- The change Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need is possible now. So why won’t govts act?
- New grants open for culturally safe cancer research
- Central Australian Aboriginal Congress: lowering age of criminal responsibility is a step backwards “we can’t risk taking”
- Eye health ‘game-changer’ for Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service
- Waminda’s Blak Cede Gunyah Café awarded grant
- Sector Jobs
- Key Date: National Carers Week – 13-19 October
- 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.
The change Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need is possible now. So why won’t govts act?
Pat Turner, NACCHO CEO and Coalition of Peaks lead convenor writes:
The idea that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have a say in decisions that significantly affect our lives is not a radical one. It is a simple principle of democracy. This idea spurred the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and I, like most Aboriginal people, was deeply saddened when one of its core tenants – a Voice to Parliament – was voted down one year ago.
But the same idea – a powerful vision of self-determination – underpins another national approach to change the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.
Most people have heard of Closing the Gap. In 2008, the Commonwealth government adopted a community-led campaign to close the gap in life expectancy for our people. The 2008 Closing the Gap national strategy – agreed to by federal, state and territory governments – set targets to improve life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. To close gaps in life expectancy, in health outcomes, in education, and many more.
The Coalition of Peaks, as we are known, has grown to represent more than 80 peak bodies, representing more than 800 organisations controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We gain authority from our extensive membership base of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, with generations of action to advance the interests of, and deliver services to, our people.
It is important to recognise that the Coalition of Peaks is not the Voice envisaged in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We are the Aboriginal health services looking after remote communities that mainstream services do not reach. We are the early childhood services which, because of our community connections and cultural understanding, have increased enrolment rates such that almost all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the nation are now attending pre-school.
This is the kind of change that is possible. Now, it is time for the rubber to hit the road and for governments to make good on their promises, in full. I am sorry to say that this is not happening fast enough.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap is not a substitute for a constitutionally enshrined Voice, or any other elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The goal, however, is the same – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have power and agency over their lives.
A first-of-its-kind national agreement is in place. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations big and small, from all over the country, are at the table and sharing decisions with government on policies and programs impacting our people.
If governments are looking for “what’s next“, it starts with keeping the promises for reform made in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
To read the article in full, go here.
New grants open for culturally safe cancer research
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer treatment is getting a significant funding injection with a new grant scheme and $9.6 million investment by the federal government. On Wednesday, the government announced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and the research sector will conduct innovative, First Nations-led cancer research through the Partnerships for Cancer Research program.
Delivered by Cancer Australia in collaboration with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), up to 12 community-based grants will be awarded to projects up to three years, valued between $800,000 to $2.5 million. The grants will fund community-based research projects in three areas: prevention and early detection, access to cancer care, and patient experiences and outcomes from diagnosis through to survivorship.
Adjunct Professor Jacinta Elston, current advisor for Cancer Australia and Deputy Chair of the Breast Cancer Network of Australia said last year’s $197 million in federal government funding to improve cancer outcomes via NACCHO was important— particularly for mob in rural, remote communities.
“So, we know that the system is being strengthened in the community-controlled sector context for that group,” she said.
“But what we also need still is a focus of strengthening cancer care for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people in more urban settings.”
Grant applications are open now and will close on Wednesday, 12 February 2025.
Read more here.
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress: lowering age of criminal responsibility is a step backwards “we can’t risk taking”
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress has urged the NT government to reconsider its plans to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 12 years to 10 years.
Donna Ah Chee, Congress chief executive that children aged between 10 and 12 years old do not yet have the capacity to be fully responsible for their actions.
“At this young age, children’s brains are still developing. Locking up children while their brains are still forming crucial pathways is damaging to the developing brain, and these children are more likely to go on to re-offend in the future,” she said.
Ms Ah Chee acknowledged community concerns about crime, and noted there is a range of evidence-based solutions that the Congress’ Aboriginal Board of Directors have put forward over many years, including: secure, therapeutic care that focusses on rehabilitation; a greater focus on prevention and diversion; and strengthening families to take responsibility for their children.
To read the National Indigenous Times article in full, go here.
Eye health ‘game-changer’ for Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service
Eye care for patients at the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service (GAMS) has been boosted with the handover of a digital retina camera. The item was donated to GAMS by both Griffith and Turramurra Rotary Clubs. It will be used to capture images of both the front and back of the eye to detect cataracts and other issues.
“The three leading causes for blindness in Aboriginal communities are refractive error, cataracts and diabetes,” Rotary branches and associate professor of ophthalmology Geoffrey Painter said.
“GAMS is the only bulk-billing outlet in the district and people rely on wonderful healthcare.”
To read the full article, go here.
Waminda’s Blak Cede Gunyah Café awarded grant
Nowra’s Blak Cede Gunyah Café has been awarded a $50,000 Inclusive Employment Grant by the Westpac Group Foundation. The café, delivered by Waminda (South Coast Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation), will receive the grant over the next two years.
Kristine Falzon, Waminda’s chief executive leader said the money would support existing service delivery and enhance business modelling for the future. Ms Falzon said Blak Cede was part of Waminda’s ongoing initiatives to challenge and disrupt practices, beliefs and barriers that discriminated and marginalised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
“Blak Cede is unique in its entirety as it is culturally centred and is committed to keeping our community healthy through culture,” she said.
“We provide employment opportunities for local Koori people to lead self-determined lives by providing culturally safe employment and educational pathways.
“We cultivate traditional foods from our Kareela Ngura community garden to produce high-quality products for our café and online store,” Ms Falzon said.
“This is achieved by privileging Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing, showcasing Aboriginal ownership and rights to traditional bush foods and medicines.”
Read more here.
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.
National Carers Week – 13-19 October
13-19 October marks National Carers Week. Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged. Anyone can become a carer, at any time.
National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.
South Australian West Coast ACCHO Network posted on social media:
“…Carers in our region play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of their loved ones, often traveling long distances, and overcoming unique challenges to provide care. Your commitment strengthens Aboriginal families, culture, and community, and we acknowledge the incredible impact you have on Mobs collective well-being.
“To all the carers, we see you, we thank you, and we celebrate you for your tireless work. Your dedication to looking after Mob makes a world of difference. ”
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane posted on social media:
“Shoutout to all the deadly carers!
“This National Carers Week, we want to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible carers in our communities who support their family and friends with love and dedication.
“Your compassion, strength and commitment does not go unnoticed. You uplift our mob in so many ways and we thank you for all that you do.”
To learn more about National Carers Week, go here.
ACCHO Governance Workshops
Free, specialised governance workshops for ACCHOs will be delivered in multiple locations across the country during 2024 and 2025.
Registrations are now open for:
-
Broome: 24-25 October
The program is delivered by legal experts and covers:
- Delegation of powers
- Finance for Boards
- Governance documents
- Managing conflicts of interest
- Managing risk
- Principles of good governance
- Structure and role of boards and sub-committees
To register, go here.
For more information, please contact NACCHO using this email link.
