Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 N D A L S B P P I BB  G     K 

BB          T TRIBAL BOUNDARIES AFTER HOWITT’S SKETCH MAP NOT TO BE USED FOR NAT IVE TITLE PURPOSES BB 

Krauatungalung people near the Snowy River. Cape Everard (Point Hicks) to Lakes Entrance; on Cann, Brodribb, Buchan, and Snowy rivers; inland to about Black Mountain

Brayakaulung people around the current near Lakes Entrance on the coast. site of Sale. Providence Ponds, Avon and Along Ninety Mile Beach and about Lakes and Latrobe rivers; west of Lake Wellington Wellington from LakesB Entrance  southwest to mouth of to Mt. Saw Saw and Mt. Howitt Merriman Creek, alsoB on Raymond  Island in Lake King.       K     Brataualung people in South . From BrabralungTB  people in  Central Cape Liptrap and Tarwin Meadows east to Gippsland. Mitchell, Nicholson, the mouth of Merriman Creek; inland to near and Tambo rivers; south to about Mirboo; at and Wilsons Promontory. Bairnsdale and Bruthen. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation acknowledges the custodians of the lands on which we provide our services, the Brayakaulung and Brataualung peoples, and pay our respects to elders past, present and future. CONTENTS Message from the Chairperson 4 Chief Executive Offi cer Report 5 Family Services Program 7 Gunai Lidj 13 Primary Health Care 14 Maternity Services 16 Health Promotion 17 Chronic Disease Prevention 19 Home and Community Services 19 Corporate Services 20 Financial Summary 2017-18 20 Thank you to our Funders 26

Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation is Accredited under ISO 9001:2015 and the Human Services Standards Message from the Chairperson WUNMAN NJINDE EVERYONE My first year as Chairperson has been was some growth in our funded activities. We busy with both community events and received new funding for mental health, family operational activities. There were challenges services and domestic violence programs as in addressing some serious issues where the well as grants for repairs and maintenance Board had to make difficult decisions but these to several of our properties. On behalf of the were offset by the rewards in seeing everyone Board, I thank our funders for their continued working together to improve the health and support. wellbeing of the communities we live in. In June 2018, we received seed funding to Our community activities included a implement a Kinship Care Program, as part of fantastic NAIDOC week where we had a large the Victorian Government’s out-of-home-care crowd attend the Sale flag raising ceremony. activities. This is a new operational area for I understand from community feedback that Ramahyuck and we held a community meeting Jodie Douthat the NAIDOC flag raising was also to seek approval to roll out the Kinship Care well attended. Our annual fishing competition Program. All community members present attracted many dedicated anglers and while at the meeting wholeheartedly supported the not many fish were caught, everyone enjoyed establishment of a Kinship Care Program. At themselves, especially the kids. Another the same meeting the community endorsed significant event was the handover of two Ramahyuck registering as a provider under the blocks of land at Hollands Landing from Mrs National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Jean Noble to Ramahyuck District Aboriginal I am pleased to announce that Ramahyuck is Corporation and more importantly our now registered as a NDIS provider and work community. We sincerely thank her and the will commence in the new year to establish this Noble family for donating the land to our program. people. I also pass on our sincere condolences In closing, the work Ramahyuck has to the Noble family on the passing of Mrs undertaken throughout the year would not Noble in May this year. have taken place without the continued support At a Special General Meeting in October of my fellow directors, advisory committee last year, the community endorsed several members and all Ramahyuck employees changes to our Rule Book with one of the working together. I thank each and every one amendments making it a requirement for all of you for your commitment. We have come directors to complete appropriate governance a very long way since the Corporation was training within three months of appointment established 26 years ago. While the health of as a director. I am pleased to confirm that Aboriginal people is improving, there is still several directors participated in governance so much more to do. Our challenge now is to training activities throughout the year and ensure that access to quality health services that all directors have completed the required continue to improve so that our children and level of governance training. I commend the our children’s children will have the long dedication of directors in undertaking this healthy lives they so rightly deserve. training. While the year just past was one where the Corporation took a breather to stabilise and Yarrabee consolidate our operational activities, there Jodie Douthat

4 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT The financial year end of 30 June 2018 of our service areas. I welcome the new staff marks the completion of my first full year as and look forward to a working closely with Chief Executive Officer and what a year it has each of you into the future. With a workforce been. There’s that saying that time speeds up as approaching 140, Ramahyuck is recognised you grow older. Well, I must be very old indeed, as a major employer in the Gippsland as the past year has flown by. community sector. In April 2018, our Deputy Our first major event of the year was the Chief Executive Officer and Regional Practice NAIDOC Flag Raising on Monday 3rd July 2017. Manager, Michelle Evison Rose departed to A large number of people attended from the take up a senior role at Gove Hospital, in the community and Sale based organisations, even Northern Territory. I thank her for the valuable though this day recorded the coldest overnight contribution she made to Ramahyuck. temperature ever for Sale. The cold did not In early January 2018, it became evident David Morgan stop the Cultural Connect dance group from that Ramahyuck was entering into financial performing several fantastic dances. During instability unless significant operational NAIDOC week there were several other events changes where made. The Board agreed to at our Sale, Morwell and Drouin locations. a major organisational review, which took Another well attended event was our annual place over March and April 2018. The review fishing contest, held at Hollands Landing unfortunately resulted in several positions in November 2017. Congratulations to Bill being declared redundant as well as the Douthat for catching the biggest fish, a 28cm closure of the satellite medical clinics in Loch bream. All I caught was a bad case of sunburn. Sport, Stratford and Rosedale. I recognise the Stakeholder engagement was a major task contributions of each staff member whose for me throughout the year and I attended position was declared redundant and thank many community and government meetings them for their service to Ramahyuck. as well as forums and workshops. In July 2017, Additionally, from June 2018, the Drouin I chaired the Aboriginal Children’s Forum clinical services provided by Ramahyuck over two days in . This was a great were reduced significantly, due to funding learning experience for me as well as an constraints. It is fortunate that we have been introduction to the major issues surrounding able to negotiate the co-location of general Aboriginal children in out-of-home-care. practitioners from the private Bunyip Medical In mid September 2017, we were Centre, who will operate up to a five day per approached by Mr Dick Noble, the son week service from our Drouin clinic building. of 99 year old Mrs Jean Noble about the Bunyip Medical Centre has agreed to provide donation of two blocks of land situated very bulk billed medical services to all of our close to the foreshore of Hollands Landing. Drouin registered patients if they access their The Ramahyuck Board was very grateful to general practitioners. Mrs Noble for the donation of this land. A It was pleasing to see that both the ceremony was held on Sunday 15th April 2018, Australian and Victorian Governments have where Mrs Noble officially transferred the continued to support Ramahyuck with new ownership of the land to the Gunaikurnai funding agreements for several of our program people, under the management of Ramahyuck areas as well as awarding Ramahyuck with District Aboriginal Corporation. We were around $1 million of new program funding. saddened to hear that Mrs Noble passed away Successful grant applications included funds in early May 2018. for the employment of a mental health A major focus over the past year has been clinician over three years, domestic violence, the recruitment of the Executive Team and CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 staff for several newly funded programs in all

5 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT

Anzac Day ceremony CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 family services and implementing Kinship sincere thanks to all employees for your Care services. We also received several grants dedication to our quality principals and from other entities including the Wellington also for your contributions to achieving our Shire Council, Authority, operational objectives. Rural Workforce Agency Victoria, EVGP As I stated at the start of my report, Training, Indigenous Business Australia and it has been an extremely busy year and the the Gippsland Indigenous Family Violence Corporation could not have achieved what Regional Action Group. I sincerely thank each we did without the continued support and entity for their financial support. dedication of our seven Directors. Their Quality accreditation activities were experience and guidance has been of immense prominent throughout the year. The value to me and I pass on my heartfelt thanks Corporation successfully passed an ISO to each of them as we move forward towards 9001:2015 follow-up audit in September 2017, another year where the Corporation will with only a couple of minor non-conformities continue to prosper and provide the high level identified. The Corporation also successfully of services required to improve the health passed an accreditation audit of our Aged Care outcomes of the community we serve. Services, a Health Services Standards audit of our Family Services Division and a Royal Australian College of General Practitioner David Morgan audit of our clinical services. I pass on my Chief Executive Officer

6 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM

Our Family Support Programs are are experiencing disadvantage. Anglicare delivered by Wanjana Lidj primarily in the Victoria and Ramahyuck will support families Latrobe Valley and Drouin, however, this and young people in developing support year has seen the expansion into South plans to increase community engagement Gippsland, Bass Coast and Wellington Shires. and participation. Young people and their The programs aim to improve outcomes and families will be provided with culturally support families experiencing issues relating to appropriate intake, assessment and planning violence, substance abuse, financial difficulties, support through the Child FIRST Intake legal and parenting issues. and Assessment platform, which Anglicare Wanjana Lidj means to hold a child or provides to the Inner Gippsland community in to hold children and is from the Gunaikurnai partnership with Ramahyuck. language, the traditional owners of the lands The Corporation has also become in on which our services operate. The name integral part of the Inner Gippsland Family Wanjana Lidj was chosen because it reflects the Violence Hub – now known as the ‘Orange commonality between all cultures in the care Door’. The Hubs are a place for all women, and nurturing of children. The service is seen children and families needing support in as a means of assisting families to fulfill their relation to family violence and families needing role of caring for children. support with the care, development and The main focus of the Wanjana Lidj wellbeing of children and young people. Family Service team is to prevent the incidence The Hubs will also plan interventions of child abuse and neglect by assisting for perpetrators that hold them to account, families to develop problem solving and address the risk they pose and challenge their parenting skills; develop the ability to cope violence and abusive behaviour. It is important with and manage difficult situations; link that we ensure the Hubs are culturally safe with services and community networks and and respectful of Aboriginal people, meet to understand early childhood and adolescent the diverse needs of the community and are needs. The program's aim is to prevent out of accessible for people of all ages. We were home placement for Aboriginal and Torres fortunate to secure funding for the position Strait Islander children and to assist in the of Family Violence Hub Practitioner, who will reunification of families where children and work within the Hub complex once established young people are currently in care. and provide strong guidance and leadership in There have been many changes, over the cultural matters. past year, both in the growth of program areas, We were sought out by Uniting in relation staffing and leadership throughout Ramahyuck. to being a partner in the Families and Schools This has been both an exciting and challenging Together (FAST) Program and the Journey time for those staff who have worked within to Big School Program. These programs will Wanjana Lidj and other program areas for a support the facilitation of the Gippsland number of years. One can only respect the Children and Schooling Project for Aboriginal dedication; tenacity and commitment by staff children in Wellington Shire, in partnership to our families and Community as a whole. with Uniting Gippsland. The year also saw Wanjana Lidj The other major project we have been successfully pass an accreditation audit under involved with this year is the No Ones Left Out the Children and Families Act 2005. Staff are project. The main outcome for this project is commended for their ongoing commitment to that Aboriginal people with disability will be continuous quality improvements. able to use and benefit from the same health Throughout the year partnerships and community services as everyone else. This emerged between Anglicare and ourselves will be achieved through increasing awareness in the successful submission to provide 125 and understanding of rights, obligations and Latrobe Community Connect Packages per barriers surrounding disability, as well as year to families and young people residing promoting a positive change in attitudes and in Latrobe, Baw Baw and Wellington, who culture within health and community services.

7 FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM ACTIVITIES Aboriginal Family Restoration Program This program is a 3 month service aimed In May 2018 two of the Aboriginal at reunification and prevention of Aboriginal Family Preservation team attended the MATE & Torres Strait Islander families and children train the trainer training, a Gender Violence that have been in, or are at risk of, out of home Prevention and Education course. MATE is a care under the order of Child Protection and Griffith University leadership program focused includes an intensive 3 week live in program on preventing all forms of violence against completed in our Family Restoration House women. It empowers participants to be active based in Morwell, followed by further 9 weeks bystanders with practical tools to interrupt of support from a caseworker when back in the violence and challenge sexist behaviour. The family home. aim is to run this program not only within Wanjana Lidj but across Ramahyuck as a whole. Family Preservation Program This program protects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children and young people from abuse and neglect. It also assists in the reunification of families where children and young people are currently in the Out of Home Care system and further works towards the prevention of placements in Out of Home Care. The family Case Workers visit and assist families for 12 weeks, providing practical and emotional support as well as education around parenting skills, routines, environmental issues and other life skill concerns. Intensive Family Support Services The 200 hour Intensive Family Services response is aimed at families whose children are subject to Family Preservation or Family Over the past year a great relationship Reunification Orders. The intent is that was forged with St. Kilda Mums, which is a Family Services will work in partnership with group of dedicated volunteers that provide Child Protection (and other services where pre-loved goods for re-homing to families who required) working intensively with families are in need. St Kilda Mums recycle nursery to achieve Child Protection case plan goals. equipment including cots, prams and car seats, Child Protection will retain case management as well as clothes and other baby essentials. responsibility. Family Services will support All goods are refurbished to standard and are families to meet case plan goals by promoting shipped locally ensuring timely delivery. This is child safety, permanency and development, a great service for our families and one that is increasing parenting capacity, and family appreciated by all who are able to access it. functioning.

8 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Yaail Lung Dardee – Stronger Families When there is a risk of children entering Aboriginal families expecting a baby or care, or the potential to exit care within with children aged up to eight years old. The early stages, the Yaail Lung Dardee Stronger program logic is underpinned by a strong body Families team will respond in proactive, of evidence demonstrating the importance of creative and timely ways that enhance the early years in a child’s development and the attachment and build stronger families. long-term effectiveness of supporting parents Stronger Families met target during the course and children during these years. The broad of the year and had several of the families leave objective is to prevent the further escalation the program after reaching their goals. of issues that contribute to vulnerability and strengthening the role of Aboriginal people Integrated Family Services in local decision making and strengthening The program aim is to promote the support for Aboriginal language and culture. safety, stability and development of vulnerable Our program runs weekly and children, young people and their families, and participation is voluntary. It is child-centred to build capacity and resilience for children, and family-focused, operating on a strengths families and communities. based approach, fostering and building on The family’s strengths need to be utilised people’s skills, capacities and competencies. in order for them to contribute to the process We give families access to services, resources of improving outcomes as well as to ensure the and support. Through empowering Aboriginal wellbeing and safety of the child/young person. families and strengthening their life skills and connection to culture, we aim to have Baw Baw Parenting a positive impact and enlarge the family’s This is a prevention and early intervention network by developing community links to program that aims to provide Aboriginal strengthen their family unit in their Aboriginal families with children the best start in life. The family culture. program has particular focus on supporting SOME OF THE BAW BAW PARENTING ACTIVITIES: Bringing up Great Kids Course Developed by the Australian Childhood Foundation, the course uses ideas of mindfulness and reflection to support parents and enhance patterns of communication with children to promote more respectful and meaningful interactions and encourage the development of children’s positive self-identity. Parents learnt about Brain Development, Communication methods and Calming techniques and received Certificates of completion at the end of the term. Working With Children’s Checks Parents were given the opportunity to have assistance in obtaining their Working with Children’s checks, in order to help obtain employment and be able to be involved in their children’s education.

9 Yarning About Family Drouin Children and Schooling Facebook Group Th is program supports families to give A Facebook Group was created to give children a good start to life through improved parents a safe place to share parenting tips early childhood development, care, education and stay up to date with Program information. and school readiness. Currently with 126 members, many • Get children to school. community members who are unable to attend • Improve literacy and numeracy. the weekly program are still able to access • Support successful transitions to further information and advice. education and work. Calming Centres Koori Learning Hubs: A follow on from the Bringing up Great Working with the Koori Educational Kids Course, Calming Centres were set up at Support Offi cers the aim is to provide a the program each week to be used by parents culturally inclusive environment to supported and children including: Cultural Book Library, educational outcomes for children, educators Aromatherapy Centre (Parents only), Nail and parents. Th e learning hubs aim to promote Polish, Jewelry Making, Meditation, Arts & cultural pride, knowledge and increase school Crafts, Gardening and Cooking. Th e centres attendance in a fun, engaging way. Th ere is a have been a great success, and are regularly large focus on literacy with the expectations used by parents. every student who attends will read. Mothers Day Excursion Traralgon Joining in with the Morwell Playing With Cultural pride tasks Family Group, parents and children were completed by attending treated to clay painting provided by the local students learning for the Aboriginal Business BNYM. past 2 terms. Community Cultural Learning partnership with Victoria Parents and children have been learning Police about the importance of understanding their culture, with talks around family connections, Moe Elders positions and roles, totems and Students attending understanding cultural dates were able to show case the (Reconciliations Week, Sorry Day, cultural knowledge they NAIDOC week). have been learning in the Learning Hubs at their NAIDOC planning Committee school, our group was By inviting services along to have input asked to perform a song in in the NAIDOC week planning we saw guests language. from the Baw Baw Shire, We currently have a Hospital and VACCA who were given the 6 week Bringing up Great opportunity and space to be able to consult Kids Program, where all productively with community to come up with participants receive a the weeks events. certifi cate upon completion. New benchmark Wanjana Lidj Plays Previously seeing and average of 17 Th is activity focuses participants, we have a new benchmark, having on children and parent had 28 participants in one session during bonding and interacting through play-building Term 2. on their resilience and relationships as a family unit.

10 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Social and Emotional Wellbeing Our program serves the Wellington, Our services respond to locally identifi ed Latrobe, Baw Baw, and Bass social determinants of health issues including; Coast Aboriginal communities with support Stolen Generation and Aboriginal identity, services to individuals, families and targeted Alcohol and other Drug as well as Dual groups to foster self-resilience, holistic Diagnosis support and referrals, Homelessness wellbeing and community engagement. and Relationship issues. Th rough the Fulham Community members are assisted through Correctional Centre we provide cultural supported referrals to internal Ramahyuck and social support linkages to Aboriginal services and external Aboriginal and wider Community Controlled Organisations in the community support agencies. area those clients are to reside in. ACTIVITIES IN 2017-18 SEWB Reconciliation Week Participants were females aged 18 – ceremony. Each activity included; women’s 50 years, with 50 participants from the health and wellbeing information and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander distribution of women’s health gift bags community. At Sale, the event was held on June 1st An activity planning meeting was held during Reconciliation Week and commenced for Reconciliation Week with the theme of with a fl ag raising at 10am. Activities included ‘Reconciling Aboriginal Women’s Health’ the Elders group with a Welcome to Country and agreed the activity would be held both at providing a relaxed environment where the Morwell and Sale sites. women felt culturally safe and allowing them In Morwell the event took place at Ninde to fully participate in health and wellbeing Dana Quarenook which provided a culturally conversations. Participant and service provider appropriate, accessible and safe setting for comments and feedback were very supportive the ‘Welcome to Country’ and ‘Cleansing’ and off ered high praise to all involved.

11 Sistas Girls Day Out Women’s Group activity and luncheon at To date our Aboriginal Best Start program the Healesville Sanctuary was held in August have completed 14 Plan, Do, Study Act cycles 2017, with the SEWB team joining ten women (PDSA’s) for Latrobe and 10 for Baw Baw. This from the local community for a day of fun, is a great effort and all who participated and laughter and great company. A thoroughly contributed are congratulated. The PDSA enjoyable time was had by all and highlights was trialled first with just one family whose included the native animals and perfect child had not attended kindergarten in the weather. previous month. The positive and encouraging interactions between the kindergarten Community Luncheons teacher and the family helped to re-engage Community Lunches were held the family with the kindergarten program. throughout the year at Sale and Morwell, Over the period of the PDSA cycle, the child’s providing an opportunity for local Aboriginal attendance increased to 100 per cent per week. Community members to come together in a This PDSA demonstrates the importance of the warm and welcoming place to share a meal relationship between the family and service. and catch up with old friends. Healthy eating, Something else to celebrate was the Best healthy living and maintaining wellbeing were Start Policy Officer being asked to present to a recurrent themes. Korean Delegate who had shown an interest in implementing a similar program in Korea and Mental Health Week as such, the work around our PDSA’s is being Morning Tea recognised internationally. Held each year in October, this event was very successful in bringing the local Aboriginal Comment from Alyson Ferguson community together with our Social Emotional – Family Services Manager Wellbeing , Alcohol and Other Drug, Koori I sincerely thank all staff for welcoming Maternity Services and Aboriginal Health me on board (September 2017) and thank them Workers to talk about the importance of for their dedication, hard work, commitment being mindful of one’s own mental health and and tireless efforts in the complex and difficult wellbeing and that of friends and family. work they perform on a daily basis. On numerous occasions this work appears to be Best Start thankless and often the positive outcomes are Best Start places a strong emphasis on hard to see, however, all small steps forward prevention and early intervention, and has are big steps in the family’s lives and we must a particular focus on children experiencing never forget this. vulnerability and all Aboriginal children. It is based on formal partnerships of local agencies and service providers that plan, deliver and Alyson Ferguson monitor evidence-based strategies to improve Regional Family Services Manager outcomes for children.

12 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation GUNAI LIDJ Gunai Lidj Children’s Service offers a culturally specific long day care program, after school program and a school holiday program. These programs support the needs of parents and offers developmentally appropriate programs for all the children who access our continued to be in high demand and currently service. we have a waiting list with 6 children requiring Gunai Lidj provides a 25 place centre care in the 2 to 3 year old area and 2 children that operates 5 days a week from 8.30am to requiring care in the Birth to 18 months room. 5.00pm and has 3 operational rooms: Birth The 3 to 5 year old area has only 5 vacancies to 18 months old, catering for 4 children; the available on certain days and is at capacity on 18 month to 3 year old room, catering for 8 Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s. children and lastly the 3 to 5 year old room We are still offering Maternal Health that caters for 11 children on a daily basis. visits once a month in conjunction with the Presently, we have 40 children enrolled and Latrobe City Council and the service has now 34 families accessing the service. The centre been in operation for the last 18 months. The operates in accordance with the Victorian service has been well received by our parents Children’s Services Regulations 2010 and the and guardians and when we first started the Children’s Services Act 2011. statistics of Aboriginal children being seen In 2017 – 2018 the need for placements by Maternal Health were at 24% and as of in the Birth to 3 year old rooms have again December 2017 that had risen to 68%.

13 RAMAHYUCK ANNUAL FISHING CONTEST The 2017 Ramahyuck annual fishing Bill Douthat, 1st Prize for a 28cm contest was held on Sunday 10th December bream. 2017 from 10am to 3pm at Hollands landing. Shayne Tilley, 2nd Prize for 1 bream This is the 3rd year the fishing contest has been and 1 eel. held. Monique Farnham and Malik Green, 3rd The weather was bright and sunny and equal prize for an eel. 34 enthusiastic fisherpersons registered for In 2018 we will be holding our 4th annual the event. Competition was intense, although fishing contest and we want to see you all there. the invitation to attend may have been missed Joanne and Brenda have already announced by the more fishy inhabitants of this most that the fish have been told to save the date, beautiful part of Gippsland. After an anxious and that a special invitation has been sent to start some fish started to roll in. As we support Mr and Mrs Snapper and family, the Trevally the environment, all fish caught were weighed, twins and the snobby Flatheads to also attend, measured and then released. so no excuses from them to not show. After a couple of hours fishing everyone Thank you to Fisheries Victoria for enjoyed a healthy lunch prepared by Brenda your support and knowledge on the day and Farnham and Joanne Hodges. Our thanks to for supplying the bait. Thank you also to all both for their hard work not only in preparing volunteers who assisted in setting up and the lunch but also in organising the event. cleaning up, and a special thank you to all At the end of the day we had our prize who attended and supported this fantastic giving ceremony. Our congratulations go to: community event.

14 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation HOLLANDS LANDING TRANSFER OF LAND On Sunday 15 April 2018, Ramahyuck group performed two dances, which Mrs Noble District Aboriginal Corporation held an event thoroughly enjoyed and it was noted that she at Hollands Landing to formally acknowledge even shed a tear or two. the handover of land owned by 99 year old Mrs To conclude the handover ceremony, Mrs Jean Noble and her late husband, of Heyfield, to Noble and Ramahyuck Chairperson, Jodie the Gunaikurnai people. Douthat, unveiled a commemorative plaque, Even though it was a cold and blustery attached to a Ramahyuck sign on the land. day, around fifty people attended the handover ceremony, which commenced with a Welcome The Plaque stated: to Country from Sandra Neilson. Dick Noble “This land has been returned to the spoke on why his parents first purchased the Gunaikurnai People by Jean and Dick Noble land in 1963 and presented Sandra Neilson of Heyfield and their family. The land will with the original land advertising brochure. be managed and maintained by Ramahyuck The Cultural Connect children’s dance District Aboriginal Corporation April 2018”

15 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES

The year just finished has been another with close assistance from VACCHO. Training big year for our clinical services with over sessions and workshops include sexual health 22,000 episodes of care and 5,700 individual education upskilling, Medical Director training patients seen. Over 569 Aboriginal health to encourage uniform use of program, QAAMS checks were completed and while the number training for HBA1C and Urine ACR machine of health checks is not as high as we would for use in monitoring health and progress of like, completed health checks have increased disease for Aboriginal clients with known and significantly from previous years. Several suspected diabetes as part of annual health training sessions were held with clinical staff to check. demonstrate how important Aboriginal health Our patient transport services continued checks are to improving the overall health of to be actively utilised. During the year, there the Community and to close the health gap. were over 3500 individual patient transport In February 2018, we underwent a services provided across our three clinical sites. reaccreditation audit of our clinics through We initiated a medical driver safety review and the GPA Accreditation Plus Program with our upskilling as well as installing child car seats accreditation renewed until 24 April 2021. which meet the required standards. Drivers Thank you to all who help maintain the quality have also taken on collection and distribution of our clinics and the services we provide. of Victoria Public Transport Assistance In April 2018, the Regional Practice Scheme paperwork in order to submit claims Manager, Michelle Evison-Rose left us in for transport services provided for eligible search of warmer weather to take on a senior patient travel. A meeting of staff to review our executive role in the Northern Territory. We medical transport policy was well attended and wish her well and thank her for her tireless resulted in a more transparent and manageable efforts in her time at Ramahyuck. We have patient transport policy. been successful in the appointment of Karina Maintaining our clinic buildings Crutch into the Acting Regional Practice continues to be a large burden on the Manager role, while recruitment to the Corporation. We apply for building substantive position is completed. Karina is an maintenance grants whenever we can and were Aboriginal woman with many years’ experience fortunate to receive three small repairs and working in health and brings with her skills maintenance grants during the year. As well as and experience as we as connections across the necessary repairs and maintenance work Gippsland. carried out at each clinic building, we replaced Professional development for staff to our three vaccine refrigerators and installed upskill and further develop their contemporary new equipment for infection control. skill base has been offered throughout the year

16 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Gippsland Family Practice Clinical services in Sale are provided In the 2017/18 year there were more through the Gippsland Family Practice, located than 6800 episodes of care and 900 individual at 2 Stead Street. Operating hours are 9am to patients were seen by our clinical staff. This 8pm Monday to Friday. is an excellent result as it represents a large In the 2017/18 year the Gippsland Family increase in episodes of care over the previous Practice provided over 12,000 episodes of care, year and it was encouraging to see there with in excess of 4,000 individual patients were 2400 Aboriginal Health Practitioner seen. A total of 264 Aboriginal Health Checks Consultations. Aboriginal health checks were completed as well as 58 Chronic Disease totaled 205 and 55 chronic disease plans were Management Plans. completed. In addition to providing a range of We were fortunate to be awarded a small clinical services, this year staff and patients grant from the East Victoria General Practice have utilised more telehealth consultations Training to provide infrastructure support for with specialists including Endocrinologists, one of our GP Registrars. The grant allowed Psychiatry, Cardiology and Respiratory renovations of a bathroom area to take place as Physicians. The use of telehealth has reduced well as providing equipment for the Registrar. the waiting period for specialist follow The upper level decking and the stairs to reach ups and the need for travel to attend these the decking underwent extensive repairs and appointments, which are often in . maintenance. A repairs and maintenance grant was The clinical team has been instrumental received from the Australian Department in planning and organising many functions of Health which allowed renovations to the and activities throughout the year including: existing building. The works included the • Implementation of onsite Allied Health installation of a patient bathroom within the services for diabetes education, nutrition clinical area for privacy reasons, a storage nurse, podiatrist, continence nurse, ENT area within the pathology collection room, specialist, and Australian Hearing a safety marked passageway for clients using • Introduction of care coordination for mobility scooters and prams through the car patients with a diagnosed chronic condition park and the creation of an office for the Clinic • Health Promotion and education activities Coordinator. • Nurse, Aboriginal Health Worker and GP As well as introducing online appointment home visits to Elders in the community. booking for patients, we are trialling the use • Weekly delivery of Webster of a Self-check in kiosk which can also pass on medication packs messages to patients when they book in. While • Organised an Elders day out patients are using the kiosk, most still prefer event where 45 Elders attended. face to face contact with reception staff. As part of the organisational review that West Gippsland Aboriginal took place in March and April 2018, it was Health Service decided to close the Loch Sport, Stratford and The West Gippsland Aboriginal Health Rosedale satellite clinics. This was a difficult Service is located at 25 Young Street Drouin. decision to make, but the Board and Executive During 2017/18 the clinic operated five days agreed that our limited funding should be per week and had more than 3000 episodes of directed at maintaining and improving the care. General Practitioners saw 800 individual clinical services provided from the Stead Street patients and over 100 Aboriginal health checks clinic. were completed. A Chronic Care Coordinator was available for Aboriginal patients with multiple chronic conditions 4 days each week. Aboriginal Health Allied health services available from the clinic Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health is included a podiatrist, audiologist, diabetes located in the Ninde Dana Quarenook building educator, optician and a dietitian. on 15-17 Collins Street, Morwell. The clinic The organisational reviewed, carried out is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and in March and April 2018, had a big impact provides a comprehensive range of programs on West Gippsland Health Service. Due to to support the medical, social and emotional funding constraints General Practitioner service needs of Aboriginal people in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 Latrobe community.

17 West Gippsland Aboriginal Health Service

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 services were to reduce from 5 days per week to KMS continues to increase the number of one day each week from mid July 2018. Several babies born at term (>37 weeks). This year 79% positions were either declared redundant or the of those attending KMS delivered their babies staff member had a reduction in work hours. at term. This is an increase of 1% overall for As the reduction in Ramahyuck funded GP the year. Those born at late pre-term (32 -36 services resulted in clinic space being available, weeks) remain steady at 18%. Those at extreme this space has been leased to Bunyip Medical pre-term (<32 weeks) saw a small drop from 3% Clinic who will work towards operating a five to 2%. day a week GP service from the Drouin Clinic Babies born in the care of the service with building. Bunyip Medical Clinic has agreed to birth weights >2500g, totalled 82.75%. This is accept Ramahyuck patients and to bulk bill for an increase of 7.75% from last year. The average any services provided to our patients. was 3350g, which is well within the normal range. In terms of very low birth weight(1300g Ramahyuck Dental Practice – 2000g) and extreme low birth weight The Ramahyuck Dental Practice operates (<1000g) we continue to buck against the from 111 Foster Street Sale and is open 9am to national trend with 3% falling into the VLBW 5pm, five days per week. The Practice, which and 3% in the ELBW. The national average in does not receive any government funding, these categories is 16% and 7% respectively. provides a full range of dental services and Babies referred to a Special Care Nursery provides subsidised dental treatments for (SCN) totaled 12%. Usual conditions were Ramahyuck full members and their families. hypothermia, hypoglycaemia and jaundice. Our three dentists were kept busy seeing This is a drop of 3% from last year. The national a total of 1,540 active patients out of our average for SCN admissions is 16%. We had patient list of nearly 9,000. Over 1,300 oral twins born at 30 weeks admitted to a Neonatal examinations were carried out, 1,193 x-rays Intensive Care Unit (NICU). These babies were taken, over 350 extractions and nearly 100 root a good weight at birth and spent very little time canal procedures took place. in the NICU. They progressed very quickly to In December 2017, we received some SCN and are now home and thriving. repairs and maintenance funding from the Women who indicated they smoked in Department of Premier and Cabinet, which the third trimester totaled 76%. This was a allowed us to undertake major repair work to reduction of 11.5% in the number of women pathing, installing a new reception area and who indicated they smoked during the last painting dental surgeries. stages of pregnancy last year. Over 50% of those showed a reduction in the amount and Koori Maternity Services frequency of smoking, with more work needed The past year has been very busy for to encourage women to quit smoking. We have the Koori Maternity Services (KMS) team. been working with Gippsland Primary Health Numbers of families attending the service Network to look at how we can encourage continues to grow and the births have been women to give up smoking not just during phenomenal, especially since January 2018 with pregnancy but for good. A Yarning Circle was birthing numbers doubled. held at KMS with new mothers and mothers Some highlights: to be participating. It is hoped through these • We have been active in the government discussions a strategy specifically aimed at initiatives looking at setting up a national pregnant Aboriginal women can be prepared. maternity framework Those mothers who reported an intention • Members of staff had been involved in the to breastfeed totaled 93.7%, which is consistent creation of the maternity e-handbook with with the national average. At discharge from Safe Care Victoria. hospital 78% of mothers were breastfeeding. At • Active in the education of future midwives 6 weeks only 40% were breastfeeding which is through Federation University and Flinders still excellent when compared to the national University. average of less than 20%. • Attending Regional Maternal and Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality meetings

18 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation New Services The Women’s Health Room has been • Over 100 children had hearing tests, with 30 operational since the start of this year. While reviewed through visits to primary schools numbers have been slow to build up, the across the region. women who have accessed the service like • Over 40 Aboriginal clients have seen the ENT that their cervical screening is completed in a specialist who visits Morwell every 6 weeks. female only environment and they don’t have to go into the “public” environment of the medical Health Promotion Activities centre for this intimate screening. Our health promotion activities have been The year also saw the commencement undertaken through the Working Together of the Aboriginal Maternal and Child Health for Health and the Oral Health Programs. Initiative in collaboration with Latrobe City. These programs have proved to be a great asset This funding was secured in September 2017 in assisting medical staff in implementing and since March 2018 a Maternal and Child pathways and client journey’s through our Health Nurse and an Aboriginal Health health clinics. This is achieved by reviewing Worker have been at the KMS house two days chronic disease, early detection and primary per week. To date, service has been successful prevention management systems to maximise in engaging local Aboriginal families, who their effectiveness and ensure culturally previously hadn’t engaged with the service. appropriate access and outcomes. Major health promotion activities include: Hearing • Smoking cessation for clients and the wider Ramahyuck is committed to improving community through engagement with hearing health outcomes within the a Tobacco Action and Healthy Lifestyle community through the emphasis on Program to include both health promotion early identification and intervention. The and intensive support for individuals to development of Hearing Health Clinics and change behaviour. audiology facilities in Sale, Morwell and • Increasing the awareness and confidence of Drouin operating in conjunction with the both health workers and Aboriginal youth Gippsland Family Practice is our key strategy in regards to sexual health, screening and for meeting this commitment. providing accurate data as well as improving Key Outcomes Achieved for 2017-2018 access to health checks including sexually include: transmitted infection screening for 15 to 25 • Managing 180 GP referrals for clients across year olds. our 3 sites. • Greater access to dental services through • Industrial audiometry testing conducted for improved pathways for Aboriginal clients Broadspectrum-RAAF Base in Sale with 10 accessing dental services and promoting staff reviewed. oral health awareness among community • Continuation of the development of a and clients. Regional Operational Plan 2017-2018 • Improving access to bowel and breast cancer covering the Wellington, Latrobe and Baw screening rates as well as increasing pap Baw Shires. smear coverage rate.

19 ORAL HEALTH Koolin Balit Christmas Hamper (Healthy People) In September 2017, Ramahyuck and opportunity to visit any of these sites to commenced our Christmas campaign with exchange their toothbrush. The program also every community member who completed provides Ramahyuck staff the opportunity to their 715 Health Check and Oral Health engage with our community and highlight the Check receiving an entry into the draw to win importance of good oral health supporting prizes. What better way to celebrate Christmas them by providing toothbrushes but also than with the gift of good health. Follow up to offer support, encouragement and make care or treatment also provided additional people aware of available dental services at entries into the draw. Our goal was to increase Ramahyuck. The displays aimed to create the participation, increase the quality, availability, conversation of tooth brushing and oral health. and effectiveness of education and community- The more Ramahyuck staff and our community based programs designed to prevent disease talk about health issues the better we can injury, improve health and enhance quality support, implement and improve overall of life. Over 150 entries were received for the health. The saying “It takes a village to raise a Christmas Hamper draw. child” is a proverb which means that it takes NAIDOC week family day 13 July: what an entire community to raise a child: A child a perfect opportunity to showcase our Oral has the best ability to become a healthy adult Health program with staff from our Dental if the entire community takes an active role in Team kindly providing their assistance. The contributing to the rearing of the child. day was well received by all and positive August National Aboriginal & Torres feedback from the community along with Strait Islander Children’s Day Picnic in the comments on what they would like to see in Park held jointly with Uniting Care. The event the future. Activities included cleaning teeth, highlighted healthy foods and physical activity how many teeth do I have and how to spot along with providing oral health show bags. the signs of early tooth decay. Creating the Emphasis was on good food choices with lunch conversation with parents and children allowed packs prepared and provided showcasing us the opportunity to gauge oral health needs, everyday foods and sometimes foods, covering who have attended a dentist, how often they the 5 food groups. Activities were conducted are brushing their teeth and identify any early on everyday foods and sometimes foods. The signs of tooth decay. The kids were great and children were terrific at identifying which eager to participate. We were very impressed foods from pictures were of everyday eating with responses and the children’s manners on foods and those which were sometimes foods. the day. Oral Health is fundamental to overall good Toothbrush exchange program health, creating patterns or behaviours are introduced August across 3 sites. The learned and if implemented at an early age Toothbrush Exchange Program at 3 become part of a normal routine. It’s never too Ramahyuck sites provided easier accessibility late to change/create behaviour.

20 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION Our chronic disease program contributes • Organise referrals to specialist care, to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal assisting with costs of specialist consult; and and Torres Strait Islander people with ongoing management of chronic condition chronic health conditions by providing • Organise transport to appointments when access to care coordination, allied health required and specialist consults, as well as support for • Provide education & advocacy support to self management. We do this by accessing patients culturally appropriate mainstream primary • Provide and participate in client care care services and providing advocacy for our planning – contributing to better treatment patients. Under a Gippsland Primary Health and management of chronic conditions Care funded program, we have appointed 3 involving a team approach nurses, 1 for each site, to assist clients with • Organise telehealth conferences between access to services and work alongside clinical general practitioner, patient and care staff for the planning of care patients require. coordinator In delivering these services we aim to: • Organise medication reviews to ensure • Initiate care planning and team care patient is on correct medication and safe arrangements doses • Provide timely access to allied health • Work with the patient to understand including dietitians, optometry, podiatrist, their condition and work towards self- radiography, exercise physiologist; sleep management studies, dental, occupational therapy, • Assist in access to mental health services; pharmacists and diabetes educators social emotional, drug and alcohol services HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE Our Home and Community Care Program a dance routine for the Elders. The operates out of the Clive Hood Multipurpose Elders interacted with the kids painting Centre on Raglan Street, Sale. The two person boomerangs and playing games. team has been kept busy with the following • A two night stay at Wattle Point where activities as well as their normal day-to-day Cassie Leatham conducted some cultural duties: activities with the group. The clients really • Joint PAGS cultural activity run with enjoyed these activities; they made animals Central Gippsland Health (CGH) with from natural materials and tried some painting boomerangs and other cultural native bush tea. activities such as a discussions on the • A Dementia Access & Support worker meaning of NAIDOC week. We presented visited with the PAGS group. She introduced the CGH group with an Aboriginal painting her role and provided some training during and welcomed their feedback on how they the later part of the year. She also attended really enjoyed learning about Aboriginal the weekend camp at Wattle Point for Culture. further information sharing with both staff • Reconnecting with Culture (workshop and clients. run by Cassie Leatham).The group activity • Several lawn bowling and 10 pin bowling focused on traditional weaving of emu activities were completed, with this being feathers skirts. Our clients are very grateful a great way for clients to become involved to be learning about their Culture again as physical activity. they were not allowed to practice cultural • Clients have learnt new skills by making activities when they were young. no stitch blankets/arts and crafts as well as • Gathering with elders PAGS and Cultural having workshops learning about healthy Connect Dance Group. The kids performed eating.

21 CORPORATE SERVICES The 2017/18 year was a huge year for Manager in August 2017, we now have the Corporate Services. Annemarie Frawley left skill base to enable us to fine tune our quality Ramahyuck after many years of dedicated processes. service and we wish her every success for her Other quality activities included: future. After a review of our administration • January 2018 – facilitated the successful activities, it was decided to recruit a Corporate attainment of accreditation via Quality Services Manager and in November 2017 David Practice Accreditation (QPA) under the Rutledge commenced in the role. In January Royal Australian College of General 2018, Robert Nugent commenced as our Practitioners (RACGP) standards for the Workforce Capability and Culture Manager, Medical Clinics, Sale, Morwell and Drouin. with the change in role title from Human • February 2018 – facilitated the successful Resources Manager, highlighting the emphasis attainment of ISO Certification for the being placed on developing the Ramahyuck Family Service programs under the Human workforce capability and culture. Our human Service Standards resources team were kept busy with over • Quality and Medical staff attended and thirty positions recruited to while at the same presented to the VACCHO ‘Movement by time cleaning up personnel files and ensuring Improvement’ forum. This presentation was that personnel information is available when about work that has been done to improve required. the way we use our patient medical record Work continued on refining our financial system. processes and while this work is still ongoing, • Quality team facilitate and support the financial reports now generated for both staff to undertake internal audits which management and external entities are much provide valuable insights and highlight more transparent and informative. In the opportunities for improvement to the 2018/19 year a major project will be the review Corporation processes. of potential software for a new financial information management system to commence Financial Summary operating from 1 July 2019. This is an ambitious In the 2017/18 year the Corporation project, but one that is necessary as the achieved an operating surplus of $917,817. organisation continues to grow and financial However, it must be noted that the surplus accountability requirements from our funders contained unexpended grants of $1.3m taken become more demanding. into equity. As such, there was an actual Ramahyuck has a large, but aging building operating deficit of $310,000 from ordinary portfolio and an issue that is developing is activities. Due to foreseeing this deficit in how we can keep the properties maintained as the January 2018 management accounts, well as meeting work health safety compliance an organisational review was undertaken obligations. In April 2018 the Board agreed which resulted in several staff positions being that the Project Manager role be upgraded to declared redundant and other cost saving that of an Infrastructure and Service Contracts initiatives being implemented. It is expected Coordinator to take overall supervision of that these operating changes will result in a our building maintenance requirements. The more stable and sustainable financial base in continued maintenance of our properties future years. is a major task and will require significant Total income of $10,991,156 was made up investment by the Corporation over the coming of $8,369,716 in grant income and $2,621,440 years. in fees and other income. Expenditure Of significant note was the Corporation totaled $10,073,339 with employment costs at passing our ISO 9001:2015 quality $7,831,870 the largest expenditure category. accreditation in August 2017. This was a For further details on our 2017/18 financial significant achievement and demonstrates performance, refer to our 2018 Financial that all staff can work together to meet Report, approved by Directors on 2 October our organisational objectives. With the 2018. appointment of Sally Sibley as our new Quality

22 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM THE AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT. Statement of Comprehensive Income

Income 2018 2017 $ $ Grants 8,369,716 6,653,724 Clinical 1,388,716 1,112,400 Dental 604,320 610,440 Fees & Charges 167, 6 68 211,703 Other Income 460,736 352,493 Total Income 10,991,156 8,940,760

Expenses Corporate 453,954 606,987 Employment 7,831,870 6.010,684 Other Income 1,787, 515 2,396,839 Total Income 10,073,339 9,014,510

Surplus/(Deficit) 917,817 (73,750)

Statement of Financial Position

2018 2017 $ $ Current Assets 5,123,257 4,432,296 Non-Current 5,395,506 5,332,177 Assets Current (1,224,225) (1,388,229) Liabilities Non-Current (167,193) (148,255) Liabilities Net Assets 9,127,345 8,227,989

Equity (9,127,345) (8,227,989)

23 Statement of Financial Position 2016-2017 INCOME 2017-2018 INCOME

4% 4% 2% 2% 7% 5%

13% 13%

74% 76% Grants Clinical Dental Fees & Charges Other Income

2016-2017 EXPENDITURE 2017-2018 EXPENDITURE

7% 4% 26% 18%

67% 78% Corporate Employment Operational

24 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Statement of Financial Position 10,000,000

8,000,000

6,000,000

4,000,000

2,000,000

2018 2017 (2,000,000)

(4,000,000)

(6,000,000)

(8,000,000)

(10,000,000)

Equity Net Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities Non-Current Assets Non-Current Liabilities

25 OUR FUNDERS A big thank you to all of our funders. Without your ongoing support we would not be able to provide the services we do to our communities.

LATROBE VA LLEY NEW ENERGY JO BS AND INVESTMENT PROSPECTUS

26 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation

Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation

Registered Office 117 Foster Street, Sale, Victoria 3850 Postal Address P.O. Box 1240, Sale, Victoria 3850 Telephone 03 5143 1644 Facsimile 03 5143 3436 Email [email protected] 28 Ramahyuck District ABNAboriginal 617 1093 Corporation 2590