Gippsland BLACK PAGES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Traditional Owners Gippsland Medicare Local acknowledges the GunaiKurnai people as the traditional owners of the land in Gippsland and pays their respects to Elders past and present. There are approximately 3,000 GunaiKurnai people located in Gippsland and are made up of five major clan groups. The Artist Local Aboriginal artist Dale Hayes (Brayakoloong Art Group) was commissioned to create the artwork ‘Kurnai Family Group’. The Aboriginal Community We wish to convey heartfelt thanks to the Aboriginal community members who have supported this project and provided information and valuable feedback. The name Gippsland Black Pages was borne out of a consultation process with Aboriginal community members, and specifically Karen Mobourne. The Supporting Organisations This resource was originally developed by Central West Gippsland Division of General Practice with general practitioners and the Aboriginal community in mind. Gippsland Medicare Local (GML) commenced in July 2012, building upon the strong relationships forged by the previous Divisions of General Practice in Gippsland. GML has supported the review and redevelopment of this resource to include all of Gippsland. Additional funding to support the development of this resource was also received from the Central and West Gippsland Sub Regional Close the Health Gap Consortium and the Australian Government Department of Health under the Closing the Gap Improving Indigenous Access to Mainstream Primary Care Program. We acknowledge their generous contribution. The Printing Company Print and design was provided by Easyaz. The Project Developer Consultation and project development was provided by Sharyn Thompson Consulting STC. DISCLAIMER GML takes no responsibility for incorrect information contained in this document. All information was correct at time of printing, to the best of our knowledge. BACKGROUND GML is part of a national network of 61 Medicare Locals set up by the Australian Government to coordinate primary health care delivery, tackle local health needs and fill identified service delivery gaps. GML aims to partner with all local primary health care providers supporting them to connect and share the information they need to responsively and effectively treat and manage individual patient’s conditions. This coordinated approach will also help to reduce the duplication of services and improve the quality and safety of health care delivery in Gippsland. GML supports the Commonwealth Government’s ‘Close the Gap’ initiatives that focus on addressing inequalities in health status between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. Close the Gap measures target better prevention practices, enhanced treatment, management of chronic diseases for Aboriginal Australians and support better access to culturally appropriate mainstream primary healthcare services. ABORIGINAL HEALTH GAP Aboriginal people experience disease two-and-a-half times more than that of other Australians. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases are the major contributing factors to an unacceptable gap in life expectancy. If closing the gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal Australians and the general population is to be achieved, it is essential that comprehensive and accessible primary healthcare is provided by Aboriginal services and mainstream health services. GIPPSLAND DEMOGRAPHICS The Aboriginal population of Gippsland is approximately 3,811 and makes up 1.5 per cent of the total Gippsland population. Aboriginal communities are dispersed across Gippsland with the largest concentration in East Gippsland Shire, and the smallest in South Gippsland. As general practice health professionals across Gippsland become more aware of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander needs and cultural requirements, more Aboriginal people are using services. Data indicates that approximately 50 per cent of the Aboriginal population use mainstream services for their health requirements (Aboriginal Service Plan 2010-2011 Department Human Services and Department of Health). AIM OF RESOURCE This document aims to provide information about Aboriginal services across Gippsland. The document will be available electronically via the Gippsland Medicare Local Website (www.gml.org.au). It will offer health providers a reference point for Aboriginal specific services in Gippsland, and enable appropriate referrals. It is hoped the Gippsland Black Pages Aboriginal Service Directory will be widely used and shared between all service providers to assist with targeted and culturally-sensitive care. It also serves as a starting point for the development of relationships between organisations which we hope will lead to information exchange, transfer of knowledge, further discussion and a greater understanding around Aboriginal health. The document also recognises, but does not include, the health services provided across the region by hospitals, community health centres and other services that are not Aboriginal specific but are available to all people. Many of these organisations provide Aboriginal Liaison staff who are able to provide assistance to access services. HEALTH SERVICES Gippsland BLACK PAGES Gippsland BLACK PAGES HEALTH SERVICES ABORIGINAL CO-OPERATIVES ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY CONTROLLED HEALTH ORGANISATION (ACCHO) Aboriginal Cooperatives are key stakeholders in Aboriginal health and provide health and community services to Aboriginal communities across Australia. Aboriginal Cooperatives also provide a meeting point for Aboriginal people locally and visitors to the region as well as providing valuable information about: • Cultural awareness • Local Aboriginal issues • Local landmarks and sacred sites • Deaths in the community • Funeral dates and times • Confirmation of Aboriginality • Referrals to Aboriginal services and mainstream health services GIPPSLAND & EAST GIPPSLAND ABORIGINAL CO-OPERATIVE (GEGAC) GEGAC has its primary location in Bairnsdale and delivers health and community services to Aboriginal people throughout Gippsland. GEGAC also provides the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place museum in Bairnsdale and has a site for service delivery in Morwell. 37-53 Dalmahoy St 9 Maryvale Crescent Bairnsdale 3875 Morwell 3840 Phone: 03 5150 0700 Phone: 03 5134 3816 Web www.gegac.org.au LAKE TYERS ABORIGINAL TRUST – LAKE TYERS HEALTH AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES (LTHCS) LTHCS is the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation based at Lake Tyers Trust and provides a range of wholistic health services including preventative health screening and empowering the community to stay healthy. 1 Rules Road Lake Tyers 3887 Phone: 03 5156 5554 Web www.laketyersaboriginaltrust.com.au LAKES ENTRANCE ABORIGINAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (LEAHA) LEAHA commenced in 2004 as an Elder’s group working in partnership with Gippsland Community Health (GLCH). LEAHA aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal community members in and around the townships of Lakes Entrance, Metung and Swan Reach. LEAHA prides it’s self in creating partnerships with mainstream organisations to produce quality services to the Aboriginal community members in and around the townships of Lakes Entrance, Metung and Swan Reach. 18-26 Jemmeson Street Lakes Entrance 3909 Phone: 03 5155 8465 Web www.glch.org.au / www.djillayngalu.org.au MOOGJI ABORIGINAL COUNCIL Moogji is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation providing services to the East Gippsland community. 52 Stanley Street Orbost 3888 Phone: 03 5154 2133 Web www.djillayngalu.org.au RAMAHYUCK DISTRICT ABORIGINAL CORPORATION (RDAC) Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation delivers a range of health and community development services to the Indigenous and wider community across Gippsland. Head Office Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health Service 117 Foster Street 15-17 Buckley St Sale 3850 Morwell 3840 Phone: 03 5143 1644 Phone: 03 5136 5100 Web www.ramahyuck.org West Gippsland Aboriginal Health Service South Gippsland Aboriginal Health Service 25 Young Street 64 Watt Street Drouin 3818 Wonthaggi 3995 Phone: 03 5625 6500 Phone: 03 5672 1444 VICTORIAN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY CONTROLLED HEALTH ORGANISATION (VACCHO) VACCHO represents all Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in Victoria. VACCHO also provides direction in Aboriginal health policies and also supports local initiatives. While VACCHO do not provide health services, they are involved in a number of programs including a sexual health program which supports member organisations to provide up-to-date sexual health care. 17-23 Sackville Street Collingwood 3066 Phone: 03 9411 9411 Web www.vaccho.org.au HEALTH SERVICES Gippsland BLACK PAGES Gippsland BLACK PAGES HEALTH SERVICES ABORIGINAL MEDICAL SERVICES GIPPSLAND & EAST GIPPSLAND ABORIGINAL CO-OPERATIVE (GEGAC) GEGAC provides an Aboriginal Medical Service to the community in East Gippsland Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Medical appointments and appointments for all allied health services are made by calling medical reception. Nursing staff are available for all medical needs with no appointment necessary. Nurses also provide: pathology, wound dressings, social and emotional support, general medical needs, home visits, chronic disease management and immunisations. We also provide sexual health education, including pap smears and women’s health. Aboriginal Health Workers provide transport to medical appointments, health screening and health promotion. 37-53 Dalmahoy St Bairnsdale 3875 Phone: 03 5150 0760 Web www.gegac.org.au MOOGJI