20 years of... Servicing Wellbeing Connecting Collaborating Improving

Annual Report 2019 - 2020 Central PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 1 Central Hume PCP along with the 28 other Primary Care Partnerships across celebrated the 20 year anniversary in 2020. To mark this milestone Central Hume PCP engaged Fishbowl PR to develop promotional/advocacy materials and awareness campaign. The materials include a selection of case studies and social media posts which highlighted our recent partnership work.

The Central Hume PCP team remains committed to the work they do, despite the continuing uncertainty the PCP has faced for the past couple of years.

In 2019/20 Central Hume PCP undertook: • Advocacy Campaign – including a selection of case studies for Report each Local Government Area (LGA) in Central Hume. • Regular communication with member agencies. Summary • Development of the COVID-19 webpage resource. • Development of LGA data profiles and infographics . • A weekly eBulletin, ‘What’s Happening?’. • Completed the Rural Women’s Health Needs project. • Completed ‘An Age-Friendly Approach to Disaster Recovery’ report.

In 2019/20 Central Hume PCP had ongoing contribution with: • 4 x Local Health and Wellbeing Partnerships. • The Central Hume Strategic Implementation NetwoP. • The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health & Wellbeing Planning Network. • The Prevention Working Group. • The Ovens Murray Chronic Care Steering Committee. • The Ovens Murray Integrated Family Violence Executive Committee. ‘Without the Central Hume • The Gathering Place Project Steering Committee. PCP, many organisations • RESPOND Regional Partners Group. would work in isolation, • Age-Friendly Northeast Victoria Alliance. • North East Dry Seasonal Conditions Coordination Group. losing the benefits of • Regional Prevention of Violence Against Women COP. extended networks and • Rural Outreach Worker Reference Group. collaboration, reducing the impact of their resources In 2019, DHHS commissioned KMPG to review the Primary Care Partnership Program however due to the distractions of Bushfires and potentially duplicating and COVID 19 the State Government have not made any long term services.’ decisions about the future of PCPs to date. The Executive Committee would like to thank its 17 member organisations and 26 contributing organisations for their commitment to the four Health and Wellbeing Partnerships in the Central Hume region of; Alpine, , Mansfield and Wangaratta Local Government Areas. The Executive also acknowledge these organisations and their staff for continuing to help us advocate for the Primary Care Partnership platform and raising awareness about the achievements of the Central Hume PCP.

Heather Betts Chair, Central Hume PCP

2 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Contents

Vision, Mission, Strategic Central Hume PCP 04 Priorities 05 Governance Structure

Celebrating 20 Years! 06 Case Study: Making Physical Activity a Priority 7

Case Study: Supporting Patients’ Recovery 8

Case Study: Community Changes Attitudes Towards Youth Mental Health 9

10 Years of Projects 10

10 Our Projects Bringing Information Together for Rural Communities 13

‘What’s Happening’ eBulletin 14

Women’s Health Needs Project 15

RESPOND 16

Chronic Care Strategy 17

Age-Friendly Northeast Victoria Alliance 18

Aboriginal Health 19

Case Study: Transforming Lives 23

Dry Conditions Resilience 24

Health & Wellbeing 25

26 Central Hume PCP Partners 27 Financial Report

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 3 Vision & Mission

Our Vision Our Mission A community where all people enjoy Working together to strengthen quality of life and are healthy, well collaboration and partnerships we and active. will drive real improvements in health and wellbeing outcomes that are meaningful in our community.

Our Role is to: The Central Hume PCP Principles are • Continue to build a robust and current evidence base. that we will: • Act independently to broker opportunities and build • Respect and value the views of all partners. active relationships that advance our priorities. • Focus on social justice and equity, creating a • Support our partners and active relationships to strong voice for advocacy. build their capacity to act to achieve our priorities. • Listen to the views and experiences of • Measure and celebrate our success, and consumers. continuously improve our practice to achieve our • Apply catchment wide and place-based priorities. approaches. • Work collaboratively and collectively, and pool our resources for greatest impact.

Strategic Priorities

Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Prevention of Chronic Prevention of Family Systems Integration Effective & Sustainable Disease - Healthy Eating Violence - Healthy - Addressing Social Partnership & Active Living Relationships Determinants of Health for Wellbeing Outcomes

4 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Governance Structure

Central Hume PCP Executive Membership: 4 Health & Wellbeing Partnership Chairs, 3 General Members (Elected), 1 Auspice Organisation

Membership Forum Annual Membership Forum Exploring Health & Wellbeing Annual Report Partnership Projects

Alpine Benalla Mansfield Wangaratta Health & Wellbeing Health & Wellbeing Health & Wellbeing Health & Wellbeing Partnership Partnership Partnership Partnership

Central Hume PCP Strategic Networks

Central Hume Strategic Central Hume Aboriginal Health & Implementation Network Wellbeing Planning Network Quarterly Meetings Quarterly Meetings

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 5 Celebrating 20 Years!

Celebrating 20 Years!

Health and wellbeing services are not all typically available within small towns and regional areas. They rely on health and community service organisations to be strongly connected so they get improved outcomes from services.

Central Hume Primary Care Partnership has been improving the health and wellbeing of people in the Ovens Murray region for 20 years. This has been achieved by working collaboratively to reduce isolation that individuals in regional communities experience and improving the integration of the services supporting them.

Without the Central Hume Primary Care Partnership, many of these service organisations would work alone, losing the benefits of extended networks and collaboration on multiple complex health and wellbeing issues, reducing the impact of their resources and potentially duplicating services.

We continue to drive real improvements in health and wellbeing outcomes that are meaningful for our communities.

To mark our 20th anniversary, we highlighted our recent partnership work through a selection of case studies.

6 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Case Study Making Physical Activity a Priority With benefits for her physical and mental health and feeling more capable generally in life, it’s no surprise that Jo Long is a convert to the advantages of physical activity.

It hasn’t always been that way. Two years ago, Jo took part in a physical activity survey as part of the Alpine Active Living Mapping Project aimed at assessing if people in the were achieving ’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines and to identify barriers and opportunities for physical activity that existed locally.

As part of the Active Alpine Group delivering the Alpine Active Living Mapping Project recommendations, Alpine Health is implementing the Healthy Workplaces Achievement Program including workplace initiatives for staff.

Partners Alpine Health, Gateway Health, Alpine Shire Council and Sport North East are working locally to deliver a range of other recommendations identified through the project. At the time of writing, most of these have been put on hold due to Coronavirus restrictions.

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 7 Case Study

Supporting Patients’ Recovery 2017 Central Hume PCP through DHHS funded delivery Self Management Support Training, based on specific training needs identified across Ovens Murray and Goulburn areas.

More than two years after her first knee replacement, Mary Ellis is sticking to her exercise routine thanks to the support of the Complex Care program at Northeast Health Wangaratta. “I’m continuing to try to improve my health on my own and with their help. I wouldn’t be as good as I am if I didn’t have their support,” Mary said.

Meagan Tharratt, Care Coordinator in the Complex Care Service and Coordinator of the Cardiac Rehabilitation program said Peter and Mary are talking about a new self-management philosophy in which staff were recently trained.

“The benefit for clients is that I think people are more honest with you and feel less judged and they will tell you not just what you want to hear. They are willing to therefore engage for a longer period of time. Some people are isolated because of their health concerns and they often say things like they don’t feel people give them time. With this approach, they feel more valued.

Some clinicians working in chronic disease management come from an acute care hospital background where Ada Mickan, physiotherapist says the focus is more on ‘fixing’ people. The self-management approach is about understanding the barriers or psychosocial issues that might stop people from being more confident about making changes in their lives.

8 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Case Study

Community Changes Attitudes to Youth Mental Health While there have been improvements in awareness and understanding about youth mental health in Mansfield following initial responses to a youth mental health survey, one young person says education about mental health needs to be broadened throughout the community.

Alyssa Lamont, who is in year 9 at Mansfield Secondary College said things have improved a lot in the last six months.

“The welfare team at the school understand mental health a lot more and the teachers who previously didn’t understand, or came across as not caring about it, have also changed,” Alyssa said. “I’ve been struggling personally with some mental health issues and it’s important to acknowledge this, so that others in the community know they are not alone,” she said.

Changes at the school resulted from a project that started in 2016 with a survey of young people aged 12-25, parents and services in Mansfield. The survey was designed to inform the development of a Youth Strategy.

With mental health clearly identified as an issue of concern, Central Hume Primary Care Partnership funded Mansfield Shire Council to develop a community wide strategy for youth mental health.

In 2018, the project started using the Resilient Youth Australia, Resilience Survey which measures the strengths, mental health and hopefulness of young people.

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 9 Below is a list of projects and work that has been completed over the last 10 years.

Aboriginal Health • Cultural Awareness sessions delivered • In 2012 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and healthy 10 Years of eating were included in the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans Projects • Football Club “Dreamtime round” 2012 • In 2013/14, 23 cultural awareness sessions delivered to mainstream services • Taungurung language mural developed at the Mansfield library • Yaming mats were provided to all High Country Library’s in 2014 • ‘My Rollercoaster” support for youth project delivered in 2013/2014 • Cultural training delivered to frontline staff and cultural audits completed at Health services • Sacred Sister program delivered at Borinya College in 2015 • Advocacy for a dental van. Northeast Health Wangaratta Dental van now services the catchment • NAIDOC week support and contribution • A small cultural event held in 2016 with small rural schools and home schooled children • Feasibility Study completed for a Gathering Place in Wangaratta in 2017 • Development of a Mosaic seat at Benalla Health with students from the Flexible Learning school • The Aboriginal Health and Community Support Worker presented at the Mental Health Services Conference (TheMHS) Auckland, New Zealand • Promoted the $10 Glasses Scheme • Thrive Festival • Benalla Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Project • Marmungan Rock • Development of the ‘Us Mob’ with the Koorie Engagement and Support Officer at Benalla P to 12 College • Uncle Wally’s Memorial Garden • Elders Healing Camp • Koori Room Mural at Gateway Health • Waminda Community House outreach model • Proud and Deadly Awards

10 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Integrated Care Projects • Heart Foundation early identification of risk project • Social Connection as a protective factor against problem • In 2012 one Health Eating Prevention Plan established with 5 gambling agencies • 2010/2011 – Local Projects funded were: • 40 clinicians received Health Coach training in 2012/2013 • Alpine Shire: “Communities that Care” and Climate • Development of the Central Hume PCP Service Coordination Change and Young People Agency resource (resource includes templates, relevant • : Aged Care Assessment Review information, audit tools to support best practice service • Rural : Preventing Family Violence coordination policy and procedure development • Mansfield Shire: Active Mansfield. • Central Hume diabetes ‘Model of Care’ and pathways of care • Vic responsible gambling foundation project – Act, Belong, developed Commit • Workforce self-management support toolkit to assist with • Development of the Client and Community Engagement implementing self-management practices with clients Capacity Building Framework • Multi-site National Association of Diabetes Centres – Level 3 • ‘Taking Care of Dying Time’ video developed as part of the accredited diabetes Care Centres in Central Hume Advance Care Planning initiative • Primary Health Workforce Capacity Building for Self- • Development of the Volunteer Ambassadors Program and Management Support Project Lawyers Advance Care Planning Kit as part of the Advance • Pharmacy Project 2018 Care Planning Initiative Project • 2015/2016 Local projects funded were: Prevention • Benalla: Wicking Garden beds and Pathways to Safety • 4 Local Partnerships were established in 2010 to support the Project implementation of the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing • Mansfield: Vulnerable People Project, Better Communities Plans for Children Leadership Network Collective Impact • One catchment wide Health Promotion Plan for ‘Health eating’ Evaluation and Mansfield Do it Festival – Health and priority developed in 2012 Wellbeing theme • Food security reports developed for all 4 local government • Wangaratta: Community Engagement and Equity Project areas in 2013/2014 • 2016/2017 Local projects funded were: • Development of “food for all” logo to increase the profile of • Alpine: Activation on Myrtleford Senior Citizens Centre health eating and to share information and resources Project • Local people, local food solution research project • Benalla: Rural Outreach Project implemented in Wangaratta in 2014/2015 • Mansfield: Social Media 101 Project and Collective Impact • Small plate research project developed in Benalla and Evaluation Training • Health Champions project delivered in Benalla and Alpine • Wangaratta: Fair Feed Project & Mapping Food Producers • Support and resources developed in 2015 for Communities within the Wangaratta LGA latching onto breastfeeding • 2017/2018 Local projects funded were: • Go Local, Go Fresh Catchment Project • Alpine: Alpine Active Living Mapping Project • Prevention Impact Indicators Project • Benalla: Project Scope Out • Data profiles developed for Municipal Public Health and • Mansfield: Youth Mental Health Wellbeing Planning • Wangaratta: Respect and Equity Project • RESPOND Project

Aged Care • Central Hume Aged Care Taskforce established to support planning and service development initiatives in 2013 • Home Care Package Evidence Project • Community Engagement : Home Care Packages e-Register Advocacy Project • Roundtable meeting with Minister Ken Wyatt for Health and Aged Care and Federal Member for Indi Cathy McGowan to discuss a Rural Model of care, the Central Hume Aboriginal Health Model and Advance Care Planning initiative • Benalla Age-Friendly Communities Project • Contributing to the Age-Friendly Northeast Health Alliance

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 11 Our Projects

12 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Bringing Information Together for Rural Communities

Central Hume PCP and Bendigo Loddon PCP partnered to develop a case study that “The COVID-19 web page is so outlines how the two PCPs reacted to the beneficial, as the information COVID-19 pandemic. is clear, concise and relevant to This case study highlights the importance of communication during a crisis. By providing a our local communities. I have communication channel the PCPs play a role in been able to support colleagues enabling place-based messaging by responding to local and community folk by utilising community needs and being seen as a reliable and reputable source of information for partnering health and resources on the web page.” community organisations. Deb Smith, Community Health Nurse This demonstrates how the PCPs support the work of our partners and stakeholders throughout times of Mansfield District Hospital uncertainty. Both Bendigo Loddon and Central Hume PCPs have long standing and trusted relationships with our partners.

Our PCPs bring diversity, perspective, expertise and knowledge, to ensure our partners feel supported and equipped with the relevant resources needed to adapt to “I feel incredibly inspired by all the ongoing nature of this pandemic. the information and opportunities outlined – an amazing array of goodness and energy.”

Liz Grogan, Dimentia Australia

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 13 ‘What’s Happening?’ eBulletin

The ‘What’s happening?’ eBulletin continues “Fantastic newsletter - I really to provide our partners and stakeholders with a list of events, workshops and training like the way you’ve set out the opportunities significant to our region. information!” The ‘What’s happening?’ eBulletin has been an Trish Curtis, Network Coordinator, essential resource with the ongoing COVID-19 Upper Murray Regional pandemic. It provides our partners and Neighbourhood House Network stakeholders with up to date local information, emerging state and national information, resources and training opportunities.

The weekly newsletter is dispersed to over 130 of our subscribers through the MailChimp platform. The newsletter also provided a platform for our partners to share information, resources, guides and any initiatives they are undertaking.

14 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Central Hume Primary Care Partnership was funded by the Murray Primary Health Network (PHN) to undertake one of four rural women’s health needs projects; this project was to be specifically conducted in the Benalla Local Government Women’s Area (LGA). The aim of the project was to determine the health and service Health Needs needs of women living in the Benalla Municipality, and propose a new service model to address the prioritised need. Project The key over-arching theme that applied to all the findings was that of ‘Access’. Women reported a range of access issues (physical, geographical, structural/system, cultural, social, etc.). This access lens applied to general/primary health care services, specialist/ secondary health care services, or hospital/tertiary health care services and community care and wellbeing services.

205 diverse women participated in a 2-month online (Survey Monkey) and hard copy survey, which had a 49% completion rate 205 for 24 questions: 16 quantitative questions and 8 qualitative open- Diverse Women ended questions. Participants Irrespective of the cohort (e.g. age, location or other demographic), three common themes emerged; Service availability, service affordability and transport.

Based on the project findings and needs analysis eleven 16 recommendations were developed to address the identified service gaps and access issues including a proposed service model of a Quantitative Mobile Wellbeing Hub or One-Stop-Shop. Questions

8 Types of service most valued (n=137) Total ranking scores for the 4 health and wellbeing service categories. Qualitative Questions

3.68 2.54 49% 1.86 1.92 Completion Physical & Emotional, Social wellbeing Women and Rate medical health spiritual or mental services children focused and wellbeing wellbeing services services services

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 15 RESPOND

RESPOND is a five-year, NHMRC funded Mansfield was the first community in Central research project, being delivered in Hume to undertake a series of workshops to unpack the factors in the local community partnership between Deakin University and that impact on children’s health, and propose local stakeholders across the Ovens Murray actions to address these factors. The first of the and Goulburn . Mansfield community workshops was held on the The project engages community organisations, 17th of October 2019, with 17 community leaders health services, schools, and local and state attending. The next workshops were open to the government to work together to create a wider community and were held in the evening of shared community response to support the 11th and morning of the 12th of November healthy children. 2019. The evening session had 23 community members attend, and the morning had 17 attend. The RESPOND Ovens Murray and Goulburn Primary School Health Behaviours Monitoring The 80+ actions suggested by community study is a large population study aiming to members at the workshops were then grouped understand the current state of childhood into key themes for action. Working groups have healthy weight, and behaviours associated started implementing these actions including with healthy weight in the Ovens Murray and an ‘Active Footpaths’ project in the physical Goulburn regions of Victoria. activity area; the ‘Mansfield Fresh Food Drive’ is underway in the food and nutrition area; In March 2020 Deakin University finalised and and in the social connections space the team shared the RESPOND Regional Childhood Health have been keeping everyone up-to-date on the Behaviours and Anthropometry Report for 2019. Facebook page MDH Mansfield Respond. This is the top-level report that summarises the outcomes of the school-based data collection The RESPOND team at Deakin and the Regional from 2019. This report offers a comprehensive Partner Group have considered the impacts of overview of all of the main data, classified into COVID-19 and the ongoing bushfire recovery, and four domains; Food and Drink Consumption, proposed a 12-month delay to the start of step 2 Physical Activity and Screen Time, Sleep & and next round of data collection. Communities Wellbeing, and Healthy Weight. in Alpine, Benalla and Wangaratta will undertake the workshops in 2022.

16 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Chronic Care Strategy

The Ovens Murray Chronic Care The inaugural meeting of the steering committee was held in Steering Committee was formed to June 2019. In the initial meeting, the committee determined provide leadership and governance for the first priority outcome area for focus would be around demand management. the implementation of the Transforming Care Ovens Murray and Goulburn At quarterly meetings, the committee heard from a number Chronic Care Strategy in the Ovens of local guest speakers providing different perspectives on the selected priority. Presentations included Dr Kathleen Murray region of Victoria. Brasher on demand management through the lens of the 4Ms framework, Beth Dawson on the principles of Reablement, representatives from local government on their role in demand management and chronic care, and an alternative workforce model utilising allied health assistants.

The implementation of this strategy used a systems thinking approach to improve health outcomes for people in the Ovens Murray area. The strategies used in the steering committee meetings aimed to enhance relationships and connections across the committee, therefore enhancing potential for integrated and collaborative approaches.

The funding Upper Hume PCP received to implement the Transforming Care Strategy concluded on June 30th 2020. The final report monitoring the implementation of the strategy Download at www.lhpcp.org.au has been shared with steering committee members and with DHHS. Central Hume PCP will continue to use the Central Hume Strategic Implementation Network to monitor actions and share progress relating to the strategy.

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 17 Age-Friendly Northeast Victoria Alliance

Age-Friendly Northeast Victoria is a collaborative partnership of regional, state and local governments, community-based non-government organisations, researchers, and older people. It is a common platform for action to improve the health and wellbeing of older people for themselves and their communities through the creation of an age- friendly northeast Victoria.

The Age-Friendly Northeast Victoria Alliance has had a busy 12 months, with the Principal Strategic Advisor for Age-Friendly Communities Dr Kathleen Brasher developing a number of relevant and valuable resources.

An Age-Friendly Approach to Disaster Recovery

At the end of April 2020, Dr Helen Haines MP, Member for Indi launched ‘An Age- Friendly Approach to Disaster Recovery’ report. Dr Helen Haines MP, Member for Indi who stated in her address that “this report is timely, it couldn’t be more timely… this report is steeped in society, it’s person centered, it’s place based and it’s values driven.”

Restoring community strength following devastation of this magnitude requires focussed and enduring commitment.

Older people bring particular strengths and vulnerabilities to their communities in disaster recovery. Age-Friendly Northeast Victoria have prepared a guide, based on national and international research and policy to describe those strengths and vulnerabilities, and proposes corresponding practical, community-level actions that can be incorporated into recovery plans and actions. These actions have potential to mitigate the negative individual health and wellbeing impacts and deepening community resilience.

18 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Is Your Health Service Understanding Your Age-friendly? Community, An Age-friendly

‘A guide to access the age-friendliness of a health Checklist service’ was developed through a research project conducted by Dr Kathleen Brasher and Tess Supporting communities to become age-friendly Archbold from Northeast Health Wangaratta to is one of the most effective strategies to create help health service boards, clinicians, executive thriving places in which everyone can live, learn, teams, staff and community members assess, work, play, and age to the best of their abilities. plan and contribute to the establishment of an Many people are growing old in the towns and age-friendly health service. The research method communities where they have always lived. At followed the National Health and Medical Research the same time, many people are moving into rural Council’s advice on the development of guidelines. communities in later life perhaps to escape an A Guideline Development Group (GDG) of clinical unsupportive urban environment. Tourists of all and non-clinical staff and older people provided ages spend time in rural communities and are expert advice and judgement of evidence. The essential for the economic prosperity of our region. guide was launched at the end of August 2020 by Northeast Health Wangaratta’s CEO, Tim Griffiths. Creating age-friendly environments is crucial for communities to be places where older people Many older people enjoy a long, healthy life. can continue to develop personally, contribute to However, many struggle with chronic ill-health. their communities, and age safely in a place that Almost half of all hospital patients are people is right for them. Such places promote health, aged sixty-five and over. While in hospital, older remove barriers to participation, and provide people, even those who are otherwise well, are at support to people experiencing losses in mental significant risk of healthcare-related harm, separate or physical capacity. from the reason for their admission. Age-friendly environments have a substantial role in preventing ‘Understanding your Community’ was developed or delaying many of the health problems related to to support communities establish a baseline ageing and chronic disease. assessment of their age-friendliness, and to monitor their progress. The Age-friendly Rural The Guide has forty-seven items divided into Victoria Checklist follows the eight domains of four categories: Workforce, Provision of health the original WHO Checklist of Essential Features care, Health system, and Environment. It can of Age-friendly Cities, reflecting the essential, assist health service boards, clinicians, executive interconnected areas of life that impact on our teams, staff and community members in clinical ability to age well. governance and contribute to the establishment of an age-friendly health service.

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 19 Aboriginal Health

Pictured: Nikki James MC, Uncle Chris Thorne, Aunty Patsy Bollard and Desiree Walker

Proud and Deadly Awards

The Proud and Deadly awards are an annual celebration of the aspirations, talents, excellence, achievements and valuable contributions our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders make towards their respective schools and communities.

The Benalla Proud and Deadly Awards held their second Proud and Deadly Awards which had a focus on employment and educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth. There was a total of 44 student nominations from three schools within Benalla.

The Awards Ceremony was attended by approximately 80 indigenous and non- indigenous community members, stakeholders, local Elders, school staff and principals. Scott Upston, the mayor of Benalla Rural City Council (Mayor at the time of awards) MC’d the awards with a local Aboriginal Community member Nikki James. Dr Helen Haines was also in attendance and presented the Charles Sturt University Scholarships to the worthy award recipients.

The Dirrawarra Indigenous Network held their 7th Proud and Deadly Award with a strong focus o further studies. There was a total of 149 nominations from 16 schools within Wangaratta and the surrounding area.

The awards ceremony was attended by approximately 250 people including local Elders, community members, school staff and principals, the Mayor of the Rural City of Wangaratta and Bernie Boulton the Area Director for the Department of Education and Training.

The Proud and Deadly Awards in both Wangaratta and Benalla were very successful and both awards continue to grow strong.

Pictured: Dirrawarra Proud and Deadly Awards entertainment: Racheal Oak Butler

20 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Uncle Wally Coopers Memorial Garden

Students from the Wangaratta High School with guidance and advice from the Central Hume Aboriginal Health and Community Support Worker and the Koorie Engagement and Support Officer planned and installed an Aboriginal Garden in honour of Uncle Wally Cooper.

The official opening for the Uncle Wally Cooper Memorial Garden was held in November 2019. Uncle Wally Cooper’s son provided the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony to officially open the memorial garden. This was followed by speeches delivered by the principal of the High school, the students and members of Uncle Wally Cooper’s family.

Pictured: Kevin Cooper, Uncle Wally Cooper’s son

Marmungan Rock

The Marmungan rock was established to develop relationships with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the Wangaratta community. Marmungan means ‘of this place’.

A Marmungun Rock Ceremony is held annually to recognise the Wangaratta Citizen of the Year who has demonstrated the qualities of an Elder – community service, integrity and wisdom.

The Wangaratta Citizen of the Year recipient has their handprint carved into the Marmungun Rock, situated in Apex Park, Wangaratta.

These handprints are an enduring tribute to outstanding individuals in our community.

Pictured: Aboriginal Health and Community Support Worker, Chris Thorne, Peter Headland, Wangaratta Citizen of the Year 2019, Darren Moffitt, Aboriginal Community Development Broker

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 21 NAIDOC Week Events 2019 Voice, Treaty, Truth

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Benalla Benalla celebrated NAIDOC Week with the raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags by local community members on the first day of NAIDOC week. During NAIDOC week Desiree Walker read aboriginal stories during a special NAIDOC story time which followed cultural craft activities for the kids. Mansfield Mansfield celebrated NAIDOC week with an official flag raising ceremony at the Mansfield Shire offices to acknowledge the beginning of NAIDOC Week. Mansfield also celebrated with cultural and art workshops, weaving, bush toy workshops and an aboriginal artefacts display. Wangaratta The Dirrawarra Indigenous Network celebrated the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a NAIDOC Family Film festival. Short films were screened including a film of local Bpangerang Elder Uncle Freddie Dowling telling a story. The kids were also kept busy with face painting and numerous craft activities.

22 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 PICTURED: Cheryl Cooper; Janet Symes, Waminda Community House Co-ordinator; Chris Thorne, Central Hume PCP’s Aboriginal Health and Community Support Worker and Carol Alliman at Waminda Community House.

Case Study

Transforming Lives A community house that becomes a onestop medical centre once a fortnight is transforming lives. Benalla community members who use the Waminda Community House health services say they attend more health care appointments than they ever have.

Why? Because of the relaxed neighbourhood centre atmosphere, connections to other health and support services and casual conversations with staff.

It all started with a dental van visit in 2016 and has grown into a fortnightly service attracting more and more people. Cheryl Cooper, who has been using the medical service since it started in December 2018, said the ease of access is important. “You don’t have to run from one part of town to another to see a doctor, optometrist, nurse or dentist.

Janet Symes, House Co-ordinator said the growth in attendance has been incredible.

“With the assistance of Central Hume PCP’s outreach worker Chris Thorne, word of mouth and social media platforms, the ‘one stop health shop’ has increased since its inception, with regular and new members attending on Tuesdays,” Janet said.

“We have seen so many changes for people’s health. A big part of that is the social benefits. The co-location with the community house means we reduce isolation, people get out in the community, they come in and use the house for other reasons like doing a course or picking up some food,”

The GP van, which also has an Aboriginal Health nurse, visits every two weeks. The dental van and optometry service are scheduled several times a year and coincide with the GP van day, making it a one-stop shop.

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 23 Dry Conditions Resilience

Ovens Murray Community Resilience It aims to respond to emerging issues associated with changing for Dry Conditions is a collaborative weather conditions with the outcome being to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of farming communities. The 2019-2020 fires in our capacity building project undertaken by catchment, COVID-19, and the associated complex issues, have further Central Hume Primary Care Partnership highlighted the need for an integrated systems approach that embeds (PCP) and Upper Hume PCP, funded until the building of rural resilience. June 2021. Central Hume Primary PCP has networked and collaborated with a range of local, regional and state-wide networks that support farming communities in order to explore, advocate for, promote, co-design and support the implementation of collaborative activities that build rural resilience. The multi-pronged approach has enabled the community capacity building being applied for personal and psychological wellbeing through to social or systems level thinking activities such as leadership and a resilience corp. Of note, the ‘Ovens Murray Rural Resilience Corp’ is a 12 month capacity building pilot project being conducted from July 2020 to June 2021, across the 7 Ovens Murray local government areas. The project is a partnership between the Australian Resilience Centre, Central Hume PCP and Upper Hume PCP. It aims to create a Corp from a diverse and committed collective of up to 100 ‘thinkers, linkers and learners’ from within rural communities who will have opportunities:

• To gain a common understanding about resilience and learn a set of skills to apply to adverse events and challenges faced by rural communities, and • To create an active and enduring Corp within rural community networks to ‘seed’ growth or activate improvement opportunities. This project has commenced the recruitment phase, with partners and key rural stakeholders being contacted to help identify potential local participants.

24 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 The Central Hume PCP mission states that by working together to strengthen collaboration and partnership we will drive real improvements in health and wellbeing outcomes that are meaningful in our community. Within the Central Hume catchment there are four health and wellbeing partnerships that provide a platform for partners to work together to plan for the care and the health and wellbeing of communities in Alpine, Benalla, Mansfield and Wangaratta local government areas. The Health and Wellbeing partnerships collaborate on and support the implementation of the Council Plan in relation to the Municipal Public Health & Health and Wellbeing Plan. This is done in conjunction with partner organisation’s strategic and operational plans where appropriate including the strategic priorities of the Central Hume PCP. Wellbeing The four Health and Wellbeing partnerships also work collaboratively to identify local priority issues in health and primary prevention and work together to find avenues to address these priority issues whilst also collaborating to strengthen the local service systems across the four local government areas.

Local Government Areas - Infographics & Data Profiles To support the Central Hume member and partnering agencies infographics and data profiles for each of the 4 local government areas that make up our catchment were developed. The data profiles and infographics pull together data from a variety of sources and were developed for agencies developing their service priorities, undertaking grant applications, and municipal and catchment based planning activities.

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 25 Central Hume PCP Partners

26 Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 219-2020 Financial Report

Balance brought forward from previous financial year $882,236.98

Income

DHHS PCP Funding $660,052.68 Salaries and Wages incl. on costs, recruitment $529,292.92 Other DHHS Grants $ - Conference, Staff Training $240.00 Interest $2,223.37 Management Charges by host agencies $17,744.92 Other Revenue $ - Motor Vehicle & Travel $17,842.44 Administration (General) $122,143.28 Asset Purchases $19,091.03 Repairs & Maintenance $4,871.76 Rent $15,679.56 Project Expenses $9,433.34

Total Income $662,276.05 Total Expenditure $736,339.25

Net Surplus/(Deficit) $ -74,063.20

Balance Sheet

Current Assets Current Liabilities

Cash & Cash Equivalents $808,173.78 Short term provisions (e.g. salaries & leave $26,091.19 entitlements Non-Current Assets $19,091.03 Outstanding project commitments $80,000.00 Other funds held in trust $308.64

Total Assets $827,264.81 Total Liabilities $106,399.83

Net Assets $720,864.98

Central Hume PCP • Annual Report 2019-2020 27