VACCHO NEWS DEC - FEB 2017

VACCHO hangs ten with Djillay Ngalu at the Cape Conran Koori Surf Comp

news Dec 2016 - Feb 2017

Image: Destiny Murphy Insert L-R: Shane O’Shanassy, Tony Paganella (Djillay Ngalu), Ruby Campbell (Surfing Victoria), Jordie Campbell (Indigenous Program - Surfing Victoria)

The 6th Annual Cape Conran Koori Surf Comp and Community Day (Comp) took to the water in January 2017.

The Comp brings together Communities from all around East Gippsland for a day of surfing, swimming, football, weaving, yarning and barbecuing. It is held at Cape Conran which has enormous significance for Traditional Land Owners the Bidawal, Gunaikurnai, Taungurong and Nindi-Ngudjam Ngarigu Monero peoples.

In its sixth year, the Comp attracted over 200 people with a wide range of ages in the competitors. The day before was an overnight camp including surf lessons and engaged young people through yarns with Elders around culture, identity and health issues. Tony Paganella, Djillay Ngalu Physical Activity & Wellbeing Projects Coordinator believes that, the camps offer our youth the

opportunity to reconnect and grow appreciation with the Traditional teachings of Lore and the shared responsibility of this land and its people.

Djillay Ngalu has partnered with Gippsland Primary Health Network, Orbost Regional Health, Surfing Victoria Indigenous Project, Yoowinna Wurnalung, Gippsland Lakes Community Health, Lakes Entrance Surf Lifesaving Club and the Gippsport Crew. The partnership has raised the Comp’s profile to make it a ‘must attend’ part of the surfing and Community calendar.

Jordie Campbell, eight-time Victorian Indigenous Champion, Indigenous Aquatics Officer for Surfing Victoria and one of the Comp’s Surfing Instructors says, the event is such a great opportunity for Community to gather by the ocean. A lot of the Community members often only get CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. VACCHO is the the peak body for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people living in Victoria

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FROM PAGE ONE

the chance to go to the beach during these events.

The Comp and Community Day is organised by Djillay Ngalu which means Healthy Together in the Gunaikurnai language. Djillay Ngalu was established back in 2006 by four East Gippsland Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations

DIVISION WINNERS Under 10 Boys Xavier Martin Under 10 Girls Amelia Harrison

(ACCHOS), Lake Tyers Health and Childrens Services, Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative, Moogji Aboriginal Council and Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association.

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Improving the quality of child and maternal health services

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Addressing chronic disease care

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Djillay Ngalu was established to oversee and administer funds to assist the four ACCHOs in delivering culturally appropriate health programs aimed at:

Reducing\ the incidence of adult chronic disease

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Developing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce.

The long-term vision of Djillay Ngalu is that they

Under 13 Boys Geoffrey Walker Under 16 Boys Boris Bryant

Under 16 Girls Kaylene Walker Under 18 Boys Jirrah Morgan

work in partnership with the community and work together to improve the health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal communities across East Gippsland.

If you want more information about the Comp or to know more about the services and events Djillay Ngalu provide, visit www.dn.org.au or call 03 5155 1051.

Open Men Josh Kennedy Open Women Amber Harrison Master Men Steve Harrison

VACCHO newsletters are also available to view online at www.vaccho.org. au/news-media/nl

Contents 1 VACCHO hangs ten with Djillay Ngalu

8 Moogji Aboriginal Council Orbost East

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10 The pride of Victoria: First, Proud, Out

at the Cape Conran Koori Surf Comp

LEAHA Strength through partnerships

6 6th Annual Cape Conran Koori Surf Comp and Community Day 2017 summer poster

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VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2013

Gippsland - a proud Koori organisation

& Loud

11 Aboriginal Children’s Forum

Out and about

LEAHA Strength through partnerships

Through a critical need to provide services to improve our people’s health and wellbeing, Aunty Phyllis Andy made a time to meet with Bruce Hurley (past CEO of GLCH ) to discuss ways in which the local mainstream health service could help the local Aboriginal community- to improve access to services that would help improve their health.

Aunty Phyllis then supported the development of an advisory group of Aboriginal Elders- so that they could have conversations on what our people needed in order to improve their health and wellbeing. The advisory group met often with CEO Bruce Hurley- Gippsland Lakes Community Health (GLCH to shape the road forward for LEAHA, it is these Elders’ vision and commitment that has led LEAHA to where it is today.

Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA) is nurturing and promoting strong partnerships to play a central role in keeping their Community healthy and safe. VACCHO News

yarned with Paula Morgan, proud to be Merle Thorpe’s granddaughter and Executive Officer (EO) at LEAHA, to ask how these partnerships came about and why they work.

Community was turning up after-hours to mainstream health organisations because of the racism they faced by the mainstream community.

When they did turn up, nine times out of 10 they were taken straight to Bairnsdale Regional Hospital by ambulance because they weren’t accessing preventative health care and were getting sicker and sicker. These were some of the primary factors that led to establishing a community controlled health organisation in Lakes Entrance.

Often our clients health is not their key priority, they wait till they get really sick and can’t cope, it was terrible to see.

LEAHA do not receive any direct Primary Health Care funding, this definitely limits the amount of primary health care we can provide to our

Images L-R: Simone Lawson, Paula Morgan, Rachel Clulow, Naomi Clulow, Carolyn Alkemade, Paul Patten, Tom Perry, Chantelle Mobourne, Karen Maggs and Billy Kin

VACCHO NEWS Dec-Feb 2017

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community. The LEAHA Board and EO continue to advocate for same, with the support of VACCHO. LEAHA are a proud part of Djillay Ngalu - which is a consortium of the four ACCHOs in East Gippsland, including, Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative, Moogji Aboriginal Council and Lake Tyers Health and Children’s Service. Through Djillay Ngalu, the four services can be more strategic in how they share services and resources and apply for funding dollars.

LEAHA have a strong Aboriginal board and provide good Governance to the organisation. All senior management at LEAHA are Aboriginal and 80% of all staff at LEAHA are Aboriginal - which we are very proud of.

The partnership LEAHA have with Gippsland Lakes Community Health is a strong and strategic partnership for all involved. We have a partnership agreement that points out responsibilities of both parties- this ensures that helping improve the health and wellbeing of the Lakes Entrance Aboriginal community is at the forefront of the partnership. The current GLCH Board and CEO Sue Medson, have a real commitment to supporting LEAHA to help improve the health and wellbeing of our people here in Lakes Entrance.

We have a LEAHA Board Member on the GLCH Board and they have one of theirs on ours which is

good as there’s transparency.

Currently all corporate services are provided by GLCH under an Auspice arrangement.

Corporate services provided include the functions of Finance, Payroll, Human Resources, Customer Service, Information Technology, Quality/risk/ accreditation/compliance, Motor Vehicles, Facilities/ Occupancy, Governance, Marketing and Stationery.

Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA) Board will continue to look at ways to become a fully independently managed and operated organisation, but at this stage the partnership with GLCH is working well for all involved.

LEAHA have two full-time staff, 10 part-time and four to six casuals.

Services that LEAHA offer include: • GP three hours per week.

• Aboriginal health workers • Medical transport four days per week • Registered Nurse • Justice and youth justice team • Elders planned activity group • Gippsland Tobacco and Healthy Lifestyle team

Images L-R: Fire pit, LEAHA Community Room

Visiting services include: • Financial counsellor • Aboriginal housing • College of Optometry • Australasian hearing • On site dental service each fortnight We were successful in jointly applying for some funding to employ an Aboriginal Health Worker, who works at the GLCH acute clinical setting. The Executive Manager of GLCH Clinical Services is really supportive of Aboriginal Health and wellbeing.

For the small amount of funding LEAHA receive, the Team do an amazing job. Our biggest thing is about education and employment for our Mob, we’re not just a health service. If our Mob aren’t successful in getting a job we put them on the casual list, to help with community events/programs.

We’ve received funding to employ a Counselor one day per week, this service has been very well received by community. The counselor also provides monthly debriefing support to our staff as part of their Workplan for good health and wellbeing.

One of LEAHA’s biggest successes has been the Community Barbeques (BBQ), they bring our community together here at LEAHA Community Centre- a place where our mob feel safe and at home. The BBQs were bimonthly- but have been

so successful and important to community that they have now asked for it to be monthly (first Tuesday of every month) and if it doesn’t happen Oh my God, there’s an uproar. Generally between 40- 60 community members come to the BBQ each month. We also invite different stakeholders to the BBQs- so community can yarn to them in a safe environment. We have had local GPs, Sheriff, Police, Department of Justice staff, water board staff, Housing and other actual health promotion talks. Has been very successful and bringing community and stakeholders together.

We run a mentoring group at the local high school so some of those kids come and cook at the BBQ. It’s great to see these kids sitting around the table with the Elders and reminiscing and learning.

One goal for our 2017-2021 Strategic Plan is to continue to advocate and hopefully receive recurrent Primary Health Care funding so we are not operating from year-to-year. Many of LEAHA health and wellbeing funding and service agreements are for one year only.

And now, because you’ve got a fantastic service and mainly staffed by Aboriginal people, the voice is getting out there about the services we do have and how culturally appropriate they are, the Mob are just coming in in droves.

You can give LEAHA a call on 03 5155 8465 and find out where and how you can get information and access to their services.

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n a r n o C e p a C l a u 6th Ann d n a p m o C f r u S Koori 7 1 0 2 y a D y t i n u Comm r e t s o p r e m m u s

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Moogji Aboriginal Council Orbost East Gippsland - a proud Koori organisation Prior to the development of services in Orbost and the formation of a local Aboriginal organisation, Moogji Aboriginal Council community relied heavily on Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative (GEGCAC) in Bairnsdale.

GEGAC was the first Aboriginal community controlled co-operative in Gippsland which had a vast geographical area to cover. As a result a number of Orbost community members identified the need to develop local services to meet local needs.

In 1985, five women met at Winnie Le Sage’s house in Boundary Road, Orbost, for a cup of tea and a chat. Around the kitchen table were Diane Kenny, Susan Martin, Joanne Brunt (nee Vickery) and Julie Wilson (nee Churchyett). Winnie called the meeting to talk about what could be done to address the health and welfare problems impacting on the local community.

The Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative (GEGAC) being based out of Bairnsdale was over 90 kilometres away. The elderly in particular did not have cars, and other community members could not afford the fuel to attend appointments. It became clear that in order to improve the overall health and wellbeing status of the community there needed to be a local response.

The women around Winnie Le Sage’s kitchen table decided it was time for the community to help itself and overcome the tyranny of distance and create a local centre which could provide a range of services which would be more accessible.

The five women formed the Aboriginal Women and Children’s Group. Soon after it was formally incorporated, the group obtained a grant for a medical transport car to take the elderly and the sick to appointments as far afield as Melbourne.

It also managed to get an indigenous community nurse based at the Orbost Regional Health (ORH).

The group operated out of Winnie’s kitchen for seven years, run by volunteers.

At the same time as the Women and Children’s Group got off the ground, an Elder, Uncle Merv Bundle, began lobbying for a resource centre focussing on cultural heritage. Uncle Merv’s first step was to form the Moogji Aboriginal Co-operative and to apply for grants through Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV) Cultural Heritage program.

In the late 1989, the Aboriginal Women and Children’s Group and the Moogji Aboriginal Cooperative combined to form the Moogji Aboriginal Council. The new council was funded to employ one full-time cultural heritage officer, one full-time health worker, a part-time manager/administrator and receptionist.

Moogji Aboriginal Council was incorporated on 6th February 1992, under the Victorian Associations Incorporations Act. Moogji Aboriginal Council Statement of Purpose was to provide a centre for Aboriginal people and their families and to create employment and training opportunities for the local community. Many past employees of the organisation have taken up senior positions in the public service and community based organisations and it was Moogji Aboriginal Council that provided the opportunity for community members to achieve their potential.

Moogji’s new home was officially opened by the state Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr Michael John, on Friday 15th September 1993.

The initiative shown by the local community has gone from strength to strength over the last 32 years. Moogji’s Health Service currently employs seven staff and over the last 12 months provided 2700 episode of care of community members.

Under a Partnership Agreement, Orbost Regional Health (ORH) provides access to dental sessions, a Clinic Nurse on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a GP session on Tuesday afternoons. Other Moogji health programs include Medial transport which is in high demand, a counselling service one day per week, a visiting optometry service, hearing screening, health promotion and a dental session via GEGAC. The service encourages community members to undertake health checks and to make use of the gym on site to promote physical and mental wellbeing.

Other Moogji programs include a Youth Development Program with a full-time youth worker, and a Environmental Works Program that employs six community members.

Moogji Aboriginal Council has achieved and continues to achieve its objectives to benefit the community as a whole.

For more information about the services Moogji offers call 03 5154 2133 for a yarn or email reception@moogji.com.au

Images (left page):The beautiful Snow Mountains National Park. This page (Top CW): Children’s and Community Christmas get together - petting zoo, Teresa - Youth Development worker, Lavina - Clinic Nurse, Janelle - Aboriginal Health worker, Christine Office Manager, Thelma - Receptionist, gym, BBQ area

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The pride of Victoria 2017 marks the historic moment that local and interstate Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples led the Midsumma Pride March for the first time in its 22 year history with a First, Proud, Out & Loud float.

convertible Cadillac (provided by Midsumma). They were followed by the Leader of the Opposition the Hon. Bill Shorten MP and Victorian Premier the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP, their families and thousands of LGBTIQ community members.

A smoking ceremony by Carolyn Briggs - Boon Wurrung Elder, kick started the March that saw Elders Carolyn Briggs, Deborah Cheetham AO - celebrated Yorta Yorta soprano and Jessie Lloyd - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performer and producer being driven in a

Organisations who supported our First, Proud, Out & Loud float were North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. Without the support from all these

organisation and the support from so many community members, I don’t think it would have been the success it was.

So from the bottom of my heart I would love to thank everyone for their time and effort to make this Pride March the success it was, thank you all.

Mark Nannup Midsumma Indigenous Engagement Coordinator If you’d like to see all the action, jump online as there was extensive mainstream television and online coverage.

Aboriginal Children’s Forum The sixth Aboriginal Children’s Forum (ACF) was held on Wurundjeri Country in Healesville.

The two day quarterly event was opened by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin and the Jindi Woraback dance group. The Forum is an opportunity for Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), Aboriginal Commissioner for Children and Young People, Community Service Organisations and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to come together and make decisions regarding policies, strategies and practices to reduce overrepresentation of Aboriginal children and young people in out of home care (OoHC).

The ACF is co-chaired by Minister Mikakos and a CEO from an ACCO, with each DHHS division taking a turn at holding the Forum.

The Victorian Government presented their acceptance in part, in principle and in full the 128 recommendations from the two Commission for Children

and Young Peoples inquiries; Always was, always will be Koorie Children and In the Child’s Best Interests. These Reports highlight issues and influences that impact Aboriginal children and provides recommendations in reducing the risk of entering or are in OoHC.

the opportunity to have initial input into the Aboriginal Children and Families Action Plan, a key recommendation from both the Royal Commission into Family Violence and the Roadmap for Reform and the Aboriginal Health, Well-being and Safety Strategy.

The Forum has a strong focus on culture as a protective factor, the promotion and resourcing of services that meet the needs and are reflective of Aboriginal communities and the transition of Koori kids back to community.

The work of the Forum is based on respectful practice and principles strengthened by Aboriginal self-determination and self-management.

Minister Mikakos announced resourcing to support Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative to further develop the whole-of-family healing model that was proposed at the November 2016 forum; a culturally safe alternative to residential care. Minister Mikakos also made mention and commended Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative in their success with the Section 18 pilot.

The voice of the child, family and community are essential for ongoing work to be effective and continued.

Highlights from this Forum were the launch of the Return to Country Framework and the presentation of the Kinship Care Reunification Program.

ACF members were provided

Quitskills

7-9 February 2017 VACCHO, Melbourne

The Forum is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the great work of ACCOs around Victoria.

For more information contact Dana Pyne or Sue Tuitupou on 9411 9411 or go to our website.

Eye health publications launch

eye health launch

18 November 2016 Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative

Out and about Follow us on VACCHO NEWS Dec-Feb 2017

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VACCHO Board Members John Mitchell: Chairperson Karen Heap: Vice Chairperson John Gorton: Board Member Rod Jackson: Board Member Hilary Saunders: Board Member Suzie Squires: Board Member

17-23 Sackville Street Collingwood VIC 3066 P 03 9411 9411 F 03 9411 9599 E enquiries@vaccho.org.au

www.vaccho.org.au Follow us on

Daphne Yarram: Board Member

STORIES | IDEAS | FEEDBACK

Don’t forget this is your newsletter and we need your stories and ideas.

If you would like to give us story ideas or comment on our newsletter please call Cisco from our Communications Team on 03 9411 9411 or email him on ciscof@vaccho.org.au.

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

Aboriginal Community Elders Services Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative 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 & Children’s Service Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association

Note »» Auspiced

• 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 Dec-Feb 2017

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