Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Author: Ashleigh Brissett

Healthy Eating and Active Living Aboriginal Action Plan

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

We are excited to invite you to help shape NSW Health’s Healthy Eating and Active Living Aboriginal Action Plan.

By joining one of our yarns and sharing your insights, ideas, and experiences on the needs of your community, you will play a key role in guiding NSW Health to identify solutions for the way forward with health and wellbeing for our mob across NSW.

These yarns will be facilitated online by Nama Jalu Consulting, an Aboriginal-led consultancy firm working with NSW Health on this initiative.

Here are the dates and times for the yarns based on your region:

  • Metropolitan Region – Tuesday 11th February 2025, 9:30am – 12:00pm
  • Northern Region – Wednesday 12th February 2025, 9:30am – 12:00pm
  • Southern Region – Thursday 13th February 2025, 9:30am – 12:00pm
  • Western Region – Tuesday 18th February 2025, 9:30am – 12:00pm
  • Youth and family yarn – Wednesday 19th February 2025, 9:30am – 12:00pm

To be a part of this important conversation, please RSVP by 24 January 2025 to hello@namajalu.com.au, and let us know which organisation you represent and which yarn you’d like to be a part of.

Your voice is critical to shaping this plan, and we hope you’ll join us to help shape a healthier future for our mob. Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues who may be interested in participating.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Danielle Loggie at danielle.loggie@health.nsw.gov.au or 02 9391 9234 for further information.

Aboriginal Chronic Conditions Webinar Series: Aboriginal Aged Health Yarns with NeuRA  

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

As part of the Aboriginal Chronic Conditions Webinar series, Neura is joining them to yarn about their programs of work on Aboriginal Dementia and  Healthy Ageing. 

Online event
Date: Wednesday 4 Dec
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm AEDT

Hosted by the Agency for Clinical Innovation and Health Education and Training Institute (HETI). In collaboration with ACI’s Aboriginal Chronic Conditions Network and Aged Care Network

Register here.

EOI for AOD Family Carers and Friends Grant

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The NSW Government has opened up EOI’s for the AOD Family Carers and Friends Grant. Total funding of $1 million per year is available, with a maximum of $250,000 per organisation per year. Funding is for an initial 3 years, with the possibility of extension.

This EOI is for ACCHS that already have an AOD or Social and Emotional Wellbeing program, with the aim being to enhance their ability to:

  • work with people using AOD in more family-inclusive ways
  • provide more services and supports for families/carers/friends/kin of people using AOD and
  • link families/carers/friends/kin with the services and supports they need to maintain their own health and wellbeing.

This aims to improve outcomes for people using AOD as well as outcomes for their families, carers, friends and kin.

The guidelines for the EOI and the application form here.  

Note that Stream 1 of the AOD Family Carer and Friends Grant is also currently open.  If you wish, you may apply for either or both of these streams, however only one grant per organisation will be awarded.

Further information is available here.

Both streams of the grant will close on 9 December 2024 at 12.00 noon.

Allies Against Violence: Turning Awareness into Action

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Australia is facing a national crisis of violence in our communities. Approximately one woman is killed every four days by a current or ex-partner, and men also experience high rates of violence from other men.

How can we prevent and reduce this violence?

As part of United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, join us for Allies Against Violence, a transformative event where we’ll delve into innovative and revolutionary approaches to addressing family violence.

What you’ll learn:

  • Everyday steps you can take to create positive change in your community.
  • Information on additional support services available to those in need, wherever they are on the journey.
  • Inspiring examples of how individuals in our community are already driving change.

Presenters

  • Matt Brown – Family violence survivor and author of ‘She Is Not Your Rehab,’ Matt will share his insights on the pivotal roles of community and collective healing in breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
  • Panel of community and sector leaders including representatives from No To Violence and When No one is Watching.
  • Turning Awareness into Action – Eastern Suburbs Domestic Violence Network.

🗓️ When: Thursday, 5th December
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM for a 6:30 PM start – 9pm
📍 Where: Randwick Town Hall – 90 Avoca St Randwick

Cost: $7 + booking fee

Book your place here: https://events.humanitix.com/allies-against-violence

Active Kids Program

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The NSW government is making it easy for kids to be active and creative while helping you save money. The new Active and Creative Kids Program is offering families one $50 voucher for each eligible child issued in Term 1 and Term 3. The vouchers can be redeemed on a range of activities by registered providers. 

Vouchers can be used towards registration and participation costs.

  • Vouchers are available to families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A, or Family Tax Benefit Part B, or both.​
  • The $50 vouchers will be issued in term 1 and term 3.​
  • Two vouchers may be used together for a combined value of $100
  • Vouchers must be redeemed before their expiry date.​

More information can be found at Active and Creative Kids voucher | Service NSW

GOANNA3 Survey Collectors

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

AH&MRC is excited to announce that we will be participating in the GOANNA3 study!

This study is led by Professor James Ward and The Poche Centre. This will be the third study undertaken and aims to understand the social and behavioural factors related to blood borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.

We are looking for (paid) volunteers to assist with the survey collection at Yabun and Fair Day next year.

Survey collectors need to be:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
18-29 years

Must hold:
Working With Children Check (or endeavour to get one)

Be available:
Weekends or Public Holidays (Yabun and/or Fair Day)

Participate in a 90 mins introduction training.

Check out this flyer for more info. 

Healthy Eating, Active Living

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

BlaQ are excited to announce that we will soon be launching a 3-week healthy eating, active living (HEAL) intensive program starting Nov 18!

The HEAL program will cover:

✔️ Fitness Classes ran by the NCIE team to suit all levels of fitness
✔️ Food and Nutrition classes led by Aunty Beryl Van Oploo OAM
✔️ Practical cooking skills classes, featuring a fantastic menu and instruction by Indigenous catering company Yaama Bargay

Plus more! 

✔️Mindfulness and meditation
✔️ Health and wellbeing sessions
✔️ Life skills classes

Who’s it for?

The program is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to learn more about how they can live a healthier and more active lifestyle. If you know someone who would benefit from this program, please pass this information on to them! (Please note, you must be 16+ to attend.)

The HEAL program is completely FREE and kicks off Monday 18th November.  It will run Monday to Thursday for three weeks.

  • Mondays – 10 am to 12:30 pm
  • Tuesdays – 10 am to 3:00 pm (and will include cooking classes)
  • Wednesdays – 10 am to 3:00 pm (and will include cooking classes)
  • Thursdays – 10 am to 12:30 pm

Places are limited so don’t miss out! 

For more info and to sign up, click here.

Anselm John Delaney

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

On behalf of The AHMRC, it is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Anselm John Delaney, a proud Kamilaroi man and an inspiring leader and advocate for his people.

Born in 1934 on Burra Bee Dee Mission, John’s journey began in a family that carried the stories of land and resilience; deeply connected to Land Rights history, encouraged by legends like Jack Patten, William Cooper, William Ferguson, and Aunty Pearl Gibbs. His work, particularly with Aboriginal Health Services, was personal as well as professional. John was instrumental in building community capacity in many organisations and was involved with AHMRC for many years.

John’s legacy is one of dedication to Aboriginal rights and well-being. A former Councillor for the Western Metropolitan region of NSWALC and a member of the first elected NSWALC Council, John fought passionately for Aboriginal Health, Land Rights, Housing, Medical, Legal and Children’s Services, as well as Cultural Heritage and Business Development.

John’s contributions extended far beyond any single role. He served on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) for nine years, three of those as Chairperson of the Sydney Region, where he pushed for the Government to adopt the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Through his leadership on ATSIC’s Sydney Region, his advocacy on the National Health & Medical Council, and his work with numerous Aboriginal Health and Housing Boards, John’s contributions were immense.

As Chair of the NSW Aboriginal Heritage Committee, board member of Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service, and founding board member of Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation and Daruk Aboriginal Medical Service, John’s commitment to improving health services and cultural preservation will be felt for generations to come.

Rest peacefully in the Dreamtime Anselm John Delany, thank you for making the world a better place for Aboriginal people.

Cannabis and tobacco use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and early childhood: Webinar

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Jumbunna sessions are a series of dedicated professional development webinars presented by the Training Support Unit (TSU) for multidisciplinary staff working in the Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Service (AMIHS) and Building Strong Foundations (BSF) teams and interested healthcare colleagues supporting and partnering with Aboriginal families.

  • Event start date: 
  • Event start time: 
  • Event end time: 
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  • Event Categories: Health; Rural & Remote

The Training Support Unit (TSU) presents a Jumbunna webinar focused on the effects of cannabis and tobacco use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and early childhood.

REGISTER HERE

The Jumbunna Sessions are a series of dedicated webinars for multidisciplinary health professionals working in the Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Service (AMIHS) and Building Strong Foundations (BSF) teams.

Early exposure to cannabis and tobacco in the first 2000 days can have lasting effects on fetal development, infant health and early childhood development. Join Dr Ju-Lee Oei, Neonatologist at Royal Hospital for Women and Conjoint Professor at University of New South Wales, to explore the latest research on this topic.

The presentation will also showcase the ‘Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Program’ and provide an update on the refresh of the ‘Yarning about Quitting’ module in My Health Learning.

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the effects of cannabis use in the first 2000 days of life and its potential impacts on families.
  • Discuss the role of the ‘Substance use in Pregnancy and Parenting Program’ and how they work in partnership with AMIHS and BSF services.

Health Policy and Planning at the University of Sydney

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Apply now to study Health Policy and Planning at the University of Sydney

Applications to commence postgraduate study in Health Policy and Planning in Semester 1 2024 are now open and close on 31st January 2024.

Hosted by the Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, the program is designed for those who are working in or planning a career in health policy, and who are wanting to extend their knowledge of health systems, health leadership, policy development and agenda setting, as well as the practicalities of decision making in an organisational context.

As a critical foundation in health policy and planning, the degree includes Health Policy and Economics, Health Systems and Financing, Health Policy Analysis, Evidence in Policy and Practice, Global Health Policy, and the Health Policy Project, the capstone undertaken in your final semester. The Menzies Centre offers electives for your selection and you have access to many more in the Sydney School of Public Health.

Throughout this program, students work closely with experts in the public, private and non-government sectors to gain an understanding of roles in the health system, and build national and international professional networks.  Graduates of this program are equipped to work at a high level across the health sector, whether it be in government and policy and planning roles, leading health services, or working in advocacy, strategy, political advisory, regulation, or business development.

The accelerated Master in Health Policy and Planning program is 1-year full-time, or equivalent part-time degree and builds on your existing experience. The program is supported by our interactive online learning environment. The program is offered at three award levels – graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master’s degree to suit your professional and personal needs. These three courses are embedded, allowing you to step from one to the next at your own pace.

Webinar – Find out more below

We will be holding a webinar on Monday, 18 November 1-2 pm (AEDT) where Professor Andrew Wilson and Dr Gai Moore will talk about what the program offers, as well as providing opportunities to ask any questions you have about the program.  Available scholarship information will be provided during the webinar.

Register in advance for the webinar.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss study options you can also get in touch with Dr Gabriel Moore on gabriel.moore@sydney.edu.au