VACCHO|NEWS WINTER 2011 Victorian Representative appointed for the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Registration Board VACCHO would like to congratulate Renee Owen from the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative for her appointment as the Victorian representative for the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Registration Board. Renee worked hard to compile her application and it is fantastic to see her hard work rewarded. VACCHO would also like to acknowledge Patricia Cerminara from Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation for also submitting a comprehensive application. We would have been well represented had Patricia been successful but unfortunately Victoria is only allowed one representative. We wish Renee well in her representative role and look forward to supporting Renee with her future commitments to the national registration board. Renee Owen The Kennedy boys Jamain, Jardan and Jamowen VACCHO Members Meeting in Mildura Mildura set the scene for the last VACCHO Members Meeting held on the 20-22 July. The Mildura Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) graciously hosted the meeting. The meeting kicked off with the Kennedy brothers Jamain, Jardan, Jamowen and their dad Dameion performing dance and didgeridoo playing. There were presentations from Monash University, State and Commonwealth Government and new Member Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA). Topics such as Infrastructure, Accreditation and Medicare Locals presentations featured prominently on the agenda. One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation by VACCHO’s Sexual Health/BBV Unit (also known as the Sexy Health Team) conducted by Bobby Whybrow and Andrew Bamblett. Bobby’s presentation was a hit with members leaving a smile on everyone’s face. A relaxing boat ride on the Murray River aboard one of Mildura’s paddle steamers was very much enjoyed by all, with dinner, dancing and a few good laughs. Dancing was kicked off by Matt Burke and Jill Gallagher and soon became a full dance floor. A couple of the boys got competitive as to how many girls they could dance down the floor with (would have to say it was a tie). The final day of the Members Meeting finished up with the official opening of the Pine Avenue Activity Centre. It was a beautiful morning which really befitted such a great occasion for the local community and it was great to see such a good turnout. Lauris McCormack, Practice Manager of Mildura Aboriginal Health Service (MAHS) started proceedings with an acknowledgement and thankyou. Lauris also provided a brief summary of the services provided at Pine Avenue and what MAHS are working towards achieving for the community with the activity centre. Gaylene Marquick, MAHS Better Health Longer Living worker spoke in more detail about some of the services Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 2 Tara Peterson and Natasha Roff available and how the centre is reaching out to community who may not have normally visited the health service. Greg Pepper who runs the Bringing Them Home (BTH) program provided information about the BTH program and how he is reaching out to help community. The property was originally purchased by MAC in 1998 and used for a variety of programs including Community Development Employment Projects. The property had largely been unused for around 4 years when MAC decided to renovate the building in April of 2009 to create a space for delivery of extended programs as there was very limited space available within the existing premises at that time. The renovations have been achieved with funding from various programs and the hard work and determination of everyone involved. Programs being run at Pine Avenue Activity Centre include: • BTH (Stolen Generation) • BTH Library • Treatment Room (clinic) • Cardiac rehab program • Arts and Crafts, cuppa and a yarn • Men’s program • Health promotion • Meetings • Women’s health • Exercise programs, assessment by trainer • Bumps, babes, beyond mothers and baby’s program • Veggie garden • Food bank (Red earth Tucker bag) • Dietician • Nutrition • Walking group • Barkindji Language • Traditional and Hip Hop dancing • HACC – elders group Other initiatives include kid’s activities, nutrition and cooking for kids and adults as well as parenting and Baby clinics including immunisations. If you are visiting Mildura pop in and visit Greg and Gaylene for a cuppa and a yarn! Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 3 VACCHO members meeting in Mildura Lauris McCormack , Mark Morgan, Renee Owen and Sharon Thorpe Katherine Young, Jason King and Louise Carey David Noonan, Matt Burke, Janine Taylor, Judy Cue, Lynette Sailor and Margaret Ferguson Kaylee Anderson, Edel Conroy, Mo Connolly Roslyn Gardner, Colleen Marion, Rachel Clulow, and Renee Owen Paula Morgan, Chantal Slater and Brendan O’Connell Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 4 Carol Williams and friend Marcus Clarke and Jason King Brendan O’Connell and Graeme Fletcher Bobby Whybrow and Andrew Bamblett Karlene Dwyer and Lyn McInnes Lauris McCormack and Brendan O’Connell Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 5 ICAP state-wide forum Writer: Jacinta Craven family, having good partnerships, On 7th to 9th June, social emotional wellbeing, which and working together as a team acknowledged the stressful nature in a culturally respectful way. Aboriginal Hospital of the work AHLOs do; and explored Liaison Officers the many things workers do to take Jacqueline Watkins and Carleen (AHLOs) from care of themselves when the day is Miller from Dental Health also gave a over. This session was then followed presentation. They highlighted some around the state by the Connection to Land, Fire and of the barriers they face in their joined together Water Ceremony which again was work, but then moved on to discuss performed by Vicki and encouraged successes, including increased at the Aborigines workers to reconnect with Land, numbers of people identifying, and Advancement League Fire and Water and to reflect on their a reduction in the “fail to attend” for their first state-wide health and wellbeing. numbers. The second session of the day saw DAY TWO: the morning session forum for 2011. two presentations from AHLOs on looked at lateral violence, and Over two and a half days, the AHLOs positive case studies. showcased the lateral violence DVD covered many topics including which was produced for VACCHO. Suzanne Nelson of Austin Health a long awaited workshop on the was joined by a representative During the second session a recommendations of the Improving from Donate Life. Together they presentation was given by Prue Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait highlighted a case-study which Shanahan from St Vincent’s Islander Patients (ICAP) review. involved the organ donation of a Hospital. Prue presented on the DAY ONE: The session opened with patient. Through highlighting the Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison a focus on self care and wellbeing case, and discussing the significant Officer (AMHLO) pilot project. of the AHLOs. Vicki Clark an process involved in organ donation, Prue provided an overview of the Aboriginal Mutthi Mutthi woman Suzanne demonstrated the mental health unit at St Vincent’s and facilitated a cultural session on importance of respecting the client’s highlighted the role of the AMHLO. Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 6 Uncle Herb Patten She also spoke about the important interact with the organisations fought for the rights of Aboriginal relationship between St Vincent’s and gain information about the people to address their health and Hospital and the Victorian Aboriginal organisation and the different wellbeing. Uncle Herb also shared Health Service (VAHS). programs they offer. stories of how he learned to play the gum-leaf music, and about making Another community program For those who stayed on and music with people like Archie Roach, presentation was provided by Jane attended the spit-roast dinner, a Ruby Hunter and Kutcha Edwards. Britten (Yorta Yorta). key highlight of the forum was the Uncle Herb is a well respected elder, performance by Uncle Herb Patten. Jane gave a presentation on Access and we were truly lucky to have him Following a long day of presentations Service for Koories (ASK), which perform and tell stories at the ICAP and discussions, Uncle Herb brought is an organisation based in the dinner. to the stage a bright light, a wealth Northern Metro region, which of history, knowledge and wisdom, On the whole, the ICAP forum provides care coordination for and a beautiful voice which was was well attended by AHLOs from Aboriginal community members with enjoyed by all who attended. One around the state, and provided an chronic conditions in the north-west thing is certain; Uncle Herb knows opportunity for networking, learning metro region. how to tell a good story. Uncle Herb and discussion. These forums are During the final session of the day, shared stories of growing up in important to run as they provide an information stalls were set up with Numerella, of being involved in the occasion for often isolated AHLOs representatives from a range of protest movements of 1970s, and of to join together and provide peer organisations including Travellers the history and importance of the support to one another, whilst also Aid, Onemda, ASK, Palliative Care Aborigines Advancement League. He learning about the successes and Victoria, and VACCHO programs. talked about Aboriginal leaders, both challenges that each often face in AHLOs had the opportunity to past and present who struggled and their job. Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 7 Uncle Tom Powell Koori Mental Health Liaison Officers Forum – Shepparton Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 Vaccho News | Winter Edition 2011 8 The second VACCHO Koori Mental Health look forward to is the new multi-million dollar aged care facility currently being built in Shepparton for Liaison Officers (KMHLO) state-wide elderly Aboriginal community members.