- Sector leadership this FASD Awareness Month
- Early bird registrations for the 2025 NACCHO Members’ Conference close tomorrow!
- Bringing passion and purpose to men’s health in Mparntwe
- New Medicare mental health centre for Alice Springs
- Alarm about impact of aged care reforms upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders
- Sector Jobs
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.
Sector leadership this FASD Awareness Month
“Our communities have led the way in responding to FASD for decades. We know what works: culturally informed care, early diagnosis, and wrap-around support for families.” – Pat Turner, NACCHO CEO.
Tuesday 9 September marked international FASD Awareness Day – a day to increase awareness, reduce stigma and celebrate the leadership of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) in FASD support and prevention.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD, describes the range of developmental disabilities in children due to alcohol exposure during pregnancy. To represent 9 months of pregnancy, September is FASD awareness month. It’s a time to build understanding about FASD and open discussions about the importance of creating supportive communities for alcohol-free pregnancies.
A couple of weeks ago, NACCHO attended the FASD Awareness Month event at Parliament House. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, health experts, and policy makers gathered wearing red shoes and socks to discuss the importance of FASD and its interaction with the justice system.
The event highlighted the importance of FASD education, early diagnosis, cross-sector partnerships in the areas of health and justice, as well as support for families. Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler spoke to the importance of ongoing health promotion for FASD, and a panel discussion followed which included NACCHO Board Chair Donnella Mills and FASD Working Group Member, Jenni Rogers from Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service (OVAHS).
Around Australia, ACCHO’s continue to put on amazing FASD awareness events using the Strong Born resources. Through this campaign, NACCHO works with ACCHOs across Australia to deliver strengths-based health information, culturally safe conversations, and locally led prevention strategies, breaking down the shame, blame, and stigma that can prevent families from seeking help.
Localised Strong Born events have supported conversations about FASD across the country. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre created Ngayapi Rrala – we are Palawa, we are Strong Born a localised campaign to support babies to grow up with a clear spirit, strong bodies, and ready to strengthen Culture and community into the future. On Wannaruah country, Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation hosted a Community Health and Wellbeing Expo with NRL Players modelling Strong Born t-shirts and messages. In WA on the lands of the Noongar Boodjar people, South West AMS held staff and community training on FASD to help the team stay up to date on the latest research and support pathways. New bubs and families at the Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service participated in a Welcome & Smoking ceremony to connect, promote protection and show acknowledgement of births.
So, what can you do for FASD Awareness Month?
- Visit the NACCHO website to read FASD FAQs or watch the Strong Born videos. Find out more about FASD and how to support alcohol free pregnancies.
- Download free Strong Born resources from the NACCHO website. Click here to find posters, booklets and social media tiles for your service.
- Run a local FASD awareness campaign using the Strong Born resources – take photos and tag NACCHO on social media.
- Share NACCHO’s posts and fellow member services’ great work on social media.
- Look out for events in your community, you can find a list of FASD events here.
- Wear red shoes and start a conversation. Check out the Red Shoes Rock campaign here.
- Want to find out more? Email fasdprograms@naccho.org.au with any questions.
Image source: NACCHO
Early bird registrations for the 2025 NACCHO Members’ Conference close tomorrow!
Early bird registrations for the 2025 NACCHO Members’ Conference close tomorrow, Saturday 13 September.
This year’s program includes the NACCHO Members’ Conference, National Youth Conference, and AGM – taking place from 8-10 December at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Bidjigal & Gadigal Country, Sydney. The 2025 theme is: Strength Comes from Community Control.
Don’t miss out – secure your place today at the early bird rate! Register here.
Early Bird Registration Close 13 September.
Bringing passion and purpose to men’s health in Mparntwe
A chance encounter with some dear friends after a holiday in Mparntwe/Alice Springs led Queenslander Jacob Murray, a proud Noonuccal and Kombumerri man from the Quandamooka Nation, to a new chapter in his nursing journey, and one that’s already having a visible impact on the lives of Aboriginal men in Central Australia.
Mr Murray, a registered nurse with experience working across rural and remote Queensland, recently joined the team at the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Ingkintja, a men’s health clinic in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
For the past six months, he’s been supporting Aboriginal men with their health needs, from comprehensive check-ups and sexual health conversations to helping them understand medications and their cultural and social wellbeing.
Read more here.
Image source: National Indigenous Times
New Medicare mental health centre for Alice Springs
A new Medicare Mental Health Centre will soon open in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, providing free support for people in distress without the need for an appointment, referral or treatment plan.
Central Australia Aboriginal Congress (CAAC) CEO, Donna Ah Chee, said it was crucial that Australia’s health system improves access to care — particularly for people with severe mental illness.
“The impact of intergenerational trauma means that Central Australia has a high prevalence of severe mental illness, and these people need better community-based, ongoing care. Their families also need a place they can more easily turn to for support,” she said.
The Northern Territory Primary Health Network is commissioning the centre, with CAAC and Neami National selected as providers.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, said: “Alice Springs residents will soon be able to walk in and access the free support and care they need from a multidisciplinary care team. The centre will be led by Congress and Neami, delivering strong cultural and community connections across Alice Springs and Central Australia.”
Ms Ah Chee said CAAC welcomed the partnership with Neami National to establish a “really accessible new Mparntwe Medicare Mental Health Centre”.
Raed more here.
A new Medicare Mental Health Centre is set to open soon in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. (Image: AAP)
Alarm about impact of aged care reforms upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders
The Federal Government has been urged to abandon aged care reforms amid concerns they will cause deep hardship and suffering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.
Dr Jill Gallagher AO, the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), has called on the Government to immediately exempt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders from income-tested fees and co-contributions under the new Support at Home program.
It is also critical that Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) are involved in the design and delivery of aged care, she writes below.
“Our Elders deserve aged care systems that honour their dignity, history and sovereignty,” she says. “They are the holders and keepers of the oldest living culture in the world, and they do not deserve more policies that once again leave them behind.”
Read more here.
Dr Jill Gallagher AO and her mother, Francis Gallagher.
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.
Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au
and we will feature it in the news.
