Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Author: Ashleigh Brissett

Celebrating leadership, culture and connection at UGL

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Eleven emerging First Nations UGL leaders have taken the next step in their careers at UGL, gaining new skills, cultural confidence and clear pathways into future leadership roles.

Over recent months, these Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees completed UGL’s First Nations Leadership Program, delivered with the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC). The program focused on building capability, strengthening cultural identity and supporting participants to lead positive change in their teams.

A standout moment was a cultural immersion on Country led by Peter Jenson from Circles in the Sand. Participants learned traditional practices such as fire starting and ochre spitting while engaging in meaningful conversations about identity, family and leadership. Many shared that this experience deepened their pride and connection, helping them step confidently into leadership at UGL.

UGL is committed to creating meaningful pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and ensuring our workplaces reflect the knowledge, culture and strength of First Nations peoples.

Congratulations to all eleven participants on completing the program and stepping forward in your leadership journey.

ADHD Reforms in NSW- EOI for Endorsed Prescribers

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a complex condition for Aboriginal communities, requiring careful consideration in its identification, assessment, diagnosis and management, and can have significant impact.

Until 2025, people seeking assessment and diagnosis for ADHD were typically referred by their GP to a specialist paediatrician or psychiatrist for both diagnosis and prescribing. The NSW Health ADHD reforms aim to increase access to care by supporting more holistic, accessible, culturally-safe care in primary care settings while freeing up specialist appointments for new and complex cases.

Stage 1 of the NSW ADHD prescribing reforms begun on 1 September 2025, enabling GPs to apply to be continuation prescribers, and prescribe ongoing psychostimulant medication for patients aged 6 years and over who have an existing ADHD diagnosis and are stable on treatment. Uptake has been high- as of 27 January 2026, there are 749 continuation prescribers in NSW, with 41% practices outside of metro Sydney.

Stage 2—allowing GPs to diagnose ADHD and initiate medication, is to start in early 2026 for eligible trained GPs. These endorsed GP prescribers will be authorised to initiate psychostimulants for patients with newly diagnosed ADHD.

All interested ACCHOs could ask their GPs to apply as positions are limited. The EOI portal for endorsed prescribers is now open and is accessible here:

Further information and Resources on ADHD:

While medication can play an important role in managing ADHD, it is not the only treatment measure. Many individuals benefit from a multimodal approach to help improve emotional regulation, time management, and daily functioning—especially when tailored to the individual’s age, environment, and co-existing conditions.

Please email publichealth@ahmrc.org.au for any questions, feedback, and suggestions about these ADHD reforms.

Deadly GP’s Workforce Team Update January 2026

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

In response to the stories from yarning with our member services, the Deadly GP’s Workforce Team has created a new web page on the AHMRC Website for GP and Registrar Recruitment and is now live.

You can access the page directly here: GP & Registrar Recruitment – AH&MRC

We encourage all our Member Services to advertise their GP and Registrar vacancies through this page. We aim to highlight the great opportunities for GPs working in ACCHOs, and support both GP’s and our Member Services during the recruitment process. By pooling opportunities within our ACCHS we aim to form a list of placements and recruitment options currently available. Support can then be provided by AHMRC to both the Member Service and potential candidates to ensure a smooth and culturally safe recruitment process with ongoing support. More information can be obtained and existing or upcoming vacancies can be listed by emailing lromer@ahmrc.org.au

Through this process, AHMRC can assist with:

  1. Finding a suitable permanent, part-time or locum GP or Registrar for Member Services
  2. Screening a potential candidate for Member Services
  3. Supporting a GP or Registrar to access education, training and upskilling, whether cultural, clinical or professional.
  4. Supporting Member Services with continuity of care by facilitating GP and Registrar placements and leave coverage.
  5. Assisting a GP or Registrar seeking employment in the ACCHS sector to find a role that is the right fit for both them and the employer.
  6. A sustainable alternative to locum agencies for short-term placements.
  7. Locum GPs are financially remunerated at the market locum rate, but no additional agency fees are charged to Member Services.
  8. Onboarding, training and induction support for Member Services
  9. Advertising support for recruitment-Let us work with your service to highlight the benefits of working in your community
  10. Resources to support GPs, Registrars and Member Services

For further enquiries please contact Luke Romer on 0434491193 or lromer@ahmrc.org.au

Get in Early – Immunisation Courses at AH&MRC

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

We’ve been reaching out regarding Immunisation Training Opportunities for 2026 and really appreciate the number of responses from our member services.

With the significant level of interest received, AH&MRC, together with NACCHO and Benchmarque confirm the delivery of two sessions of the 5-day face-to-face training.

Dates:
Session 1 – Monday 23 to Friday 27 February 2026
Session 2 – Monday 13 to Friday 17 April 2026

Venue:
AHMRC Training Campus | 35 Harvey Street Little Bay NSW, 2036

Please use the links below to enrol:

Session 1 – Enrolment Link
Session 2 – Enrolment Link

Places are limited, so we encourage you to enrol early to secure your place in one of these sessions.

In addition, based on the responses received through the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the other available immunisation training opportunities, Benchmarque will be in touch with your ACCHO directly to discuss suitable hybrid training delivery options.

For any questions or further information, please contact us at publichealth@ahmrc.org.au.

Sexual Health Program Updates

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Deadly Sex NSW Forum is fast approaching!

Don’t forget to register for this inaugural event being held on 17-18 March 2026 at AHMRC Training College, Little Bay (Bidjigal & Gadigal Lands).

The theme of this event is Yarning about Sexual Health: Building Strength, Breaking Barriers. It is aimed at supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Professionals to build skills and confidence in having these conversations.

By attending you’ll gain:

  • Latest evidence on culturally safe approaches
  • Stronger workforce skills
  • Meaningful connections with peers, mentors and experts
  • Share and celebrate community leadership

The event is FREE to attend and complimentary accommodation is available for eligible delegates.

For further information, you can reach out to deadlysex@ahmrc.org.au

Sexual Health Resources

The Australian Government has updated their True or Gammon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STI resources. In this toolkit you’ll find health promotional resources such as posters, factsheets and videos that cover safe sex, testing and treatment of STIs.

With syphilis increasing across NSW, get the message out to:

  • prevent
  • test
  • treat as early as possible

You can also head to the AHMRC Shop and order your FREE sexual health resources.

Reach out to our Sexual Health Nurse, Kodie at kalderton@ahmrc.org.au

Japanese Encephalitis Virus in NSW- Keep mozzies away and vaccinate your community

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

With current weather conditions across NSW, it is important to be mindful of mosquito borne diseases and follow mosquito reduction and bite prevention methods to keep yourself and your community safe.

NSW Health has recently reported a case of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in southern NSW, along with detection of the virus in sentinel chickens, indicating that JEV is circulating in the state.

Anyone living or working in high-risk areas should take measures to protect themselves by avoiding mosquito bites and getting vaccinated.

Japanese encephalitis is the only vaccine-preventable mosquito-borne disease. Imojev, and JEspect/Ixiaro are the two vaccines available in Australia for JEV.

Eligible individuals are encouraged to make an appointment with their Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), GP or pharmacy to receive the JEV vaccine.

Aboriginal Medical Services are encouraged to ensure access to JEV immunisation to provide services for our community where they are needed.

*Image: SWAT for safety poster: Screens should be closed, Wear clothes to cover up at dusk and dawn, Apply repellent, Tip out dirty water

 

Toyota Tour de OROC

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Rotary Club of Dubbo South hosted a biennial cycling event from October 6 to 12, 2025. Spanning over 800km across the Orana Region, it was one of Australia’s longest and most rewarding charity rides.

Supporting Macquarie Home Stay Through the Ride

Originally launched in 2013, this ride was created to generate funds for Macquarie Home Stay – an essential lodging option for individuals from regional and remote areas who require medial care in Dubbo. Since it’s inception, the tour, along with the Rotary Club of Dubbo South, had raised over $1 million for the facility, which welcomed it’s first guests in 2019.

Funds collected from that year’s ride aided in the stage three expansion of Macquarie Home Stay which introduced much-needed accommodation for families. By participating, you not only helped turn this vision into a realitty but also showed government and funding organisations that this project had strong community support.

Friday, 15 October 2025, a large crowd gathered at the Walgett Sporting Club taking the opportunity to support the 2025 Tour de OROC with a dinner and silent auction fundraising for Macquarie Home Stay, Dubbo.

This year, there was a strong local focus on the event with Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service securing corporate sponsorship to support WAMS GP Dr Nina who was competing in her 4th Tour de OROC.

Over 100 residents, riders and supporters participated in an evening of fun and fundraising. Dr Nina and her team of local friends and supporters organised the best event for the ride. The online auction raised over $15,000 – 100% for Macquarie Home Stay.

Over 100 residents, riders and supporters participated in an evening of fun and fundraising. Dr Nina and her team of local friends and supporters organised the best event of the ride. The online auction raised over $15,500 – 100% for Macquarie Home Stay.

A highlight of the evening was when Walgett Shire Mayor, Jasen Ramien, put together an auction package of “Dinner with the Mayor’, including two guests, at the Hon Doo Restaurant, Walgett, with the highest bid of $1500.00 securing Roy Butler the honour of an audience with the Mayor.

An update of the total fundraising amount will be announced soon and will be published in a future edition of The Spectator.

Thrilled with the response of the fundraising effort at the event are Rod Crowfoot, Manager Macquarie Home Stay and Walgett Shire Mayor, Jasen Ramien.

Recognising and Supporting First Nations Carers

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

First Nations carers provide critical care to families and communities, yet are often unrecognised and unsupported. AH&MRC’s new Carer Recognition Project Pilot is working with ACCHOs to change this. 

 This new initiative is designed to help ACCHOs better identify, recognise and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers before they reach burnout. 

Caring for family, Elders and kin has always been part of cultural and community responsibility, yet the scale and impact of this care is frequently underestimated. 

The National Carers Survey 2024 highlights the intensity of this role. Three quarters of First Nations carers provide more than 60 hours of care per week, 59% care for more than one person, and 60.2% experience high or very high psychological distress (1). These figures emphasise the urgent need for health services to better identify, recognise and support carers earlier. 

In response, AH&MRC is delivering the Carer Recognition Project Pilot, working alongside ACCHOs to build culturally strong training for frontline staff, co-design education and resources with community, introduce referral pathways, and develop community-specific carer stories to display in our services. 

Early identification of carers enables services to strengthen continuity of care, improve treatment compliance and health outcomes, reduce stress and burnout, and support Medicare co-claiming opportunities. Most importantly, it ensures carers receive help without shame, barriers or confusion. 

AH&MRC is currently seeking ACCHOs interested in piloting this training at their site. If you would like further information on the Carer Recognition Project coming to your ACCHO, please contact clowcock@ahmrc.org.au. 

A carer is anyone who supports a family member or friend living with a disability, health condition, mental illness or who is older or ageing. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, caring often includes helping extended family and kin – like aunties, uncles, cousins, Elders and others in the community – as part of strong cultural and family responsibilities. – Carers NSW 

References: 
1. Carers NSW. (2025). First Nations Carers in the National Carer Survey: 2024 survey findings.

Upcoming events

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

RACGP and NSW Health webinar Primary care at the frontline: Tackling Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in NSW.

When: Wednesday 3 December 2025, 7:30-8:30 pm
Speakers: Dr Jascha Kehr and Dr Coen Butters
Facilitator: Dr Marion Tait, Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation 

This free webinar, with CPD points, aims to equip primary care professionals with the skills to: 

  • Identify signs and symptoms associated with acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) 
  • Strategies for primary prevention of ARF 
  • Manage long-term care for affected patients 
  • Support priority groups, with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Maori and Pasifika young people and pregnant women. 

Register here.

Ear Health Workshops 

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Benchmarque Group will deliver three Ear Health Workshops in NSW in NSW in early 2026, offering practical training in irrigation and microsuction ear wax removal techniques and an opportunity to strengthen skills across the member services. 

Workshop details: 

  • Monday 2 March 2026 – Course in Ear Wax Removal (Irrigation), Macquarie Park 
  • Tuesday 3 March 2026 – Course in Ear Wax Removal (Microsuction), Macquarie Park 
  • Thursday 5 March 2026 – Course in Ear Wax Removal (Microsuction), Coffs Harbour 

To support the AH&MRC member services, Benchmarque is offering a 20% discount using the promotional code AH&MRC-20%. 

If your service is interested in attending, please contact our Ear and Hearing Health Senior Project Officer Mandy Cutmore (mcutmore@ahmrc.org.au).

Mandy will liaise with Benchmarque to ensure our members are well represented. 

This is a great opportunity to build capacity in ear and hearing health care. Please consider nominating staff who would benefit from this training. 

Further information for irrigation training here and microsuction training here.