Koori Football and Netball Carnival flies high at Bendigo
news Spring 2015
On 17-18 October the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC) and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation hosted the Victorian State-wide Koori Football and Netball Carnival in Bendigo, attracting up to 5,000 competitors and spectators. An initiative of Sport and Recreation Victorian, the Carnival which had run for thirty years but stopped for the last three years was revived as a way to “…bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities together, giving us a chance to
reconnect, exchange ideas and strengthen our relationships” Ms Harradine BDAC Chief Executive Officer said. Highlights of the Carnival included the Murrun Dhelk Concert, headlined by Archie Roach, Emma Donovan and Adam Briggs, the Koorie Night Market, kids play areas and appearances by sporting identities such as event Ambassador Melbourne footballer Geoff Garlett and former Essendon player, Nathan Lovett-Murray. MORE PICTURES AND FINAL RESULTS OVER THE PAGE
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal Health in Victoria.
Vibrant, healthy, selfdetermining Aboriginal communities
FROM PAGE ONE
Top left: BDAC Chief Executive Officer Raylene Harradine speaks to television crews before the Carnival. Below top left: Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Officer Rodney Carter prepares for the Welcome Ceremony.
Carnival grand final results
VACCHO newsletters are also available to view online at www.vaccho.org. au/news-media/nl
AFL Division 1 Fitzroy Stars 10.8.68 - Warma Turtles 7.4.46 AFL Division 2 Wimmera Eagles 12.6.78 - Midgippsland Bunjils 9.6.60 Netball Division 1 Black Eagles 29 - Gina’s Dream Team 28 Netball Division 2 Healesville 26 - Desert Roses 25 Netball Division 3 Ginderellas 30 - Ballarat Wanderers 19
Contents 1 Koori Football and Netball Carnival flies high at Bendigo 3 SEWB Statewide Gathering 3 VACCHO Sexy Health Team yarns with Kevin Council 4 Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative launches the Aunty Irene Harrison Gathering Place 4 VACCHO comes out shining for palliative care 5 Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation 2015 Men’s Health Summit 5 New group for Mungabareena men 6 Launch of the Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan
6 Close the Gap Campaign - 10 years on. Let’s remind the Government that there’s still a lot to do! 7 Yarn up and dance for dementia 8 VACCHO Members meeting 8 New VACCHO Board 8 Yarnin’ Health 9 An Australian first for the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service’s deadly Dental Service 9 Aboriginal healthcare in Victoria leading the way for First Nations health in New Zealand 10 Spotlight on eyes 11 Around the traps
SEWB Statewide Gathering
The Social, Emotional and Wellbeing (SEWB) Statewide Gathering was held in Torquay from 24-26 November and feedback from the State and Commonwealth funded workers has been overwhelmingly positive, supportive and highlights how successful and necessary the Gatherings have become. Networking and learning new
information from workers and presenters from around Victoria was a standout, as were the the activities that were more interactive. Awards were given for the first time and the recipients were Bev Hanley (right) and Lance James in recognition of their countless years of dedicated commitment to the SEWB needs of the Victorian Aboriginal Community.
VACCHO Sexy Health Team yarns with Kevin Council The Australasian HIV & AIDS Conference is a time for the sexual health community to share research, new treatments and health promotion projects with the sexy health community. Held in Brisbane, Kevin Council, nurse from Winda-Mara attended the conference to learn from experts in the field.
Kevin found the best part of the conference was “All the information that was from other Aboriginal communities, how we do things the same and some things different. What easy things can I integrate into my practice and support Winda-Mara to improve the health of the community”. Since returning from the conference Kevin and the Winda-Mara team have integrated sexually
transmissible infections (STI) testing in the Adult Health Check. “STI testing was already there but not always being done. We are bringing it back and have Aboriginal Health Workers, Nurses and the Doctor all on board to make sure Chlamydia testing is being offered at every health check” Kevin said. Kevin’s Top Sexy Health Tips • Wear a condom! If it ain’t on, it ain’t on! • Get tested – pee in a cup! • Chlamydia is most common in young people 16-29 years. • If you don’t get tested, having STIs like Chlamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and infertility. To hear more from Kevin, listen to Yarnin’ Health episode 211015 at www.vaccho.org.au/newsmedia/yhr/episodes-2015/.
ACCHO jobs are now advertised on the VACCHO website. Go to www.vaccho.org.au/jobs/ms
JOBS VACCHO NEWS Spring 2015
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Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative launches the Aunty Irene Harrison Gathering Place The Honourable Linda Dessau, Governor of Victoria officially opened the Aunty Irene Harrison Gathering Place at Goolum Goolum. The Gathering Place is an area purposely built for community members to socialise, for programs and activities to held, has a barbecue area and has
a separate computer/training room.The Board of Directors have worked closely with community to design the area which was named after our very esteemed Elder Irene Harrison who sadly passed away last year, a fitting tribute to a well respected lady who gave much to the community as a whole.
Top left (l-r): John Gorton, Linda Dessau Governor of Victoria, Aunty Hazel McDonald, Aunty Jennifer Beer and Goolum Goolum CEO Wally Coleman Top Right: Aunty Elizabeth Taylor, Kylie Taylor, Aunty Fay Marks, Aunty Alva Taylor, Linda Dessau Governor of Victoria and Aunty Bella Kennedy.
VACCHO comes out shining for palliative care The Victorian Public Healthcare Awards were held 18 November 2015, where VACCHO came home with a deadly silver in the Category of Excellence in person, family and community-centred care for VACCHO’s Victorian Aboriginal Palliative Care Project.
A fitting tribute to the enduring work of our mighty late Aunty Cherie Waight, that is helping our Victorian Communities in times of need. Jill Gallagher AO - VACCHO CEO, Hon Jill Hennessy MP - Victorian Minister for Health | Minister for Ambulance Services and Rod Jackson - Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative CEO
Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation 2015 Men’s Health Summit
Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation held its first Men’s Health Summit early October 2015. It established a health forum for Aboriginal men and partners of Aboriginal people connecting to culturally appropriate activities. Activities that lead to active participation and the fostering and strengthening of men’s social and emotional well being. 55 men registered and actively participated in the Aboriginal Men’s Health Summit, “… excitingly we look forward to
continuing with this program in future years” said Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation CEO, Michael Cutmore. Men’s Group Coordinator Darren Harris organised a packed weekend filled with discussion groups covering topics such as Leadership and Valued Cultural Principals of Structured Planning, cultural events, external health provider stalls and deadly feeds. Hayden Heta, Team Leader, Indigenous Cultural Heritage
New group for Mungabareena men
with Parks Victoria led a Go On Country tour through beautiful Mount Pilot. A relaxed afternoon fishing on Lake Hume (inset) left everyone scratching their heads at the empty eskys with no catch, but an afternoon by the water gave everyone a chance to have a yarn and catch up. For more information on the next Men’s Health Summit contact Darren on Transport@ mungabareena.com or 02 6024 7599. On the left is a shield and on the right a yidaki. The two sets of footprints represent men brought up with their culture, men from the Islands, men who don’t know much about their culture and men without culture coming together to learn from each other.
The three month old Mungabareena Men’s Group came about from a recognised need to connect Indigenous and non Indigenous men involved in Community from around the area.
Men’s Goup member Benji Davidson, Uncle Walter Melrose and VACCHO’s Dylan Clarke
42 men make up two groups (under and over 50) who get together to do a range of activities such as go on hunting and gathering trips, yarn about mental health issues and work with disadvantaged youth.
Uncle Walter Melrose, a member of the Group’ created the Groups artwork logo called Four Strong Spirits, named after the four founding members Darren Harris, Ivan Edwards, Sunny Morgan and Carlton Tunstal.
On the boomerang is Bring back our Culture and It’s in Our Hands, a call to Aboriginal and non Aboriginal men involved in Community to keep working to keep Aboriginal culture. For more information on the Group contact Darren on Transport@mungabareena. com or 02 6024 7599. VACCHO NEWS Spring 2015
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Launch of the Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan VACCHO welcomed the release of the Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-23 (the Plan) by the Turnbull government on 22 October 2015 and congratulates all involved in its development.
This plan sets the blueprint for activity over the next eight years to build on Australia’s efforts to “Close the Gap”. VACCHO is happy to see a refocus towards prevention, early detection and intervention and celebrate the involvement of Aboriginal community control in the solutions. The Plan is the first of its kind to have a measurable implementation plan with targets that involves Aboriginal community control. It provides an opportunity for government to work with us as those that provide culturally appropriate, effective, quality services to our Communities. It does this by listing peak bodies for Aboriginal health and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) as having lead roles in the activities. The Plan is built on the principles of health equality and human rights, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control and engagement, partnership and accountability. It is an ambitious plan that covers the ages and stages of life and incorporates all aspects of the service system including workforce. Whilst it’s not a ‘whole of government’ plan at this stage, it does acknowledge that this needs to occur over the
lifespan of its implementation. As this plan evolves and draws in a larger range of government agencies and partners over the coming years, we would hope to see improvements and achievements in the key areas of mental health, cultural safety and reducing racism. If you would like to have a look at the Plan, you can go to http:// www.health.gov.au/internet/ main/publishing.nsf/Content/ indigenous-implementation-plan
Close the Gap Campaign - 10 years on. Let’s remind the Government that there’s still a lot to do! VACCHO has set itself a target of adding 1000 new pledges to ‘Close the Gap’.
As we near the 10 year anniversary of the Close the Gap Campaign, now more than ever, it is important to have a strong, collective voice reminding the governments of Australia that closing the life expectancy gap is a concern for all. 10 years on, through either complacency or cuts to services, we can see the national effort in danger of not meeting future goals and of slipping back on improvements that have been made. VACCHO is a member of the National Close the Gap Steering Committee who are calling for more Australians to sign the pledge to Close the Gap. The campaign is a coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health peak bodies and leaders, mainstream national health organisations and human rights organisations, campaigning together for health equality. Over the coming months,
VACCHO will be running its own campaign to increase the number of people who sign the pledge to Close the Gap. One activity we will be doing is to ask all visitors to VACCHO to log on to our website and sign the pledge. Please keep an eye on our website for more activities, and encourage your workplace and friends to sign the pledge. The 10 year anniversary event will occur at Parliament House in Canberra on the 16 February 2016, where the pledges signed by Australians will be tabled to raise awareness and renew the pressure on the Government. The Close the Gap Steering Committee is calling on governments to take action to achieve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality within 25 years by: • increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ access to health services and removing institutional racism from the health care setting • prioritising funding to the health models and services outlined in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Implementation Plan • committing to ACCHOs as a preferred model • addressing critical social issues such as poor housing, nutrition, employment and education • promoting real and meaningful partnerships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and health services. To sign the Pledge go to www.vaccho.org.au/supportus/close-the-gap-pledge/
Yarn up and dance for dementia
People packed out the Drum Theatre in Dandenong on 30 September to launch the Dementia Yarn Up music dance video with a screening of the video and performances by Indigenous Hip Hop Project (IHHP). Everyone was Welcomed to Country by Georgina Nicholson – Wurundjeri Elder (top right) and proceedings were facilitated by Carolyn Briggs - Boonwurrung Elder (bottom right). The day was coordinated by Alfred Health Carer Service and was jam-packed with: • Deadly performances by IHHP • The screening of Dementia Yarn Up by Alzheimer’s Australia Vic (AAV) • Nathan Lovett-Murray yarning about making the video • A yarning circle with Professor Tony Broe (Senior Principle Research Fellow and Head of Aboriginal Health and Ageing at Neuroscience Research in NSW) (2nd from left)
• A great feed, free health checks and local health provider stalls • Live-to-air interviews and coverage with Dylan Clarke from Yarnin’ Up (VACCHO’s weekly health program on 3KND) • Serious dance-offs by everyone there. Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation partnered with AAV to produce the educational music video about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in July of this year. IHHP, working with AAV’s John Price, produced the music video to raise awareness on the tough subject of dementia and the high prevalence rate in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. The video also raps on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and diet to combat this chronic disease condition and the benefits of treating people living with dementia with respect and dignity. Filmed on location throughout
Gunditjmara Country, the song was written and performed by local young people and Aaron Morgan (Heywood Park Ranger). AAV coordinated the project and engaged Nathan LovettMurray to liasise with Heywood, Hamilton and Portland communities and Gunditjmara people on this project. He also got in on the act and laid down some vocals as well. If you want more info on the music video, event or dementia, here are links and contacts to help. Watch the Dementia Yarn Up music video on www.fightdementia.org. au/yarn-up-dementia Listen to interviews on the day at www.vaccho.org.au/newsmedia/yhr/episodes-2015. For information on Alzheimer’s disease or dementia contact your local Aboriginal Health Service or John Price, AAV Service Access Liaison Officer Aboriginal/Consultancy on 0427 304 092 or john.price@ alzheimers.org.au. https://vic. fightdementia.org.au. VACCHO NEWS Spring 2015
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Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation CEO Michael Bell getting cheeky with the VACCHO Members
VACCHO Members meeting hot topics • Housing • Vulnerable children and families • Mental health / AoD • Infrastructure
New VACCHO Board
VACCHO is pleased to announce that Daphne Yarram, Karen Heap and John Mitchell were elected by the VACCHO Membership to represent them and contribute to the strong leadership of their peak body for Aboriginal health. Ms Yarram was re-elected whilst Ms Heap and Mr Mitchell join existing Board members Marcus Clarke, Andrew Gardiner, Hilary Saunders, Suzie Squires and Board Observer Kelli Bartlett.
For more information go to www.vaccho. org.au/news-media/mr/agmboard/.
Yarnin’ health the deadliest victorian aboriginal health info on air and online. you can listen to dylan clarke and guests every wednesdays 4-6pm at www.vaccho.org.au/ news-media/yhr/ or 1503am. if you’ve missed any episodes visit our website www.vaccho. org.au/news-media/yhr or our soundcloud page https://soundcloud.com/ vaccho
An Australian first for the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service’s deadly Dental Service In September 2015, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) proudly became the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHO) in Australia to successfully pass the National Safety and Quality Health Standards (NSQHA) Accreditation for their Dental Service. The NSQHA were developed by the Australian Health Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The Standards drive the implementation of safety and quality systems and improve the quality of health care in Australia. The 10 Standards
provide a nationally consistent statement about the level of care consumers can expect from health service organisations. This achievement was the result of a nine month collaborative effort between the VAHS Dental Team, Board of Directors and other staff. Jason King, VAHS CEO, says “We are so proud of the way VAHS’s staff continue to work together to achieve phenomenal outcomes. We have an amazing Board that believes in the Accreditation process and their support and confidence is invaluable. We look forward to supporting other ACCHOs who
are undertaking this process”. The Australian Council on Health Care Standards (AHCS) assessed VAHS against the NSQHA. Dr Christine Dennis, ACHS CEO, flew to Melbourne and visited VAHS to present VAHS’s accreditation certificate. Shellee Clay, VAHS Quality Manager, says “We always knew that we had a really high level of care. Having passed NSQHS Accreditation cements that we are on the right path of Infection Control, Quality, Governance and Compliance, Consumer Feedback, Medication Safety and more.” A huge congratulations to VAHS and their deadly Dental Service.
L-R: Dr Chris Fredericks OAM, Christine Ingram, Christine Dennis (ACHS), Theresa McNally, Shaygne Hamilton (Dental Assistant), Rajath Shivanna (Dental Assistant), Shellee Clay, Nicholas Dempsey (Dental Assistant), Sarah Flynn (Senior Dental Assistant), Dr Ravi Buchireddy (Senior Dentist), Andrew Harrison (ACHS), Phoenix Ahrmit (Dental Nurse)
Aboriginal healthcare in Victoria leading the way for First Nations health in New Zealand When First Nations people share information, the outcomes for everyone are better… – Raewyn Allen, CEO Mahitahi Trust
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and a collective of New Zealand’s (NZ) Kaupapa Maori Organisations have been participating in one of the first on-going cultural exchange program. Currently the program includes an exchange of health workers and representatives between VAHS and NZ that aims to redesign the delivery of healthcare systems for NZ’s First Peoples. Mahitahi Trust CEO, Raewyn Allen participated in the exchange in August 2015 and believes learning about Victorian Aboriginal healthcare models and
the delivery of services such as primary healthcare can help bring better treatment for First Nation peoples in NZ. Currently two Aboriginal workers from VAHS are in New Zealand looking at addiction services and mental health services and delivery. VAHS CEO, Jason King says “We want to focus on the incorporation of culture. In New Zealand, the people speak one universal language – black and white, this may be harder for us because we have diverse languages across the nation but we can look at ways of how to approach this including cultural values, protocols and languages on a State and National level…“ Listen to the interview at www.vaccho.org.au/ news-media/yhr/episodes-2015/ (ep 5 August) VACCHO NEWS Winter 2015
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Attendees at Eye Health Networking Dinner, Grampians Aboriginal Eye Health Seminar.
Spotlight on eyes
In August Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation and Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative hosted the Greater South Coast Aboriginal Eye Health Cultural Tour and Networking Dinner and in October Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative supported by Budja Budja Aboriginal Cooperative hosted the Grampians Region Aboriginal Eye Health Seminar.
These events, grounded in culture, showcased the great work in Aboriginal eye health currently being undertaken, and the vital role that key stakeholders play in strengthening the eye health service system for our Communities. They also provided excellent professional development and educational opportunities for a range of key eye health stakeholders and health professionals working in primary care and acute health settings. The 2015 National Eye Health Survey (NEHS) running in October was held at Mungabareena
Aboriginal Corporation. The staff successfully coordinated three days of eye checks. A highlight of survey activities was a yarning circle hosted by Mungabareena, with staff, Community members and NEHS optometrists that provided culturally safe and engaging opportunities for Community to learn more about eye health.
Winda-Mara Dancers perform at the Networking Dinner Inset: Margaret Murray pointing the way for eye health in Wodonga
Does your organisation need cultural safety training? In 2015 our Cultural Safety Team provided comprehensive and accessible training to over 1100 workers throughout Victoria. To find more information on how you or your organisation can get culturally ‘trained up’, call our Team on 03 9411 9411 or go to www.vaccho.org.au/consultancy/cs/.
Improving Care for Aboriginal Patients Program Forum 17-19 November - Carlton
Building Effective Relationships Panel Troy Jennings, Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, West Gippsland Health Care Group, Andrew Rowe, CEO, Ballarat Health Service, Karen Heap, CEO, Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative, Michelle Hannon, Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Officer, Northern Area Mental Health
Kimberley Moulton, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre Curator and Project Officer, leads Forum attendees on a cultural tour through the Centre.
First ‘permanent’ flag raising at Parliament House 15 September 2015
Carolyn Briggs, Boonwurrung Elder Welcomes to Country (top left) Victorian Premier, Hon. Daniel Andrews MP (bottom left)
Around the traps Follow us on
VACCHO NEWS Spring 2015
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VACCHO Board Members Marcus Clarke: Chairperson Andrew Gardiner: Vice Chairperson Karen Heap: Board Member John Mitchell: Board Member Hilary Saunders: Board Member Suzie Squires: Board Member Daphne Yarram: Board Member
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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 Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative Cummeragunja Housing & Development Aboriginal Corporation 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 Services Inc. Lake Tyers Health & Children’s Service Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association
• Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport & Recreation Co-operative • Mallee District Aboriginal Services • Kerang Aboriginal Community Centre • Swan Hill & 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 VACCHO News Winter 2015
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