australia we are today.

Our nation’s story is of a good-hearted and fair people always striving to be better. We have a go. We take risks. Occasionally we fall flat on our faces. But we get up. We always get up. After all, we know how to have a laugh. And we know how to help how mates when they’re down. Today we remember our history, we celebrate our achievements and we re-dedicate ourselves to the land and the people we love.

Happy Australia Day.

Scott Morrison is the Prime Minister of Australia.

Part 2  Stop this insult to our First Peoples

It was with profound sadness that I read two stories in The Australian this week: first was the front-page piece “Conservative MPs push to protect January 26”, published on Thursday, and then yesterday, “Dutton puts pressure on PM with support for Australia Day law”. This second story was accompanied by a report on an “invasion day” rally planned for the steps of Parliament House today.

In my column in Melbourne’s Herald Sun this week, I presented the case for changing the date from January 26.

I am the first to admit the issue of the date on which we celebrate Australia Day is not the top priority for Australians. Nor is the recalibration of the way in which Australia recognises its First Peoples. But changing the date is a start in building the recognition and trust I believe is necessary in an educated country.

Let me start with the claims of “invasion day”. This is a term used by some in the indigenous community and by activists. It has gathered some mileage because its use has not been challenged regularly.

Australia was not invaded in 1788, it was settled. The country was occupied by a people from a different community and race to those who were already here, spread in tribes throughout the land.

As those settlers spread from Sydney Cove, the First Peoples were dispossessed of their lands and, yes, as that happened atrocities were committed.

Commodore Arthur Phillip did not arrive with a military force when he settled Port Jackson in 1788. There was no intent to wage a war against the local inhabitants. In fact, the opposite was true. Phillip was commissioned to work with the inhabitants of the country. Although that did not occur, nor did an invasion.

Let me turn to those so-called conservatives mentioned earlier. Probably the closest political grouping we have in Australia that claims to be conservative is the Nationals. Members of the Liberal Party are part of a broader church that I had always taken to mean economically conservative and socially generous.

Together in government the parties and their members discuss and find consensus on issues through policy development.

It is inconceivable to me that these so-called conservatives cannot see how celebrating Australia Day on January 26 every year reinforces a sense of loss among our First Peoples.

How can they not understand that passing legislation to enshrine January 26 as Australia Day would insult our First Peoples and defer any real hope of building the recognition they deserve?

Their action in pursuing such legislation indicates yet again how out of touch and inflexible some members of parliament have become. This is in the face of the demonstrated generosity of the community on social issues such as same-sex marriage and recognition of the challenges facing our disabled and their carers.

Why can’t they see that the same social generosity should be extended to our First Peoples?

Why do they argue that we should continue to discriminate against an important section of our community who are offended by January 26 as the date of national celebration?

The only reason these so-called conservatives are doing so is because some polls suggested that 75 per cent of Australians support January 26 as the day for the celebration.

This reasoning simply continues the cowardice of so many of our federal politicians over the past two decades.

They are elected to lead. Make bold decisions. Correct areas that cause pain to the community when bold action can easily resolve such pain.

Some in the community argue the government is not conservative enough. I disagree. The issues that were relevant in the 1960s and 70s have evolved through education and extraordinary advances in technology. There is a growing recognition of individual rights.

While I respect the right of all individuals in a broad church to hold differing views, I reserve the right to disagree with them, as I do on this issue. It is in my opinion a myopic view, outdated and based on wrong motives.

I will be interested in see which conservatives put their names to any motion to put back any real advance in the recognition of our First Peoples.

As for Peter Dutton. Leader of the band? Jumping on the so-called conservative bandwagon? He has already done considerable damage to his political reputation and must accept much of the blame for the position of the government, having been instigator of the events that led to the removal of Malcolm Turnbull.

Leadership is what is required, Peter, not weakness. Leadership is what the community respects.

By the way, happy Australia Day to all. I hope today provides an opportunity for people, including politicians, to reconsider their position so that we can continue to build the respect we should be showing to our First Peoples.

Part 3 Let’s park the issues relating to Aboriginal people to one side and look at what the 26th of January represents and symbolises for Australians generally, and at how patently incompatible with our modern national identity it is as a selected national day.

Marion Scrymgour first published 2018

The debate about whether Australia Day should be changed to a date other than the 26th of January has in recent times been focussed on the offensiveness to many Indigenous Australians of using the commemoration of the establishment of an English colony in New South Wales as the foundation narrative of our national identity. The objection articulated by advocates for change is that it ignores, marginalises or diminishes Indigenous history and culture, and fails to acknowledge past injustices (some still unresolved).

Personally I think the objection is valid, but I accept that there are differing views. However, it is not necessary to even get into that argument to be persuaded conclusively that there should be a change of date. Let’s park the issues relating to Aboriginal people to one side and look at what the 26th of January represents and symbolises for Australians generally, and at how patently incompatible with our modern national identity it is as a selected national day.

The 26th of January marks the beginning of what sort of enterprise? What sort of uplifting and inspirational human endeavour? The answer is that it was a penal settlement. A remote punishment farm to warehouse the overflow from Britain’s prisons. A place of brutality and despair conceived out of a desire to keep a problem out of sight and out of mind.

Modern Australia has its flaws. Some may want to argue the toss over Don Dale or Manus Island, but the reality is that we are a civilised, enlightened and fair people. We embrace those values in ourselves and in each other. We all recognise how lucky we are to live in a tolerant society where diversity and difference are accepted and mateship and hard work are encouraged. We cherish our autonomy and freedom. A national day should resonate with and reflect those values. The way it can do that is by reminding us of something in our past which either brought out the best in our national character, or else represented a step along the path to our unique Australian identity.

Potential examples are many, but might include these: Kokoda; the first Snowy River hydro scheme (with its harnessing of migrant workers from all over Europe coming to seek a better life after the second world war); the abolition of the white Australia policy in 1966; the passage of the Australia Act in 1986 (when Australia’s court system finally became fully independent).

One thing I know for sure is that when we look into history’s mirror for some event or occasion that allows us to see ourselves as we aspire to be, the last and most alien screen we would contemplate downloading and sharing as emblematic of ourselves as Australians would be Sydney Cove in 1788. You just have to pause and think about it for a moment to be able to reject the concept as ludicrous. And yet that is the status quo that has become entrenched in our national calendar, through a process which has been more recent and less considered than most would be aware of.

In my view it is a matter of historical logic that Australia’s national day cannot be one which commemorates something which happened before Australia itself was created. That happened in 1901 when the various colonies joined together in a single federation in which each of them was transformed into an entity called a “state”.

The new Australian states were modelling themselves on the American colonies which had joined together to become the United States of America. Many of those colonies already had a long prior history since they had been established by European settlers and in most cases they were much prouder of their origins than those new Australian states which had started off as penal settlements. But if anyone, then or since, had proposed that the national day for the USA should be some day commemorating the early history of some individual colony, they would have been howled down by Americans. The American national day celebrates the independence of the unified whole, not a way-station in the history of a pre-independence colony. It should be the same with us.

If any recent event should have served to underscore the lack of fit between the date on which our national day is currently celebrated and our contemporary political reality it is the disqualifying of Federal Parliamentarians who have belatedly discovered that they are British citizens.

Just think about that for a moment. The colony of New South Wales was established on behalf of the British Crown. Then when the country called Australia was created in 1901, its people were classed as British subjects. Stand-alone citizenship came later and things have been slowly and fundamentally changing. In 2018 Britain is a foreign country and if you are a citizen of that country you are excluded from being elected to our Australian parliament. That is because it is recognised that there are conflicting interests and allegiances.

How can Australia possibly persist in celebrating as its national day the colonial acts of a foreign country? Without even touching on the sensitivities of Indigenous people, where does that leave the majority of Australians who came to or are descended from people who came to this country since Federation (including exponentially increasing numbers of Asian Australians)?

And finally, just to return to the issue of the stake of Indigenous people in this nation. Some have suggested that because there are pressing and immediate issues which are undermining our prospects for progress and wellbeing, it is inappropriate to spend time and energy participating in the debate about our national day. Like many others who are committed to tackling domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and unemployment amongst our people, I believe we can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Marion Scrymgour

 

NACCHO Aboriginal Health #ACCHO Deadly Good News stories : #NT @CAACongress #QLD @DeadlyChoices @IUIH_ #VIC MDAS ACCHO #NSW Yerin ACCHO and Tharawal #SA @DeadlyChoicesSA #ACT @WinnungaACCHO #WA ORD ACCHO #TAS

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

1.2. National : Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) supports NACCHO and  Uluru Statement from the Heart

2.1 Congress ACCHO Alice Springs Health Promotion team and Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program partners with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) to host a Warrior Run fun run/walk event

2.2 : NT : Survey  Health Literacy Among Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males in the NT.

2.3 NT : Katherine West Health ACCHO Board calls for ear checks

2.4 NT : Danila Dilba mobile clinic team put on a BBQ and conducted health checks for kids before school starts, as well as general health checks and STI tests for other community members.

3.WA : AHCWA congratulates  Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Servicewho have recently passed ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) accreditation.

4.1 Vic : Mallee District Aboriginal Services

5. 1 Qld : Deadly Choices Workshop in Brisbane attracts over 100 Deadly Choice workers

5.2 All the News from the Apunipima ACCHO mob on Cape York 

6.ACT : Winnunga Nimmityjah (Strong Health) Aboriginal Health and Community Services Newsletter

7.1 NSW : Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation lead nurse in Byala team named 2018 Australian Mental Health Nurse of the Year award late last month.

7.2 NSW : Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services, awarded a grant from the state government to expand the scope of its National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services 

8. SA: From Deadly choices SA Which one is your favourite school guernsey from SAASTA Carnival at Alberton Oval?

9. Tas : Staying cool and safe in Tasmania

 

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

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 

1.2. National : Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) supports NACCHO and  Uluru Statement from the Heart

See all NACCHO Media coverage HERE

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has endorsed the historic Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for a First Nations Voice to be enshrined in the Constitution and for a Makarrata Commission as a process for agreement making and truth telling.

PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman said PSA was proud to add its voice to the call for recognition of the First Peoples of Australia in the Constitution.

“PSA is committed to ongoing work to support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart’s call for constitutional reforms to empower people to have their views heard in relation to making laws and policies that affect their lives.

“We are proud to add our voice to this movement for a better future.”

Generational disadvantage continues to have a detrimental impact on the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has long advocated for closing the gap by supporting pharmacists to play an active role in improving medication management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Dr Freeman said.

“Pharmacists must work collaboratively with Aboriginal Health Organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

PSA is collaborating with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) on the Integrating Pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to Improve Chronic Disease Management (IPAC) trial.

This pioneering project aims to improve chronic disease management by embedding pharmacists within Aboriginal Health Services.

PSA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Pharmacist Career Pathway provides training and support to help pharmacists working in these services to optimise health for their patients.

PSA will be developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2019. The RAP will underpin the work PSA does with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and support members and staff to provide culturally safe workplaces and service

This weeks featured ACCHO good news story

2.1 Congress ACCHO Alice Springs Health Promotion team and Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program partners with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) to host a Warrior Run fun run/walk event

On Tuesday evening, Congress Health Promotion and Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program partnered with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) to host a Warrior Run fun run/walk event for the Alice Springs community.

Warrior run events are about bringing people of all ages and ability together to run in celebration of the great men in our lives. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to and acknowledge all the strong men in our families and communities, and to recognise the role our father, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, and men in the wider sphere play throughout our lives, in a strong and positive way.

Culturally, men have been seen as the strong protector and provider – the warrior.

However, in recent times, especially in some Aboriginal families and communities, the role, respect and value of men has been eroded and are losing some of their hierarchy, self-respect and significance.

This must change – and the Warrior Run celebrates and highlights the strong, proud and courageous men in our lives.

Despite the 40+ degree heat, the event was a total success, with over 200 ‘warriors’ attending to run or walk the 2km track and show their support for the message while celebrating a healthy lifestyle.

This included members from the wider Alice Springs community, including Aboriginal families, athletic runners, footy clubs and families, young people and children.

IMF ambassador Charlie Maher gave a very moving speech prior to the run’s start, speaking honestly from the heart about his own experiences with mental health – important messages for everyone, but especially the young men in the audience. Charlie works for the Clontarf Academy, and is currently mentoring young Indigenous men and women at Yirara College in Alice Springs.

 

Congress/Right Tracks’ Sarah Carmody was central to the success of the event, working hard to spread word throughout the community – and running the event seamlessly with help from the deadly Congress Health Promotions team.

Photo above from Damien Ryan

Sarah also shared important messages about health and wellbeing, and the importance of acknowledging the males in our lives.

The Warrior Run event marks a very positive start to another busy and productive 2019 for Congress.

2.2 : NT : Survey  Health Literacy Among Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males in the NT.

The Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Gambling (AODG) Unit at Menzies School of Health Research is leading a research project relating to Health Literacy Among Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males in the NT.

The aim of this study is to explore the interplay between health literacy, gender (specifically masculinities) and cultural identity among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males aged 14-24 years living in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia.

Health literacy and gender are critical social determinants of health impacting on the lives of Indigenous people worldwide. Yet, very little is known about how these concepts shape the identities of young Indigenous men. This is a mixed-methods study involving a combination of surveys, yarning sessions and photo-voice methods.

The survey component involves using two survey instruments. Information collected through these surveys has potential to provide practitioners, organizations and governments with insights about health literacy at individual and population levels. In this instance, it will help to better develop and implement health and social services programs for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.

We are sending the weblink to complete the survey out to our networks over the following few weeks. Please share with all young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males you know.

We are also able to facilitate group sessions (to complete the survey) with organizations that support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. If you are interested in a facilitator helping in this way please contact Ben Christie (Menzies) on 0447 414 160.

We have attached an Information Sheet for your reference. Feel free to get in touch if this project would be of interest and you would have some potential groups who would be interested.

All completed surveys are placed into a raffle for an iPad giveaway!

Click Here to Start the Survey

Thank you for your time and feedback. You are helping make us to better develop and implement health and social service programs for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.

2.3 NT : Katherine West Health ACCHO Board calls for ear checks

Langa infection warning signs are pus coming out of the ear, paining ear, fever or even a green runny nose.
Ear checks at your local Health Centre are quick and easy.
#oneshieldforall

2.4 NT Danila Dilba mobile clinic team put on a BBQ and conducted health checks for kids before school starts, as well as general health checks and STI tests for other community members.

It was a great day out at the community at Knuckeys Lagoon today, with our Danila Dilba mobile clinic going out for the first time this year.

The team put on a BBQ and conducted health checks for kids before school starts, as well as general health checks and STI tests for other community members.Great to see the local community turning out and being able to access healthcare where they live.

Picture above Nathan McLean, Malcolm Laughton, Dr Mark Myerscough, Ahmi Narkle and Patricia Cooper

(L-R) Karina Wilson, Valerie Ganambarr, Sadie Mirlmin, Terry Wilson and Lindsay Watson (child in front) —

3.WA : AHCWA congratulates  Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Servicewho have recently passed ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) accreditation: ISO 9001:2015.

OVAHS has successfully achieved independent recognition and Quality Management Certification from the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards for the 6th consecutive year.

An effective Quality Management System is what ensures OVAHS services meets a certain level of quality that is reliable, safe, consistent, meets client expectations, continuously improves and complies with the law.

Pictured (L-R) Trish Hill (Medical Records and Reception Manager), Sharon Benning (Deputy CEO), Derek Donohue (Acting Health Operations Manager), Angela Geddes (Acting Clinic Coordinator), Graeme Cooper (CEO), Cuong Luu (Operations Manager),
Absent: Fiona Baines (Health Operations Manager)

4.1 Vic : Mallee District Aboriginal Services

Jobs, events, news and more at MDAS? January 18, 2019 – https://mailchi.mp/d42a547f4e94/whats-new-at-mdas-january-18-1009005

5.Qld : Deadly Choices Workshop in Brisbane attracts over 100 Deadly Choice workers

Warren Snowdon MP with Adrian Carson and Donisha Duff at the Deadly Choices Workshop in Brisbane this week.

The Workshop is great with over 100 Deadly Choice workers from across QLD attending.

It is a terrific programme which is leading the way in preventative health for First Nations people not only in QLD, but now also in the NT, SA, NSW and Vic.

All thanks to the leadership from the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health based in Brisbane.

5.2 All the News from the Apunipima ACCHO mob on Cape York 

Coen Men’s Group

Last week the Men’s Group in Coen met for the first time in 2019.

Planning is underway for events and activities for the coming year.

Congratulations to the Apunipima team at the Wellbeing Centre in Coen for fostering a vibrant and enthusiastic Men’s Group.

Learning and Development Update CERT IV – Phlebotomy Training

Clara Salah, Tackling Indigenous Smoking Health Worker, is currently completing her Certificate IV In Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Care Practice. As part of that training Clara is required to become a proficient Phlebotomist.

Perfecting the skill of blood collection is not as easy as it sounds and requires a lot of hands on practice. Clara was able to spend a full working week with Sullivan and Nicolaides across multiple sites in Cairns.

Throughout the week, Clara was partnered with a Clinical Educator who provided direct supervision.

The ability to complete the training in Cairns with Sullivan and Nicolaides provides Apunipima staff with a cost effective way to complete training while exposing them to a wide variety of patients.

Integrated Team Care

Apunipima’s Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program helps Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who have a chronic disease to better manage their health through the provision of a Care Coordinator.

Your Care Coordinator will work closely with you, your doctor and other community services to help you access the care you need. The ITC Program and the services of the Care Coordinator are free.

Who can Access the ITC Program?

The ITC Program is open to  Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who:

  • Have a chronic disease
  • Have an ITC referral from their doctor
  • Have a Care Plan (GPMP)
  • Are having trouble accessing services
  • Are having trouble managing their condition

What is the next step?

To access the service clients will need to have a current Care Plan, along with an ITC referral and an ITC consent form. The client’s GP can organise this. Once Apunipima receive the paperwork, our Care Coordinator will be in touch with the client or their Health Worker.

6.ACT : Winnunga Nimmityjah (Strong Health) Aboriginal Health and Community Services Newsletter

Download the Winnunga ACCHO Newsletter

winnunga ahcs newsletter december 2018

7.1 NSW : Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation lead nurse in Byala team named 2018 Australian Mental Health Nurse of the Year award late last month.

Matthew James knows all too well about the challenges that mental health can bring.

Mr James has assisted Macarthur’s Indigenous population as a mental health practisioner at the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation for the past year.

The nurse leads Tharawal’s Byala team, which supports people struggling with mental health issues, or drug and alcohol-related problems.

Byala means “Let’s talk” in the local Dharawal Aboriginal language.

Mr James was rewarded for his dedication to the cause when he was named 2018 Australian Mental Health Nurse of the Year award late last month.

The Orangeville resident said he was nominated for the award by a Thawaral colleague.

“I’m stoked, it was really nice to get recognition at a national level,” he said.

Matthew always makes people feel comfortable… he is amazing.

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation team manager Tina Taylor

He received the honour at an Australian College of Mental Health Nurses seminar in Cairns.

Mr James, who has more than 20 years of industry experience, joined the Tharawal team in October 2017.

He said his role included providing counselling, diagnosis reviews and medication for Indigenous people

“There is a huge amount of disadvantage here in Macarthur and there are challenges, such as helping people with trauma issues,” he said.

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation was formed in 1983 to provide medical and community health services to Indigenous people.

Mr James said Tharawal did a great job supporting Macarthur’s Indigenous community.

“Tharawal offers the leading Aboriginal health service in Australia,” he said.

“I am very proud of our work.”

Tharawal’s social and emotional well-being team manager Tina Taylor said Mr James was a great leader and compassionate with his clients.

“Matthew has brought a whole new dynamic to the team,” Ms Taylor said.

“He always makes people feel comfortable… he is amazing.”

For more information about these services, visit the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation Airds Facebook page.

7.2 NSW : Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services, awarded a grant from the state government to expand the scope of its National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services 

Local Aboriginal health service provider, Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services, has been awarded a grant from the state government to expand the scope of its National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services to Aboriginal people with a disability on the Central Coast, Darkinjung Country.

The $630,000 grant, provided by the NSW Department of Industry under the Making It Our Business program, will enable Yerin to offer increased disability support to the Coast’s Aboriginal community.

Yerin’s current disability services program, Muru Bara (Making Pathways), connects existing NDIS participants with information and assistance to help them access culturally responsive NDIS services.

As a registered NDIS provider, the grant will enable Yerin to build upon its existing program and establish an NDIS support team that will engage with community to increase NDIS participation and work to develop culturally responsive NDIS plans.

According to the latest NDIS Quarterly Report, Aboriginal people make up 5.4% of NDIS participants1, however this statistic does not reflect the number of Aboriginal people who are in need of disability support. The 2014-15 Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey revealed that almost half (45%) of Aboriginal people are living with a disability or long term-health condition2. Coupled with the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience higher rates of disability than non-Indigenous people across all age groups3, it is clear that the community is in need of greater support.

Yerin Eleanor Duncan’s Chief Executive Officer, Belinda Field, said the funding will help the Aboriginal community-controlled organisation increase partnerships and choices for the community.

“This grant will allow Yerin Eleanor Duncan to address gaps that may have previously prevented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from accessing culturally responsive NDIS services on the Central Coast,” Ms Field said.

“The team at Yerin will do this by helping participants to develop individual NDIS plans that are culturally responsive and by providing support to carers and their families,” she concluded.

Yerin services the local Aboriginal community by providing holistic primary health care, including GP, early childhood, chronic disease and mental health services. The organisation recently expanded its service offering with the opening of astate-of-the-art dental clinic and the launch of culturally responsive Out of Home Care services with the Ngaliya (We – You & I) Permanency Support Program, which aims to place Aboriginal children with Aboriginal foster carers.

  1. Report to the COAG Disability Reform Council for Q1 of Y6 Full report (September 2018)
  2. ABS – 4714.0 – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2014-15
  3. ABS – 4433.0.55.005 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with a Disability, 2012
8. SA: From Deadly choices SA Which one is your favourite school guernsey from SAASTA Carnival at Alberton Oval?
9. Tas : Staying cool and safe in Tasmania

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NACCHO Aboriginal Health and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI): Minister @KenWyattMP announces $2.8 million national project improving people’s health through better quality control and health data collection at local ACCHO’s Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services  

 ” Improving people’s health through better quality control and health data collection at local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services is the aim of a $2.8 million national project funded by the Federal Government.

Our Government recognises the importance of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), with data showing they provide over 2.5 million episodes of care each year for more than 350,000 people.

However, to help achieve better health outcomes as our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population grows, we need to support accountability, quality improvement and accurate data reporting.”

Minister Ken Wyatt Press Release Part 1 Below

” This National Framework for Continuous Quality Improvement in Primary Health Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 2018-2023 booklet is designed to provide practical support for all primary healthcare organisations in their efforts to ensure that the health care they provide is high quality, safe, effective, responsive and culturally respectful.”

NACCHO Acting Chair Donnella Mills

” NACCHO is proud of the record of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in delivering primary health care to our community. We have learnt many lessons over the last 50 years about how to structure, deliver and improve care so that it best meet the needs of our communities across Australia.

This experience is used in the Framework to describe how to do, support and inform culturally respectful continuous quality improvement (CQI) in primary health care.”

Further resources including the Framework are available on our NACCHO website.

Direct link to PDF – https://www.naccho.org.au/wp-content/uploads/NACCHO-CQI-Framework-2019.pdf

Updated CQI page – https://www.naccho.org.au/programmes/cqi/

Pat Turner CEO of NACCHO see Press Release Part 2 below

 

Part 1 Ministers Press Release

In 2017, the Department of Health engaged KPMG to develop a national baseline quality audit at the individual service level to identify issues impacting on data quality and reporting and make recommendations for improvement. From February to May last year, 53 ACCHS volunteered to participate in the project.

The final report found that, despite reporting on national Key Performance Indicators and Online Services Report data collections since 2012-13 and 2007-08 respectively, only 30 per cent of the services visited were rated as having effective and mature processes in place to support and measure health data. The remaining 70 per cent were classified as needing support to improve.

The reports found characteristics of mature services include:

* Leadership focussed on a strong culture of Continuous Quality Improvement

* Clear workflows including induction, training and monitoring programs

* Resources and staff dedicated to recording and reporting health care activities

In Stage 2 of this project this year, KPMG will offer all health services not involved in Stage 1 the opportunity to participate, plus follow-up consultations for ACCHS in Stage 1 and the development of online training resources.

KPMG will also convene a national forum on best practice so ACCHS can share successful and effective reporting processes and practices with each other.

Part 2

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has just published the National Framework for Continuous Quality Improvement in Primary Health Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 2018-2023.

Download the full NACCHO Press Release HERE 

al Community Controlled Health Services and Affiliates, health professional organisations and government. The project was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health.

The CQI Framework provides principles and guidance for primary health care organisations in how to do, support and inform culturally respectful CQI.

It is designed to assist Aboriginal health services and private general practices, NACCHO Affiliates and Primary Health Networks, national and state/territory governments in their efforts to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to and receive the highest attainable standard of primary health care wherever and whenever they seek care.

It is relevant to clinicians, board members and practice owners, health promotion, administrative and management staff. Six case studies which illustrate how CQI has been implemented in ACCHSs are included.

NACCHO welcomes further case studies from other health services, general practice and Primary Health Networks.

Further resources including the Framework are available on the NACCHO website.

  1. Direct link to PDF – https://www.naccho.org.au/wp-content/uploads/NACCHO-CQI-Framework-2019.pdf
  2. Updated CQI page – https://www.naccho.org.au/programmes/cqi/

For further information about the CQI Framework please contact: cqi@naccho.org.au

 

NACCHO Aboriginal Health #CulturalSafety and @CATSINaM News : Minister @KenWyattMP provides $350,000 to produce an Australian-first online cultural safety training course for nurses and midwives delivering frontline care to Indigenous people.

 

“Providing culturally safe services is critical to Closing the Gap in health equality. We welcome CATSINaM’s initiative to share experiences and to learn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to strengthen the capacity of health professionals to deliver culturally safe services for our people.

This training will not only support all nurses and midwives to meet the standards of their Codes of Practice, it will also embed cultural safety in the health system, improving healthcare and helping Close the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes,” 

CATSINaM CEO Janine Mohamed said the funding would help realise a project the organisation had been working on with the Government and other partners for the past five years

Picture above : The Minister with Janine Mohamed of CATSINaM and Annie Butler of ANMF

Please note : Melanie Robinson has been appointed as the as the new CATSINAM CEO as from 4 th February See Part 2 below 

Read over 40 NACCHO Aboriginal Health and Cultural Safety articles HERE

The Federal Government will provide $350,000 to produce an Australian-first online cultural safety training course for nurses and midwives delivering frontline care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt AM made the announcement at a national roundtable in Sydney on developing and rapidly expanding the Aboriginal health workforce.

  The Minister with Aboriginal Elder Aunty Beryl and some of the staff and students from the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Redfern who prepared the wonderful morning tea and BBQ lunch at the Indigenous Health Workforce Roundtable

“Everyone using health services in Australia should feel valued and respected throughout their consultation and aftercare,” Minister Wyatt said.

“Our Government, through the Indigenous Australians’ Health Program, will fund the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives to develop the online cultural safety training course this year.

“The innovative use of established web technology will enable all nurses and midwives to learn about culturally safe care where they live and work, and at a time which suits them.”

The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) is the peak body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nursing and midwifery professionals across Australia.

“The online training program will be adapted for Australia from a successful model developed by Indigenous leaders in Canada,” said Minister Wyatt.

The inclusion of cultural safety as one of the Codes of Professional Standards for nurses and midwives is driving an increase in demand for cultural safety training.

“The importance of cultural safety training is recognised across the health sector,” Minister Wyatt said.

“There is also potential for this initiative to build the cultural understanding of health professions beyond the fields of nursing and midwifery.

“The training will align with the objectives of the Cultural Respect Framework 2016-2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health to include local culture in the design, delivery and evaluation of services.”

Provision of cultural safety training also supports strategies under the Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023, to prevent and address systemic racism and discrimination in the health system.

The Liberal National Government is providing $3.9 billion to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the next four years.

Part 2 Melanie Robinson has been appointed as the as the new CATSINAM CEO as from 4 th February

The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM), the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives, today welcomes the appointment of Melanie Robinson as the new CEO. Ms Robinson, a nurse who has been a director of CATSINaM for three years, has worked clinically, in nurse training and policy development, most recently holding a senior position with the Western Australian Department of Health (see bio below).

She will move from Perth to Canberra to take up her new position with CATSINaM on 4 February 2019.

CATSINaM acting president, Marni Tuala, said that Melanie Robinson is a fantastic addition to the CATSINaM team given her unswerving commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health as well as nurse and midwife employment issues, and her profile within the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare community

. “Melanie brings valuable experience and a fresh perspective to the role of CEO,” Ms Tuala said. “Melanie knows the benefits and rewards of working as a nurse and has a deep understanding of the issues that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives face on a daily basis.” Ms Robinson said it is an honour to be a part of such a vibrant and important organisation that advocates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives.

Her priorities would include growing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives across Australia, and ensuring the workforce was strongly supported.

“It’s important that we look at what is working – within the universities, the vocational training sector and in terms of employment pathways – and translate these lessons more widely,” Ms Robinson said. “I am looking forward to advocating for our members, engaging with national policy development, and building strong partnerships across the government and non-government sectors, and working with the other peak bodies

. “I am also keen to continue the work of raising CATSINaM’s profile, at local, national and international levels.”

As a passionate advocate for CATSINaM, Ms Robinson said the organisation had been critical for her own journey of professional development and she wanted to ensure that others had similar opportunities.

“When I discovered CATSINaM, it opened up this whole other world as I met others with a shared history and experiences,” she said. “I will be working hard to ensure that CATSINaM offers those same opportunities to others that it has brought me.”

Ms Robinson said she hoped that the wide-ranging experience she had gained over the last 30 years would be useful for CATSINaM and its members. She commended an Aboriginal Leadership and Excellence Development program that she undertook in WA for building her confidence to take on senior roles.

Acting CATSINaM president Marni Tuala said the CATSINaM Board was keen to acknowledge the legacy of the outgoing CEO, Janine Mohamed. “CATSINaM recognises and commends the incredible achievements made by the outgoing CEO, Janine Mohamed. Her contributions during her six years in the role will not be forgotten, especially in the advocacy and implementation of cultural safety across healthcare.

Janine will continue to be a valuable member of the CATSINaM community,” Ms Tuala said.

Media Contact: Sarah Stewart: 02 62625761/ Melanie is available for interviews and profile articles.

Please contact Sarah Stewart for full information

Bio – Melanie Robinson I was born in Derby in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and grew up on the Gibb River Road in Ngallagunda community.

When I was 8 years old we moved into Derby for school and after that I went to boarding school at Stella Maris College.

I finished year 12 in 1989 and then in 1990 I commenced a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) at Curtin University completing the course in December 1993.

As a graduate I move back to Derby and completed 18 months in Derby Hospital working in paediatrics, general medical and emergency department. During this time I worked in Fitzroy Crossing hospital and the aged care facility in Derby called Numbla Nunga.

In 1996 I travelled overseas and lived in London for 6 months and then I returned to Perth and began working at Royal Perth Hospital a tertiary service where I worked for the next 2.5 years in aged care, acute medical and the intensive care unit.

In 1998 I travelled to Dublin and lived there for a year with a friend and her family, working in a local aged care unit. In 1998 I returned to Perth and commenced work in Princess Margaret Hospital where I worked in oncology, hematology and Intensive Care for the next 9.5 years.

I loved working with children and their families, which is a very specialised area and often extremely challenging.

In 2008 I decided to take a position as a nurse educator at Marr Mooditj Training and mentored and taught a number of Aboriginal students in enrolled nursing and Aboriginal Health Worker Programs. I loved this work and really enjoyed learning more about Noongar people and getting to know the local Aboriginal community.

In 2013 I took on a new position as a Senior Policy Officer in the Western Australian Department of Health.

In 2015 I managed to gain a promotion into a Senior Development Officer role and I completed a Masters in Nursing Research at the University of Notre Dame Australia in June 2018.

In 2018 for 6 months I acted as the Director Aboriginal Health in the Child and Adolescent Health Service in Western Australia. In the future I plan to return to nursing and enrol in the Masters in Midwifery Practice to gain the skills as a midwife.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health #Jobalerts as at 23 January 2019 : This week features #NSW CEO @Galambila Coffs Harbour #National CEO @LowitjaInstitut #VIC Ballarat ACCHO 12 positions Plus #NT #WA #QLD #SA #TAS

This weeks #ACCHO #Jobalerts

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

1.1 Job/s of the week 

1.2 National Aboriginal Health Scholarships 

AMA Indigenous Medical $10,000 Scholarship 2019 Applications close 31 January 2019.

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

   3.1Congress 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 

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

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

CEO and Director Consulting Two positions Lowitja Institute

 

The Lowitja Institute has a long history of delivering positive impact by putting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the heart of research. After 21 years of funding via the Cooperative Research Centre Programme, the Institute has now secured ongoing funding and has a bright, positive period ahead. This provides flexibility and emerging opportunities to have even greater impact. We are now recruiting two leadership roles.

Chief Executive Officer

We are looking for a Chief Executive Officer to drive transformational change that will realise the Institute’s ambition to deliver high impact benefit for the health and wellbeing of Australia’s First Peoples. A leader who is recognised nationally, brings an entrepreneurial spirit and delivers on the Institute’s strategy and operations.

In doing so, the CEO will harness and grow the reputation and influence of the Institute as a leading organisation in Australia and internationally.

Director, Lowitja Consulting

A key opportunity exits through the recent establishment of Lowitja Consulting. This activity will enable us to diversity our revenue base, expand impact and grow capacity to deliver on our vision. We are seeking a highly motivated person with a track record in innovative approaches and business development to develop and deliver Institute’s consulting services.

  • These positions are identified for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons only
  • For an initial discussion, please contact Ms Catherine Richards, Director of Corporate Services on t: 03 8341 550

Applications, addressing the selection criteria and submitted through the Lowitja Institute website, must be received by 5:00pm AEST, Tuesday 29 January 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

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation Perth (DYHSAC) Compliance and Risk Officer

Part Time (0.8FTE)

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (DYHSAC) has a proud history of providing Aboriginal health services within the Perth metropolitan area.

As the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (est. 1974) in Australia it has grown to deliver comprehensive healthcare and specialised services over four successful clinics and an accommodation facility for clients attending Perth for medical treatment.

DYHSAC prides itself on providing high quality, holistic and culturally secure health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

About The Role

This position works closely with senior managers across the business with support to actively manage risks, achieve accreditation and quality management objectives, support quality practice and to drive better business performance.

It is also responsible for the coordination, planning and implementation of the organisation’s Corporate and Clinical Risk Management framework ensuring accurate and timely information is collected through our quality management system (LOGIQC) and clinical data management system (Communicare).

The successful candidate will have a strong sense of accountability and will be required to possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, a strong sense of personal drive and initiative as well as highly developed monitoring, reporting and planning skills.

About You

With a proven background working in the compliance or quality areas, you will be able to deliver on compliance and quality initiatives as well as assess and mitigate risks with ease. To be successful in the role you will also be able to bring the following skills and experience:

  • Demonstrated experience in the planning, organising and implementation of risk management and/or quality management programs;
  • Ability to implement risk management systems;
  • Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and proven ability to consult, negotiate and influence;
  • Strong ability to develop and maintain working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders
  • Demonstrated knowledge of accreditation standards e.g. ISO 9001 and AGPAL;
  • Knowledge and use of digital technologies including the Microsoft Office Suite and database software packages;

Any experience and understanding of the healthcare industry, in particular primary care, would be highly regarded as would a relevant Tertiary Qualification.

You will be joining an energetic and supportive team who are passionate and motivated to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. Please note that as this role may require some travel across the Perth metropolitan area a valid Western Australia Drivers licence will be essential.

Employment wages and conditions will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, and will be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applications must be received by 5pm Wednesday 30th January 2019.

DYHSAC reserves the right to withdraw this advertisement prior to the stated closing date.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

To Apply

If this sounds like the job for you please submit your resume, a cover letter and a document (no more than two pages) addressing the Key Selection Criteria to hr@dyhs.org.au, using the subject line: Compliance and Risk Officer application.

For Information

For further information about this position, please telephone the Human Resources team on (08) 08 9421 3888 during normal business hours.

1.2 National Aboriginal Health Scholarships 

AMA Indigenous Medical $10,000 Scholarship 2019 Applications close 31 January 2019.

This Scholarship is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are currently studying medicine at an Australian university.

For the purposes of this Scholarship, an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is someone who is of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, who identifies as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and is accepted as such by the community in which he or she lives or has lived.

Applicants will be asked to provide a letter from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisation supporting their claim.

The Scholarship commences no earlier than the second year of the recipient’s medical degree.  To receive the Scholarship, the recipient must be enrolled at an Australian medical school at the time of application, and have successfully completed the first year of a medical degree.

However, students who are in their first year of medicine are eligible to submit an application for their second year.  Results for the first year will be sought before any award is made.

In awarding the Scholarship, preference will be given to applicants who do not already hold any other scholarship or bursary.

The Scholarship will be awarded on the recommendation of a selection panel drawn from the AMA’s Taskforce on Indigenous Health.  Selection of the Scholarship recipient will be based on:

  • satisfactory academic performance judged on results achieved;
  • reports from referees familiar with applicant’s work and suitability for a career in medicine; and
  • a statement provided by the applicant describing his or her aspirations, purpose in studying medicine, and the uses to which he or she hopes to put his or her medical training.

Each applicant will be asked to provide a curriculum vitae (maximum two pages) including employment history, the contact details of two referees, and formal proof of full-time enrolment in a medical course for the 2019 academic year.

The Scholarship will be awarded for a full course of study, subject to review at the end of each year.  The Scholarship may be withheld or terminated if a Scholarship holder’s performance in any semester is unsatisfactory. The final decision to withhold or terminate a Scholarship is at the discretion of the AMA..

The value of the Scholarship in 2019 will be $10,000 per annum, paid in a lump sum.

Please note that it is the responsibility of applicants to seek advice from Centrelink on how the Scholarship payment may affect ABSTUDY or any other government payment.

Applications close 31 January 2019.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Medical Scholarship Trust Fund was established in 1994 with a contribution from the Australian Government.   In 2016, the Trust Fund became The AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship Foundation.  The Foundation is administered by AMA Pty Ltd.

The Australian Medical Association would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following donors:  Reuben Pelerman Benevolent Foundation; the late Beryl Jamieson’s wishes for donations towards the Indigenous Medical Scholarship; Deakin University; The Anna Wearne Fund and B B & A Miller, sub-funds of the Australian Communities Foundation.

Apply HERE 

2.1 There are 10 JOBS AT Apunipima 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 There are 19 JOBS at Congress Alice Springs including

More info and apply HERE

3.2 There are 19 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 

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 

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

 

NACCHO Aboriginal #MentalHealth and #SuicidePrevention : @ozprodcom issues paper on #MentalHealth in Australia is now available. It asks a range of questions which they seek information and feedback on. Submissions or comments are due by Friday 5 April.

 ” Many Australians experience difficulties with their mental health. Mental illness is the single largest contributor to years lived in ill-health and is the third largest contributor (after cancer and cardiovascular conditions) to a reduction in the total years of healthy life for Australians (AIHW 2016).

Almost half of all Australian adults have met the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety, mood or substance use disorder at some point in their lives, and around 20% will meet the criteria in a given year (ABS 2008). This is similar to the average experience of developed countries (OECD 2012, 2014).”

Download the PC issues paper HERE mental-health-issues

See Productivity Commission Website for More info 

“Clearly Australia’s mental health system is failing Aboriginal people, with Aboriginal communities devastated by high rates of suicide and poorer mental health outcomes. Poor mental health in Aboriginal communities often stems from historic dispossession, racism and a poor sense of connection to self and community. 

It is compounded by people’s lack of access to meaningful and ongoing education and employment. Drug and alcohol related conditions are also commonly identified in persons with poor mental health.

NACCHO Chairperson, Matthew Cooke 2015 Read in full Here 

Read over 200 Aboriginal Mental Health Suicide Prevention articles published by NACCHO over the past 7 years 

Despite a plethora of past reviews and inquiries into mental health in Australia, and positive reforms in services and their delivery, many people are still not getting the support they need to maintain good mental health or recover from episodes of mental ill‑health. Mental health in Australia is characterised by:

  • more than 3 100 deaths from suicide in 2017, an average of almost 9 deaths per day, and a suicide rate for Indigenous Australians that is much higher than for other Australians (ABS 2018)
  • for those living with a mental illness, lower average life expectancy than the general population with significant comorbidity issues — most early deaths of psychiatric patients are due to physical health conditions
  • gaps in services and supports for particular demographic groups, such as youth, elderly people in aged care facilities, Indigenous Australians, individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds, and carers of people with a mental illness
  • a lack of continuity in care across services and for those with episodic conditions who may need services and supports on an irregular or non-continuous basis
  • a variety of programs and supports that have been successfully trialled or undertaken for small populations but have been discontinued or proved difficult to scale up for broader benefits
  • significant stigma and discrimination around mental ill-health, particularly compared with physical illness.

The Productivity Commission has been asked to undertake an inquiry into the role of mental health in supporting social and economic participation, and enhancing productivity and economic growth (these terms are defined, for the purpose of this inquiry, in box 1).

By examining mental health from a participation and contribution perspective, this inquiry will essentially be asking how people can be enabled to reach their potential in life, have purpose and meaning, and contribute to the lives of others. That is good for individuals and for the whole community.

Background

In 2014-15, four million Australians reported having experienced a common mental disorder.

Mental health is a key driver of economic participation and productivity in Australia, and hence has the potential to impact incomes and living standards and social engagement and connectedness. Improved population mental health could also help to reduce costs to the economy over the long term.

Australian governments devote significant resources to promoting the best possible mental health and wellbeing outcomes. This includes the delivery of acute, recovery and rehabilitation health services, trauma informed care, preventative and early intervention programs, funding non-government organisations and privately delivered services, and providing income support, education, employment, housing and justice. It is important that policy settings are sustainable, efficient and effective in achieving their goals.

Employers, not-for-profit organisations and carers also play key roles in the mental health of Australians. Many businesses are developing initiatives to support and maintain positive mental health outcomes for their employees as well as helping employees with mental illhealth continue to participate in, or return to, work.

Scope of the inquiry

The Commission should consider the role of mental health in supporting economic participation, enhancing productivity and economic growth. It should make recommendations, as necessary, to improve population mental health, so as to realise economic and social participation and productivity benefits over the long term.

Without limiting related matters on which the Commission may report, the Commission should:

  • examine the effect of supporting mental health on economic and social participation, productivity and the Australian economy;
  • examine how sectors beyond health, including education, employment, social services, housing and justice, can contribute to improving mental health and economic participation and productivity;
  • examine the effectiveness of current programs and Initiatives across all jurisdictions to improve mental health, suicide prevention and participation, including by governments, employers and professional groups;
  • assess whether the current investment in mental health is delivering value for money and the best outcomes for individuals, their families, society and the economy;
  • draw on domestic and international policies and experience, where appropriate; and
  • develop a framework to measure and report the outcomes of mental health policies and investment on participation, productivity and economic growth over the long term.

The Commission should have regard to recent and current reviews, including the 2014 Review of National Mental Health Programmes and Services undertaken by the National Mental Health Commission and the Commission’s reviews into disability services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The Issues Paper
The Commission has released this issues paper to assist individuals and organisations to participate in the inquiry. It contains and outlines:

  • the scope of the inquiry
  • matters about which we are seeking comment and information
  • how to share your views on the terms of reference and the matters raised.

Participants should not feel that they are restricted to comment only on matters raised in the issues paper. We want to receive information and comment on any issues that participants consider relevant to the inquiry’s terms of reference.

Key inquiry dates

Receipt of terms of reference 23 November 2018
Initial consultations November 2018 to April 2019
Initial submissions due 5 April 2019
Release of draft report Timing to be advised
Post draft report public hearings Timing to be advised
Submissions on the draft report due Timing to be advised
Consultations on the draft report November 2019 to February 2020
Final report to Government 23 May 2020

Submissions and brief comments can be lodged

Online (preferred): https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/mental-health/submissions
By post: Mental Health Inquiry
Productivity Commission
GPO Box 1428, Canberra City, ACT 2601

Contacts

Inquiry matters: Tracey Horsfall Ph: 02 6240 3261
Freecall number: Ph: 1800 020 083
Website: http://www.pc.gov.au/mental-health

Subscribe for inquiry updates

To receive emails updating you on the inquiry consultations and releases, subscribe to the inquiry at: http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/mentalhealth/subscribe

 

 Definition of key terms
Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.

Mental illness or mental disorder is a health problem that significantly affects how a person feels, thinks, behaves and interacts with other people. It is diagnosed according to standardised criteria.

Mental health problem refers to some combination of diminished cognitive, emotional, behavioural and social abilities, but not to the extent of meeting the criteria for a mental illness/disorder.

Mental ill-health refers to diminished mental health from either a mental illness/disorder or a mental health problem.

Social and economic participation refers to a range of ways in which people contribute to and have the resources, opportunities and capability to learn, work, engage with and have a voice in the community. Social participation can include social engagement, participation in decision making, volunteering, and working with community organisations. Economic participation can include paid employment (including self-employment), training and education.

Productivity measures how much people produce from a given amount of effort and resources. The greater their productivity, the higher their incomes and living standards will tend to be.

Economic growth is an increase in the total value of goods and services produced in an economy. This can be achieved, for example, by raising workforce participation and/or productivity.
Sources: AIHW (2018b); DOHA (2013); Gordon et al. (2015); PC (2013, 2016, 2017c); SCRGSP (2018); WHO (2001).

An improvement in an individual’s mental health can provide flow-on benefits in terms of increased social and economic participation, engagement and connectedness, and productivity in employment (figure 1).

This can in turn enhance the wellbeing of the wider community, including through more rewarding relationships for family and friends; a lower burden on informal carers; a greater contribution to society through volunteering and working in community groups; increased output for the community from a more productive workforce; and an associated expansion in national income and living standards. These raise the capacity of the community to invest in interventions to improve mental health, thereby completing a positive reinforcing loop.

The inquiry’s terms of reference (provided at the front of this paper) were developed by the Australian Government in consultation with State and Territory Governments. The terms of reference ask the Commission to make recommendations to improve population mental health so as to realise higher social and economic participation and contribution benefits over the long term.

Assessing the consequences of mental ill-health

The costs of mental ill-health for both individuals and the wider community will be assessed, as well as how these costs could be reduced through changes to the way governments and others deliver programs and supports to facilitate good mental health.

The Commission will consider the types of costs summarised in figure 4. These will be assessed through a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis, drawing on available data and cost estimates, and consultations with inquiry participants and topic experts. We welcome the views of inquiry participants on other costs that we should take into account.

 

NACCHO Aboriginal Health #SaveADate : Download the 53 page @Zockmelon 2019 Health awareness days/weeks/events calendar HERE : plus@NRHAlliance @LowitjaInstitut Conferences #HealthyLunchboxWeek #MyHealthRecord Opt out closes 31 Jan

Download the 2019 Health Awareness Days Calendar 

Jan 20-26 Healthy Lunchbox Week

24 January :  2019 National NAIDOC Grant funding round opens

31 January 2019 The opt-out period for My Health Record ends 

14 February Aboriginal Men’s Gathering 

20 February IAHA 2019 Special General Meeting Web Conference.

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

24 -27 March National Rural Health Alliance Conference

18 -20 June Lowitja Health Conference Darwin

2019 Dr Tracey Westerman’s Workshops 

 

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

Jan 20-26 Healthy Lunchbox Week

Healthy Lunchbox Week is a Nutrition Australia initiative that aims to inspire parents and carers across Australia to create healthy lunchboxes their children will enjoy.

Did you know children consume around 30% of their daily food intake at school? Most of this comes from the contents of their lunchbox. What children eat during their day at school plays a crucial role in their learning and development.

Healthy Lunchbox Week helps families prepare healthy lunchboxes by:

  • inspiring healthy lunchbox ideas and recipes
  • ensuring a healthy lunchbox balance across core food groups
  • awareness of lunchbox food hygiene and safety

Why 20 – 26 January?

We know each state starts their school year at a different time. Healthy Lunchbox Week dates are based on the week before the first state goes back to school.

Check out our #HealthyLunchboxWeek website for recipes, inspo and more! https://www.healthylunchboxweek.org/

24 January :  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

31 January 2019 The opt-out period for My Health Record ends 

The opt-out period for My Health Record ends on 31 January 2019

Our thanks to the Consumer Health Forum for sharing this info

The My Health Record website is a good resource, and the help line is available 24/7 on 1800 723 471. The help line can answer many general questions, as well as assist with opting out or making changes to your record if you already have one: https://myhealthrecord.gov.au

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) also have a number of good resources on My Health Record, particularly on privacy and how to make a complaint:https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy-law/other-legislation/my-health-records

State and territory health departments also have some further location specific information available on how My Health Record works. While the number of hospital systems and health providers connected to the system is rapidly increasing, not all of those who are connected are able to access the full range of information held in a person’s record yet.

If you are interested in what the experience of using My Health Record will be like in your area, below are good places to start.

The end of opt-out

If you choose not to opt-out then a record will be created for you in February. More information about how to opt-out is available on the My Health Record website or through their help line, 1800 723 471. In some areas, mostly rural, physical forms are also available from Australia Post outlets.

If you don’t opt-out, or already have a record, and decide you no longer want it you can cancel your record. To cancel a record you can call the help line above, or access your My Health Record through MyGov and finding the right option under your ‘Profile and Settings’ tab. More information on cancelling a record is available here:

https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/howtos/cancel-my-record

The Agency will be holding the following national webinar,‘My Health Record: Communications Plans and Activities in 2019’.

This interactive webinar for our delivery partners will provide an overview on the education resource development consultation plan and engagement activities post opt-out.Included in the presentation will be an overview of the communications plan up to 31st
January 2019 and beyond, covering creative, messaging and channels. Details for the event are provided below. There will be an opportunity for Q&A.

25 January Webinar – My Health Record: Communications Plans and Activities in 2019:

Please note, this webinar will be recorded and made available following the event to individuals who are unable to join in on the day.

If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact Kellie-Anne Thomas – kellie-anne.thomas@digitalhealth.gov.au

 

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.

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 

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 

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

NACCHO #AlwaysWillBe #ChangeTheDate Aboriginal Health and #AustraliaDay #InvasionDay #Survival Day : Has the national media generally ignored many of the issues underpinning Invasion Day protests ? Commentary from @ShannanJDodson @EllaMareeAB @SummerMayFinlay

“ Negative reporting is commonplace for Indigenous people.

A  study of more than 350 articles about Aboriginal health, published over a 12-month period showed that almost 75% of these articles were negative.

Negative portrayals of Aboriginal health frequently included the topics of alcohol, child abuse, petrol sniffing, violence, crime and deaths in custody.

Unfortunately, these are issues that are the everyday reality for our communities, but they are rarely explained in context. There is no explanation of the root of these issues, which is intergenerational trauma caused by colonisation, dispossession, the Stolen Generations, entrenched racism, discriminatory policies and poverty.

Every time the media reinforces negative stereotypes it exacerbates prejudice, racism and misconceptions.

Shannan Dodson is a Yawuru woman and Indigenous Affairs Advisor for Media Diversity Australia and co-authored a handbook for better reporting on Indigenous peoples and issues. Follow Shannan @ShannanJDodson

“It would be really worthwhile if journalists out there came down to our community and tried to talk to our parents, our elders and tried to engage in a meaningful way and tried to find out where Aboriginal people are headed and what we’re trying to achieve.

Media is not interested in what makes our people tick, what our people really want, what our people really need.

They’re only interested if we’re burning down buildings or knuckling on with the coppers out in the middle of the street.

The media, instead of reporting the news of the day, is actually shaping the news of the day by peddling those extremist quick five-second news grabs.”

Veteran political activist Sam Watson has appealed to media to meaningfully engage with Indigenous communities ahead of Invasion Day rallies across Australia.

The Brisbane Elder – who co-founded the Brisbane chapter of the Black Panther Party in the 1970s – said commercial media had generally ignored many of the issues underpinning Invasion Day protests

 ” Why are white people on Sunrise with no experience calling for Indigenous child removals?

OPINION: “Debates facilitated by the wrong people does little more than stir up emotions and reinforce negative stereotypes rather than focus on solutions,”

Summer May Finlay


Part 1 OPINION: New Today host Brooke Boney cannot address every issue affecting our communities, but this week, she has shown she will not shy away from them went prompted, writes Shannan Dodson.

Watch video here

It is 2019, and we are only now seeing the first Indigenous commercial breakfast TV presenter, Gamilaroi Gomeroi woman Brooke Boney.

“Brooke Boney” has been trending on Twitter over the last two days as the new Channel 9 Today host offered a perspective not often given by a commercial TV presenter— discussing the hurt and anger associated with celebrating our national day “Australia Day” on 26 January.

Hopefully, by now we all know that this date is synonymous with colonisation (the anniversary of the British proclaiming the land for the Commonwealth) and the impact is still being felt by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today. As Brooke says regarding the symbolism of 26 January, “that’s the beginning of what some people would say is the end, that’s the turning point.”

The Nine Network’s new Today Show reporter spoke out about why she won’t be celebrating Australia Day on January 26.

The proud Gamilaroi woman said: “I don’t want to celebrate it.”

This conversation is not a new one, it’s something our communities have protested about and asked for reflection on for decades.

But the fact is that many Australians are not used to seeing this type of commentary on a commercial breakfast show, particularly from an Indigenous person, who is not a guest, but a permanent fixture in the line-up.

Many Australians are not used to seeing this type of commentary on a commercial breakfast show, particularly from an Indigenous person, who is not a guest, but a permanent fixture in the line-up.

I’m sure many of the viewers heard of Brooke’s appointment, they were hoping that she would steer away from these uncomfortable conversations, and would maintain a level of commentary that doesn’t prod or unbalance the status-quo.

While much of the reaction to Brooke’s comment has been positive and supportive, there are of course the people — probably the same people that denigrated Adam Goodes — angry at what she had to say. It is difficult to face up to the truth of our history, and for many people to wrap their heads around the link between 26 January, colonisation and the intergenerational trauma we live.

And of course, once a minority starts to speak out against the comfortable ignorance this country has sat in for eternity, it is confronting and they are no longer playing their desired role of submissive bystander.

Breakfast shows have had ongoing criticism for the lack of diversity in not only the hosts, but guests also. And for not only skirting around Indigenous issues, but being blatantly discriminatory when reporting on them. Brooke is tipping the balance not by just being there, but by speaking her truth.

Are we starting to see a shift in mainstream media? While sceptical, I’m positive.

Brooke is not going anywhere anytime soon, and while we can’t expect her to address every issue affecting our communities, she has shown that she will not shy away from them. Her presence will lead to more Indigenous people being represented in commercial media, and hopefully more diversity in general.

We’ve got to be realistic about the kind of power the media has on public opinion, policy making, politics and social change. Pressure from the media has resulted in Royal Commissions, protests, legislation changes and the list goes on. Media companies, broadcast networks and television programs hold a power we cannot underestimate.

Having an Indigenous voice front and centre having these conversations with an audience that may have largely never heard them (or wanted to hear them) is important to the psyche and growth of the nation.

With this kind of power, surely the media should reflect the country that it serves. Well, unsurprisingly it does not. The recent census shows that the most common countries of birth in Australia are England, NZ, China, India and the Philippines.

But a recent Price Waterhouse Coopers report concluded that 82.7 per cent of the national entertainment and media industry are monolingual, speaking only English at home and on average was a young, white male who lived in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

This is not an accurate reflection of the diversity of backgrounds, cultures, languages, perspectives, and experiences in Australia.

Australians turn to the mainstream media to get information, scrutiny and context about news and current affairs. And they are often met with a largely Anglo panel discussing issues they have no knowledge about, without any fair representation and balance.

Having Brooke on commercial television — a proud young strong Aboriginal woman —we are giving mainstream audiences, whether they like it a not, a peek into the everyday lives of our communities.

Having Brooke on commercial television — a proud young strong Aboriginal woman —we are giving mainstream audiences, whether they like it a not, a peek into the everyday lives of our communities. It is turning those perpetuated stereotypes on their head and countering negative commentary with factual and open dialogue.

She is generously and vulnerably giving her perspective — her lived experience — to try and open people’s minds to an alternative way of looking at things than what commercial television has served us over the years.

It must only go up from here. Our mob will only continue to infiltrate commercial television stations, and those uncomfortable conversations will hopefully be as commonplace and accepted as the lack of diversity on our screens.

Join NITV for a week of programming which showcases the strength, courage and resilience of our people. #AlwaysWillBe starts Sunday, 20 January on NITV (Ch. 34)

Part 2 The media is only interested in Indigenous protests if they’re “burning down buildings”, says a veteran Aboriginal activist.

By

Ella Archibald-Binge

Veteran political activist Sam Watson has appealed to media to meaningfully engage with Indigenous communities ahead of Invasion Day rallies across Australia.

“It would be really worthwhile if journalists out there came down to our community and tried to talk to our parents, our elders and tried to engage in a meaningful way and tried to find out where Aboriginal people are headed and what we’re trying to achieve,” he told NITV News.

The Brisbane Elder – who co-founded the Brisbane chapter of the Black Panther Party in the 1970s – said commercial media had generally ignored many of the issues underpinning Invasion Day protests.

“Media is not interested in what makes our people tick, what our people really want, what our people really need,” he said.

“They’re only interested if we’re burning down buildings or knuckling on with the coppers out in the middle of the street.

“The media, instead of reporting the news of the day, is actually shaping the news of the day by peddling those extremist quick five-second news grabs.”

Invasion Day marches are growing each year, attracting supporters from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

The rallies highlight a gaping divide between those who celebrate Australia Day, and those who want to change the date, or abolish it altogether.

They also aim to highlight the disparity between First Nations people and the wider population in areas such as health, incarceration, deaths in custody, child removals and suicide rates.

Mr Watson says it’s important that Australian audiences are getting the full story, in order to better understand Indigenous perspectives.

“Australians, because of the enormous pressures of life that we’re living now [and] having to work long hours, they get very little time to absorb the news of the day,” he said.

“So it’s important that when they do get the opportunity to read the newspapers or look at the TV or listen to the radio, that they’re receiving quality, unbiased, balanced news reporting.”

Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend January 26 rallies at capital cities and regional centres across Australia on Saturday.

NACCHO #AlwaysWillBe #ChangeTheDate Aboriginal Health and #AustraliaDay #InvasionDay #Survival Day A week of programming on @NITV will explore what 26 January means to Indigenous people.

“Australia’s First Nations Peoples are diverse with different perspectives and views, and NITV’s programming surrounding 26 January will reflect this. The day provides an opportunity for all Australians, no matter what their cultural background, to come together to recognise Indigenous history – which is Australia’s history.

“The NITV mob will also be hitting the road and going out into the community to showcase events that are happening around the country, and share Indigenous voices and storytelling exploring what this day means for many.”

NITV Channel Manager, Tanya Orman

Survival Day? Australia Day? Invasion Day? Day of Mourning? Feeling confused yet? We explain the history and meaning behind these different names for January 26

Panel discussions, documentaries, films and news will commence from Sunday 20 January to Saturday 26 January 2019.

NITV invites all Australians to hear stories of our nation’s shared history from an Indigenous perspective, and to explore what 26 January means to Indigenous people, through a curated slate of distinctive programming called #AlwaysWillBe.

#AlwaysWillBe will be presented by Indigenous actor and national treasure, Uncle Jack Charles, and will shine a light on stories of strength, resilience, survival and celebration.

As Australia’s national Indigenous broadcaster, NITV’s dedicated programming and news updates on television (Channel 34), NITV Radio, online and across social media, will share Indigenous voices and Songlines – the complex Aboriginal belief systems that interconnect land, deep spirituality, knowledge and values – helping all Australians deepen their understanding of our nation’s identity.

NITV’s #AlwaysWillBe week of programming begins from Sunday 20 January at 7pm with the Songlines documentary, Yarripiri’s Story.

Kicking off the 26 January programming live from Sydney’s North Head is the Sunrise Ceremonywhich will be hosted by John Paul Janke, with panellists Richard Frankland, Aunty Rosalie Kunoth-Monks, Teela Reid and Bianca Hunt. The ceremony will also feature cultural performances and live entertainment by Shellie Morris, Djakapurra Yunupingu, Dhapanbal Yunupingu, Arian Pearson and Mim Kwanten.

Following the Sunrise Ceremony. NITV will premiere the second season of the landmark series Songlines on Screen, documentaries Ningla-A-Na, 88, Connection to Country, Occupation: Native, Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy and Rabbit Proof Fence, as well as featuring NITV News: Day 26 from Sydney’s annual Yabun festival.

NITV’s flagship news and current affairs program, The Point, hosted by Rachael Hocking and John-Paul Janke, will return for its new season with a special episode called iProtest in its new timeslot of 8.30pm on Wednesdays. The episode takes an in-depth look at historic reactions to Indigenous protests and examines news coverage from the last three years of the ‘Change the Date’ movement. Panellists will include Jack Latimore, David Mar, Lilly Brown, Amy McGuire and Carla McGrath.

Additional programming throughout the week includes documentaries, Wik vs Queensland, We Don’t Need a Map and After Mabo; films Radiance and Samson and Delilah; SBS’ documentary series First Contact, comedy series Black Comedy and the film adaptation of the much loved book, Jasper Jones.

NITV will run Facebook Live streams from the #Always Will Be Sunrise Ceremony and Yabun Festival and live coverage throughout the day from events around the country hosted by NITV correspondents.

Further digital content will include social videos featuring Uncle Jack Charles, comedy skits with Ian Zaro, the premiere of Hunt for the Yidaki – an immersive 360 VR experience of the Yolgnu culture.

NITV online is also encouraging the public to identify the Aboriginal land they’re on and share it on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) posting a photo of themselves holding a written sign saying, “I am on [identified Aboriginal] land #AlwaysWillBe”.

 

Originally Published here 

Australia Day ?

Australia Day is Australia’s national day commemorating January 26, 1788, the date on which Captain Arthur Phillip raised the flag of Great Britain and proclaimed a colonial outpost of the British Empire in Port Jackson, later Sydney Cove.

Though the day had been marked formally as ‘Foundation Day’ in the early years of the colony in New South Wales, the collective nation of Australia didn’t formally begin until federation on New Year’s Day, 1901.

Discussions about holding a national day were raised in the early 1900s and by 1935 all Australia states and territories had adopted the term ‘Australia Day’. However it wasn’t until 1994 that the whole country began to celebrate Australia Day on January 26 with a national public holiday.

What do we celebrate?

To many, Australia Day is a day of celebration of the values, freedoms and pastimes of our country. To some, it represents new beginnings and gaining citizenship in a country of relative peace and freedom. To others, it is a day to spend at community events or at a barbeque with family, friends and a game of backyard cricket.

The National Australia Day Council was founded in 1979 and coordinates many of the events that are held including the Australia of the Year Awards. They state that on Australia Day we ‘celebrate what’s great about Australia and being Australia. It’s the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation… the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.’

Invasion Day?

For some Australians, particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, January 26 is not a day of celebration, but is seen as a day which commemorates the invasion by British settlers of lands already owned.

A day of mourning:

In 1938, on the 150th anniversary celebrations, William Cooper, a member of the Aboriginal Progressive Association, and other activists met and held a ‘Day of Mourning and Protest‘.

For many the day involves recognising the history of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including the trauma caused by government policies of assimilation and separation that saw many people removed from their traditional lands and culture.

This also includes recognition of the violence of the Frontier Wars, a period of conflict between settlers and Australia’s Indigenous peoples, which lasted from 1788 up until the time around the Coniston massacre in 1928.

Nakkiah Lui, a Gamilaroi and Torres Strait Islander actor and playwright, wrote an opinion piece in the Guardian explaining why she refused to celebrate the day but instead viewed it as a day of mourning.

“We mourn the declaration of Australia as terra nullius (land that belongs to no one) as well as those who have died in massacres, those who were dispossessed of their land and homes, those were denied their humanity, those who were shackled, beaten, sent to prison camps, and made to live in reserves.”

Indigenous sovereignty:

Invasion Day is also seen as an opportunity to assert the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. Each year, marches are held in cities around Australia protesting the ‘celebration’ of Australia Day and calling for sovereignty and social justice for Indigenous Australians.

In 2013, Tasmanian activist and lawyer Michael Mansell spoke of refusing his nomination as Senior Australian of the Year for Tasmania to the Guardian.

“Australia Day is a celebration of an invasion which resulted in the ethnic cleansing of Aborigines. To participate would be to abandon the continuing struggle of my people.”

Mansell also called for further action in the area of sovereignty: a treaty including land settlement provisions, designated government representation and a separate Indigenous Assembly.

Day of Mourning?

The first Day of Mourning was held in Sydney in 1938, the 150th anniversary of the First Fleet landing in Sydney Cove. Participants marched in silent protest from Town Hall to the Australian Hall in Elizabeth St. After this, a meeting was held with around 100 people attending.

Day of Mourning 1938

At the meeting, President of the Aborigines Progressives Association, Jack Patten read the following resolution.

“We, representing the Aborigines of Australia, assembled in conference at the Australian Hall, Sydney, on the 26th day of January, 1938, this being the 150th Anniversary of the Whiteman’s seizure of our country, hereby make protest against the callous treatment of our people by the whitemen during the past 150 years, and we appeal to the Australian nation of today to make new laws for the education and care of Aborigines, we ask for a new policy which will raise our people to full citizen status and equality within the community.” The resolution was unanimously passed.

Following the meeting, several attendees went to La Parouse, where several memorial wreaths, prepared by Pearl Gibbs, were floated to sea in a gesture symbolising 150 years of loss and oppression.

Change the Date?

The timing of the celebration is seen as of particular concern as it marks the date of colonisation, unlike other countries which celebrate their national day on their day of independence or on another special day. For example New Zealand celebrates Waitangi Day on 6 February, commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the settlers and the local Maori people in 1840.

Lowitja O’Donoghue who was awarded Australian of the Year in 1984 pleaded for dialogue about changing the date of Australia Day.

“Let us find a day on which we can all feel included, in which we can all participate equally, and can celebrate with pride our common Australian identity.”

Survival Day?

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Australia Day is also an opportunity to recognise the survival of our people and our culture. Despite colonisation, discrimination and comprehensive inequalities, we continue to practise our traditions, look after the land and make our voices heard in the public sphere. We survive.

The 1988 Bicentenary of Australia saw a large protest in Sydney in which Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians marched together. Activist Gary Foley described it as black and white Australians coming together in harmony that represented Australia as it could be.

Campaigner for Reconciliation and Australian of the Year in 2000, Gustav Nossal spoke about the potential for Australia Day to celebrate and respect Indigenous people and their history.

‘The great majority of Indigenous people want to live in one Australia; want to share in its destiny; want to participate in and contribute to its progress; but at the same time, want the recognition and respect that their status and millennia old civilisation so clearly warrant.’

In contrast to Australia Day events, which have historically been organised with little or no consultation with local Aboriginal people, the first Survival Day festivals were initiated by Aboriginal communities in Sydney and marked a celebration of our achievements and culture. Today many Survival Day events are held around the country, celebrating our people, culture and survival.

Mick Dodson, law professor and Australian of the Year in 2009, spoke to Koori Mail about the community support behind this recognition of Indigenous people.

‘Ninety per cent of people are saying Australia Day should be inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. I firmly believe that some day we will choose a date that is a comprehensive and inclusive date for all Australians.’