Aboriginal Health – It’s Time to Reset

ABOUT THE ARTWORK Created by Sonny Green from the Kamilaroi people. ‘The main idea that I wanted to work on is how important it is for influential people in the Aboriginal health sector to come together and discuss issues that require attention and to strategise a way forward. The symbols in this artwork work together in unison to tell a story about the strength of the voices coming together to the ‘Meeting Ground’ (The Aboriginal Health Summit) to enhance the wellbeing of Aboriginal people everywhere. The Emu egg is symbolic of growth, this is reflected by the work done in the past leading to new ideas, where things haven’t worked, we’ve pushed on to find other ways to move forward. The idea of a flower as the main symbol of this art work initially was derived from the NSW state emblem, the Waratah. I liked the idea of different layers/ levels which is similar to all the people working from ground level to government moving towards a better tomorrow for Aboriginal people and to finally close the gap.’ Welcome message Opening presenters

Elizabeth Scott Koff Monaghan Secretary of Chair Aboriginal NSW Health Health & Medical Research Council of NSW

I am proud to be co-hosting the 5th National It is a pleasure to be here today and I welcome Uncle Raymond The Muggera Dancers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health everyone to the 5th National Aboriginal and Davison Summit with NSW Health’s longstanding Torres Strait Islander Health Summit. Ray is a Gadigal man, Director of All the songs and dances come partner, the Aboriginal Health and Medical It has been a worthwhile partnership with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal from the Yugembeh language Research Council of NSW. These events NSW Health who have always advocated for Lands Council and recently group of the Minjungbal and are a commitment of the National Aboriginal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s retired Aboriginal Health Worker Mununjali clan groups from and Torres Strait Islander Health Standing health and wellbeing. from Aboriginal Medical Services the northern rivers of NSW Committee, and aim to progress conversations Redfern. and QLD. about how all stakeholders, including The theme for this summit is “Aboriginal Health For more than 30 years Ray In 2015 Darren Compton and government, the community-controlled health – It’s Time to Reset”. Similar to resetting the worked for the Aboriginal Jacqui Cornforth founded sector, researchers and other non-government technology that we work with everyday lets Medical Service Redfern. As one Muggera Dancers, a family organisations, can work together to improve refresh, lets start again. of the founding health workers group who prides itself on Aboriginal health. Your presence is your commitment to also he was instrumental in the its cultural knowledge and growth and development of the professionalism. The members With the theme ‘Aboriginal Health – It’s Time agreeing to reset and start again. to Reset’ we acknowledge that we need new service – a service dedicated to for Muggera come from a long ways of working to achieve meaningful change What does reset mean to you: the health and well-being of the line of cultural leaders, song local Aboriginal community. men, world-class dancers in the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and • Innovation / new ideas? and didgeridoo players with a Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Ray worked in collaboration • Collaborations? formidable respect for culture. Torres Strait Islander people must be leading with the community, boards, conversations about health and wellbeing, and • Commitment to listening to our people? and management and fellow All members of Muggera have health service providers to been performing and sharing this requires government agencies to make • Consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait give the Aboriginal community their culture for many years space for this to happen. Islander people? of the heart of a and have been guided by their Together with the Aboriginal Health and For me this resetting looks like developing new culturally appropriate and Elders over many decades. Medical Research Council of NSW, we have health agendas that encompass all of these professional health service. Ray Muggera has ongoing support developed a program that privileges Aboriginal elements. advocates for social justice, from Elders, Aboriginal and community development and Torres Strait Islander families and voices to progress strategic conversations We all need to be accountable in ensuring about participation, engagement, co-design empowerment, equity and communities to share culture, that true change takes place for Aboriginal equality for all. establish the Muggera Dance and wellness. and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and As an Aboriginal Health Worker group and set a new standard On behalf of NSW Health I would like to thank wellbeing. Ray promoted and accredited for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural performance everyone attending for their contributions On behalf of the AH&MRC Board of Directors fundamental qualities, capacities and engagement in Australia. to improving the health and wellbeing of and myself, we believe that all persons within and capabilities to be delivered Australia’s first peoples, and for committing to this room, together we can make positive by all people involved in the working in partnership to deliver meaningful change that will deliver sustainable health health and well-being of the health outcomes. outcomes for our people. Aboriginal community.

2 3 Program

Facilitator Professor Kerry Arabena After lunch session Opening 13:00 – 13:30 Keynote address 9.00 – 9.10 Welcome to Country Ms Janine Mohamed, CEO, Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives Uncle Raymond Davison, Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council 13:30 – 15:00 9:10 – 9:20 Cultural performance Panel discussion: How do we reset? The Muggera Dancers Aboriginal community led ways to wellness and health 9.20 – 9:30 Ms Janine Mohamed, CEO, Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Opening of the Summit Nurses and Midwives Ms Elizabeth Koff, Secretary of NSW Health Professor Juanita Sherwood, Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor, Mr Scott Monaghan, Chair, Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Indigenous Strategy and Resources, University of Sydney Council of NSW Dr Kelvin Kong, Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon, Morning session Hunter New England Local Health District

9:30 – 9:40 Opening address Mr Darryl Wright, CEO, Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation The Hon. Bradley Hazzard, NSW Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research Ms Amanda Larkin, CEO, South West Sydney Local Health District 9:40 – 9:50 Opening address Mr Nathan Jones, Director, Aboriginal Health, South West Sydney Local Health District The Hon. Ken Wyatt, Federal Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care 9:50 – 10:20 Keynote address 15:00 – 15:30 Afternoon tea Mr Stan Grant, Indigenous Affairs Editor for the ABC and special advisor to the Prime Minister on Indigenous constitutional recognition Afternoon session 15:30 – 15:50 Closing the Gap Refresh 10:20 – 10:40 Morning tea Professor Ian Anderson AO, Deputy Secretary for Indigenous Affairs, Prime Minister and Cabinet Before lunch session 15:50 – 17:00 10:40 – 12:00 Presentations and panel discussion: Where to from here? Professor Kerry Arabena and Dr Jeff McMullen AM Why do we need to reset? Facilitated discussion Dr Gregory Phillips, Executive Officer, ABSTARR Consulting Evening session Professor Maggie Walter, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Aboriginal Research and Leadership University of Tasmania 17:00 – 19:00 Entertainment and canapés Microwave Jenny performance Mr Jason Ardler, Head of NSW Aboriginal Affairs Ms Patricia Turner AM, CEO, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

Mr Scott Monaghan, Chair, Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW

12:00 – 13:00 Ministers depart. Lunch

4 5 Presenters

The Hon. The Hon. Mr Stan Grant Professor Dr Gregory Phillips Professor Bradley Hazzard Ken Wyatt AM Kerry Arabena Maggie Walter

Brad Hazzard is a senior Minister Ken Wyatt was elected in 2010 Stan Grant is the Indigenous Professor Kerry Arabena is With 25 years of experience Maggie Walter (PhD) is in the NSW Government and in as the Federal Member for Affairs Editor for the Australian Chair for Indigenous Health and in leading change, medical palawa, descending from 2017 was appointed as Minister Hasluck, making history as the Broadcasting Corporation Director of the Indigenous Health anthropologist, Gregory Phillips the Pairrebenne people of for Health and Minister for first Indigenous Member of the and special advisor to the Equity Unit at The University of is from the Waanyi and Jaru North Eastern Tasmania and Medical Research. House of Representatives. In Prime Minister on Indigenous Melbourne. A descendent of the Aboriginal Australian peoples a member of the larger Briggs He oversees record investment September 2013 Ken became constitutional recognition. Meriam people from the Torres and comes from Cloncurry and Johnson Tasmanian Aboriginal in Health infrastructure and the first Member for Hasluck His appointment to the role of Strait, she has a Doctorate in Mount Isa. family. re-elected for a second term. Human Ecology and a degree in services which has resulted in a special advisor to the Prime He developed an accredited She holds the dual roles of Social Work. hospital building boom across In 2015 Ken again made history Minister in 2016 came soon after Indigenous health curriculum Professor of Sociology and the state and the funding of as the first Indigenous member he made a speech on racism Professor Arabena is the for medical schools in Australia Pro Vice-Chancellor, Aboriginal thousands of new frontline of the Federal Executive after that went viral and then reduced Executive Director and Lead and New Zealand; founded the Research and Leadership at the positions. being sworn in as the Assistant the Prime Minister to tears Investigator on the First 1000 Leaders in Indigenous Medical University of Tasmania. Maggie NSW also has a robust and Minister for Health, responsible during an exclusive interview Days Australia, an interventions Education (LIME) Network, and teaches and publishes in the innovative medical research for Aged Care service delivery with The Point when speaking based pre birth multigenerational co-wrote a national Indigenous fields of race relations, inequality knowledge economy which the and implementation, as well as about Indigenous issues. cohort study designed with and health workforce strategy. He and research methods and NSW Government seeks to for Dementia. A multi-award winning current for Aboriginal and Torres Strait established the Aboriginal and methodologies. Islander families. Torres Strait Islander Healing encourage and expand. In January 2017, Ken made affairs host, author and Her books include the Foundation Ltd in the wake history again as the first adventurer, Stan’s keynotes The model aims to provide a bestselling edited Social Brad started his professional life of the Federal Apology; has Indigenous Minister to serve in are insightful, engaging, always coordinated, comprehensive Research Methods (2006, 2009, as a graduate science teacher advised federal ministers on a Federal Government, after professional and at times, strategy to strengthen Aboriginal 2013 OUP); A Quantitative at North Sydney Boys’ High Indigenous health inequality, being appointed as the Minister controversial. and Torres Strait Islander Research Methodology (2013, School. He later studied law at and was honoured in 2011 with the University of NSW and was for Aged Care and Minister for families so they can address co-authored with C. Andersen, Stan Grant’s arrangements were made an ADC Australian Leadership admitted as a solicitor in 1977. Indigenous Health. their children’s needs from Routledge) and most recently through Celebrity Speakers pre‐conception to two years Forum Award. He also holds a Master of Laws Not only has Ken had an www.celebrityspeakers.com.au Indigenous Children Growing Up from the University of Sydney. extensive career in health and of age, thereby laying the best Gregory has a PhD in Strong (2017 co-edited with K.L. foundation for their future health psychology, a research Martin and G. Bodkin-Andrews, He entered Parliament in education, he has also made an and wellbeing. Master’s Degree in Medical Palgrave McMillan). 1991 as the State Member enormous contribution to the wider community in training and Science published as a book in for Wakehurst, on Sydney’s 2003, and a Bachelor Degree northern beaches. mentoring young people. This was recognised in 1996 when in Aboriginal Studies and Brad has previously served Ken was awarded the Order of Government. as Minister for Family and Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Gregory is CEO of ABSTARR Community Services and Honours list. Later, in 2000, Ken Consulting; an Associate Minister for Social Housing, was awarded a Centenary of Professor of Aboriginal Health, Attorney General and Minister Federation Medal for ‘his efforts and serves on several boards for Justice and as Minister for and contribution to improving and committees, including Planning and Infrastructure the quality of life for Aboriginal chairing the Cathy Freeman as a Leader of the Legislative and Torres Strait Islander people Foundation. Assembly. and mainstream Australian society in education and health.’

6 7 Mr Jason Ardler Ms Patricia Turner AM Mr Scott Monaghan Ms Janine Mohamed Professor Dr Kelvin Kong Juanita Sherwood

Jason Ardler is the Head of The daughter of an Arrente A passionate leader with first Janine Mohamed, a Kaurna/ Professor Juanita Sherwood is Kelvin qualified as the first Aboriginal Affairs, leading man and a Gurdanji woman, class communications skills and Narrunga woman from South currently Acting Deputy Vice- Aboriginal Fellow of the whole-of-government and Pat was raised in Alice Springs. a track record of successful Australia, has deep expertise Chancellor Indigenous Strategy Royal Australasian College of intergovernmental Aboriginal As CEO of NACCHO, she is management, Scott has had and experience in how to work and Services at the University Surgeons (RACS), specialising in affairs strategy and policy reform at the forefront of community 21 years of senior management towards the improvement of of Sydney. Juanita came to this Otolaryngology, Head and Neck across such diverse areas efforts to Close the Gap in health experience in Aboriginal healthcare and health outcomes role having been the Academic Surgery. as economic participation, outcomes for Aboriginal and Community Controlled for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Director at the National Centre Kelvin hails from the community governance, culture Torres Strait Islander people. organisations. Islander people. for Cultural Competence at the people of Port Stephens, north and heritage, community Pat has over 40 years’ He has been the CEO of Bulgarr As a nurse and CEO of University of Sydney, with a of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. safety, environmental health experience in senior leadership Ngaru Medical Aboriginal CATSINaM, Janine is an mandate to engage, innovate He completed his Bachelor of and service delivery. Jason has positions in government, Corporation since 2005, advocate for the powerful roles and lead in cultural competence. Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at responsibility for leading the business and academia, providing primary health care to that Aboriginal and Torres Strait A proud woman, the University of NSW in 1999. He implementation of OCHRE, the including being the only the people of the Clarence Valley Islander nurses and midwives Professor Sherwood is a embarked on his internship at St. NSW Government’s community Aboriginal person, only woman on the North Coast of NSW. have in the health system and registered nurse, teacher, Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst focused plan for Aboriginal and longest serving CEO of their communities, as agents lecturer, researcher and manager and pursued a surgical career, affairs. Scott is the Secretary of the the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Many Rivers Aboriginal Medical of change. A graduate of the with a depth of working completing resident medical Jason’s cultural connections are Islanders Commission (ATSIC). Services Alliance which includes University of South Australia, experiences of some thirty years officer and registrar positions to the nation on the NSW Amongst her many the Aboriginal medical services where she now holds an adjunct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait at various attachments. Along South Coast. appointments, she also spent from Taree to Tweed Heads in position, Janine has sound Islander health and education. the way, he has been privileged clinical experience, as well as Jason is a member of numerous 18 months as Monash Chair of its membership (established Professor Sherwood has pushed in serving the urban, rural and in research, policy and project executive level councils, Australian Studies, Georgetown in 2005). Since 2016, Scott boundaries from a grass roots, remote community, and humbled leadership. committees and working groups University, Washington DC, and has been the Director of the community based position that to partake in committee roles focused on improving outcomes was inaugural CEO of NITV. National Aboriginal Community Janine has also worked in senior seeks to engage with and build with RACS, AIDA, NCIE and local for Aboriginal people, including Pat holds a Masters Degree in Controlled Health Organisation. positions for both AHCSA and capability within communities, hospital initiatives. He is now the national sponsorship group Public Administration from the NACCHO, contributed to the deliver culturally safe models practising in Newcastle ( for the COAG Closing the University of Canberra where establishment of the Close and research methodologies in Country) as a qualified Surgeon Gap Refresh. Jason is also she was awarded the University the Gap campaign, and was partnership with communities specialising in Paediatric & Adult a Director of two NGOs that prize for Development Studies. a member of an Indigenous and recognise in policy and Otolaryngology, Head & Neck work to support social inclusion peoples’ delegation that practice the straight line Surgery (Ear, Nose & Throat of Aboriginal people through participated in the United between world views and social Surgery). education and economic Nations Permanent Forum on justice. She has a PhD from the He is part of a strong, medical opportunity. Indigenous Issues in 2011 University of , family – his mother a nurse, his and 2012. and has previously worked in father a GP, his sister Marlene lecturing, research, management is a Public Health Physician and consultative roles in health, Trainee / General Practitioner and education and Indigenous her twin Marilyn, is Australia’s studies, with her most recent first Aboriginal Obstetrician and role being Professor of Australian Gynaecologist. Complementing Indigenous Education at the his surgical training, he is kept University of Technology (UTS). grounded by his family, who are the strength and inspiration to him. 8 9 Mr Darryl Wright Ms Amanda Larkin Mr Nathan Jones Professor Dr Jeff McMullen AM Microwave Jenny Ian Anderson AO

Darryl Wright is a Dunghutti Amanda Larkin leads more Nathan Jones is a proud Professor Ian Anderson was For over five decades, journalist, After meeting, singer/songwriters man from the Macleay Region, than 12,000 staff at the South Aboriginal man born and raised previously the Foundation author and film-maker, Dr Jeff Brendon Boney & Tessa Nuku Kempsey in Northern NSW. Western Sydney Local Health in South West Sydney. Chair of Indigenous Health at McMullen AM, has given voice realised they both shared similar District as the Chief Executive. the University of Melbourne to the struggle by First Nations ideas for bringing smiles through For the past 12 years Darryl Nathan has been the Director As part of her role, Amanda and has held a number of people in Australia and around music, so the pair spent a year has been the Chief Executive of Aboriginal Health at South provides strategic leadership academic, policy and practice the world. Through numerous writing songs for each other’s Officer at Tharawal Aboriginal Western Sydney Local Health solo projects before deciding to and sound governance to roles in Indigenous health over essays and articles in the mass Corporation where he has used District for the last 6 years and try things as a duo. A decision achieve safe, equitable and a thirty-year period including media and academic journals his extensive management skills for the last 18 years worked in a which saw them win an APRA quality healthcare for the Aboriginal health worker; general Jeff has focussed on the to build the Tharawal Aboriginal variety of roles with both State Professional Development Award, booming and diverse population practitioner; Chief Executive Australian Government’s neglect Corporation into a thriving and and Commonwealth agencies in working on film and television of south western Sydney. Officer for the Victorian of the human rights of Aboriginal effective community asset. Aboriginal health. soundtracks such as the film Aboriginal Health Service and and Torres Strait Islander people ‘Bran Nue Dae’ and TV shows like Darryl has extensive experience Amanda is responsible for all south western Sydney public Medical Adviser for Aboriginal and the necessity of ending ‘Underbelly: Chopper”, ‘Winners in Aboriginal health service & Losers’, ‘Offspring’. They have health services, across an area and Torres Strait Islander institutionalised racism and delivery as well as community also appeared at festivals such as stretching from Health for the Commonwealth discrimination. development. Department of Aboriginal Health. The Woodford Folk Festival, Peats to Bowral, including small As well as serving as a director Ridge Festival, The Dreaming community health centres, five Professor Anderson was of AIME and the Engineering Festival, Festival of the Sun, and district hospitals and a major awarded the Order of Australia Aid Australia Indigenous Bluesfest in Byron Bay whilst referral hospital. medal in 2017 for distinguished Summer School program, Jeff touring has also seen them play the She was appointed as Chief service to the Indigenous volunteered for fourteen years as ‘Red House Theatre’ in Taiwan and ‘The Aussie BBQ’ in the UK. Executive in 2011 after working community, particularly in the Honorary CEO of Ian Thorpe’s as the General Manager of areas of health equality, aged Fountain for Youth, establishing With their regular appearances on Camden and Campbelltown care and education. early learning and the Literacy the festival scene, the duo have Hospitals and the Queen Victoria His family are Palawa Trowerna Backpack program in 22 remote started to develop a solid following. When they asked that following via Memorial Home. from the Pyemairrenner communities. microwavejenny.com, Facebook Holding a Bachelor of Social mob in Tasmania which Jeff has been prominent in and Twitter “Who want’s Microwave Work, Associate Diploma in includes Trawlwoolway and the Close the Gap campaign, Jenny to play at their house?!”, Environmental Service, Amanda Plairmairrenner and related chairing forums for AIDA the response was overwhelming has over 25 years of experience clans. and NACCHO, as well as and saw Microwave Jenny play 32 in health service management. the Northern Territory’s first houses across 6 different states. conference focussed on The couple then moved to London Indigenous suicide prevention. to record their 4th EP ‘Microwave Jenny And The Six Song EP’ In 2006 Jeff was awarded an which was completely funded Order of Australia (AM), for by their very committed fan base service to journalism and efforts who incredibly helped them raise to raise awareness of economic, $13,000 in just 5 days. social and human rights issues Recently signed by Matt Donlevy in Australia and overseas, as to publisher Cooking Vinyl Music, well as service to charity. Microwave Jenny are hard at work writing for their next release due out later this year. 10 11