VACCHO SUMMER 2015

This story is courtesy of Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC) Age & Disability Program Manager, Sue Tuitupou and CEO Raylene Harradine.

Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative has recently launched a set of awareness films about a sensitive issue that has made the communities of Bendigo and District very concerned – Elder abuse.

The films were screened on Tuesday 24 February to a packed audience at Eaglehawk Cinemas in Bendigo. Raylene Harradine CEO of (BDAC) said, “Elder abuse has always been

behind closed doors, so today’s event has actually brought to the forefront some of the real issues that are occurring within our community, and it’s actually amazing to hear from the Elders today who are putting their hand up and asking questions and actually talking about their own experiences and this is for our community”.

The short videos are case studies of real situations (de-identified) and form part of a series of themes aimed at increasing awareness of Elder abuse in the community. Consultation with community

news Summer 2015

Vibrant, healthy, self-determining Aboriginal communities

Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative launch new video resources on Elder abuse

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal Health in Victoria.

Front L -R: Margie Kirby, Donna Trindall, Sue Tuitupou, Gwenda Atkins, Raylene Harradine, Sharon JeanesBack L-R: Gordon Hynes, Jamie Roberts (Cornerstone Media)

2 VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2013

revealed real stories about real people who had experienced; physical abuse, medication abuse and financial abuse. Also present at the launch were Police Sergeant and Family Violence Advisor, Margie Singe, and Senior Rights Victoria Lawyer, Caroline Granger who answered questions from community about how to report abuse or seek advice.

The videos highlight the many things individuals can do that cause impact on our Elders who are a vulnerable group in the community. It also gives food for thought about, what it is we are doing as individuals that could be contributing harm to our Elders.

BDAC Age & Disability Program Manager, Sue Tuitupou was instrumental in coordinating the script and development, “I have seen, worked with and supported Elders first hand within our Community that continue to experience major horrendous injustices, this is Elder abuse. I

believe the issues that our Elders experience on a daily basis,

have a negative impact on our community and culture.

I kept thinking, that all the mainstream literature, I have seen over the years, appeared to come from a middle class view, about large amounts of money, property portfolio’s and expensive jewelry. It didn’t really relate to us as Aboriginal people, our strong links to family, community, culture and belonging.”

The films give community an understanding of Elder abuse and what to do if it is happening or has happened to someone they know. The Elder Abuse Prevention, Awareness and Education DVDs were made possible through a Community Initiative Fund, Southern Loddon Mallee Region, Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Strategy.

Produced by Cornerstore Media Productions in Bendigo. You can see them online at https://vimeo.com/channels/elders.

This article was recorded on VACCHO’s radio program Yarnin’ Health. To hear this story go to www.vaccho.org.au/news-media/yarnin-health-radio-/episodes-2015/.

FROM PAGE ONE

1 Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative launch new video resources on Elder abuse

3 First Peoples’ Networking Space World Cancer CongRess, Melbourne, December 2014

5 Aboriginal Health Worker profile: Troy Jennings

6 State-wide gathering brings the Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Victorian Koori Mental Health workforce together

8 Victorian video challenges Aboriginal

community members to ‘rethink’ their sugary drink intake

10 The Torch Project proves a need for long-term support to Aboriginal populations inside and outside of prisons

12 Victorian Aboriginal Children and Young People’s Alliance

13 Aboriginal families’ engagement in Maternal & Child Health Services Project in Victoria

14 VACCHO staff profile14 Around the traps

Contents

If Elder abuse is happening to you or someone you know, then call the free and confidential Seniors Rights Victoria Helpline.

1300 368 821(cost of a local call)

Or you can speak to your local health or community worker.

The First Peoples’ Networking Space - Sharing The Journey proved a huge success at the World Cancer Congress (WCC) which took place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 4 – 6 December 2014. Inside the Global Village of this conference was a ‘yarning circle’ where First Nations delegates were invited to share their stories about their own journeys of cancer, cancer treatment, cancer programs and prevention with the Victorian Aboriginal community.

The Sharing the Journey program invited international First Nation speakers from Canada, United States of America and New Zealand

to share their experiences with local organisations and programs over three days of discussions in a yarning circle. This proved a popular and lively space among conference delegates.

As a culturally safe space the yarning circle invited program participants and speakers that included:

• Leanne Adams - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

• Tammy Anderson and Haranthi Perera - PapScreen Victoria

• Dan Jones and Luke Alkin - Aboriginal Quitline

• Kate Broun - Cancer Council Victoria

• Anne O’Callaghan - BreastScreen Victoria.

• Matthew Lloyd, Darren Clinch, Kylie Johnson - Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria.

• Samantha Paxton, Angelina Kastamonitis, Peter Waples Crowe, Belinda Stevens, Robyn Bradley and Brad Brown - VACCHO.

Within the Sharing the Journey program were three main themes; Strength of Aboriginal community, Cultural competency of mainstream services

and Communications and reflections. In these discussions we found similarities where colonisation impacted First Nations experiences in navigating health systems and health outcomes and the importance of including the cultural, spiritual and traditional knowledge of First Nations people.

Together, VACCHO and

S

HA

RING TH

E JOURNEY ARTISTShakara Montalto(Gunditjmara | Western District | Lake Condah Mission)

I drew Waa the crow as the symbol for the First Peoples Networking Space at the World Cancer Congress 2014. I specifically drew him with his wings spread far and wide soaring through the sky.In this picture I wanted him to represent healing, protection and being free. Some of the many things that may be a part of our journey.I have lost loved ones to Cancer so I feel very privileged to design art for this space.

First Peoples’ Networking SpaceWorld CanCer Congress, Melbourne, deCeMber 2014

VACCHO NEWS Summer 2015 3

4 VACCHO NEWS Summer 2015

the Department of Health and Human Services created a first class networking space for national and international cultural and health promotion business. The First Peoples Networking Space (FPNS) exceeded expectations of the working group committee and local and International First Peoples communities.

The FPNS was grounded in Koori language, design and performances, with dedicated opportunities for other First Nations peoples and their organisations, to showcase their practices and intiatives.

Local Victorian Aboriginal community members and organisations were consulted and engaged at all levels of the project including concept development, design, building, communication and content. This was critical to the success of the program and became a drawcard for local, national and International delegates interested in attending the zone.

Joan Cunningham from Menzies School of Health and Research said cancer has not been a priority until recently but she says there are two main projects in place that are designed to improve systems and communication between heath group professionals and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cancer patients and discover enablers to overcome particular hurdles.

Joan also said that the first project aims to determine the distinctive features of Indigenous cancer patients for example; social, cultural, spiritual and language related to their preferences for cancer treatment and support. This information can help us to identify enablers, overcome barriers and understand how to change services to become more person centred and better meet the needs of Indigenous patients. The second project on innovative models of care aims to identify features of services that encourage Indigenous participation in cancer treatment and identify what aspects, features

and models of care are more or less successful in meeting the needs of Indigenous patients.

Brenda Elias said in the quest to address First Nation communities, observations based on their traditional knowledge and ways of knowing in the world, they were coming to us and saying “why all this cancer?” so they are asking the question and the response back by the cancer agency was that “we don’t know if there is, we don’t have an Indigenous identifier in the cancer agency surveillance system”. Brenda spoke about the similarities between the Canadian system and the Australian system regarding colonisation and the treatment of the First Nations people. She said it was important to acknowledge the past in order to treat someone that may have experienced hardship or

inter-generational trauma.

Linda Burhansstipanov spoke about Native Americans with cancer, inequities, access to care, quality of life and survival. She gave an example of the positive steps forward, emphasising the great work happening thanks to creating partnerships between community members and health professionals. Linda continued to explain the diversity of Native American tribes and listed some of the social issues that often get associated with First Nations people, however the patterns between Indigenous Communities across the world

shared similarities and part of that is coming up with new innovative ways to help change behaviour.

Sharing the Journey received much praise from our First Nations guests. Theresa Goza from New Zealand said it was like a home away from home and everything that was covered within the space was relevant to not only Aboriginal Australians but all First Nations people. “It’s fabulous it’s like being at home, it’s probably the best part of this conference, sitting with you guys in that little booth. What you’re talking about, and what we’re having a yarn about, is relevant to being an Indigenous person and your booth, I feel very warm and welcomed there, and we are very different people and we will keep our uniqueness, but it’s nice to see other Indigenous Peoples”.

FROM PAGE THREE

Joan Cunningham from Menzies School of Health and Research

Lis Ellison-Loshman from Masey University, New Zealand

Linda Burhansstipano from Native American Cancer Research Corporation, United States of America

The Improving Care for Aboriginal Patients Program (ICAP) is an extension and enhancement of the Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO) Program, established in 1982. ICAP builds on the work done by AHLOs across Victoria to improve the access of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria to mainstream health services.

Troy Jennings, Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, West Gippsland Healthcare Group

Mob: Wirradjuri (NSW)

How long have you been in your role?

Two years.

What do you do?I am lucky enough to be able to work at both the community and hospital setting working with the mob and getting cultural awareness to our staff.

What made you want to apply for this role?The chance to do something to make change for my people

What is most satisfying about your role?Watching the community starting to embrace health messages.

What is most challenging about your role?

That I need to remember I can only tackle one problem at a time!

What has inspired you?Seeing everybody so passionate about our mob.

What are you most passionate about?My family and my culture.

What is your motto in life?Give it your all or don’t do it at all.

If I won the lottery I would …Set my family up and go on a holiday and set up a Trust.

If you were stranded on a deserted island with one person, who would you take with you?My wife because she is my best friend.

Aboriginal Health Worker profile Troy JenningsImproving care for Aboriginal patients

New Koori parenting resourcesBreaking the Cycle of Trauma, Koori Parenting, What Works for UsThe resources can be downloaded free of charge at www.vahs.org.au/koori-parenting-resources/.

Hard copy resources are also available to purchase in bulk, until stocks run out, by downloading and completing the order form via the same link.

For further information, please call the Victorian Aboriginal health Service Family Counselling Service on 03 9403 3300.

New Koori Parenting Resources Breaking the Cycle of Trauma, Koori Parenting, What Works for Us.

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) is very excited to announce its release of a new suite of Koori parenting resources, called Breaking the Cycle of Trauma, Koori Parenting, What Works for Us. Consisting of a booklet, poster and post cards, the resources convey key messages and practical strategies to help Koori parents break intergenerational cycles of trauma within their families.

The resources have been directly informed by and developed for, urban, Aboriginal parents, based on Koori parents who have experienced past trauma; yarning about what works best for them as parents. The resources were developed as part of a 12-‐month project funded by the Healing Foundation, and overseen by a steering committee comprising members from VAHS, VACCHO and VACCA. The project aimed to raise awareness and understanding about trauma within the context of parenting.

The resources can be downloaded free of charge via this weblink: http://www.vahs.org.au/koori-‐parenting-‐resources/. Hard copy resources are also available to purchase in bulk, until stocks run out, by downloading and completing the order form via the same link.

For further information, please call the VAHS Family Counselling Service on (03) 9403 3300. Photos* from the resources launch at Minajalku Healing Centre, 9th October, 2014

*Photos taken by Troy Austin:

1. Front row of the audience (right to left) – featuring Aunty Pam Pedersen, Sue-‐Anne Hunter, Andrew Baker and others.

2. (Left to right) Jason B King: CEO VAHS, Jill Gallagher: CEO VACCHO, Helen Kennedy: Manager VAHS Family Counselling Service, Andrew Jackomos: Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.

3. Manarra Dance Group (Robbie Bamblett and sons).




















The second VACCHO SEWB State-wide Gathering (Gathering) for 2014 was held in Mildura from 2-4 December 2014. While this was not our first gathering for the year, it was special in that for the first time the Gathering combined both the State-wide collective SEWB workforce. This included all Victorian and Commonwealth funded Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD), Bringing Them Home (BTH) and Link Up and Social and Emotional Well-being (SEWB) workers and Victorian Koori Mental Health Liaison Officer’s (KMHLO).

The Mildura gathering was the largest Workforce Support Unit Forum we have had since the SEWB Workforce Support Unit was established back in 2010, with the final count for attendees being 61 state-wide workers over the two and a half days. This is a credit to the workforce considering the location, long distances and travel time many people had to endure to get there.

The Gathering opened with a traditional Welcome to Country from local Latje Latje Elder Aunty Janine Wilson

before a presentation from the host organisation Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) which provided an overview of the extensive suite of services available.

The program for the Gathering included a number of presentations and speakers which ranged from team building to leadership, self-care and finished up with a cultural tour of Mungo National Park, a place of much history, cultural heritage and spiritual significance to all Aboriginal people.

Another major highlight of the workshops by all accounts was the STARS Institute of Learning and Leadership workshop delivered by Wendy Watego and Vicki Scott. Due to the larger than usual group, we split the group in half and held two 3 hour sessions. The aim of the workshop was to ‘Build up Your Well-being Muscles’, which includes identifying what wellbeing is, what wellbeing exhaustion is, understanding the biology of wellbeing and trying some confronting wellbeing strategies.

State-wide gathering brings the Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Victorian Koori Mental Health workforces together


VACCHO SEWB State-wide Gathering participants


The ladies made the workshop fun and even though some methods were out of the comfort zone for some, everyone had input and gave it a go which was great to see and evaluation feedback rated this session as excellent.

Concluding the Gathering with an evening trip and BBQ dinner at Lake Mungo was a perfect way to finish, followed by a tour of the visitors centre then walking onto Country and into the sand dunes (otherwise known as the walls of China) where local Mutti Mutti woman, Ranger and tour guide Tania Charles, lead the group to significant bones and artefacts from thousands of years ago which are still being uncovered. Participants enjoyed some reflective time to themselves on the dunes while watching both the moon rise and the sun set on this beautiful location before it was time to head back to the hotel and close what was a wonderful few days had by all.

The bi-annual SEWB Gatherings provide the opportunity

for workers to come together to discuss program challenges, solutions and priorities while sharing experiences and good practice and in doing so promote strong, healthy networks, workforce development and inter program collaboration.

For further information about this or future gatherings please contact any of the SEWB Team at VACCHO on 03 9411 9411 or alternatively by email on [email protected].

Jill Gallagher AO and Salina Bernard (VACCHO)


VACCHO has partnered with the health organisations behind Rethink Sugary Drink to develop a new video to highlight the serious health impacts associated with sugary drinks and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to go for water instead. The video features local Aboriginal actors (Rey Amos Atkinson Gallagher, Tayla Andrews, Jada Cooper, Eddie Moore and Michelle Winters) and footage of the Rumbalara Football Team from their recent grand final win.

Rethink Sugary Drink is a partnership between Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Australia and Heart Foundation, and aims to raise awareness of the amount of sugar in sugar-sweetened beverages and encourage Australians to reduce their consumption. Rethink Sugary Drink is proudly supported by VACCHO, Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) and a number of other peak health bodies. For more information please visit www.rethinksugarydrink.org.au

With around 16 teaspoons of sugar in a 600mL bottle of regular soft

drink, the new video asks the viewer why they would drink all of this sugar when frequent consumption is linked to weight gain, which can lead to health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and cancer. It can also cause dental decay.

Visit www.vaccho.org.au/news-media/latestnews/rsd/ to watch the video, which is being shared widely on social media by health and community organisations.

Sugary drinks, or sugar sweetened beverages, include all non-alcoholic water based beverages with added

Victorian video challenges Aboriginal community members to ‘rethink’ their sugary drink intake


sugar such as non-diet soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks, sports drinks and cordial.

Follow these tips to reduce your sugary drink consumption at your organisation:

• Encourage staff and other Community members to sign up to the H30 Challenge to kick-start healthier habits for the year ahead; committing to switching your sugary drinks for water for 30 days could be the first step! http://h30challenge.com.au/

• Is there a vending machine in your organisation? Time to take a closer look at its contents. If you can’t get rid of the machine altogether, can it be stocked with water or unsweetened drinks?

Download the Healthy Drinks Vending Machine Guidelines: www.rethinksugarydrink.org.au/downloads/

vending-machine-guidelines.pdf.

• Look at your catering - do you provide sugary soft drinks at functions or meetings? It might be time to consider other options. See VACCHO’s tips for healthier drinks at catered events and traffic light guide to healthy catering fact sheets for guidance. Visit www.vaccho.org.au/wd/nutrition/hfp/.

• Develop an organisational Healthy Catering Policy. See VACCHO’s Healthy Tucker Policy at the link above.

• Ensure you provide tap water or a water cooler that staff and visitors can easily access.

Please contact the VACCHO Nutrition and Physical Activity Team - Petah Atkinson, Jennifer Browne or Catherine MacDonald if you have any queries on 03 9411 9411 or [email protected].

You wouldn’t eat 16 teaspoons of sugar - so why drink it?

Go for water instead.It’s too deadly!


Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders are overrepresented in jail and the incarceration rate is 14 times higher than that of the general population.

Initially a pilot program, The Torch’s Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community Program was designed and developed to provide art, cultural and arts vocational support to Indigenous offenders and ex offenders in Victoria. The Program has been running for four years now and although similar short- term projects have happened in other states, The Torch has successfully proven a need for long-term support to Aboriginal populations inside and outside of prisons and recently secured three year increased funding to continue the Program.

Kent Morris, a Barkindji man who designed and runs the program, and curates the annual Confined exhibition which showcases artworks from the Program says, “When people come to the exhibition they are surprised at how vibrant and expressive the exhibition is. I often say the exhibition involves participants bringing their culture in to the prison to strengthen and keep them connected. A

lot of the participants are starting to paint in prison and wanting to find that connection to culture or ‘re-find it’ not unlike Charlie in Charlie’s Country who went off the path and then found his way back through culture”.

Featuring large to medium paintings on canvas and sculptures the art draws from ancient narratives to contemporary influences and offers an insight into the experiences of men and women who are in or who have been recently released from prison.

“What I find in the Program is a strong desire to connect not only to country and culture but also to family. A lot of the artworks represent the need to get back into the family unit and the importance of our family and how we see ourselves in the world. There is a lot of power and spirituality in the paintings, which is so important to our wellbeing. The Program supports that journey”.

Find out more at www.thetorch.org.au

www.facebook.com/thetorch

The Confined 6 exhibition was on display in February.

2015 at the St Kilda Town Hall Gallery as part of the Yalukit Wilum Ngargee.

You can hear an extended interview with Kent Morris online at www.vaccho.org.au/news-media/yarnin-health-radio-/episodes-2015/

Link to Keeping our mob healthy: /www.vaccho.org.au/projects-and-research/researchr/cre/mobhealthy/

The Torch Project proves a need for long-term support to Aboriginal populations inside and outside of prisons

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid This course teaches members of the public how to assist Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. Mental health first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves. Course dates and times14-15 April28-29 July24-25 November 9.30am-4.30pm

Cost$450.00 plus GST

Attendance is required on both days

Cultural Safety Training

Cultural safety is about providing quality services that fit within the familiar cultural values and norms of the person accessing the service. This course enhances the capacity of employees to improve program policy design and the delivery of culturally safe services to Aboriginal peoples. Course dates and times28 May10 August6 October2 December 10.00am-2.30pm Cost$250.00 plus GST

Youth Mental Health First Aid

This course teaches

members of the public how to assist adolescents who are developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.

Course dates and times18-19 May13-14 October 9.30am-4.30pm Cost$450.00 plus GST Attendance is required on both days

Enrol now

All courses are run in Collingwood.For more information or to enrol, please go to www.vaccho.org.au/consultancy or email [email protected]

New publicationKeeping our mob healthy in and out of prison Exploring Prison Health in Victoria to Improve Quality, Culturally Appropriate Health Care for Aboriginal People. You can download this report at www.vaccho.org.au/projects-and-research/researchr/cre/mobhealthy/.

Artwork: Dennis Thorpe (Muruwari | Kunja) Turtle Dreaming – Hunting and Gathering 2014

Who is Seniors Rights Victoria?Seniors Rights Victoria provides information, support, advice and education to help prevent Elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people. Our services include:

• Helpline • Free specialist legal services• Short-term support and advocacy for

individuals • Community education.

Seniors Rights Victoria also provides leadership on policy and law reform and works with organisations and groups to raise awareness of Elder abuse.

Abuse can happen to any older person

If you, your client or someone you know is experiencing Elder abuse contact our free confidential Helpline.

Phone: 1300 368 821

Hours: 10 am - 5pm (Monday - Friday)

www.seniorsrights.org.au

Victorian AboriginalChildren & YoungPeople’s Alliance

Victorian AboriginalChildren & YoungPeople’s Alliance

Victorian Aboriginal Children and Young People’s AllianceThe Victorian Aboriginal Children and Young People’s Alliance (the Alliance) is a consortium of 13 Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). It was formed to provide a strong, collective voice to drive better outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people in out of home care.

Recent reports show that the number of Aboriginal babies and children being removed from their families continues to grow at an unacceptable rate. Data in the recent Productivity Commission report shows a 42 per cent growth in the number of Victorian Aboriginal children in out of home care in the 12 month period between June 2013 and June 2014.

Victoria has the highest rate of child removal in Australia. At a recent meeting of the Alliance, Andrew Jackomos, the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People presented statistics showing that 63 per 1000 of all Victorian Aboriginal children are being placed in out of home care, compared with the overall ratio of 5 per 1000 children in Victoria. The numbers are continuing to grow.

The Alliance is in the process of finalising Strong Families, Thriving Children: The Victorian Aboriginal Children and Young People’s Alliance Strategic Plan 2015-2018. The Plan proposes a range of systemic and policy changes, as well as a set of set of minimum requirements for creating culturally safe and culturally connected Aboriginal children in out of home care.

Watch this space!For further information, please contact Dana Pyne, Senior Policy Officer on [email protected].


What is it about?

At its core the Aboriginal families’ engagement in Maternal and Child Health Services Project (the Project) is about building information and evidence to provide insight into the current situation and to both identify and act on local and state based opportunities for improvement.

Participation of local organisations/agencies involved in the delivery of MCH services to Aboriginal families is a key priority of the Project and essential for success.

What has happened so far?

VACCHO has been funded through a partnership arrangement with the Department of Education and Training (DET, formerly DEECD) to develop, facilitate and report on the Project. The first phase of the Project began in August 2014. State-wide data and service models were looked at and used to inform consultation activities. By the close of last year all 12 consultation groups had contributed to an online survey and 10 of these groups had also participated in an innovative workshop in their local area.

Who has been involved?

Multi-disciplinary consultation groups have been initiated in 12 Local Government Areas, including:

• Wodonga

• Campaspe

• Mildura

• Swan Hill-Robinvale focus

• Bendigo

• East Gippsland-Bairnsdale focus

• Casey

• Greater Dandenong

• Kingston

• Ballarat

• Glenelg

• Greater Geelong

• Wyndham

The consultation activities engaged 62 health professionals in either or both a survey and workshop. These consultations have brought together Health Managers, Team Leaders, Maternal and Child Health Nurses, Midwives, Best Start workers, Aboriginal Health Workers and Koorie Engagement Support Officers to

contribute their knowledge and experience to the Project.

What you can expect to see in the future?

A report on this work is due to be tabled with DET in the coming weeks. The findings and recommendations from Phase One will inform next steps.

However, one early identified action area that will be explored and undertaken in Phase Two (March 2015 onwards) is consultations with Aboriginal families. This will provide Aboriginal families with a range of opportunities to voice their stories and contribute to determining ‘what will be meaningful service improvements for boorai’s, families and community’.

For more information contact Cassandra Fletcher, Maternal and Child Health Project officer on [email protected].

Aboriginal families’ engagement in Maternal & Child Health Services Project in Victoria

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Who are you?I’m Tarneen Onus-Williams, I’m a proud Yigar woman from the Gunditjmara nation and also proud Torres Strait Islander woman from Erub Island.

I grew up on Yigar Country also known as Portland. I moved to Wurundjeri Country in 2008. I haven’t left since apart from my first step into health at Balranald Aboriginal Health Service in 2012.

I am at VACCHO for a secondment in the Sexual Health Team helping get the Deadly Sexy Health Kit on the road. I was previously at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service doing Medical/Dental Reception and enjoyed seeing community members and having good yarns.

Why sexy health?I’ve always been

interested in sexual health and reproductive health but last year I joined a group called Aboriginal Nations Torres Strait Islander HIV Youth Mob (ANTHYM ) which grew my passion for sexual health. As a young person I like to talk with my family about sexual health so it’s not such a taboo subject amongst our family and mob.

Best thing about the Deadly Sexy Health Kit?I love the ‘hand shake Chlamydia game’. You shake hands with someone you may or may not have a glove on and if you don’t have gloves on and you’ve shook hands with someone who has Chlamydia your hands will go bright blue because of the special powder and light which you can’t see which represents Chlamydia. This activity is deadly because most young people don’t know that STIs like Chlamydia can be transmitted even if someone ‘looks clean’, it’s a fun visual way of learning sexy health which can be a bit shame.

I can’t wait to get on the road to deliver Deadly Sexy Health Kit training for health workers and see our communities use the Kit to start discussions with our young people.

VACCHO staff profile


Around the traps

National Apology DayGuest speaker Tina Wright sharing her story of survial and healing at VACCHO

Dylan Clarke (VACCHO) interviews Sue Tuitupou (Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative)

National Apology DayJason B. King, CEO (Victorian Aboriginal Health Service)

Around the traps Follow us on

This page: First Peoples’ Networking Space: Sharing the JourneyWorld Cancer Congress, Melbourne, December 2014 Tammy Anderson (Aclaimed actor)

Yarning circle participants

17-23 Sackville Street Collingwood VIC 3066

P 03 9411 9411 F 03 9411 9599

E [email protected]

www.vaccho.org.au

• Aboriginal Community Elders Services• Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service• Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative • Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative• Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative• Cummeragunja Housing & Development

Aboriginal Corporation • Dandenong & District Aborigines Co-operative• Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community

Health Service• Gippsland & East Gippsland

Aboriginal Co-operative• Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative• Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative• Healesville Indigenous Community

Services Association• Kirrae Health Services Inc.• Lake Tyers Health & Children’s Service• Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association

• Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport & Recreation Co-operative

• Mallee District Aboriginal Services• Kerang Aboriginal Community Centre• Swan Hill & District

Aboriginal Co-operative• Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc.• Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation• Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative• Ngwala Willumbong Cooperative• Njernda Aboriginal Corporation• Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation

• Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health Services

• Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service• Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative• Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation

VACCHOBoard MembersJason B. King: ChairpersonMarcus Clarke: Vice ChairpersonAndrew Gardiner: Board MemberHilary Saunders: Board MemberSuzie Squires: Board MemberKevin Williams: Board MemberDaphne Yarram: Board MemberKelli Bartlett: Board Member

STORIES | IDEAS | FEEDBACK Don’t forget this is your newsletter and we need your stories and ideas.

VACCHO Members

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If you would like to give us story ideas or comment on our newsletter please contact our Communications Officer Taloi Havini on 03 9411 9411 or on [email protected].

VACCHO News Summer 2015This newsletter is printed on Impact recycled uncoated paper.

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VACCHO SUMMER 2015