- Another year of success with the Beautiful Shawl Project
- Good News Story: Wangkatjungka unveils vibrant basketball court refurbishment, inspiring community spirit and healing
- Bowel cancer screening: a vital health conversation for our communities
- Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service selected to provide Men’s Behaviour Change Program in Katherine
- The link between climate change and social and emotional wellbeing
- 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.
Another year of success with the Beautiful Shawl Project
The Beautiful Shawl Project is making significant strides in increasing access to potentially life-saving breast screens for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Victoria.
This initiative, a partnership between VACCHO and BreastScreen Victoria, is dedicated to providing accessible breast screening services and cultural screening shawls to people in Community.
From July 2023 – June 2024, the Beautiful Shawl Project saw a notable increase in screens among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients achieving a 39.5% rise compared to the previous 12-month period. During this period a total of 406 Aboriginal and Torres Islander clients have had a breast screen through the Beautiful Shawl Project.
In the same period, the Beautiful Shawl Project worked alongside 22 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Aboriginal-led services representing an 83% increase in ACCO participation compared to the previous 12-month period.
Dr. Jill Gallagher AO, VACCHO CEO firmly believes the Beautiful Shawl Project saves lives.
“Every year we see more and more Aboriginal women screened as part of the Beautiful Shawl Project – it’s truly amazing” said Dr. Gallagher.
“I’m proud that we’re able to provide this life saving service to Community.”
Learn more about the Beautiful Shawl Project here.
Read the full article here.
Wangkatjungka unveils vibrant basketball court refurbishment, inspiring community spirit and healing
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) is excited to celebrate the refurbishment of the Wangkatjungka community basketball court, an inspiring example of what can be achieved through community-led initiatives.
Guided by the vision of local leaders, Elders, and young people, the revitalised court—complete with a beautiful mural reflecting the community’s cultural identity—now serves as a vibrant space for connection, health, and social and emotional wellbeing.
This project was made possible through a strong partnership between the Wangkatjungka community, KAMS, Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, House of Darwin’s HoopDreams Initiative, and Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia.
Read more here.
Bowel cancer screening: a vital health conversation for our communities
Bowel cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Australia, but it is also one of the most preventable. The key to prevention and successful treatment lies in early detection, which is why screening is crucial.
For those aged 45 to 74, free at-home screening kits are available, with individuals aged 50 and older, receiving kits automatically by post every two years. Despite this accessibility, many eligible individuals remain hesitant to complete the test.
Dr. Vinka Barunga, a Worrora woman and advocate for bowel cancer awareness, states, “Doing your screening test every two years can help you stay strong and healthy for yourself, your family, and your community.”
We need to break the silence around bowel cancer screening. If you are eligible, take advantage of the free screening kits and prioritise your health. Talk to your health professional if you have any concerns or if you haven’t received your kit. And importantly, share your experiences with family and friends to foster an environment of support and encouragement.
Read the full NITV article here.
For more information on bowel cancer screening, visit the NACCHO website, here.
Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service selected to provide Men’s Behaviour Change Program in Katherine
Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service has been selected by the Northern Territory Government to provide the Men’s Behaviour Change Program in Katherine, as part of a $2.46 million investment to tackle domestic and family violence.
The approved program model will prioritise the safety of victim survivors through partner contact workers and bring together an understanding of the gendered drivers of DFSV, the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs as a reinforcing factor in DFSV.
Wurli, which was selected following consultation with local stakeholders, will design the program and implement the pilot by mid-2025. It was identified as the chosen provider because of its experience in running established services including an alcohol and drugs service and whole-of-family safety planning, and in recognition of its strong community presence and connections with key service providers in Katherine.
To learn more, go here.
The link between climate change and social and emotional wellbeing
The Climate Change and Global Indigenous Psychology presentation on Friday October 25, will delve into how climate change affects mental health, especially for First Nations peoples, whose lives are deeply intertwined with the land.
It will explore the environmental determinants of health, showing that natural disasters linked to climate change, such as droughts or floods, damage ecosystems and disrupt social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB).
The talk will highlight how Indigenous knowledge—built on holistic and collective practices—focuses on caring for Country, emphasising that a strong connection to the land nurtures wellbeing. When these connections are disturbed, mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and even suicide rates increase.
By drawing on First Nations knowledge systems, cultural practices, and research methods, this presentation will showcase how climate adaptation and mitigation strategies that respect and integrate Indigenous knowledge and practices can help sustain wellbeing. It will demonstrate how restorative justice is necessary for communities to thrive in the face of climate challenges.
This event is presented by Australian National University, The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention and Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing.
To learn more, go 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.
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.
