Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Month: April 2025

New Funding to Expand Goanna Academy Mental Health Programs

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Greg Inglis’ Goanna Academy is set to broaden its reach with an expansion of its mental health education initiatives, thanks to a proposed funding boost.

The Labor Party has pledged $6.4 million over three years, if elected, to support the Indigenous-owned, headspace-endorsed organisation. The funding would allow the Academy to extend its preventive mental health programs and pilot a new training initiative aimed at reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations around mental health.

Goanna Academy currently delivers wellbeing and resilience-building programs to some of the country’s most vulnerable populations, including young people, men in regional areas, and First Nations communities. The new funding would enable the Academy to expand its impact beyond New South Wales and Queensland.

Real the full story on National Indigenous Times.

Women’s group-based Program, Resources and Training is live!

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

To support our sector to deliver smoking and vaping cessation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in pregnancy and beyond, AH&MRC have partnered with the Which Way? team and Waminda South Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation to develop and launch the Gulibaa project in NSW.

This project offers all services free online training and resources to deliver evidence-based smoking and vaping cessation groups in their service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

WHY GROUP-BASED SMOKING AND VAPING CESSATION SUPPORT?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have asked for group-based programs to empower and support them on their quitting journey. Group-based programs have been shown to be effective, but until now, no program has been developed for and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

WHAT DOES THE GROUP-BASED PROGRAM LOOK LIKE?

The program includes six sessions that services can implement in a way that suits the community.

The groups cover:

  • Benefits of Quitting the Smokes and Vapes
  • Overcome challenges to Quitting
  • Support to Quit
  • Changing Behaviours and Developing a Quit plan
  • Celebrating success and Staying on track

Your service will receive all the resources, games and activities needed to run group-based program which will be delivered to your service once you join the project.

TELL ME ABOUT THE TRAINING

The Which Way? training has received NAATSIHWP endorsement as an official CPD activity. Each online module has been allocated 2.5 CPD points and the face-to-face module to launch your services groups has been allocated 4 CPD points. Upon completion of each module, you will receive a badge as evidence. A total of 14 CPD points is attached to the free training for completion of all five modules.

The training covers topics of:

  • History of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Tobacco
  • Understanding dependence
  • Behaviour change for smoking and vaping cessation
  • Running an effective group and event planning.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO RUN GROUPS

The program is free for services who partner and contribute to the evaluation. There is a small grants program available to support the cost of running groups in your community.

To get involved express interest now: https://www.whichway.info/gulibaa

Ear Checks with Mr. Aaron

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Good hearing is essential for learning, and thanks to the Our Healthy Kids program, Year 6 students at Bowen Public School in Orange had the opportunity to receive on-site hearing and vision checks—right at school!

Our Western Health Educator, Aaron, also known as the Ear Check Guru, made it easy for students to have their hearing assessed without needing to travel to a clinic. Early detection of hearing issues can make a big difference in a child’s ability to focus, participate, and succeed in school.

A big thank you to the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service for helping make these checks accessible. By bringing health services directly to schools, we’re ensuring every child has the best chance to learn and thrive!

Our Healthy Kids Term 1 Recap

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

This term, the Our Healthy Kids program has been on the move—bringing smiles, support, and lifelong health advice to schools across NSW.

Our Western team hit the road, travelling far and wide to reach students in remote areas. On their way to Tottenham Central School, they spotted a stunning silo artwork 497km west of Sydney—just one of many scenic moments on their journey to support community wellbeing.

At Werris Creek Public School, our Northern team finished off with a sea of bright smiles. As the saying goes, photos speak a thousand words—and the joy on their young faces says it all!

In Wilmot, our Metro team joined forces with Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service (GWAHS) to deliver a whopping 715 health checks at Wilmot Public School—a huge effort to make health checks easy and accessible.

Over in Moruya, our Southern team found a moment of calm before the “little whirlwinds” of Moruya Public School filled the playground with laughter and energy.

Meanwhile, in Orange, Year 6 students at Bowen Public School received on-site hearing and vision checks, thanks to the support of Orange Aboriginal Medical Service and our very own Western Health Educator, Aaron—aka the Ear Check Guru! Aaron made it simple for students to get assessed without needing to travel, helping catch hearing issues early so every child can focus, learn, and succeed.

Thanks to all the amazing schools and health partners who’ve helped make this term such a success. By bringing health services directly to students, we’re giving every child the best start for a bright and healthy future!