VACCHO NEWS APRIL-JULY 2019 by Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

NAIDOC Week 2019 signals far reaching change for Community

news April - July 2019

Image: VIC NAIDOC March Melbourne

During 2019 NAIDOC week, we publicly supported the move towards a Treaty process in Victoria. With Australia being the only Commonwealth country not to have a Treaty with its First Nations peoples, VACCHO celebrates this years NAIDOC theme ‘Voice, Treaty and Truth’ and welcomes the opportunity for Aboriginal people to engage in a Treaty process in Victoria. Our Acting CEO Trevor Pearce believes it is a basic human right to claim one’s own self-determination and sovereignty. “First Nations Peoples have never ceded our rightful position in the contemporary Australian landscape. Our culture and connection to Country is fundamental to our health and wellbeing” Mr Pearce said.

This year we’ve adopted the NAIDOC sub-theme Land is life to reflect on Aboriginal communities’ holistic approach to health and wellbeing and Country and culture in improving the lives of Aboriginal people in Victoria. Claiming and acting on the right to self-determination, sovereignty and collective agency are intrinsically linked to good health and wellbeing, supported by a significant body of evidence. “We encourage the Federal Government to follow in the steps of the Victorian State Government and Aboriginal communities in Victoria, and engage in a National conversation about Treaty. It is our hope that the Uluru Statement from the Heart is adopted at a National level, as a first step Continued on page 2

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc.

VACCHO is the peak body for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples living in Victoria: RTO No: 20739

More pictures of VIC NAIDOC events inside

From page 1 in gaining self-determination for Aboriginal peoples in Australia” Mr Pearce said. As Victorian Aboriginal communities move towards advancing Treaty, VACCHO believes it is important to reflect on the past and acknowledge the perseverance of Community leaders in fighting for the rights of Aboriginal people. “In order for us heal and build a better National identity, the Australian community, both Aboriginal and nonAboriginal must be brave and deal with the hurt and truth of our shared past.” “Treaty is long-overdue - our ancestors, Elders and Community leaders have been living on this continent since time immemorial and fighting for Country since 1788. It is through their tireless work, enduring resilience and hope for a better future for our people that we continue their work” Mr Pearce said.

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Contents 01 NAIDOC Week 2019 signals far reaching change for Community 03 Time for truth telling about Aboriginal Mental Health 03 Vic NAIDOC 2019 Flag Raising 04 VACCHO Graduation Ceremony 06 Vic NAIDOC March

10 Vic NAIDOC Ball 14 2nd National Indigenous Forum on Child Protection 14 It’s easy being green 15 Movement by Improvement Forum 15 So PROUD brother: Craig Holloway

Time for truth telling about Aboriginal Mental Health The Royal Commission into the Mental Health System in Victoria has been receiving Submissions and conducting Public Hearings. Below is a catchup of how it’s progressing. Aboriginal Community Hearing A Public Hearing was held for the Aboriginal Community on 16 July 2019 at the Aborigines Advancement League. This hearing considered how the current mental health system recognises and responds to the needs of Aboriginal people. Witnesses called by the Commission were Aboriginal people with lived experience with mental health, carers, service provider executives

and other experts. VACCHO played a key role in advocating for high calibre expert witnesses. What’s VACCHO’s continuing role in all of this?

funding from State Government to facilitate further consultations with Community. There is work in progress to decide how these consultations will be rolled out and details will be available soon.

We want to ensure that Community voices and expertise are heard through this process and reflected in the Commission’s recommendation. To this end we have advocated for more hearings in regional areas and secured

If you would like further information go to www.vaccho. org.au/policy-advocacy/rcmh, or to discuss these and other details further, please contact Isaac Eyalama on 03 9411 9411 or isaace@vaccho.org.au.

Image by Rod Jackson for VACCHO

VACCHO COO Helen Kennedy being interviewed by ABC TV after giving evidence at the Royal Commission into the Mental Health System in Victoria’s Public Hearings.

Vic NAIDOC 2019 Flag Raising Image Top L-R: Vic NAIDOC Chairperson Stacie Piper, Mr NAIDOC Christopher Saunders, Vic NAIDOC Committee Member Rudi Louis Taylor-Bragge, Vic NAIDOC Sports Person of the Year Marissa Williamson, Vic NAIDOC Committee Member Maylene Slater-Burns, Vic NAIDOC Committee Member Lesley Jackson-Lopa

Bottom L-R: Vic NAIDOC Committee Member Elder Aunty Alice Kolasa, Vic NAIDOC Patron Elder Uncle Jack Charles, Vic NAIDOC Committee Member Elder Aunty Pam Pedersen and Miss NAIDOC Yirgjhilya Lawrie VACCHO

NEWS April - July 2019

Images by James Henry for VACCHO

VACCHO Graduation Ceremony Tuesday 28 May 2019 Melbourne Town Hall

VACCHO celebrated the graduation of 66 students (not all students pictured) at the Melbourne Town Hall in May 2019, with presentations from Karl Briscoe of NATSIHWA, Senator Patrick Dodson, Angela Singh and our Acting CEO Mr Trevor Pearce. The ceremony commenced with Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with students entering the Town Hall accompanied by the Djirri Djirri dancers and the echoing sound of Yadiki played by Djarrin Wilson. Students graduated from a range of courses including the Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Care Practice AHPRA accredited Practitioner course, Diploma of Counselling and Diploma of Practice Management. VACCHO student and proud Yorta Yorta woman Melanie Lane (left centre) spoke on behalf of students

and spoke of the pride they feel in achieving their qualification, and the future of working as a qualified health practitioner within her own community, Mallee District Aboriginal Services. VACCHO recognises the huge accomplishments of its students and the hard work, support and investment of Member organisations to strengthen healthy, thriving Aboriginal communities across Victoria. VACCHO Chairperson Karen Heap awarded each qualification to our students, as we acknowledged the strong culture, connection and determination that their learning journeys symbolise. To find out more about the accredited courses VACCHO offers go to www.vaccho.org.au/ educational or contact our training team on training@vaccho.org.au or 03 9441 9411.

VACCHO NEWS April - July 2019

Vic NAIDOC March Melbourne City

VACCHO NEWS April - July 2019

All image used with perrmission from VIC NAIDOC

BALL

Vic NAIDOC 1-7 JULY 2019

VACCHO NEWS April - July 2019

2nd National Indigenous Forum on Child Protection

implementation of their Section 18 program, Mutjang Bupuwingarrak Mukman (a Dja Dja Wurrung name meaning “keeping our kids safe”). There is no other initiative taking place like this in Australia which demonstrates Victoria is leading the way when it comes to Aboriginal self-determination.

Image L-R: The Honourable Justice Robert McClelland, Deputy Chief Justice, Family Court of Australia | Justin Mohamed, Victorian Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, Commission for Children and Young People | Raylene Harradine, CEO, Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative | Jim Morrison, Chair, Australian Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, Founding Member, Yokai, Executive Director, Bringing Them Home WA.

At the end of June the Victorian Aboriginal Children and Young People’s Alliance attended the 2nd National Aboriginal Forum on Child Protection hosted by Akolade in Darwin. Throughout the two-day conference, delegates heard from keynote speakers from all states and jurisdictions about different initiatives and programs that have been developed to

address the over-representation of Aboriginal children in out-ofhome care (OOHC). The Alliance’s Chairperson Raylene Harradine presented on the success Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative have seen in the reunification of children with their families and their strong connection to culture and community. This has occurred since the full authorisation and

A consistent theme from speakers at the conference was the importance of the child and family’s voice being at the center of all decision-making processes along with ensuring connection to culture is always a high priority. The programs that have been seeing the greatest success are those that have seen Government and NonGovernment Organisations working together to reduce the number of Aboriginal children entering the OOHC system. For more information on upcoming Akolade Indigenous events visit https://akolade.com. au/content.aspx?page=events

It’s easy being green Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation with the help of Community volunteers is establishing a community garden. The space assists their Community to access fresh and healthy options for their meals. It helps Mungabareena be environmentally conscious and has created an outdoor activity for Community members. Winnie (sunglasses) isn’t working by the way, she’s just posing. https://mungabareena.org.au/ Image L-R: Mick Campbell, Adam Stafford, Margaret Murray, Linda Campbell, Rebecca Symonds, Winnie Saulle and Bev Carroll Inset: three new raised garden beds arrived the day VACCHO was visiting

Movement by Improvement Forum

May was an exciting month for Clinical CQI when VACCHO held their annual Movement by Improvement Forum in Preston. The highly successful two-day event was jam-packed with networking and CQI stories being shared between the Aboriginal community controlled organisations (ACCOs). Of the 71 delegates who attended the forum, 49 were ACCO staff that represented 17 of the ACCOs in Victoria. Also in attendance were delegates from the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance, Northern Territory (AMSANT), National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Department of Human Health and Services (DHHS).

on how they would like future CQI forums to be ran. To ensure that there is a bigger and better MBI in the future VACCHO took on some of those suggestions and is now working towards: • exploring quarterly CQI meetings in the regions, whether they can be incorporated into the currently consortium meetings or if they need to be separate, and rotating ACCO hosts • at least one annual face to face meetings with all ACCOs in regards to CQI • researching regional location for 2020 Movement by Improvement Forum

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative gave a great presentation on how the role of individual work plans and task analysis can be used in workforce development whilst AMSANT gave a presentation on the successes of their CQI forums in the Northern Territory.

We hope to see you all next year in a regional location near you!

The Movement by Improvement (MBI) forum was also a chance for our Members to feedback to VACCHO

For more information please contact our CQI team on 03 9411 9411.

• seeking to increase Practice Managers and executive team attendance.

So PROUD brother Guess who won the First Australians Award 2019 at the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Excellence and Innovation Award?

Our proud Yorta Yorta man and Wotha Daborra Project Manager, Craig Holloway. He received the award from Zona Hussey-Smith from Eidsvold Local Drug Action Team. The Awards were hosted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. This legend has been working tirelessly for over 22 years for our Communities to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug harms in Australia. For more information on Wotha Daborra go to www.vaccho.org.au/policy-advocacy/wothadaborra

VACCHO NEWS April - July 2019

VACCHO Board Members Karen Heap: Chairperson James Atkinson Michael Bell Karlene Dwyer John Gorton Michael Graham Suzie Squires

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VACCHO Members • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aboriginal Community Elders Services Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service Bubup Wilam for Early Learning Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative Cummeragunja Housing and Development Aboriginal Corporation (Viney Morgan AMS) Dandenong & District Aborigines Co-operative Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative Healesville Indigenous Community Services Association Kirrae Health Service Inc. Lake Tyers Health and Children’s Service Note »» Auspiced

• Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association • Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport & Recreation Co-operative • Mallee District Aboriginal Services »» Kerang Aboriginal Community Centre »» Swan Hill and District Aboriginal Co-operative • Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc. • Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation • Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative • Ngwala Willumbong Cooperative • Njernda Aboriginal Corporation • Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation »» Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health Services • Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd • Victorian Aboriginal Health Service • Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative • Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation • Weenthunga Health Network Inc VACCHO News December-March 2019

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