Carly Cooke, Regional Tobacco and Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator and Elaine Daylight, Tobacco Action Trainee attended the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference in Brisbane October 17 - 20 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Tobacco use continues to be the leading burden of disease and the number one cause of premature mortality in the Oceania region. The goal of the conference is to eradicate tobacco use and save lives with the assistance of local and international action. The conference included topics involving cessation, prevention, social marketing, smoke free policies, media campaigns and political action.

The conference brought together some of the world’s leading health experts and disease control specialists to engage delegates in the process of social, political and cultural change. Our very own expert, Dr Tom Calma, National Co-ordinator, Tackling Indigenous Smoking, delivered presentations providing information on the high rates of tobacco use amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Dr Calma also

spoke of the positive work the National Tackling Tobacco and Healthy Lifestyle Workforce are delivering amongst various Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around Australia. Dr Calma stressed the importance of such workforce to continue to lead the fight against tobacco use amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the significance of the Close the Gap campaign.

Members from the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Tobacco Control (CEITC) also facilitated valuable workshops focusing on networking, information sharing and resource development. CEITC’s mascot ‘Deadly Dan the Smoke Free Man’ delivers his message on most of CEITC’s resources which are given out at majority of Nhulundu Health Service’s events. Deadly Dan may be visiting Gladstone in December…….watch this space!

Carly and Elaine will use the knowledge, resources and experience shared at the conference to better support communities to give up smoking and deter our younger generation from tobacco use.

For further information about tobacco prevention and cessation please contact Carly or Elaine.

Welcome to Nhulundu News,

your monthly newsletter from

Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous Health

Organisation.

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Burying The Habit: Moving to a Tobacco Free Future

Matthew Cooke CEO

As we head into the final couple of months of the year, there is so much happening here at Nhulundu Heath Service. I know already that next year will be exciting and very busy.Without a doubt the most important event the Organisation is involved with at the moment is being aligned with the collaborative approach to managing chronic illness. It is a pleasure to have Robert Skeen, the Regional Strategy Manager for the CQ/Wide Bay Multidisciplinary Models of Care based here at Nhulundu Health Service. The purpose of the project is to provide a regional multidisciplinary model of health care in six geographical locations across CQ/Fraser Coast, Wide Bay Health Service Districts. As you can imagine this is a huge undertaking and requires the cooperation of all the services involved. What it will mean in terms of outcomes will be the most comprehensive and supportive approach to managing chronic illness that our health service can provide. The ability to share our resources, our funding, our ideas and our people will be invaluable. To help bring this to fruition we have advertised fourteen positions for medical and support personnel across the region and already we have had some outstanding applications to fill these roles. Congratulations to all those who are involved in making this happen. With Christmas approaching Nhulundu Health Service is busy planning it’s final Family Fit and Fun Day for the year. We are excited to be having the event at Quoin Island this year, and a big thank you to Mr Bob McCosker for his cooperation in allowing us to make use of his facilities to encourage every one to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle. The Fun Days are not just about having a great time, they also allow Nhulundu Health Service to encourage everyone to eat healthier, to exercise and connect with the community to spread the message about what is available in terms of closing the gap and tackling Indigenous chronic disease.Finally, from all of us here at Nhulundu Health Service and from our clients, we bid a temporary farewell to our well liked Doctor Sabitha Yakkala. Doctor Sabitha will be on maternity leave for the next few months. We wish her well and look forward to meeting the newest edition to the Nhulundu family.

Visit our website at www.nhulundu.com.au

Nhulundu Health Service offers a safe and non threatening medical environment where

our patients feel cared for and valued in an environment that has a zero tolerance policy

of aggressive and threatening behaviour.

Congratulations to Nhulundu Health Service school based

trainee Lizzy Cartwright for achieving the first goal of

the ARTIE Program!!! Lizzy achieved 100% attendance at school (Gladstone State High) for the first 4 weeks of the ARTIE Program. For accomplishing this goal, Lizzy received a signed Jonathon Thurston cap!

Robert Skeen has worked in the health sector since 1995 where he worked for Queensland Health in various roles before switching to the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector in 2004He has held potions in the Aboriginal Medical Services in NSW, QLD and NT before returning to QLD where he worked as one of the Regional Coordinators for South East Qld Region and then as Training and Program Coordinator in the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workforce Support Unit of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council in Brisbane. Robert’s current role is the Regional Strategy Manager for the CQ/Wide Bay Multidisciplinary Models of Care based at Nhulundu Health Service in

Gladstone. This is an initiative formed in response to the Commonwealth of Australian Governments (COAG) investment into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Health, a consortia of organisations has been formed to deliver a collaborative approach to manage chronic illness through a multidisciplinary health care model. This will involve a coordinated care approach from the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service sector, Allied Health and Medical Specialists. The purpose of the project is to provide a regional multidisciplinary model of health care, in six geographical locations across the Central Queensland and Fraser Coast/Wide Bay Health Service Districts. The project focus will be targeted at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a chronic illness or at risk of chronic disease. “I am very excited about my new role,” said Robert, “the opportunity to make a real difference to those suffering from chronic disease and the outcomes that will flow on from this initiative will be extoradinary, and I am so pleased to be a part of this.”Having been born in Bundaberg and with a close connection to the region, Robert is happy to be back in the area.With a keen interest in travel, music, fishing and sport, he is looking forward to discovering just what the Gladstone region can offer in these areas.

Doctor Sabitha Yakkala will commence maternity leave from November 1. Doctor Sabitha will return to reduced hours on March 1, 2012. During this time locum placements will be sourced to cover the surgery hours. It is hoped the practice will have a full time registrar placement in November.

We wish Doctor Sabitha all the best for her maternity leave and the safe arrival of her baby.

Dr John Mitchell will be available for appointments as usual.

Nhulundu Health Service is currently undergoing their second stage audit against the ISO 9001 standards in quality management. This audit is something the Organisation has been working towards for the past 10 months, and is an initiative that is being driven by the Board and senior management and encompasses the entire organisation.ISO 9001 pertains to quality service delivery over all aspects of a business. It is a process that aligns the overall quality objectives of an organisation with each separate unit, and gives accountability to all employees to

provide a quality service that meets and exceeds the expectations of clients. Clients are deemed to be anyone the organisation has dealings with, from clients, funding bodies, contractors, service providers and suppliers.This is another important measure to ensure that Nhulundu Health Service is continually striving to improve and expand its services to meet the needs of our clients, and is a further quality improvement to the AGPAL/RACGP accreditation that we gained in November 2010.

Nhulundu Health Service is now ONLINE

Maternity leave

Nhulundu Health Service welcomes new staff

Quality management audit

Above: Robert Skeen

Cherylynn Skeen has recently taken on the role of Administration Officer – Aged Care/HACC & Community Support. Cherylynn brings to Nhulundu Health Service over ten years of experience working within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services undertaking diverse roles such as Finance Officer, Dental Assistant, and Medical Receptionist just to name a few. Cherylynn, husband Robert and their 13year old son, are only new to the area after moving from Brisbane and have found Gladstone to be a definite long term move. Although Cherylynn has not worked in Aged Care or Community Support in the past, her experience and personal interest combined will ensure that she excels in this new and exciting career, and she sees her time with Nhulundu Health Service as a rewarding, learning experience.Cherylynn looks forward to working alongside like minded dedicated staff with community health and wellbeing a priority, and is keen to meet other members of the Gladstone community.

Above: Cherylynn Skeen

Senior health worker, Richard Geesu, in conjunction with other organisations around Gladstone has put together an interesting and varied calendar of events to promote men’s health issue across the month of November.

November 1 – Richard will be manning a promotional booth at the melbourne Cup Day at Ferguson Park and raising funds for research and promoting the awareness of prostate cancer and men’s depression.

November 2 – Queensland Health and the Prostate Cancer Support Group have organised an information night at the Grand Hotel, linking up with the No Jokes Blokes – Your Health Your Choice.

November 3 – Similar format to above with special guests including former cricketer Merv Hughes will be held at QAL.

November 8 – Marcus Ellison from CQUniversity’s ManUp program and the Queensland Health Men’s Health

Team (and mental health staff) will host a morning tea at CQUniversity.

November 16 – Enjoy 9 holes of golf in the morning at the Calliope Country Club and enjoy a barbecue lunch with a short presentation by health professionals on prostate cancer and men’s depression.

November 25 – Take yourself off to RG’s Movember Buffet Dinner and hear

presentations from Nhulundu Health Service’s Dr John Mitchell and mental health nurse

Lyndell Ilka-Chittick. This is a charity fundraiser for Nhulundu Health Service’s Movember team.

November 30 – Wrap up Movember with a delicious barbecue lunch at the newly formed Gladstone Men’s Shed. Queensland Health Men’s Health team and mental health staff will provide a final presentation on prostate cancer and men’s depression.

For further information on any of these events or to be involved in Movember contact Richard on 49790992.

This service provides a culturally acceptable and readily accessible place for local Indigenous community members, and offers access and referrals to a range of mainstream and Indigenous specific services including health care, child care, court support, education, employment, housing and an internet café.

Congratulations to trainees Shannae Saltner and Tori Cowburn on achieving their Certificate 111 in Medical Administration. Shannae and Tori are the two smiling faces who greet you at the front reception counter at Nhulundu Health Service. Both girls have worked hard to achieve this level of their traineeship.Congratulations also go out to Carly Cooke, Area Tobacco and Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator, and Robert Skeen Regional Manager CQ/Wide Bay Multidisciplinary Models of Care for completing the final block towards their Diploma of Population Health.Nhulundu Health Service is extremely proud of the efforts of

their staff to improve their qualifications and add to the quality of care they are able to offer their clients. Nhulundu Health Service will continue to support and assist all staff in their learning journey towards better health care.

Activities for ‘Movember’General Practice services, immunisation, maternal and child

health, mental health support, diabetes support, men’s health, women’s health, chronic disease support, skin checks, Indigenous health incentives, smoking cessation and healthy lifestyle education.

Nhulundu Health Service is a bulk billing practice. Operating hours are Monday to Thursday 7.00am – 5.00pm and Friday 8.00am -5.00pm - appointments necessary.

This practice is AGPAL accredited for quality assurance and is currently undergoing ISO accreditation.

Nhulundu Health Service offers a comprehensive community-based aged care program called Community Aged Care Package, designed to improve and maintain independent quality of life for the aged living in their home and residential environment. The Aged Care team also runs the Home and Community Care Program.

All clients must have an aged care assessment before being accepted into any program.

Staff continue to achieve

Left: Richard Geesu is looking forward to RG’s ‘Movember’Buffet Dinner.

Below: Robert Skeen and Carly Cooke

Above: Shannae SaltnerBelow: Tori Cowburn

Jymeekah Blackman is a talented 14 year old Indigenous girl who has competed at state level in track and field events for the past 4 years. This year Jymeekah was selected to compete in track and field at the State Championships in Brisbane October 19 - 23. Jymeekah attends Gladstone State High School and has aspirations of becoming a runner like Cathy Freeman. To encourage and support healthy lifestyles, Nhulundu Health Service provided support for Jymeekah to attend the State Championships. Well done Jymeekah.

Nhulundu Health Service will be hosting it’s Christmas Family Fit and Funday, December 17 at Quoin Island. There will be activities for the children including face painting and a jumping castle, as well as healthy food available. Live entertainment throughout the day followed by Christmas Carols from 6pm.Numbers for this event will be capped so register early. This will be an alcohol and tobacco free event. Designated smoking areas will be off site.

Supporting healthy lifestyles

Family Fit and Fun Day

Above: Last year’s Christmas Family Fit and Fun Day was a huge success with Santa

arriving on a fire truck to greet the children.

Position Vacant Nhulundu Health Service has a vacancy for a Casual Aged Care support Worker for its Aged Care Sector. We are seeking the services of someone who is keen to work in partnership with our clients in the community. The successful applicant will be responsible for providing a comfortable living environment through the provision of high quality domestic/personal care. This role is about maximising independence and well being for the client by assisting with domestic/personal tasks as required.

For further information and requirements for this position, call Jo Kersey, Aged Care Manager on 49790992.

Botanical Prints with a Tie-dye Twist Exhibition Launch featuring local artists Aunty Julie Ingra and Sheree Dearden. November 6th, 3pm, Botanical Gardens.

Celebrate Grandparents DaySunday November 6.

World Diabetes Day November 14.

Above: Jymeekah Blackman

Aunty Julie Ingra and Sheree Dearden have combined their talents and produced an amazing exhibition on display at the Tondoon Botanic Gardens Gallery throughout November. Head to the gardens for a relaxing afternoon and view their innovative exhibition entitled ‘Hand dyed, printed and painted fabric into wearable art’. Please come along and support Aunty Julie and Sheree at the Exhibition Launch on November 6th, 3pm, Botanical Gardens. Light afternoon tea provided.

Exhibition at Tondoon Gardens

QUIT Smoking could be just a phone call awayTobacco Action Trainee Elaine Daylight will come to your home, explain the process, conduct a smoke check and you are on your way. She will assist and support you on your journey to a smoke free life.

Pick up the phone and call today 4979 0992.

Did you know that each year about 19,000 Australians die from diseases caused by smoking.