Bila Muuji Health Service Incorporated conducted an Oral Health workshop on 23rd and 24th November 2011 for the Health Workers from the Bila Muuji regions. Suman Kavooru, the Bila Muuji Oral Health Promotional Co-ordinator organized the event and Grace Toomey, a Wiradjuri Elder, opened proceedings with a ‘Welcome to Country ‘.

The purpose of the workshop was to:

• update the Bila Muuji oral health plan
• discuss the challenges and solutions in delivering oral health promotion in the region
• provide updated general oral health knowledge
• provide relevant information for those who are interested in advancing their career in oral health activities
• to discuss how to develop appropriate oral health promotion resources for Bila Muuji.

Bila Muuji is made up of ten Aboriginal Health Services and of these Orange, Wellington, Bourke, Coonamble, Walgett, Brewarrina, Dareton and Dubbo attended.

Representatives from various organizations who addressed the meeting were:

• Marie Wilson Centre for Oral Health Strategy
• Terry Smith AH&MRC Aboriginal Health College
• Lenore Tuckerman Colgate
• Albert Ryan Western NSW LHD
• Dr Sandra Meihubers Bila Muuji
• Jenni Floyd Western NSW LHD

Definitive actions to result from the workshop:

• Health workers to take the lead in conducting oral health promotion
• Support for Bila Muuji to develop a fluoride varnish training program with training from the AHC
• Development of protocols for the school brushing program
• Bila Muuji newsletter – every three months
• Collaborating with other staff and program coordinators – home visits with midwives and other staff
• Educating the parents
• Staff training in Lift the Lip program.

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The School of Medicine received recognition by the LIME (Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education) Network at the annual conference in New Zealand last week.  Jenny Akers and I proudly accepted the award in the category of “Leading Innovation in Community Engagement” for the Year 5 Indigenous Health attachment on behalf of the School of Medicine and our AMS’s Community partners.

This program would not have developed without the advice, support, encouragement and commitment from our AMS’s Community partners and staff during the year.  Through our time travelling around NSW visiting your service, establishing and developing our relationship with you and your community, has allowed us to develop a program that will enrich our student’s medical education, now and into the future, as they learn about, and continue to contribute to the work for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and the communities they serve.

We would also like to thank you for your input into the end of year workshop as our teaching partners from Aboriginal Medical Services, that has given us a wonderful opportunity to discuss the evolution of the 5^th year attachment and other fields of collaborative endeavour.

On behalf of Jenny and I, we would like to wish you and your staff a Merry Christmas and safe and happy New Year and we look forward to working with you in 2012.

Kind Regards
Cris Carriage - Indigenous Program Officer, University of Western Sydney

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15-11-2011

Mr Justin Mohamed has been re-elected Chair for a three year term of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the national peak body for over 150 Aboriginal community controlled medical services across Australia.

Over two hundred delegates from community controlled Aboriginal health services across urban, regional and remote Australia are attending the NACCHO AGM. It is the largest annual gathering of Aboriginal people involved in community health.

This year’s meeting is in Sydney in recognition of the 40 anniversary of the founding of the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Redfern in 1971. This morning delegates paid tribute to the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern and the inspiration and support it lent to the community based services that followed over the last 40 years.

Mr Mohamed said, “Redfern was the spark that began the movement of Aboriginal communities creating and running their own health services providing comprehensive primary health care. In forty years we have grown from one Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service to over 150 services run by communities. Our services across the country are the solution to closing the gap in Aboriginal health.

“We carry the torch for other Aboriginal communities who want their own health services and to set their own priorities according to their community’s needs. Aboriginal people taking control of their health at all levels is the most effective way to overcome the barriers to better health.” Mr Mohamed said.

Mr Mohamed welcomed the newly elected Deputy Chair of NACCHO Mr Matthew Cooke (25). He is the Deputy Chair of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council and CEO of the Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous Health Organisation Inc in Gladstone. Mr Cooke was elected to the NACCHO Board in 2010. In 2008 he was named the Deadly Vibe Young Australian of the Year award and in 2007 he was named Young Leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

Mr Mohamed also thanked the out going Deputy Chair of NACCHO Ms Glenda Humes for her support in the role over the last two years.

The three day NACCHO Annual General and Members Meeting continues on Wednesday and Thursday.

Members will set directions for the future of the sector in discussions covering core primary health services, quality improvement, the Congress of the First Australians and Aboriginal health in the national health reform agenda. Other sessions will look at Medicare Locals, men’s and women’s health, and the eye health program.

On Thursday night delegates will attend the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern’s 40 th anniversary celebrations at the Sydney Town Hall.

NACCHO Media Contact: Chris Hallett 04 0770 4788

www.naccho.org.au

SR – Aboriginal disadvantage report [View/Download PDF]

(more…)

We are very pleased to let you know that The Walgett Newsagency is now the booking agent for Countrylink Ticketing.
For all Countrylink enquiries and bookings please visit the Walgett Newsagency in Fox St Walgett

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Click Here to go to “WAMS Stategic Plan” download page.

From the Attorney Generals Department

11 August 2011

Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced $370,000 has been provided to the Clontarf Foundation to help scope the development of eight rugby league academies to support Indigenous youth in Western New South Wales.

“I am very pleased to announce this funding. The Clontarf Foundation will make use of Indigenous youths’ passion for rugby league to engage them in school, provide full-time mentoring, support their education and promote health, as well as encourage and assist them to follow positive employment pathways,” Mr McClelland said during his visit to Walgett to attend the Ricky Walford Shield rugby league competition.

“I also want to congratulate the Australian Rugby League and NSW Rugby League for their support for this great initiative”.

Australia Rugby League CEO Geoff Carr, who also attended the Ricky Walford Shield, said that the Clontarf Foundation’s proposal was a great opportunity for Australian Rugby League to engage with local communities.

Walgett is one of the 29 priority communities identified under the Australian Government’s Remote Service Delivery Strategy.

“The evidence indicates that Indigenous Australians who experience low education and high unemployment are linked with higher arrest rates and imprisonment rates. (more…)

Media Release

28-7-2011

“Now is a great time for Aboriginal school students and others to think about a career in Aboriginal health” says Mr Justin Mohamed, Chair of NACCHO*.

“The Health Heroes campaign launched by Minister Warren Snowdon this week is supported by an extensive and easy to use website* about careers in Aboriginal health”, Mr Mohamed said.

“It includes profiles of Aboriginal role models working in Aboriginal health, describes the range of careers available and how to get a job and qualifications.

“It will also be backed up by resources and school visits targeting Aboriginal students, encouraging them to think of a career in Aboriginal health.

“Over 150 Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Services across Australia represented by NACCHO are especially interested in supporting Aboriginal people to have a career in our services.

“Our services are the largest employer of Aboriginal people in Australia yet there are still many unfilled positions. We need more of all the health professions including Aboriginal health workers, nurses, doctors, administrative staff, allied health workers, dental assistants, and dieticians. There are just some of the jobs profiled on the website.

“Having more Aboriginal people working in our services providing culturally appropriate care encourages more of our community members to seek the health care they need. This improves their quality of life and helps to close the gap in health outcomes.

“Our services are also a great place to work with a great community spirit and a shared common goal. Getting an education and qualifications in health leads to a good job, pride in yourself, and a better future for you, your family and our community.

“I’d encourage everyone to have a look at the website and to send on the link, especially to young people wondering what their options are.

A lot of Aboriginal kids don’t know or think, it’s achievable to have a career in health, this campaign begins to dispel this myth”, Mr Mohamed said.

The Health Heroes commercials will run in Aboriginal media outlets but would also be effective if aired on mainstream media where they will also reach the target Aboriginal audience. Reaching and motivating a larger target audience could help to address education and employment disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal Peoples.

* National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

** http://www.healthheroes.health.gov.au/

NACCHO Media Contact: Chris Hallett 04 0770 4788

• Dental Health Week Media Release (PDF)
• Other Things to Look Out For in Your Mouth Fact Sheet (PDF)
• What are the Symptoms of Oral Cancers Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Oral Cancer Risk Factors Prevention Fact Sheet (PDF)

Upcoming Meetings – 2011 – 18 JULY 2011 (PDF)

freedom ride 2011 (Download/View PDF)