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Latest WAMS Strategic Plan Released
Click Here to go to “WAMS Stategic Plan” download page.
Diverting Indigenous youth from the criminal justice system through rugby league
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…)
A&OD Alcohol and other Drugs
Addiction Physician Dr Rod McQueen is conducting regular clinics at WAMS.
Contact WAMS for further information and appointments.
Indigenous Hip Hop Productions Workshop
The AH&MRC is proud to have developed a program that supports young Aboriginal people to feel empowered and to make informed as well as developing an understanding about the negative impacts of drug and alcohol misuse – It’s Your Choice! Have A Voice! Rights, Respect and Responsibility’ [see attached media release]. The launch of the program will be in Balranald on 1st August 2011 with the official closing to be held in Sydney on 23rd September, 2011
AH&MRC and Indigenous Hip Hop Productions (IHHPs) will be running 3 day hip hop workshops for young people and evening salsa classes for parents and carers from the 1st August 2011 – 23rd September 2011. On the final day of the workshop a Deadly Styles event will take place where the whole community will be invited to participate and see youth perform. The workshops will be held in the following communities:
Please follow the campaign on Facebook! Information on workshops times and the final Deadly Styles event where participants and IHHPs will showcase moves will be updated live as the campaign is implemented along with songs, video footage and photos of the workshops.
‘Its Your Choice, Have A Voice’
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Its-Your-Choice-Have-a-Voice/143524772385242
Please ensure your staff are attending workshops if their roles are related to the Campaign. Venues for all workshops will be uploaded live on the Facebook page a few days before the workshops take place as the campaign develops.
On behalf of the AH&MRC I would like to say thank you for supporting this campaign, thank you for your patience and for helping us promote it.
For further information about the Campaign please contact either:
· Campaign Coordinator Harp Kalsi hkalsi@ahmrc.org.au 0402 249 058 or 0487 230 730;
· Sexual Reproductive Health Project Officer Dina Saulo dsaulo@ahmrc.org.au 0447 482 368 or 0487 230 730; or
· Public Health Team Manager Sofia Lema slema@ahmrc.org.au (02) 9212 4777 or 0487 230 730.
AHMRC Media Release IHHP Campaign FINAL July 2011 (View/Download PDF)
Careers in Aboriginal health to help Close the Gap
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
Influenza Updates – Winter 2011
Situation update
• There are signs of increasing influenza activity in parts of NSW and elsewhere in Australia.
• Three influenza virus strains (pandemic A(H1N1), seasonal A(H3N2) and B) circulated during the northern
hemisphere winter and all three are likely to also circulate in Australia during the 2011 winter flu season.
• Influenza viruses characterized to date are well matched to the three viruses in the current vaccine.
Women’s Health Checks next Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 of July
WAMS are conducting Women’s Health Checks next Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 in Walgett and in Collarenebri on Wednesday 13. They will be held in the Shop Front (37-47 Wee Waa St) in Walgett and the Big Shed in Collarenebri. There will be give aways for all those attending and staff will be present to watch any children. Morning tea and lunch will be available. Doors will open at 9.30 am and will close at 3.30 pm.
40th Anniversary Poster Competition
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are invited to submit artworks for the ALS 40th Anniversary Poster Competition to celebrate our 40th Anniversary this year.
The winning artwork will collect a $2000 cash prize.
Entry Form attached. Poster entries close 15 August 2011
Aboriginal activists and lawyers established the Aboriginal Legal Service in 1970. It was staffed by volunteers providing free legal advice and representation to Aboriginal people in inner-Sydney.
In 1971, Aboriginal Legal Service received its first Government grant for the salaries of a full time solicitor, a field officer and a secretary.
Aboriginal Legal Service was Australia’s first free legal service, setting the model for mainstream community legal aid.
In 2011, Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) commemorates 40 years of service to the Aboriginal community.
The ALS 40th Anniversary Poster Competition is a chance for talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in NSW and ACT to be recognised by a local and national audience.
The winning artwork will be used to create our ALS 40th Anniversary Poster 2011 which will help promote our 40th anniversary events being held in 2011.
Would you like to see your artwork become the ALS 40th Anniversary Poster?
The winning artwork will collect a $2000 cash prize. Your artwork must reflect the Aboriginal Legal Service and its 40 year history and survival.
All poster competition entries must be accompanied by the entry form. Download Entry Form (PDF)
Harmony Day 2011- Collarenebri Central School
On Thursday, 7th April, 2011, Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service participated in Harmony Day held at the Collarenebri Central School. Harmony Day is a day for all Australians to celebrate cultural diversity and spread the message that everyone belongs. The goal was to support Year 5 and 6 students with an activity for Harmony Day.
