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Governance training for board members by David Kiefer 30 December 2013
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wo members of Gladstone’s Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous Health Service board will be trained in corporate governance by the Australian Institute of Company Directors, thanks to Arrow Energy. Arrow is sponsoring the training through the Central Queensland Regional Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Organisation (CQRAICCHO), of which Nhulundu Wooribah is a member. “We have identified the need and opportunity for leadership and governance improvement of our members, in order to ensure sustainability of the Aboriginal and Islander community-controlled health sector into the future,” CQRAICCHO Skills Based Director Matthew Cooke said. “Arrow’s funding will allow two directors/office bearers from Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous Health to fully participate in formalised corporate governance training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. “The intent and purpose is to move towards establishing skillsbased board directorships of CQ AICCHOs.” Mr Cooke said strong leadership would translate to better quality service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in central Queensland. “There are a range of secondary beneficiaries who will benefit from the improved transparency, accountability and decision-making of AICCHOs’ boards, including
Staff at Nhuundu Health Service provided a healthy breakfast for bike rider as they set off to ride to Lomead to raise awareness and funds for White Ribbon Day to help end violence against women. Image supplied
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and the local community,” Mr Cooke said. Arrow Community Officer Melena McKeown said the company’s funding was a demonstration of its innovative approach to building the capacity of Indigenous communities. “Arrow was the first of Queensland’s CSG-LNG proponents to formalise its reconciliation action plan and has adopted a focus on being directly involved in empowering Indigenous communities to support their self determination,” Ms McKeown said. “By assisting CQRAICCHO to strengthen the boards of health organisations, we’re contributing to stronger health outcomes amongst the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.” Arrow’s sponsorship comes from its Brighter Futures community investment fund. Other Gladstone groups awarded Brighter Futures funding from the latest round are: Tannum Sands State High School P&C Association – for an interactive maths program for years
7 – 10 students which initiates complex mathematical ideas to life situations and is mapped to the national curriculum. Australian Red Cross – first aid training to 30 young people with extreme life circumstances including homelessness, violence and drug and alcohol problems that present barriers to consistently engage within the community. Training will be adapted to include different and alternative training initiatives including storytelling, role playing and simulated injury scenarios. Gladstone Regional Council – National Youth Week celebrations. The 2014 theme is “Our Voice, Our Impact”. Events will be structured around this theme and Gladstone’s young community will be encouraged to come together in a fun environment, voice issues of concern and acknowledge the contribution today’s youth make towards society. During the event, awareness surrounding mental health and disability among youth in the community will be highlighted.
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