News & Events
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Part-time Administrative Officer position with ICEE (International Centre for Eyecare Education)
A Project Support Officer is sought to provide administrative support for ICEE projects in the Northern Territory. Based in Darwin, the role will include organising outreach optometry trips, finance and expense reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and coordinating production of educational resources.
If you desire to use your administration skills to improve eye health services for Indigenous Territorians, please contact the HR Administrator, Linda Puckeridge, for further information on 02 9385 7376 or at l.puckeridge@ier.org.au.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people are strongly encouraged to apply.
New CEO for new Indigenous health body
The former Director of the Allied Health Workforce Section in the Department of Health and Ageing has been appointed the first CEO of Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA). The IAHA Board of Indigenous Directors, representing a range of allied health professions that contribute to the health of Indigenous peoples and their communities, welcomes Craig Dukes with his wealth of experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and Australian government departments.
Indigenous Allied Health Australia offers Indigenous leadership, knowledge and experience in the development of strategies and pilot projects to address aspects of allied health training and the inequities in the availability of allied health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“IAHA was established in June 2009 and already has a large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander membership.” Mr Dukes said. “This membership is growing rapidly and I believe that IAHA has major potential, through its membership, to achieve its vision for equality in health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I am immensely excited and honoured to be appointed as the CEO of such a dynamic and visionary organisation.”
Indigenous Medical Specialists: a plan of action
Plain Language Statement and Invitation to Participate
The purpose of the project is to develop an action plan for the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) to increase the number of Indigenous medical specialists. The proposed interviews are to inform the development of the action plan. To do this, two aims are foremost. The first is to highlight barriers or enablers for Indigenous doctors entering the medical specialties, including the role (if any) of mentors. A second aim is to build on Indigenous health curriculum development in basic medical education by seeking the perspectives of Indigenous specialists and their mentors. Finally, perspectives on medical specialists contribution to ‘closing the gap’ will be sought.
This project has been funded by the CPMC. Involvement will constitute a face to face (or possibly telephone) interview of up to one hour in length, which will be audio‐recorded and transcribed. A copy of the action plan can be sent to you if you wish.
If you would like to participate in this research, please contact the principal research, Shaun Ewen, on 03 8344 9230 or at shaun.ewen@unimelb.edu.au.
Closing the gap – Lowitja research Institute launched - 24 February 2010
National efforts to improve Aboriginal health and close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and other Australians will receive a major boost with Canberra launch of the Lowitja Institute – Australia’s Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Health.
Named in honour of senior Yankuntjatjara Elder and national Aboriginal leader, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue, the new Institute will host the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health and provide a more permanent home for CRCATSIH’s pioneering work of improving Indigenous health through research and the development of a professional and effective Indigenous health workforce.
Chair of the Institute’s interim board, Pat Anderson, said the Lowitja Institute would be Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander-led and like its CRC predecessors encourage a collaborative and supportive research environment.“The need for Indigenous control of the health research agenda is well recognised but it is also essential that the new Institute continues to build strong relationships with governments, academic and other research institutions and the non-government health sector including medical associations and nurses unions,” she said.
The Lowitja Institute and the CRCATSIH has developed a new research agenda with three program areas:
• Healthy Start, Healthy Life
• Healthy Communities andSettings
• Enabling Policy and Systems
Ms Anderson said that the new research agenda will investigate determinants of health including relationship to land, connectedness to community and family, the impact of racism, and identity and levels of self-determination and community control.
3 Months Short Term Female Locum Required
April, May and June 2010, Narooma, NSW
Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Community and Medical Service is situated in Narooma on the far south coast of New South Wales between Ulladulla and the Victorian border. Katungul AMS is looking for a female GP to work in the clinics of Narooma, Moruya and Bega of which there are 4950 clients. The GP will have the support of a small dedicated team of qualified AHWs, RNs and Admin. Service also includes an outreach clinic to Wallaga Lake.
Attractive Salary Offer of $120/hour plus Superannuation. Days required are Mondays to Thursdays. There is no hospital on call or after hour requirements. The short term period will be for the months of April, May and June 2010 while the regular GP is on leave. The regular GP will be available for a hand‐over at the start of the period.
For further information, please contact the Chief Executive Officer, Damien Matcham on (02) 4476 2155 or mobile 0447 463 433. Expressions of interest can be faxed to: (02) 4476 1967 or emailed to: damien@katungul.org.au.
New national peak body for Indigenous health workers
The Australian Government will provide $1.2 million over three years to establish a peak body for Australia’s 1,600 indigenous health workers. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Association will look at national registration and accreditation strategies for the next two years and, Minister Snowdon says, help establish up-skilling and training support to ensure there is consistency nationally. An interim board is operating from offices in Canberra. A board will be elected at the association’s inaugural AGM in mid-2010.
Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) - Development of a National Strategic Framework for Rural and Remote Health
Invitation to Participate in National Forums
To progress national policy directions related to rural health, the Rural Health Standing Committee (RHSC) has identified the need to develop a new strategic approach for improving the health of rural, regional and remote Australians. This new strategic approach will replace Healthy Horizons: A Framework for Improving the Health of Rural and Remote Australians. The current project involves the development of a new National Strategic Framework for Rural and Remote Health.
The RHSC is now convening national consultation forums to provide opportunities for stakeholders to provide input and advice to inform the development of the National Strategic Framework for rural and Remote Health. If you would like to have input into the development of the strategic framework, you are invited to attend one of the State and Territory Forums which will be held in each capital city and in Townsville, Alice Springs and Burnie between 11 February and 11 March 2010.
To register for the Consultation Workshops or to make a written submission please contact Melissa Williams 02 9368 1977 or melissa.williams@sigginsmiller.com.au. RSVP for workshop attendance is 5 days prior to date of forum. Closing date for written submissions is Friday 9th March 2010.
Workshop dates:
10 March Darwin
11th March Perth
Science Leader – Māori Research & Development (Porirua, Wellington)
Closing date for applications is 14 March 2010
Kenepuru Science Centre is seeking to appoint a Senior Māori Researcher with leadership skills and nationally recognised specialist knowledge and expertise in the area of environmental and/or social research, measured by an impressive RS&T track record, and credibility working with Māori organisations and communities.
QLD GP makes a difference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
The establishment of the new national Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) was announced recently and sees the RACGP continuing its long‐term commitment to leading the way in addressing the challenges in improving health care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Dr Murphy, who is the inaugural Chair of the RACGP’s new faculty, believes it will provide support in terms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health across the multi‐faceted spectrum of general practice, incorporating a collaborative care approach. There is no “one‐size‐fits‐all” model in regards to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. GPs now have somewhere to go for support with these issues and the RACGP is providing specific direction for GPs for how to effectively deal with these communities, as well as providing increased cultural awareness.
“This is an exciting time for the college and I know this initiative will be successful because of the dedication of the team involved. I found the process to get the faculty up and running to be easy as the timing was right. People are now more aware than ever of the health issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and my main focus in the coming years will be attracting and retaining people to assist in this cause”, he said.
PhD in Medical Education Scholarship
Applications close: Monday 15 March 2010
The University of Otago’s Faculty of Medicine is offering a PhD scholarship for clinically-qualified graduates interested in researching a topic in medical education.
The scholarship will be awarded for a three year period at $20,000 per year plus fees. Applicants may be based in any one of the School locations (Dunedin, Christchurch, or Wellington) or associated sites (e.g. Invercargill, Palmerston North), provided suitable supervisory arrangements can be made, and part time study will be considered.
For further information please contact Joy Rudland, Director - Faculty Education Unit, at joy.rudland@otago.ac.nz or on +64 3 479 5082.
Expression of Interest - 2010 NATSIWG
Applications close: 5pm Wednesday 17 March 2010
The Department for Communities, Women’s Interests is providing an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community women to nominate to be a delegate at the 2010 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Gathering (NATSIWG), which will be held in Perth WA from 26 May to 28 May 2010.
Nominations are sought from Western Australian community women who can provide leadership on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s issues. Delegates will receive government rate sitting fees for the gathering. Travel, accommodation and meals will be covered if required.
For further information or to apply, download the attached 2010 NATSIWG Infopack and complete the application form. If you would like more information about NATSIWG please contact Vanessa Harvey at the Department for Communities, Women’s Interests on (08) 6217 8323 or at Vanessa.harvey@communities.wa.gov.au.
Policy and Project Officer - National Heart Foundation (Victoria)
Applications close: Monday 22 March 2010
The Heart Foundation is seeking a part time Policy & Project Officer to support the Policy Manager.They are currently seeking a part time Policy & Project Officer, taking a lead role in working with key stakeholders to develop, implement and evaluate a project to influence local government to adopt smokefree policies in outdoor areas. In addition, the Policy & Project Officer will implement initiatives to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and help develop Heart Foundation policy positions for presentation to key stakeholders and decision makers.
Improving Social Determinants of Indigenous Health Conference, Working Beyond the Health Sector
30 - 31 March 2010, Brisbane, QLD
This conference addresses the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander definition of health and also examines factors such as housing, eduation, family, community and self esteem to improve health. It will bring together case studies from successful programs and address how policy can be effectively delivered to the community. Registration closes 19 February. For further information please call 1300 316 882 or email registration@criterionconferences.com.
The Marilyn Godley Scholarship and the Catalysts' Centenary Bursary for female Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students
Applications closing date: 31 March 2010
The Marilyn Godley Scholarship, valued at $2,000, and the Catalysts' Centenary Bursary, valued at $1000, will be offered to female Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students, who are normally resident in Victoria and enrolled at a Victorian university in 2010 in an undergraduate degree. These awards are intended to assist students meet the costs of studying for an undergraduate degree.
Full information on this and another scholarship for Indigenous women is available on their website.
The Menzies School of Health Research half-day short course: Program Evaluation
Wednesday 7 April 2010, Darwin, NT
This course is relevant to project managers and researchers involved in program evaluation, interested in future contributions to evaluation or potential to conduct future program evaluations or evaluation research.
The presenters are Ms Johanna Bell and Dr Elizabeth McDonald.Must register by Friday 26 March 2010.
HAUORA MĀORI SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications close: 7 April 2010
The scholarships will assist students undertaking health and disability studies, in order to build Māori workforce capacity in the health sector. Hauora Māori Scholarships are open to any person who is:
• enrolled and attending a University, Polytechnic, Wananga or College of Education;
• studying a health related, NZQA accredited course, of at least 12 weeks duration;
• can demonstrate a commitment to and/or competence in Māori health and well-being studies; and
• has whakapapa and/or cultural links with te ao Māori or Māori communities.
Any queries regarding the Hauora Māori Scholarships should be emailed to MPDSadministrator@moh.govt.nz.
The Heart Foundation Travel Grants - Round Two
Closing date for Applications: 9 April 2010
For travel in June - September 2010
The Heart Foundation offers funding to support researchers working in the area of cardiovascular disease and related disorders. We are now calling for applications for the second round of Travel Grants in 2010.
Travel Grants are available to support Australian researchers travelling to present their cardiovascular research at a conference overseas. They are also available to Indigenous health researchers travelling to present their research in Australia.
Heart Foundation Fellowships
Applications for all fellowships close: 5pm on Monday 12 April 2010
The Heart Foundation is offering funding to support researchers working in the area of cardiovascular disease and related disorders. We are now calling for applications for fellowships to commence in 2011.
For further information, please call 03 9321 1581 or email research@heartfoundation.org.au.
Postdoctoral Fellowships (Biomedical, Clinical, Public Health)
These fellowships are available to medical and science graduates who have completed an MD or PhD award within the last five years and who are seeking support to become independent researchers. Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable for up to two years and may be full or part time.
Overseas Research Fellowships are available to medical and science graduates who have completed a PhD or MD award within the last 24 months. The purpose of the Heart Foundation's Overseas Research Fellowship scheme is to support the training of Australian researchers who seek to begin or maintain a postdoctoral position investigating cardiovascular research at a relevant institution overseas.
The purpose of the Career Development Fellowship is to develop the career of Australian citizens or permanent residents, who are 2 - 12 years postdoctoral (2 - 7 and 7 - 12 years). These awards are the most prestigious offered by the program. Career Development Fellowships are tenable for four years and may be full or part time.
Indigenous Nutrition Advocacy Symposium
22 April 2010, Canberra, ACT
This one-day event is being organised by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan (NATSINSAP) Steering Committee. The aim of the symposium is to highlight nutrition initiatives as a key way of Closing the Gap. The symposium, although targeting policy makers, is open to anyone with an interest in this area.
Contact Katherine Cullerton, Senior Project Officer of NATSINSAP (The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan) at the Heart Foundation on (07) 3872 2565 or at katherine.cullerton@heartfoundation.org.au for more information.
Indigenous Cancer Survivors Forum: Our Story and Our Meeting Place
19 May 2010, Brisbane, QLD
Please direct all enquiries to: info@m247consulting.com.
International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development (INIHKD) Conference
'Knowing your Roots: Indigenous Medicines, Health Knowledges, and Best Practices'
24 - 28 May 2010, Poulsbo, Washington State, USA
The INIHKD is an international assembly of indigenous health researchers, scholars, policymakers, and health practitioners dedicated to improving the health of indigenous peoples in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States through community led health research, culturally-based health services delivery, indigenous health workforce development, and indigenous health policy advancement.
The purpose of bringing together indigenous health researchers, practitioners, and policy representatives from these countries is to grow INIHKD’s efforts to address the challenges involved in reducing indigenous health disparities and to share critical analyses and practice-based theories of historical and social determinants of health disparities among indigenous peoples across the globe.
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
Special Issue: Indigenous Health, Wellbeing, Social and Economic Inclusion – Closing the Gaps
Call for papers for a special issue of the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, due for publication in February 2011. The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal is acknowledging the role that the occupational therapy profession can play in closing the gaps that separate indigenous and non-indigenous health, wellbeing, prosperity and occupational opportunity by publishing a special edition on occupational therapy and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations and communities. The main focus of the special issue is to publish a collection of original research and feature articles that collectively highlight the contributions that occupational therapy profession can make towards Closing the Gap. It is acknowledged that occupational therapists are working with other indigenous populations and communities internationally to close gaps in health, wellbeing and occupational opportunity, so that original research and feature articles about this work will also be considered.
Submission of manuscripts will undergo the normal peer review process and will be chosen for quality and originality. Closing date for submissions is: 1st June 2010.
For further information please contact Yvonne Thomas, Senior Lecturer - Occupational Therapy at James Cook University on 07 47815577 or email yvonne.thomas@jcu.edu.au.
4th International Indigneous Traditional Knowledge Conference
6 - 9 June 2010, Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand
"Kei muri i te awe kapara he tangata ke - behind the tattooed face a stranger stands: Recognising, engaging, understanding difference".
The Conference will discuss strategies for generating social, educational, intellectual, and economic opportunities by building relationships that engage, understand, and accommodate difference to overcome the adverse effects resulting from failure to understand sufficiently the differences among indigenous and non-indigenous communities and societies. Target groups for the conference include: academics, emerging researchers, graduate students; community groups/workers/activists; tribal and community elders and leaders; and local and national government representatives. Welcome one and all!
Contact details: enquiries@traditionalknowledge2010.ac.nz / Telephone +64-9-3737599 ext 82376 or 84220.
The National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference (NIDAC 2010) - LISTENING, LEARNING & LEADING
16 - 18 June 2010, Adelaide, South Australia
The Conference aims to assist and contribute to further develop the capacity of those working to address harmful Indigenous drug and alcohol use. It will also showcase and celebrate the quiet efforts and achievements of those striving to improve the health and well being of our communities.
For more information see the conference website.
RACP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trainee Scholarship
Applications Close: 29 June 2009
The fund is established to provide support for an Australian Indigenous Basic and Advanced Trainee in any of the specialist disciplines of the RACP's training programs. Trainees must be working in an accredited hospital or alternate training facility, or within another approved training program.
Recipients must be Australian Indigenous medical practitioners currently undertaking training of the RACP at an accredited hospital or alternate training facility, or within another approved training program.
Read the application form for further details.
Cultural Immersion Program 2010
5 - 9 July 2010, Daly River, NT
Six people are invited to take a five-day cultural immersion program on the land of the Marrathiel people, near Daly River (Peppimenarti) about six hours drive, south-west of Darwin. The program is designed to be useful for health professionals dealing with Indigenous people living a semi-traditional lifestyle.,/p>
To register your interest, contact Belle Allison at the NTGPE: belle.allison@ntgpe.org, or 08 8946 6958.
Short Course: Issues in Indigenous Health Research
19 - 22 July 2010, Darwin, NT
This four-day program uses a workshop format to provide an overview of specific Indigenous health research issues. The focus will be on comparative analyses of the complex factors involved. There will be critical examination of the rhetoric and practices associated with research, particularly in Indigenous health frameworks. The short course will also examine Indigenous definitions and articulation of issues and control of the research process. This will be composed of a series of interactive sessions entailing formal presentations, discussion and group work. There will be a range of Indigenous and non-Indigenous presenters (local and interstate) sharing their experience, expertise and passion in the area of Indigenous health research.
Participants who satisfactorily complete the post-course assessment will be granted academic credit in the Charles Darwin University Graduate Diploma of Public Health, Master of Public Health and Doctor of Public Health programs coordinated by Menzies.
For further information please contact Catherine Richardson at education@menzies.edu.au.
Secretariat for National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) National Conference
27 - 29 July 2010, Alice Springs, Northern Territory
The Secretariat for National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is organising a conference, with the aim to provide an opportunity for Indigenous organisations, policy makers, researchers, government representatives, non-government organisations, and industry representatives to gather and renew commitments to Indigenous children.
Please contact Sharyn Low, Conference secretariat, on (02) 4572 3079 or at sharynlow@pacific.net.au for details on the conference.
9th World Indigenous Women and Wellness Conference
22 - 25 August 2010, Darwin, NT
This conference is hosted by the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation and welcomes all people who are interested in, or concerned with, Indigenous women and wellness to get involved in the conference and particularly encourages the participation of Indigenous women.
We are now inviting abstract submissions for paper and poster presentations by individuals that are concerned about, or interested in, Indigenous women and wellness. All abstracts should be submitted electronically by 31st March, 2010.
This is an inclusive event and everyone is welcome to attend.
PRIDoC 2010 - The Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress 2010 “Sharing Our Stories: Building Strength through the Circle of Knowledge Translation”
26 - 29 August 2010, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Hosted by the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.Further information can be found by visiting the IPAC website or contacting kandice.leonard@ipac‐amic.org.
17th Western Australian Drug and Alcohol Symposium
30 August - 1 September 2010, Fremantle, Western Australia
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS close Friday 19th February 2010, 5.00pm WST
The 17th Western Australian Drug and Alcohol Symposium - Hope, Hype or Hard Evidence?: Alcohol and Other Drugs Practice in the New Millennium will bring together international, national and local speakers to present evidence-based research and emerging practice in policy, prevention, harm reduction, law enforcement strategies and treatment including pharmacotherapies. The Symposium will provide numerous opportunities for professional networking, collaboration, discussion, debate and reflection over the alcohol and other drugs practice of the past, present and future across a diversity of settings around the Symposium’s theme.
Abstracts must be submitted online via the Symposium website. Before you prepare your abstract, please read the abstract submission guidelines on the "Call for Abstracts" page on the website.
For any enquiries, please contact the Symposium secretariat on 08 9389 1488 or at aline@eecw.com.au.
Healing Our Spirit Worldwide
3 - 10 September 2010, Honolulu, Hawai'i
The goal of Healing Our Spirit Worldwide is to celebrate the diverse and unique cultural strengths, knowledge and talents of Indigenous peoples around the world, with a particular focus on successes, best practices and common issues in health, healing and addictions within Indigenous communities. The Sixth Gathering will radiate the wisdom of our kupuna (elders) and the aloha of the land and the Indigenous people of ka pae ‘aina Hawai‘i.
The 2010 gathering in Honolulu will continue the tradition of HOSW—to strengthen and heal Indigenous families and communities worldwide.
For more information contact Maria Halkitis at the CRCAH on 08 8943 5020.
Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) 2010 conference
28 November - 1 December 2010, Canberra, ACT
Call for symposia and abstracts now open!
On behalf of the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD), we are pleased to advise you that the APSAD 2010 conference will be taking place from 28 November - 1 December in Australia’s capital, Canberra.
The Federal Parliament designated Canberra as the national capital in 1908, and APSAD held its first annual meeting there in 1981 with the title “Recent Advances in Knowledge Concerning Alcohol and other Drugs”. This makes Canberra a more than fitting place to gather for the APSAD 2010 conference to see how far we have come in 29 years.
Under the title, Building on the Capital, the conference will feature an exciting program including international and national speakers with a focus on new treatment, prevention and policy in the areas of drug and alcohol research and as such, we are now calling for symposia (closing date 31 March 2010) and abstracts (closing date 28 May 2010) which address all aspects of licit and illicit drug use/misuse.
LIME Connection III Conference media articles
Paving the Way for Indigenous Doctors - The University of Queensland’s School of Medicine News
AIDA congratulates seven Indigenous medical pioneers
Closing the Gap Clearinghouse goes live!
On 30 October the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse went ‘live’. The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse is a central online source of research and information on what works to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage. The Clearinghouse focuses on what works to overcome the problems rather than outlining the nature or extent of the problems. A key feature of the Clearinghouse is the Quality Assessed Collection which will hold research that has been assessed by experts. These assessments will enable users to understand the type and quality of research they are accessing.
Visit the Clearinghouse website to learn more about the Clearinghouse and Clearinghouse resources — over 4,700 items are now available in the collection.
An Overview of Statutory and Administrative Datasets: Describing the Health of Victoria's Aboriginal Infants, Children and Young People
This report is the first arising from the Victorian Aboriginal Child Mortality Study, 1988-2008. The first of its kind in Victoria, this report investigates population-based administrative and statutory datasets that collect information describing the health of Victoria's Aboriginal (and non-Aboriginal) infants, children and young people.
The report is available from the ‘Resource Centre’ of the study’s website or in hard copy from the following:
Associate Professor Jane Freemantle E: j.freemantle@unimelb.edu.au or
Ms Bree Heffernan E: breeh@unimelb.edu.au
VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE: Discussion Forum on Environmental Health and the Intervention
On Thursday 20 August, The Public Health Association of Australia and the Menzies School of Health Research hosted a Discussion Forum in Darwin on Environmental Health and the Intervention.
The Discussion Forum was a big hit, with over 50 attendees and significant media attention on the day. Those who weren’t able to either attend the event on the day or follow it via the live webcast can now watch a video presentation of the event by clicking on the following link.
National Roundtable on Nutrition and Preventative Health
This roundtable was held in early August in Adelaide and was co-hosted by the CSIRO and the CRCAH and was attended by 37 delegates from across Australia, with Indigenous and non-Indigenous representatives from government, academia, community health services, non-government organisations, and local service providers. Dialogue at the Roundtable was of great benefit to the CRCAH and CSIRO offering valuable feedback on the priorities around nutrition and preventative health for Indigenous people.
CSIRO made a commitment to delegates that the Roundtable was just the first step in ongoing discussions, collaborations, and focus on having a greater impact on health and nutrition outcomes for our Indigenous communities.
CSIRO are currently seeking expressions of interest from delegates and others to join a working party, led by CSIRO’s National Preventative Health Flagship and the CRCAH. The aim of the working party (the Working Group for Preventative Health and Nutrition in Indigenous Futures) is to progress the insights, stories, and knowledge shared at the Adelaide Roundtable and call policy formulators, researchers and service providers to action to provide Australian Indigenous communities with better health and total wellbeing outcomes, now, and into the future.
Please forward you interest in joining the Working group for Preventative Health and Nutrition in Indigenous Future to:
Belinda Wyld (CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences) on 08 8303 8854 or belinda.wyld@csiro.au Arwen Nikolof (CRCAH) on 08 8132 6310 or arwen.nikolof@crcah.org.au
The CSIRO media release is available at here.
Preventing Cervical Cancer in Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Women
Presentation topics included preventing cervical cancer in Indigenous women, vaccine safety, new models of screening in the vaccination era, HPV vaccination science and HPV testing in screening.
Presentations (video and slides) from the conference are now available online.
National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission: A Healthier Future for all Australians - Final Report JUNE 2009
Chapter 3 outlines the Commission’s recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, including a proposal to increase, and aggregate all Aboriginal health spending, and create a new National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Authority (NATSIHA) to commission, and hold health services accountable for provision of services.
The report is accessible via this link.
Boatshed Declaration
On the 1st and 2nd June 2009, over 40 leading researchers and academics from across Australia met at the University of Western Australia Boatshed in Perth, to discuss research concerning racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The two-day meeting significantly advanced the themes of social justice and reconciliation in Australian society and has culminated in the production of a detailed statement against racism.
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Research Project: history of comprehensive primary health care at VAHS
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) are about to do a research project on the history of comprehensive primary health care at VAHS.
VAHS and VACCHO are interested in hearing the stories of staff and board members (past and current), elders, community members and family of people who played a key role in VAHS history.
Please see the attached flyer for further information.
Sharing our Stories and Building on our Strengths
For the Fitzroy Stars Football Club, football is more than a game. The club nurtures a culture that promotes healthy lifestyles and offers pathways to employment. Its just one local Koori organisation in Melbourne working to benefit the social and emotional well being of community members. Such work has been documented in a new film, Sharing Our Stories, Building on Our Strengths produced by Onemda Vic Health Koori Health Unit and the faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences.
Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors
The Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils (CPMEC) has recently undertaken the first major revision of the curriculum framework since its development. This revision has incorporated feedback received since the launch and to ensure that the capabilities within the framework are able to be assessed. A two month period of intensive review and consultation is now under way. A PDF copy of the revised ACF for review can be downloaded from their site.
Feedback on the revised curriculum framework can be provided in writing to Ms Debbie Paltridge, the ACF, National Project Coordinator at dpaltridge@cpmec.org.au.
Making two worlds work: building the capacity of the health and community sector to work effectively and respectfully with our Aboriginal community” (2008)
This is a great resource developed by the Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation and Women's Health Goulburn North East in Victoria. The aim is to assist health care workers to provide culturally competent health care to Indigenous peoples.
The kit consists of posters; audit tool kit; working with Aboriginal clients and organisations; using an Aboriginal health promotion framework through an Aboriginal lens; CD with Indigenous images; DVD and Welcome sticker and template; information guide providing answers about Aboriginal health, history and protocols. This initiative won the 2009 Victorian Health Care Awards - Reducing Health Inequalities section.