Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Author: Ashleigh Brissett

BlaQ Lead NAIDOC Week Events

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Pride in Culture BBQ

BlaQ welcomes community for a day of good food, fun activities, and cultural well-being. Join us at Redfern Park, right near the fountain on Sunday 7th July, from 10am to 4pm. Bring your whole mob and we will see you there!

Universal Nightclub Takeover

On Friday 12th July Oxford Streets, Universal Nightclub will be taken over by BlaQ to raise vital funds for our work within the community. Join us on the top floor of the venue for ‘Sanctuary’ and enjoy a night of dancing with your favourite First Nations DJ’s and Drag performers.

Join BlaQ for Lunch

BlaQ is pleased to announce a partnership with OzHarvest in which Tuesdays fortnightly mob can come together for a free and delicious lunch at Refettorio Sydney, to yarn, connect with services, speak one on one with BlaQ team-members, and simply enjoy a comforting meal.

Limited spots are available for each sitting. If you would like to join us for lunch please contact us via the link below to join the mailing list.

Aboriginal Wellbeing Conference | Healing Through our Community Connections

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Healing Through our Community Connections conference will focus on the healing power of community connections within Aboriginal families and communities.

The conference aims to provide participants with the chance to participate in workshops and listen to guest speakers who possess both knowledge and practical experience in establishing successful community connections and the beneficial outcomes for service delivery.

Additionally, our speakers will address challenges they encountered in forging these connections and the strategies they employed to overcome them.

Date: 22 & 23 July
Where: Coffs Harbour, NSW
Cost: $620

To register, please visit aboriginalwellbeingconference.com or contact Cassie on 0411 562 736 or email cassie@spiritdreaming.com.au 

 

AH&MRC Employee and Former ACCHO Worker Named Finalist in 2024 NSW Department of Education Training Awards.

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Ivan Morris, an employee of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) and former worker at the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) has been named a finalist in the 2024 NSW Department of Education Training Awards for the Illawarra and South Coast Region in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year category. This recognition highlights Ivan’s dedication to his community and his achievements in the field of mental health and substance abuse support.

Read the full media release here. 

Yarning About Alcohol and Pregnancy – Webinar

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Centre for Alcohol and other Drugs (CAOD) and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) are hosting a free webinar about preventing alcohol use in pregnancy, with a focus on health professionals who are supporting Aboriginal women and their families.

The webinar will bring together a panel of experts to discuss the following topics:

  • The importance of conversations about alcohol use in pregnancy
  • The effects of alcohol use on baby and mum
  • How and when to yarn about alcohol and pregnancy
  • Support services available in NSW
  • Yarning about alcohol use in pregnancy is men’s business too
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) screening, diagnosis and support
  • Alcohol use in pregnancy resources available

Webinar Speakers

  • Dr Suzie Hudson, Clinical Advisor, CAOD (Chair)
  • Professor Elizabeth Elliott, Paediatrician and Director, CICADA Centre NSW
  • Mary Wahhab, Clinical Nurse Consultant, CICADA Centre NSW
  • Dr Bronwyn Milne, Paediatrician and Addiction Specialist, CICADA Centre NSW
  • Marrisa Hussein, Registered Nurse and Midwife, South Coast AMS
  • Kelly Gould, Practice Manager, South Coast AMS
  • Ivan Morris, Member Engagement Coordinator, AH&MRC

Webinar Details

  • Wednesday 26th June 2024
  • 2:00 to 3:00pm

Register here for the webinar

 

National Anti-Racism Framework Virtual Consultation

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

First Nations Co. is conducting 12 online focus groups, with sessions dedicated to the Education, Health, and Justice sectors. If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and work within these sectors, you’re invited to participate in an online consultation session to help inform the development of the National Anti-Racism Framework.

Health Sector:  For those working in healthcare services, ACCHOs, and government or non-government health organisations/departments

  • Wednesday 26 June at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)
  • Thursday 27 June at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)
  • Wednesday 3 July at 10:00 am – 11:00 am (AEDT)
  • Thursday 4 July at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)

Justice Sector: For those working in Legal Aid, community services, youth services, supreme court, police, child protection, and government or non-government justice organisations

  • Tuesday 25 June at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)
  • Thursday 27 June at 09:30 am – 10:30 am (AEDT)
  • Tuesday 2 July at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (AEDT)
  • Thursday 4 July at 10:00 am – 11:00 am (AEDT)

To Register:

Please complete this registration form and a member of the First Nations Co. team will send you an invite to the selected meeting.

If you are unable to attend a session, please contribute via completing an online survey. Your contribution as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is essential in informing the development of the framework.

Free coercive control training

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Registrations are now open for free one-day face-to-face training sessions on coercive control.

  • The training is available to NGO staff and other frontline workers in the domestic and family violence sector.
  • Training will support practitioners to identify and respond to coercive control in diverse communities.
  • Training sessions will be held at Albury, Ashfield, Armidale, Bankstown, Ballina, Bathurst, Bega, Blacktown, Bondi, Bourke, Broken Hill, Campbelltown, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Goulburn, Griffith, Inverell, Katoomba, Kogarah, Liverpool, Moree, Mt Druitt, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Orange, Parramatta, Penrith, Sydney Central, Taree/Port Macquarie, The Entrance, Redfern, Ulladulla, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, Wyong. 

Register now as places are limited.

More information about the training is available on the CCWT website.

The training has been developed by DCJ in partnership with the Centre for Community Welfare (CCWT) and an advisory group made up of members from the coercive control reference groups.

20 Years of Orange Aboriginal Medical Service

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The Orange Aboriginal Medical Service is moving into their 20th year of operations this year, continuing the legacy of the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern (AMS Redfern) which was established in 1971 as the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Australia. AMS Redfern was instrumental in providing the foundation for many other Aboriginal community organisations that provide a similar health care model for Aboriginal people. 

The 14 May 2004 marked the corporate registration of OAMS and the work that commenced 12 months prior to the official opening of the clinic doors for business the following year. OAMS staff and Board came together recently to acknowledge and celebrate 20 years of continuous quality community care for our mob and community.

Check out some happy snaps from the BBQ celebration below.

EarTrain Program

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

About the EarTrain program

EarTrain is a fully funded* online training program for primary health care professionals to identify and manage otitis media and other hearing conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The program is delivered across Australia by TAFE NSW and is funded by the Australian Government. EarTrain is a Closing the Gap initiative available until 30 June 2026.

Program Eligibility

If you are a primary health care professional or worker providing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, you are eligible to participate in the EarTrain program.

Workshop 1: Practical Skills – Screening in your Community

This 2-day workshop provides practical skills in:

  • Otoscopy
  • Tympanometry
  • Screening Otoacoustic Emissions
  • Introduction to Audiometry (adults and children) * Referral Pathways.

This workshop is ideal for those requiring an introduction or refresh in these practical skills.

Our workshop will give you the opportunity to learn how to carry out the skills and techniques you have learnt in your online training topics. You will gain practical experience and confidence in carrying out these skills under the guidance of experienced audiologists, with ongoing support after
you’ve completed the workshop.

Participants who attend this workshop and complete logbooks will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Workshop Dates:

Cultural Immersion Training Provider – Cultural mentor

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

TAMS-AC is Calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from appropriate experienced Aboriginal people within our local Aboriginal Community to take on this valuable role working in collaboration with all TAMS-AC staff.

Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service–Aboriginal Corporation (TAMS-AC) strives to enhance the health status of and provide culturally appropriate holistic primary health care to Aboriginal people living in the Tamworth & surrounding areas.

The Cultural Mentor is to create, deliver and evaluate yearly Cultural Immersion Training activities for all current and new TAMS-AC staff members as required.

The following attributes are essential;

  • Is of Aboriginal descent and identifies as an Aboriginal person.
  • Being accepted as such by the Tamworth Aboriginal community.
  • Sound knowledge of the local Aboriginal community and its history.
  • Demonstrated understanding in the design and delivery of Cultural Immersion Training.
  • Ability to deliver presentations to small or large groups.
  • Demonstrated skills and experience in facilitation and presentation.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Well-developed sense of personal responsibility and has grounded cultural identity.

Please submit your written EOI by 03/07/2024 via email to TAMS-AC CEO Damion Brown: Damionb@tams.org.au and Harry.Beckers@jcts.org.au Harry Beckers, Cultural Educator – Joint Colleges Training Services NSW.

Service NSW Kangaroo Service – coming to a town near you

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

The NSW Government is committed to improving access to NSW Government services and transactions for people living in rural and remote locations.

Service NSW’s new ‘Kangaroo Service’ Mobile Service Centre will be visiting more than 40 Aboriginal communities over 10 weeks starting Tuesday 18 June 2024.

You can find out when and where the Kangaroo Service will be operating near you by visiting the Service NSW website. Maps, addresses and operating hours are listed.

Visit the Service NSW Kangaroo Service here.

A wide range of services will be offered including:

  • vehicle registration – renewals or checking a registration only
  • change of address on a NSW Driver Licence
  • Notice of Disposal submissions
  • NSW Seniors or Seniors Savers Card applications
  • MyServiceNSW Account transactions
  • online Fair Trading licence renewals
  • online Maritime transactions
  • strata scheme annual reports.

An onboard Business Concierge will be available from 18 June to 22 August to provide one-on-one guidance on:

  • starting a business,
  • applying for licences, and
  • accessing mental health support for businesses and their employees.