Our People to Live Stronger & Longer

Author: Ashleigh Brissett

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. 

Deadly Sex NSW Forum – Registrations Open!

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

AH&MRC is excited to partner with ASHM to host the inaugural Deadly Sex Forum in NSW in 2026.

This event is supported by NSW Health and will provide a great opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Professionals in NSW to:

  • Strengthen and update their knowledge and skills in BBV and STI care,
  • Engage and network with their peers and sexual health experts
  • Learn about emerging issues in BBV and STI management.

Event Details: 

When: Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 March 2026
Venue: AH&MRC – 35 Harvey Street, Little Bay, NSW – Bidjigal and Gadigal land (Sydney)  

Registration and Accommodation 

Deadly Sex NSW is free to attend. Complimentary accommodation is available, subject to committee approval upon registration. Priority will be given to delegates traveling from outside Sydney.  

Register here  

For further enquiries, please contact deadlysex@ahmrc.org.au. 

Deadly Doctors Forum 2025 – Connecting and Learning

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

Held on Bidjigal and Gadigal Country at AH&MRC’s Little Bay campus (17–18 October), the Deadly Doctors Forum united GPs from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across NSW to share knowledge and strengthen connections. Delivered in partnership with the Rural Doctors Network (RDN), the event celebrated cultural leadership, clinical innovation, and community resilience.

The forum opened with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Maxine Ryan, followed by Nicole Turner (CEO, AH&MRC) and Mike Edwards (COO, RDN) reaffirming their commitment to a culturally responsive workforce. Luke Romer outlined the vision for a sustainable GP workforce in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector.

Inspiration and Cultural Practice 

Highlights included Dr Kathryn Hutt (Doctors’ Health NSW) urging clinicians to reflect on competence and wellbeing, and Keira Edwards (AH&MRC) advocating for trauma-integrated care. Peter Cooley shared IndigiGrow’s story of cultural connection and youth empowerment. Day one concluded with a cultural dinner at the Sydney Opera House featuring chef Mark Olive (Bundjalung).

Clinical Updates 

Day two focused on practical education for ACCHOs: 

  • A/Prof Raj Puranick presented cardiovascular risk assessment tailored for Aboriginal communities. 
  • Dr Yuanee Wickramasinghe (Healthdirect) discussed GP helpline use and improving First Nations referrals. 
  • Dr Shannon Lin demonstrated continuous glucose monitoring systems, with attendees able to trial the devices themselves. 
  • Dr Marion Tait (Bulgarr Ngaru MAC) shared the impact of locally led audits for rheumatic heart disease using the Menzies app. 
  • Dr Nigel Biggs highlighted ear health and the use of an app with otitis media guidelines. 
  • Naomi Hoffman, Kamilaroi woman and sexual health consultant, promoted normalising sexual health conversations. 
  • Dr Joe Lawler addressed liver disease drivers and multidisciplinary care. 

 Emergency Preparedness and Climate Resilience 

Dr Monica Taylor and Dr Natalie Lindsay (Bullinah AHS) shared outreach experiences after floods and cyclones, followed by a panel with Dr Kerry Chant and Nicole Turner on climate impacts and flexible outreach models. Dr Chant also outlined NSW Health’s immunisation priorities, stressing vaccine integration, novel immunisations, and digital systems to boost uptake in Aboriginal communities.

Closing Reflections 

The forum ended with a call for evidence-based practice, partnership, and culturally informed care. Participants left energised and equipped with tools to strengthen clinical practice and community impact. We thank all presenters, partners, and participants for contributing to two meaningful days of learning and connection.  Presentations are available here. Join the Deadly Doctors Mailing list by filling out this Form  

We look forward to welcoming everyone to the 2026 Deadly Doctors Forum! 

AH&MRC Sexual Health Workshop: Focus on Syphilis

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

On 28-29 October, the AH&MRC, with support from NACCHO, hosted a two-day workshop for the Sexual Health workforce in the ACCHO sector. The workshop focused on syphilis and the roll-out of NACCHO’s Syphilis Point-of-Care Testing in NSW-a timely initiative following the declaration of syphilis as a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance in August 2025. 

Sexual health staff nominated by member services met in Little Bay to discuss all things syphilis and undertake the training and assessment for point-of-care testing, equipping them to share these skills and knowledge within their own services.  

On the first day we were also joined by representatives from the Sexual Health InfoLink (SHIL) who gave us an overview of their Syphilis Support Program, which, assists clinicians across NSW in interpreting, managing and treating syphilis in their communities.  

The second day we featured Cat Timcke from VACCHO, who guided participants through their continuous quality improvement (CQI) Systems Assessment Toolkit for BBV/STIs. This session set off valuable discussions and generated ideas to take back to their services. 

The workshop was met with enthusiasm and provided an opportunity for knowledge sharing and networking, strengthening the syphilis response in our communities.  

If you would like further information on syphilis POCT or STI BBV in your ACCHO please reach out to kalderton@ahmrc.org.au or publichealth@ahmrc.org.au

Prepare for Summer: Stay Safe and Healthy

Posted on by Ashleigh Brissett

AH&MRC participated in the recent NSW Health Emergency Management Forum and the NSW Health State Preparedness and Response unit update – it is clear from these discussions that communities across NSW need to prepare for a hot and wet summer. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecasted increased risks of heatwaves, bushfires, and flooding. We know that ACCHO’s play a key role in supporting community safety and sharing timely information.

Keep up to date on weather forecast and weather warnings here. 

Heat Safety 

Babies, young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic conditions, and outdoor workers—are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. 

  • Stay cool: Use fans, wet skin with cool water, apply cool packs or damp towels on the neck and shoulders. 
  • Hydrate: Drink plenty of water. 
  • Plan ahead: Prepare for power outages and ensure safe storage of food and medications. 
  • For infants: Avoid covering prams with dry fabrics; use a moist covering instead. 
  • Energy tip: Combine fans with air conditioning set at 27°C—this feels 4°C cooler and can cut electricity use by up to 76%. 

Useful tips to Beat the Heat are available on the NSW Health website and more tips  on staying cool are available here.  

Bushfire and Smoke Preparedness 

Other Resources 

Useful links: Emergency Response Resources – AH&MRC.
Use the practical tool on page 42 of AH&MRC Emergency Activation Framework & Appendix to support planning for extreme heat.
Email publichealth@ahmrc.org.au for further advice on accessing resources.