Thirty-five years ago, the founding members of BADAC showed great foresight in setting up a Cooperative that would assist the Aboriginal community in Ballarat and the Western District.

At the time there were a number of people from the stolen generation living in Ballarat due to the large number of Children’s Homes/Orphanages here. The local mainstream services were not catering for Aboriginal people due to racism and a lack of understanding of Aboriginal culture.

Aboriginal services did not exist in the entire Western district, so Ballarat was one of the larger regions that could take the initiative to form a

Co-operative. The main objective was to have a service run for the people by the people. During this time, Aboriginal people had a fear of mainstream services in case their children were taken into care, or they were reported to authorities, so the need for Aboriginal services was seen as a priority.

Initially the Co-operative operated with a small number of staff. Our key services were around health, with the clinic being staffed by a fulltime nurse and a Doctor from Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) who visited each fortnight. The Co-operative also housed regional staff from the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA),

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), and Koori Educators. We had responsibility for Cultural Heritage for many years which involved school visits, identification of important cultural sites, and for Cultural Officers this was a time of learning about their culture and heritage.

As the years have gone by, we have been able to develop our programs

news Winter 2014

Vibrant, healthy, self-determining Aboriginal communities

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative celebrate their 35th Anniversary

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal Health in Victoria.

Staff at the old Co-op premises in Eyre Street (1983-1984)From Left: Brian Smith, Rex Morgan, Kathy Smith, Diana Nikkelson, Karen Heap, Judy Carswell, Isobel Young, Pauline Smith, Val Heap (CEO), Glenda Blackall, Carol Harrison, John Morris, May Walker, Amanda Burns, Michael Constable and Lindsey Saunders.

01 Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) celebrate their 35th Anniversary

02 New Government policy denies choice

03 HR Community of Practice Network launched

04 Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) celebrate their 35th Anniversary cont.

05 Aboriginal Health Worker Profile: Kim Warde

06 - 7 VACCHO created a first class networking space as part of the AIDS2014 Global Village in Melbourne, July 2014

08 Rethinking Cancer, Raising Hope Workshop

brings leaders together

09 Interested in a Health and Wellbeing course at Monash University?

10 In memory of Cherie Waight

New publication: Welcome to Our Journey, Our Way, Our Journey, Our experiences - sharing stories about Palliative Care.

11 Shared services / purchasing for VACCHO Members

12 VACCHO programs and staff update

14 Around the traps

Contents

Under the new Indigenous Advancement Strategy, in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Aboriginal Organisations receiving $500,000 or more in a single year are required to incorporate with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (the CATSI Act). Any non-Aboriginal organisation will be required to move their registration to Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

This requirement removes the sovereign right of a board to choose its registering body and discriminates between organisations. Removal of this right is a breach of the principles underpinning community control

and self-determination. This will have significant implications for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). VACCHO and our Members oppose this requirement. To determine organisational registration requirements on the basis of race is discrimination.

The news comes as a blow to VACCHO as it is in direct contradiction of the commitment by the Prime Minister to consult with the Aboriginal Community on key policies that will affect them. Jill Gallagher AO, CEO of VACCHO said, ‘We are not being treated as equals by the government. There is simply no evidence that a move to an Aboriginal specific legislation will improve health outcomes, or contribute to the Close the Gap targets’.

VACCHO has undertaken a number of advocacy activities as well as seek external legal advice on the potential costs of this move, and liaising with various state and federal bodies to seek advice and support. NACCHO, along with several other national Aboriginal bodies including Congress and SNAICC, also raised concerns over this move to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

VACCHO acknowledges that this is a National issue and the overall negative effect of these issues raised and the costs will have a significant impact on delivering services to the most disadvantaged people across Australia.

For more information contact Dana Pyne at VACCHO

Email: danap@vaccho.com.au

New government policy denies choice

VACCHO NEWS Winter 2014 3

VACCHO successfully launched the HR Community of Practice Network at a Forum held on 6 August 2014. The HR Community of Practice Network is part of the HR Capacity Project which is funded by the Department of Health.

The HR Community of Practice Network recognises the importance the role HR practices play in enabling Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to competently execute their primary activities in health service delivery.

An impressive turnout of delegates from ACCHOs attended with representation from:

• Dandenong & District Aborigines Co-operative Limited

• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service• Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative• Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation• Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative Limited• Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Limited• Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal

Co-operative

• Mallee District Aboriginal Services• Aboriginal Community Elders Services• Njernda Aboriginal Corporation• Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community

Health Service Incorporated• Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative • Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative• Lake Tyers Health and Children’s Services• Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation• Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service.

The main goals of the HR Community of Practice Network is to build HR skills and knowledge across ACCHOs, share HR tools, network with peers and people working in HR and HR experts. For more information contact Paula Jones-Hunt HR Consultant on paulajh@vaccho.com.au or 03 9411 9411

HR Community of Practice Network launched

HR Community of Practice Network Forum participants

Great forum. I will be able

to use a lot of the learning

back in the workplace... I

really appreciated the entire

forum - the presenters

were really high quality and

informative.

[Forum participant]

and services across a wide range of areas, such as health, fitness, welfare, support for children and families, building and construction, housing, vocation, art, hospitality, and cultural education.

The original Co-operative was located in a small office, and several moves later we now operate from three sites, the main site being Market St, Ballarat which was recently renovated and extended offering a modern and spacious area for its comprehensive services.

Our health clinic services over 1500 clients, the majority of whom are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. We have in our employment four doctors, eight nurses, including Child and Maternal Health, an Aboriginal Health Worker, and allied health services such as Podiatry, Dietician, Exercise Physiologist, Audiologist, Psychologist, Diabetes Educator, Care Co-ordination (CCSS), Women’s Health, and a dynamic Emotional Wellbeing program.

We are providing intensive support in the areas of Chronic Disease and Health Prevention and Promotion to ensure that our Aboriginal people are keeping out of hospital and staying well. By using medical information and recall systems, the clinic is able to monitor the health of the community and effectively target those that need particular interventions and follow up.

These systems allow us to collate data and evidence to guide the development of programs based on need and support applications for funding. We have improved the birth weights of our Aboriginal children; child immunisation rates, and we provide support to families and ongoing monitoring of their children’s development.

A long term partnership with Ballarat Health Services has reduced the waiting list for dental services to nil for Aboriginal clients who have had a health check. The occurrences of mental health crises for our people have diminished due to the Social and Emotional Wellbeing team’s intervention and proactive approach. Breast screening rates have increased to outstanding levels due to regular bus trips to Breast Screen Services. The service is coordinated by a dedicated Well Women’s nurse who can provide the necessary follow up, information and encouragement to look after our women’s wellbeing.

Other services include our:

• Koori Family Services Centre which encourages families to attend playgroup, and kindergarten

• Senior and Junior Youth Groups

• Home and Community Care to support our Elders and people with disabilities

• Aboriginal Family Decision Making Convenor program, which supports families going through child protection issues

• Kinship Care which supports, grandparents, aunties and uncles, who are supporting and caring for children in out of home care

• Integrated Family Services which supports families at risk

• Koori Youth Justice Worker to support youth in the justice system

• Stolen Generation Program to support people with reconnection to their families.

Our services are reasonably new to the organisation and have been running for the last seven years, giving us greater ability to provide the holistic services the community needs.

BADAC is governed by a Board of community-elected Directors. The CEO and the Board have been ably assisted by the support of VACCHO over many years to ensure the Co-operative is compliant and operates effectively, helping us to be the best we can be.

CEO, Karen Heap has been at the helm for 10 years now and has helped to shape the many programs we offer. Her commitment to the provision of better services for Aboriginal people through BADAC and also mainstream services in Ballarat is ensuring the future health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the region. We are very proud of the work we do, and the goals we have been able to achieve.

Reaching our 35th year gives us much to reflect on and to celebrate. The road has been tough at times, given the ever-present threat of funding cuts, government changes to policies in Aboriginal issues, and the challenges of running a comprehensive service with a small number of staff. However, BADAC has proven itself to be a strong organisation with solid foundations and is providing a quality service to the community. We will continue to fight for better rights and demand better outcomes for our people, and we are aiming to be here for a lot longer yet. Written by Karen Heap (CEO of BADAC) and Faye Clarke (BADAC Chairperson)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2014 5

Kim Warde is a proud Yorta Yorta woman working at Njernda Aboriginal Corporation and is currently the only Aboriginal midwife practicing in the Koori Maternity Services Program (KMS) in Victoria.

The Koori Maternity Services Program (KMS) program funded by the Department of Health is provided through eleven (11) Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs) and three (3) hospitals across Victoria. KMS provides continuity of care from antenatal through birthing and postnatal care, including the transition to Maternal and Child Health services and other support services.

Kim’s inspiring and personal journey to becoming a midwife and KMS worker involved a dedicated background in education and training. From Bendigo to Queensland, Shepparton and Melbourne, Kim, a working mother, has remained dedicated and driven to continually further herself as a Midwife. Over the years Kim has not only kept her qualifications up to date but has pushed herself and succeeded, which is evident in Kim’s upskilling in Maternal and Child Health.

I was fortunate to get the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship and when I did my training in Maternal and Child Health Nursing, I had to drive down to Melbourne every Monday and it was such a hard slog down to RMIT. I did that part-time for about two years. So that was hard with four kids. I suppose with further education, you’re never too old to learn and that’s what you can stress to everyone – especially for Aboriginal Health Workers out there.

Family support played a big role in becoming a midwife, such as my husband Tim. We supported each other at the same time he was attending TAFE at Bendigo doing his building/carpentry while I was at University, so we supported each other. Other support included my family. On a Friday, my mother-in-law would look after the kids while I did my study. My own mum actually looked after the kids instead of childcare (they were three and 17 months old). That was really good to have my parents, my mother-in-law and my husband. And obviously while I did my Maternal and Child Health, my Manager and CEO of Njernda showed great support.

It was very inspiring to hear you present at the Indigenous Women’s

Health Meeting in Adelaide this year, have you taken on any other public speaking opportunities or do you intend to in the future?

I taught for a couple of semesters at Bendigo - for the Aboriginal Health Workers. This is something I am passionate about – Indigenous Health. I loved it, I loved that role of teaching and I can relate to it because I work with Aboriginal Health Workers here and it’s been really nice after working there in Bendigo and then seeing them out in the workforce.

Do you have any advice for aspiring Aboriginal Health Workers, Nurses and midwives? Yes. Never say never! You never let anything set you back! Basically I believe once you start something then you finish it. And if you don’t ask for help, you’re not going to get it. So set some goals and find who will help you along the way.

A longer version of this interview with Kim Warde was featured in our Yarnin’ Health show, Radio 3KND on the 03/09/2014. Click on the VACCHO Soundcloud link to listen to this interview: https://soundcloud.com/vaccho/yarnin-health-show-5-aired-wednesday-200-pm-03-09-2014.

Aboriginal Health Worker (AHW) Profile

This page: left top - clockwise

Aunty Carolyn Briggs welcoming us all to country and opening our Indigenous Peoples Networking Zone

DJ Danforth (Oneida) responding to the welcome to country with a song honouring all our mothers, sisters, aunties and grandmothers

Welcome2country_jpegs_132: Uncle Joe Geia, Destiny Haz Arrived, Uncle Robbie Bundle and Destiny Haz Arrived in the IPNZ yarning circle

ANTHYM mob thanking VAHS for holding a community lunch and supporting First Nations people attending AIDS2014.

Opposite page: left top clockwise

Peter Waples-Crowe and Kat Byron from the VACCHO Sexy Health team with Jill Gallagher AO launching the ‘Deadly Sexy Health Kit’ on Wednesday

Kelly Maher (VACCHO), Celeste Carnegie (ANYTHM), Adam Ridgeway, Kat Keeler (ANYTHM), Condoman aka Adam Ridgeway and ANTHYM members Celeste Carnegie and Kat Keeler fight off HIV aka Kelly Maher from VACCHO

Jimi Peters (VACCHO) at the AIDS 2014 Mobilisation March

Ntaria Ladies Choir performing at VAHS for local community and our First Nations guests.

DJAMABANNA NGARGEE BIRRARUNG MARR

VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2014 7

Djamabanna Ngargee Birrarung Marr: the Indigenous Peoples’ Networking Zone (IPNZ) exceeded expectations of the Australian Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Organising Committee (AATSTIOC), the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS (IIWGHA) and local Koori communities.

Djamabanna Ngargee Birrarung Marr which means ‘Gathering Ceremony by riverside’ in the Woi-Wurrung language of the Kulin Nations was located inside the Global Village of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The IPNZ was grounded in Koori language, design and performances with dedicated opportunities for cultural and health promotion from national and international delegates. First peoples’ and their organisations showcased their HIV, wellbeing practices and initiatives. This process was guided by local Koori Elders and community members. Alongside a comprehensive program of presentations, art creation and storytelling the space created a sense of community for our international visitors which made the IPNZ a warm and inviting meeting place.

VACCHO created a first class networking space as part of the AIDS2014 Global Village in Melbourne, July 2014

VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2014 7

The mortality rate from cancer is 1.5 times higher for Indigenous Australians, than for non-Indigenous Australians.

Indigenous leaders and healthcare advocates from across the disease spectrum, from research and prevention to palliative care and survivorship attended Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in a successful two-day workshop titled, Rethinking Cancer, Raising Hope in Melbourne on Monday 25 August, 2014.

The workshop aimed to understand the factors that influence poorer outcomes from cancer in Indigenous Australians and design strategies to help close the gap in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control. Professor Arabena, who identifies as Torres Strait

Rethinking Cancer, Raising Hope Workshop brings leaders together

VACCHO NEWS Spring 2013 8

Yarnin’ Health delivers a range of topics covering Aboriginal Health in Victoria. Tune into Yarnin’ Health on radio 3KND fortnightly every Wednesday on 1503 AM or stay on the grapevine and download our episodes online at: https://soundcloud.com/vaccho

If you would like to share a story or need help promoting an event or service, call Dylan Clarke on 03 9411 9411. Yarnin’ Health will help YOUR communities’ voice be heard.

Yarnin’ Health is proudly

presented by VACCHO

on Melbourne’s only

Indigenous radio station,

3KND Kool N Deadly 1503 AM

Image: Dylan interviewing Uncle Robbie Bundle, Uncle Joe Geia and Uncle Larry Walsh for VACCHO’s Yarnin’ Health radio show on 3KND at the Djamabanna Ngargee Birrarung Marr: Indigenous Peoples Networking Zone as part of the AIDS 2014 Global Village.

Islander, presented the talk Setting the scene. Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre co-facilitated the workshop.

Left: Aunty Dianne Kerr delivers Welcome to Country

Centre: Jill Gallagher AO, VACCHO CEO addresses the workshop on her talk was titled Rethinking Cancer, Raising Hope in Indigenous Health, Jill was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2009 which had spread to her diaphragm and liver. She had two surgeries and chemotherapy and has just been given her five year all-clear.

Right: Professor Kerry Arabena, Director of Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, with Ms Dale Fisher: Chief Executive, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

VACCHO NEWS Spring 2013 8

We have health and wellbeing courses in: medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, paramedics, nutrition and dietetics, psychology, occupational therapy, pharmacy, social work and public health. Monash University courses are mostly located at Clayton, Frankston and Caulfield.

What sort of support is there?

• An Indigenous support fund is available for health science students. Possible costs covered by this fund include: admission tests, course related expenses such as uniforms, working with children checks, police checks, fitness tests, immunisations.

• An Indigenous bursary is available to cover costs of Monash residential accommodation with preference for first year health science studentsYulendj Indigenous Engagement Unit also offers student support and opportunities to meet other Indigenous students at Monash

How do you apply for a Monash course?

• directly through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre http://www.vtac.edu.au/• or speak to friendly staff at Yulendj Indigenous Engagement Unit

Kristel Keleher, Indigenous Student Recruitment Officer Email: kristel.keleher@monash.edu Phone: 03 9905 8699

Interested in a Health and Wellbeing Course at Monash University?

Kylie’s Story – Nursing at Monash UniversityI am from the Darug people, I’m a Boorooberongal woman from New South Wales and I’m a mature age entry, nursing student with Monash. Becoming a part of Monash started off with talking to the people at Monash Indigenous Engagement Unit who gave me information and guidance about how to apply through VTAC. The thing I like about the Monash nursing course is the clinical learning environments, where in the first year you learn how to take blood pressures, do a bed wash, do wound care. In the second year you learn to care for surgical wounds, chest tubes and drains and take blood. I personally have two legally blind teenage children and Monash University has worked with me to ensure clinical placements and deadlines are somewhat flexible to allow me to care for my children.

You can visit us here! www.monash.edu.au/about/indigenous/

In memory of Cherie Waight Senior Project Officer Palliative Care

Cherie Waight was a proud Yorta Yorta woman. She was more than just a colleague, she was a friend, a confidant and someone all could trust and rely on.

Cherie’s passion was palliative care and in the introduction of the palliative care booklet Welcome To Our Journey it was acknowledged that this book - would not have been possible without the tireless work of Cherie Waight, Senior Project Officer Palliative Care.

Cherie had a strong connection to culture and spirituality and was a respected leader within our community. Throughout her journey of dealing with her own illness Cherie’s empathy, compassion and commitment to her family, friends, community, colleagues and palliative care was inspirational.

In Cherie’s own words

Follow me, take my hand, walk a little as I take each step slowly into my journey.

Sit awhile with me as I watch our Murray River flow, feel my emotions as I feel the land. Comfort me as I stand strong in my mind, spirit and of my country and culture where I belong. Yorta Yorta I hear you calling my spirits, family and ancestors as I enter into my dreaming.

Cherie WaightYorta Yorta

Our friend and colleague Cherie will stay in our hearts and always be remembered.

New publicationWelcome to Our Journey Our way, Our journey, Our experiences - sharing stories about Palliative Care.

VACCHO has compiled stories with the aim to inspire people in our community who are experiencing a journey of palliative care – like our Elders, carers and family members. It shows that we, as Aboriginal people have a story to tell ‘our way’. The stories have been gathered into making an inspirational book titled, Welcome to Our Journey.

For more information about obtaining a copy of Welcome to Our Journey contact Belinda Stevens, Director, Workforce Development Unit on 03 9411 9411.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is about to conduct the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS). The NATSISS 2014-15 will be conducted from September 2014 through to the end of April 2015.

The NATSISS is conducted using a face-to-face interview at households randomly selected across Australia. For more information see: www.abs.gov.au/natsiss

What is the VACCHO Shared Services project?

The VACCHO Shared Services project aims to investigate, develop and implement a shared services model for VACCHO and its Members. The intent of the project is to leverage the collective buying power of VACCHO Members to realise significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Where did the Shared Services Project come from?

The Shared Services project is the result of a number of discussions over the past two years with VACCHO Members. Members believe that we have considerable clout as a collective and this should be harnessed and used to our advantage where possible. Members have also agreed that there are opportunities to reduce their administrative burden and overall effort by sharing some services. Through the CEO forum, ACCHS sustainability workshops and Members meetings it was identified that VACCHO should seek to investigate the potential and opportunities for shared services/purchasing across the VACCHO membership.

What are the benefits of shared services / purchasing?

To put it simply this is about improving quality and operating efficiency while

reducing costs and administrative burden for VACCHO and the members. We aim to harness the combined buying power of our members to gain economies of scale. Where possible we will also aim to coordinate and simplify the management and delivery of shared service/purchasing activities so that members can focus on core business.

What has happened to date?

The members have identified the following areas for investigation:

• ICT – including the provision of networks and servers, hardware and software purchasing, data communications, telephony (fixed and mobile), printing, help desk backup and security.

• Utilities, Materials and Equipment - including power, office equipment, medical consumables etc.

• Fleet Management – including vehicle purchasing, repairs and maintenance, fuel etc.

• Professional Services – including Insurance, Legal services, Financial & Audit services etc.

• Banking – including loans, transactions, card management services and investment services

VACCHO presented to the Members at the July 2014 Members meeting on

the nature and scope of this project.

A small Project team, with ACCHS representation, has been convened to provide advice and input into the project and proposed role out.

The immediate emphasis is on the ACCHS ICT environments as this has been identified by Members as a crucial area of support. A survey has been sent to all Members to get relevant information on their current ICT environments and determine how to best meet their individual and collective ICT needs.

Surveys covering the other areas under investigation will be sent in the coming weeks.

What are the next steps?

Collect and collate survey information from Members on identified areas of shared activity.

VACCHO will continue to source and meet with potential suppliers regarding activity scope and cost reduction.

VACCHO will continue to actively engage and inform Members of this project, and in particular work with Members who are currently in a position to take advantage of the potential offerings and benefits.

For more information contact Tyson Murphy at VACCHO on 03 9411 9411

Shared services / purchasing for VACCHO Members

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey

VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2014 11

Margaret Clarke

Aboriginal Health Promotion and Chronic Care (AHPACC) Project Officer

Margaret’s role is to support Community Health Services (CHSs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) work in partnership to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians with/at risk of chronic disease. It is to look at the individual and joint roles of partner organisations and the acknowledgement of Aboriginal cultural influences including historic, cultural and social contexts of communities need to underpin the planning, implementation and evaluation of the AHPACC Partnership.

About Margaret

My name is Margaret Clarke, a Mutti Mutti woman and I am the AHPACC Project Officer. Like most women my age education for females was not considered important and I left school when fourteen. I returned to studies in 1979 and did Community Development and Social Work then in 1991 I achieved my Master of Education from Harvard University.

I lived in South Australia for many years and returned home to Victoria

in 1993. From the time I came home I have worked for Aboriginal community organisations and Aboriginal units in government departments. This is my second time at VACCHO – about seven years ago I was the Improving Care for Aboriginal Patients (ICAP) Coordinator.

Susan Forrester

State-wide Eye Health Project Officer

I have been engaged to continue to promote the importance of eye health within Victorian Aboriginal communities in collaboration with VACCHO Member organisations.

I will also continue to develop and strengthen existing and new partnerships between VACCHO Members, Primary Eye Care providers and other Stakeholders, in accordance with the objectives of the ‘Koolin Balit,’ Victorian Aboriginal Eye Health Workplan 2014 – 2015.

I look forward to learning from and collaborating with all key stakeholders to build on the successes to date, maintain the awareness of eye health services, increase the number of eye examinations within our Victorian Aboriginal communities, and most importantly, to improve the patient

pathway within all Victorian regions.

About Susan

I am a Somali-Scottish woman of the Haber Yonis and Habar Awal tribes of the Issac Clan. I am an experienced project manager with transferable skills acquired within the community and arts sector, specialising in the production and delivery of culturally diverse community programs. I have worked with Victorian Aboriginal communities in a variety of settings over the years, in the area of major events and mentorship. I have recently completed a short term project with the VACCHO Sexual Health Team to deliver key First Peoples’ events for the International AIDS 2014 conference, Melbourne July 2014. I am also currently a Masters Candidate at Central Queensland University.

‘I am excited to meet and learn from our members, to work together to enhance the awareness, patient experience, and overall eye health of our Victorian Aboriginal Community’.

Jacinta Collins

Telehealth Support Officer

Telehealth uses video cameras and computer screens to connect patients to medical specialists

VACCHO programs and staff update

VACCHO NEWS Winter 2014 12

through videoconferencing technology. The potential benefits for patients to receive Specialist consultations at their ACCHO using Telehealth technologies are widely acknowledged and include but not limited to easing the barriers of leaving their community, cost of travel and improved health outcomes. It is also anticipated that the project will benefit ACCHOs by reducing the number of service initiated medical transports to Specialists.

As VACCHOs Telehealth Support Officer, Jacinta’s role is to work with VACCHO members to establish systems and processes to support Telehealth consultations and create an acceptance of the use of Telehealth as one of a range of service delivery models in the provision of appropriate health care for the Victorian Aboriginal community. It is also anticipated the project will benefit ACCHOs by reducing the number of service initiated medical transports to Specialists.

I look forward to meeting Members and achieving growth in the number of ACCHOs who regularly and seamlessly use Telehealth technology.

About Jacinta

Jacinta is a Division 1 nurse with a Master of Health Science and Graduate Diploma of Health Administration. Her particular passion is tackling diverse change management challenges across acute/primary and public/private healthcare sectors.

Jacinta has a strong action research background with a particular emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches in chronic disease care.

Most recently Jacinta worked at Access Services for Koories, a Care Coordination program that assists Community members living with chronic disease or have complex needs to access culturally safe health care services.

Petah Atkinson

Aboriginal Nutrition and Physical Activity Officer

Having knowledge and access to fresh, healthy food is one of the best ways we can positively improve our health. Petah played netball for Rumbalara for 16 years, more than 250 senior games, raised 6 children, studied at University and graduated with a Master’s Degree all at the same time!

Being one of the longest serving players with the Rumbalara Football Netball Club, Petah has first-hand knowledge of the benefits of physical activity, it helped keep me healthy and happy all these years.

About Petah

Petah Atkinson is a proud Yorta Yorta woman with family from Shepparton.

I’ve always been connected to VACCHO, mainly as a member organisation representative. Recently I worked in Public Health in government and really see the importance of our community being

involved in the development and roll out of new health strategies.

My mother, Anne Atkinson, was one of the first graduates of Aboriginal Health Worker training at Koori Kollij. She was also one of the first Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers and truly inspired me to be more caring of others. When I worked in Aboriginal Health Services I was really frustrated in the limitations of our services for our community. I felt like we had so much more work we could be doing in preventing illness rather than just focusing on sickness. Aboriginal Health is in my family and Health Promotion and Illness Prevention is my way of contributing to our community and to our people.

I worked for many years at Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative and had the most amazing Elders and mentors I could ask for, Aunty Frances Mathysen and Nan Baye Atkinson; Women of Substance and Integrity. In addition, I have known and worked with Felicia Dean, Karlene Dwyer and Jill Gallagher for around 25 years and have found them to be inspirational as CEO’s, mothers, friends and Aboriginal community members. Most importantly I have my family, especially my children as my main supporters, they are really amazing!

For more information

on these new programs please contact VACCHO on 03 9411 9411

VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2014 13

Melbourne NAIDOC March

Around the traps

Dylan Clarke, Louise Lyons and Jill Gallagher in the 3KND Kool N Deadly recording studio

Follow us on

VACCHO’s NAIDOC lunch at the Aboriginal Community Elders Services (ACES)

17-23 Sackville Street Collingwood VIC 3066

P 03 9411 9411 F 03 9411 9599

E enquiries@vaccho.org.au

www.vaccho.org.au

• Aboriginal Community Elders Services• Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service• Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative • Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative• Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative• Cummeragunja Housing & Development

Aboriginal Corporation • Dandenong and District Aborigines

Cooperative Ltd (incorporating Bunurong Health Service)

• Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service

• Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative

• Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative• Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative• Healesville Indigenous Community

Services Association• Kirrae Health Services Inc.• Lake Tyers Health & Children’s Service

• Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association• Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport & Recreation

Co-operative • Mallee District Aboriginal Services

• Kerang Aboriginal Community Centre• Swan Hill & District

Aboriginal Co-operative• Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc.• Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation• Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative• Ngwala Willumbong Cooperative• Njernda Aboriginal Corporation• Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation

• Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health Services

• Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service• Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative• Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation

VACCHOBoard MembersJason B. King: ChairpersonMarcus Clarke: Vice ChairpersonAndrew Gardiner: Board MemberJanice Huggers: Board MemberRudolf Kirby: Board MemberKevin Williams: Board MemberDaphne Yarram: Board Member

STORIES | IDEAS | FEEDBACK Don’t forget this is your newsletter and we need your stories and ideas.

VACCHO Members

VACCHO News Winter 2014

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If you would like to give us story ideas or comment on our newsletter please contact our Communications Officer Taloi Havini on 03 9411 9411 or on communications@vaccho.com.au.