- National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities
- Connecting to Community: Bidgerdii Wellness Hub
- Mareeba footy fans rally at Future Immortals Tour to raise awareness of domestic and family violence
- Early childhood funding boost for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
- Preserving the past for a sustainable future
- Sector Jobs
- Events and training
The NACCHO Sector News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.
We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.
National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said the Federal Government has committed to collaborating with manufacturers and producers to investigate ways to enhance food security and make food and other essentials more affordable in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Ms McCarthy said that the Food Security Industry Roundtable held in Canberra last week marked the inaugural gathering of stakeholders from the remote supply chain, including manufacturers and retailers, to explore solutions for food security in remote communities collaboratively.
“Industry participants heard from the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation on the health impact of food insecurity and acknowledged the health crisis facing remote Australia,” she said.
“Central Australia has the highest rates of amputations in the country due to diseases like diabetes. First Nations people suffer from high rates of chronic kidney disease across the country.
“Remote retailers highlighted the cost of doing business as an issue impacting their purchasing power, affecting volume and ultimately the cost and availability of food and essentials for residents in remote communities.”
Key outcomes of the roundtable included a consensus on prioritising freight to enhance reliability and lower costs, considering variables such as weather conditions and limited competition.
The Federal Government is allocating $11.8 million to create a National Strategy for Food Security in remote First Nations communities, collaborating with state and territory governments and First Nations health organisations.
The strategy aims to enhance access to nutritious and affordable food, with finalisation expected by early 2025.
Read more here.
Tiwi Island residents Denis and Rosie are struggling to put food on the table. (AAP)
Connecting to Community: Bidgerdii Wellness Hub
Bidgerdii Wellness Hub in Rockhampton has been open to the community for just over a year, with many inroads and connections being made. The Wellness Hub is a culturally safe space for Community to access allied health, social and emotional wellbeing, as well as support services in Elder care and NDIS.
Since opening, the team has implemented many new programs and initiatives. The Social & Emotional Wellbeing Team has held ‘Trips to Country’ on Darumbal & Gaangulu Country. These community days were well attended with Elders enjoying traditional activities and connection to Country.
Exercise Physiology has proved to be a popular activity hosted by Integrated Team Care (ITC). Every week the ITC clients hit the gym for tailored exercise to build strength and mobility or head to the pool for a gentle hydrotherapy session.
The Wellness Hub provides Elder Support Groups weekly to increase connection and reduce isolation amongst our community. Elders participate in fun activities, enjoy a lunch and have a yarn, these mornings are very popular.
Read more here.
Image source: Sector Leader.
Mareeba footy fans rally at Future Immortals Tour to raise awareness of domestic and family violence
Hundreds of Mareeba footy fanatics turned out to the Arthur Beetson Foundation’s Future Immortals Tour, hosted by Mulungu Health Service, to celebrate their love of the game and raise awareness of domestic and family violence (DFV).
The Future Immortals Tour supports grass roots rugby league by bringing together local communities and legends of the NRL for fun, play, and to raise awareness of community issues. Samanthia Dooley, Mulungu CEO said the Future Immortals Tour was a way to support the community while also raising awareness of a serious issue.
“It was fantastic to see the community come together, have some fun playing footy and connecting with their friends and neighbours,” she said.
“We also really wanted to let the community know that there is help available at Mulungu if you or your family are affected by domestic and family violence.
“If you need a safe and secure place to go, there’s help available at Mulungu.
“If you’re concerned about your behaviour to your family or partner, we can also provide support.”
To read the full article, go here.
Family and domestic violence support:
- 1800 Respect national helpline: (1800 737 732)
- Women’s Crisis Line:(1800 811 811)
- Men’s Referral Service: (1300 766 491)
Image source: Sector Leader.
Early childhood funding boost for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
Early childhood activities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families will receive a significant boost from a $70.4 million, two-year investment by the federal government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy. The investment will extend funding for 188 activities across the country, ensuring 173 organisations can continue to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in their early years, encouraging good health and school readiness.
Catherine Liddle, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children chief executive said the increased and extended funding will make a “huge difference” in delivering services and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early education and care services around the country.
“Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. These projects involve collaborating with and strengthening Aboriginal community-controlled organisations as well as skilling up mainstream Early Childhood Education and Care services who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. This funding helps to close the gap for our children and set them up to thrive,” she said.
The federal government noted in a statement that early childhood is the most critical phase of a child’s development, and that access to quality, culturally safe early childhood activities has positive life-long impacts on health, education, employment and economic outcomes.
Read more here.
Image: National Indigenous Australians Agency.
Preserving the past for a sustainable future
Professor Marcia Langton AO, a distinguished anthropologist, geographer, and the Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, has dedicated her career to honouring and sharing Indigenous knowledge systems. Her recent co-edited book, Indigenous Knowledge: Australian Perspectives, offers a comprehensive exploration of the powerful insights that Indigenous knowledge can bring to some of today’s most pressing issues.
In collaboration with co-editors Aaron Corn and Samuel Curkpatrick, Professor Langton brings together Indigenous Elders, scholars, and practitioners in a groundbreaking collection that spans disciplines from environmental management to mental health, agriculture, and astronomy.
The book delves into Indigenous approaches to health and well-being, particularly the work of traditional healers, or Ngangkari. Recognised for their contributions to mental health, these healers combine spiritual and physical practices to address a range of health needs.
Ngangkari healers often work alongside Western practitioners in remote hospitals, where they help build trust and provide holistic care that strengthens community well-being. Professor Langton describes these traditional healers as: “Extraordinary practitioners whose work in mental health is increasingly acknowledged.”
“They offer holistic care that addresses not only the physical but also the emotional and spiritual health of their patients.”
This collaborative approach, where Ngangkari and Western doctors work together, highlights the strengths of integrating traditional and modern health practices.
Read more here.
Professor Marcia Langton. Image source: Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.
Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.
2024 NACCHO Members’ Conference
The 2024 NACCHO Members’ Conference will be held at the National Convention Centre Canberra, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December as part of a broader program commencing on Sunday 1 December with the NACCHO Men’s Health Day, NACCHO Youth Conference on Monday 2 December and the 2024 NACCHO Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting on Tuesday 3 December. A Conference dinner will be held on Wednesday 4 December.
If you are thinking about coming to the NACCHO Conference, the only way to register is via the NACCHO Website – www.naccho.org.au/conference. We are using the secure Cvent system for registrations. NACCHO will not call you directly about registering for the conference.
If you have any queries, please contact the NACCHO Conference Team conference@naccho.org.au
