CEO’s message 1

Chair’s message 2, 3

VISION

STATEMENT

To be the preferred community

controlled health organisation

providing holistic primary health

care to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islanders of Central

Queensland

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Staff Changes 4

Social Emotional

Well-Being Team

5

Health Promotions

Team

6

Clinic News 7

Practice Incentives

Scheme

8

Rabbit Proof Fence

and Challenge/Havin’

a Yarn

9

Reducing Stress 10

Recipe 11

Jokes 12

Murri Christmas

wishes

13

Christmas hours 14

Bidgerdii Community

Health Service is a bulk

billing practice.

Operating hours are

Monday to Friday

8.30am – 5.00pm.

D e c e m b e r

2 0 1 1

23rd Bidgerdii Closes

24th Christmas Eve

25th Christmas Day

26th Boxing Day

31st New Years Eve

J a n u a r y

2 0 1 2

1st New Years Day

3rd Bidgerdii Re-Opens

26th Australia Day

Events of Interest

effective partnerships with other key service providers, to better the health of our people in this region.

Maleeta Richards

Chief Executive Officer

As the time now closes on 2011, I want to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. Having been employed with Bidgerdii since July this year, I have witnessed the organisation grow and move positively forward in a very short time. With good internal processes now in place this can only continue to improve to achieve best practices in both business and service delivery.

Through the development of new models of care, Bidgerdii will now be able to deliver services to the majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Clients within the Central Queensland region. I would like to thank my Board of Directors and the staff for their contributions thus far. We anticipate the coming year will be one where our organisation continues to grow to be a more productive service, which offers additional health care services to clients and establishes

Message from the CEO

Final ‘Chatting with the Chair’ for 2011

Looking Forward – Looking Black On 2011

‘I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land that we walk (including past and present Elders)– the Dharumbal people’

hat a year !!! We’ve almost come to the end of another year and as such I would like to recap on 2011 for Bidgerdii Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services.

Commencement of new CEO – Maleeta Richards Commencement of new employees both Senior Management and Service Delivery staff Introduction of a new Organisational Structure (Rockhampton, Gracemere and Blackwater clinics) Expansion of program areas ie Eye and Ear Health, Chronic Disease, Advanced Nutritionist, Mums and Bubs, Sexual Health, Medicare and an Outreach Health service Reduced the Risk Assessment of the organisation from ‘High’ to ‘Low’ Expansion of outsourced services with the Business Quality Centre, Brisbane and establishing a key partnership with Nhulundu Health Services, Gladstone Received an increased interest from Doctor’s and other professions seeking employment with Bidgerdii Health Services Gained approval for 3 year funding as apposed to the original annual funding Introduction of a new ‘Chronic Disease Model of Care’ Program Development of a bi-monthly ‘Newsletter’ Development of a 3 year ‘Strategic Plan’

W

Implementation of 2011 Initiatives to continue into 2012:-

Newly formed partnerships with Government and Non-Government stakeholders and organisations within the local and surrounding areas will continue to provide a more comprehensive health care service to our community people. Chronic Disease Model of Care Program ‘Closing the Gap – Rocky Way’ will continue to roll out and focus on chronic disease patients around healthy living and healthy eating. Bidgerdii Community Health Services are one of 6 major partners in the newly established Central Queensland and Wide Bay Consortium for the ‘Central Queensland Outreach Services’ focusing on Indigenous Health. Partnership arrangements have now been cemented with the Prince Charles and Royal Brisbane Hospitals providing an ‘Indigenous Outreach Cardiac Service’ delivered by a team of 6 Cardiac Specialists. This service will be provided on a bi-monthly/quarterly basis for Bidgerdii patients at the Rockhampton Clinic, supported by Bidgerdii’s clinic staff.

The Board of Directors also have had a few changes, with new members joining the team. On that note, I would like to express my gratitude to the current Directors and casual board members for their generous time and effort they have given. The Board of Directors have also had an extremely busy year, having attended a number of meetings, where information has been shared and brought back into the organisation – this in turn has had a significant and positive impact on Bidgerdii. These include:

Attending the QAIHC AGM, with our CEO elected as a member on the QAIHC Board Participating in various workshops Attending and participating in the NACCHO AGM and workshops

As you know, it has been a busy yet productive year for Bidgerdii Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services, for both employees and the Board of Directors.

Until next year……………. MURRI CHRISTMAS

Next year, we aim to build upon this current transition, so that Bidgerdii will run at a much steadier pace. With new staff and Board members, new program areas and new partnerships I am confident this will occur.

Finally, I would like to thank the staff of Bidgerdii, including Senior Staff, fellow Board of Directors (past and current), the Community, and Stakeholders (Government and Non-Government) for all your time, effort and commitment you have generously shared with us as a health organisation. Without this commitment, we would not be where we are today. This definitely would not have occurred if we didn't all work as a team. I would also like to thank Maleeta Richards- CEO and Marissa Smith- Corporate Manager and other Senior Management staff of Bidgerdii for implementing the changes that have occurred. Again without the support of each and every one of you, this would not have happened.

To compliment all the changes, Bidgerdii Health Services has been undergoing renovations with a paint makeover. As such, the organisation will commence the new year with a whole new look, environment and new surroundings in the existing premises.

I hope we continue to follow this trend in 2012, where we can provide even more services to our community members. I would like to wish each and everyone of you a ‘Murri Xmas’ and a ‘Happy New Year’ and would hope that we all get an opportunity to catch up and/or spend time with family and friends over the break……. and please STAY SAFE.

Tracey Alcorn

Chairperson

Introducing.....

Trumaine Warcon is the new Operations Manager of Bidgerdii

Community Health Services - Blackwater Clinic. Trumaine has

experience in the Health sector, having delivered training to

Aboriginal Health Workers in Business, Management and

Project Co-Ordinator in the areas of Primary Health, Mental

Health and Drug and Alcohol. He has also worked and been a

committee member of other local indigenous organisations and

is passionate about working within the local murri community.

Victoria Rutayisire is the new Registered Nurse and is based

in our Rockhampton Clinic. Vicky is interested in Women‟s

Health, Mental Health issues and Health Promotion, and has a

background as an Aged Care Registered Nurse. She has

moved to Community Health to further her skills and

experience working with Indigenous groups and within a

Community setting.

Everyone at Bidgerdii Community Health Services,

would like to say a big Welcome Back to Dr Rei Bos,

who has been working in the Blackwater clinic from

Monday through to Thursday.

And Welcoming Back...

Peter McIntosh is the new Hearing and Eye Health

Worker in the Health Promotion Team. Peter comes from

Goondiwindi and is a descendant of the Kamilaroi people.

He has previously worked in Aged Care as an Assistant in

Nursing. He has moved to Rockhampton with his partner

and their 3 children to further his employment

opportunities.

Social Emotional Well-Being Team

There have been some changes within the Social Emotional Well-Being area, as there

are two new staff members: Heath Daley (Manager) and Leslie Purcell (Counsellor).

Heath Daley hails from Rockhampton and has worked within the community for over 12

years, and has returned from Alice Springs, where he has worked for 3 years, within

the key targeted areas of Aboriginal Employment, Health and Well—Being. Heath is

enjoying his time home and working within the Rockhampton community.

Leslie also hails from Rockhampton, and during the past 15 years has worked in

Canberra in various positions including, Child Protection, Family Support and Community

Welfare roles. Leslie has an inner passion with respect to Counselling and Healing

practices. Leslie is enjoying his work as a Counsellor and being back home in Central

Queensland with family, friends and community members.

Social Emotional Well-Being is continuing to support the Stolen Generations via the

„Bringing Them Home‟ program and conducting Clinical referrals and assessments.

The Social Emotional Well-Being Counselling service (Indigenous focused) has been

revised, and currently offers services for Grief and Loss, Trauma, Parent Support and

Social Inclusion. The program will continue to build and provide more key areas of

service delivery to the community in 2012.

The Social Emotional Well-Being team, would like to wish you all a Safe and Merry

Christmas and a Happy New Year

Heath Daley

SEWB Manager Leslie Purcell

SEWB Counsellor

Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to increase

awareness of breast cancer, and to raise funds for

research into its cause, prevention and cure. The

Campaign also offers information and support to those

affected by breast cancer.

Bidgerdii Community Health Services recently held an

information day to promote awareness and encourage our

patients to access existing services through Queensland

breast screening, as early detection offers the best

chance of successful treatment and recovery

Queensland Breast Screening Rockhampton is located at

the Rockhampton Base Hospital. Appointments can be

made by phoning 132 050.

Health Promotion Activities

Louise Martin and Marcia Pensio

setting up the display for Breast

Cancer Awareness Month.

The Doctors at Bidgerdii Community Health Services

donate their valuable time, by providing in-house

training to the Health Workers, enabling them to

improve their skills and knowledge of Medical Issues

and Procedures.

Queensland Health have also provided Bidgerdii

Community Health Service Medical Staff with

Immunisation Training, so they remain up to date with

the latest techniques and information.

Breast screen is free.

Appointments last 30 minutes

No referral necessary. More than 200 locations

Latest digital mammography technology

Breast screen read independently by 2 specially trained doctors

Appointments are one on one with a female health professional

Louise Martin, Sharon Blucher, Coral Fisher and Kaye

Maver from Bidgerdii Community Health Services with

Leah Munns, Deon Lawson and Deborah Sear from

Centrelink.

Closing the Gap “Rocky Way” Program held a

network meeting with Centrelink Community

Engagement Officers to discuss how Bidgerdii

Community Services and Centrelink can work

together, to encourage and assist those who are

homeless to seek medical advice and attention to

improve their health.

Season‟s Greetings from the Clinic Team

The Clinic team is pleased to have Registered Nurse Vicky

Rutayisire, working in the clinic every day, alongside colleague

Karen Murphy (Aboriginal Health Worker). Enid Vaughan is

continuing to work on Wednesday‟s and is available for wound

care and foot care advice.

If you or your family have a question for example: relating to

the Government Indigenous Health Incentive or any other

community assistance needs, our Clinic Manager—Kaye Maver

will be very happy to assist.

Family Support Officer, Kerry Tarran continues to provide emotional and practical help to

clients who are experiencing short or long term difficulties. She is able to assist clients to

complete paperwork for Centrelink or Housing and also provides linkages to Support Groups

and Community Resources. The assistance offered is varied due to individual requirements,

and appointments can be made for an hour or longer. Please contact Kerry on 49304600 if

you require such assistance.

Ringo, has been kept busy with transport requirements but can always

be found sharing his happy smile in the Clinic and „out and about‟ on the

road in Rockhampton. Transport is available to eligible patients to

attend their appointments. Please contact our friendly reception team

to make a booking.

Dr Pam and Vicky will be out at the Gracemere Clinic every Tuesday between the hours of

9:00am and 4:00pm. Appointments can be made through reception on 4930 4600.

We welcomed Dr Soe back from his 2 weeks leave on Monday

December 5 2011.

Dr Vivian Pam will be on leave from Tuesday 10th January

2012 until Friday 20th January 2012.

We have a suggestion box in the reception, so please feel

free to add any comments you may have, as we look forward

to your feedback.

Please Remember to BE SAFE during the Holiday Season

Practice Incentives Program (PIP) Sign Up Day

Wednesday, 9th November 2011

The Practice Incentive Program (PIP) Indigenous Health Incentives and PBS

Co-Payment Measure was introduced by The Council of Australian Governments to help

many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living with, or are at risk of developing a

Chronic Disease. This program aims to allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people to better manage their health. The PIP Indigenous Health Incentive is a

program for your Doctor and/or Health Service to help you manage your Chronic

Disease. The PBS Co-Payment Measure will give eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islanders access to cheaper medications.

Bidgerdii Community Health Service held a community day on 9th November 2011 for

clients who were already registered in the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) to

encourage re-registration for the year ahead in 2012. The participants enjoyed a BBQ

Lunch and had a yarn, got advice and information from staff and some even caught up

with old friends from years ago. It was a DEADLY day for all

When booking your next appointment here at Bidgerdii Community Health Service

have a yarn with one of our Health Workers to find out if you are eligible to

participate in the PIP Program or for more information on the Practice Incentives

Program Indigenous Health Incentives, please feel free to contact Bidgerdii

Community Health Service on 4930 4600.

Rachael and Leslie

cooking up a storm

Tennille and Sharon sharing information

about PIP

Havin‟ A Yarn With Coral Fisher

Rabbit Proof Fence Challenge We are nearing the end of our Rabbit Proof Fence Challenge, and what a success it has

been with 31 teams registering and over 110 people taking part.

As the competition got underway, we saw many participants walk (or engage in physical

activity) over and above the recommended 10,000 steps a day that was needed to

reach the target of 2,000,000 steps to complete the challenge.

There has been alot of positive feedback from team members about how they have

gone about achieving their step tallies and in doing so how they have made exercise a

part of their daily routines. For example, choosing to walk to work with other

workmates, parking their car that little bit further and walking the remaining

distance, doing the gardening/mowing (instead of asking their husbands), enjoying the

warmer weather and taking a dip at the local pool or even becoming enthused about

doing the dreaded housework!

We congratulate all participants who took part in the Rabbit Proof Fence Challenge

and hope that the experience has been rewarding and encourage you to keep up the

great work over the Christmas/New Year break. Please be sure you hang onto your

pedometers and water bottles as there will be further Challenges to come in the New

year.

We wish to thank our sponsors, Wendy‟s (Shopping Fair), Boost Juice and Subway, who

have assisted with some great prizes along the way and a big thank you goes out to

Lionel Harbin of Darumbal Community Youth Services for introducing his Rabbit Proof

Fence Challenge to Bidgerdii.

Position: Medical Receptionist Home Town: Rockhampton Favourite Colour: Ocean Blue Favourite Saying: You Know The Rules Favourite Foods: Seafood and Mum’s Apple Crumble and Custard Favourite Drinks: Apple Cider Strongbow Original What would you spend your last $10 on? : Lotto Ticket Favourite Footy Team: Brisbane Broncos Favourite TV show: Underbelly Razor and Heartbeat Favourite Band: Queen If you could go on a date for one night with someone famous, who would it be: Sean Connery or Johnny Depp

5 Tips to Reduce Stress at Christmas

1. EXERSISE

Remember keep up your exercise routine. Staying active helps

you feel better. Try exercise outside as much as

possible, taking advantage of the bright sunny summery days.

If a run is too much, take a brisk walk around the park.

2. RELAXATION

As much as Christmas is a lovely time to catch up with friends

and family, remember take time out for YOU. Take a few

moments a day. We think that Christmas is all about giving, so

take the time to give to yourself as well this year. Don‟t stress

over Christmas present buying. Plan shopping in advance, write a

list of all the presents you need to buy and avoid frenzied crowds

3. NUTRITION

Make healthy choices this Christmas. It‟s easier to get

carried away, however before over-indulging remember how

it will make you feel the next day. Eat plenty of vegetables,

fruits and whole grains. If you like Christmas treats, limit

your portion size.

4. WATER

Make sure you drink plenty of water during the scorching

summer days, aim to drink 8 glasses or 2 litres a day.

5. SLEEP

Get plenty of rest and aim for 7—8 hours of sleep every

night. A good nights sleep will help you be ready for the

whole festivities over the Christmas and New Year

period.

And if all that fails, please don't beat yourself up

about it. Take each day as it comes and strive for

a healthier day the next day!

Warm chocolate cakes with raspberry coulis

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

Cooking Time: 25 Minutes

Makes: 10

This delicious treat is low fat and contains only a small amount of chocolate , so go

all out and buy top quality dark chocolate. It will really make a difference to the

finished dish.

INGREDIENTS

Cooking oil spray

3/4 sup self raising flour

1/2 cup plain flour

1.4 cup almond meal

1/3 cup cocoa, sifted

2x 50g eggs

140g tub apple and strawberry puree

2/3 cup low fat milk

40g dark chocolate, finely chopped

2/3 cup low-fat milk

40g dark chocolate, finely chopped

Icing sugar for dusting

Extra raspberries, to serve

Mint leaves, to serve

1 tub Philly cream for desserts, to serve

(Raspberry Coulis)

250g frozen raspberries

1/4 freshly squeezed orange juice

1 Tbsp icing sugar, sifted

METHOD

Preheat oven to 180ºC. Spray 10 holes of a 1/2 cup friand tin with oil.

Put flours, almond meal, cocoa, brown sugar and caster sugar in a large bowl, stir to

combine. Put eggs, puree and milk in a small bow and whisk to combine. Add egg mixture

and chocolate to flour mixture. Stir until just combined

Spoon mixture evenly between 10 holes of friand tin. Bake 20-25 minutes or until

cooked when tested with a skewer. Cool in tin for 5 minutes before turning onto serv-

ing plates

To make coulis, put raspberries , orange juice and icing sugar in a food processor and

process until combined. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Set aside.

Dust cakes with icing sugar. Drizzle with coulis and serve with extra raspberries and

mint leaves on top, and a dollop of cream on the side

Contains : Dairy and Gluten

When I t

old the d

octor‟s

reception

ist I kept

thinking I

was a bill

iard

ball, she t

old me to

get to

the end of

the cue

A man walks into the doctor‟s office.

He had a cucumber up his nose, a

carrot in his left ear and a banana in

his right ear. “What‟s a matter with

me?” he asks the doctor. The doctor

replies “you‟re not eating properly”!

A guy walks into work with both his ears

bandaged up. The boss says, “What happened

to your ears?” He says “well yesterday I was

ironing my shirt when the phone rang, and shhh

I accidentally answered the iron”. The boss

says “well, that explains the one ear, but what

happened to the other ear?” He says, “well,

jeez, I had to ring the doctor!”

Reception

ist: “Dr.

Wynazow

nski will s

ee you

now”

Patient: “w

hich doct

or?”

Reception

ist: “oh, n

o, he is

fully qual

ified!”

Reception

ist: “the d

octor is s

o

funny, he

will have

you in

stitches”

.

Patient: “I

hope not—

I only cam

e

in for a c

heck up”

From The Board and Staff At Bidgerdii

and A Healthy and Happy New Year

We Wish You A Very Murri Christmas

With the Festive Season upon us, Bidgerdii Community

Health Service would like to advise our operating hours over

the Christmas and New Year Period.

Operating Hours

Fri 23rd Dec 2011

Mon 26 Dec 2011

Tues 27 Dec 2011

Wed 28 Dec 2011

Thurs 29 Dec 2011

Fri 30 Dec 2011

Mon 2 Jan 2012

Tues 3 Jan 2012

8:30am to 4:00pm

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

8:30am to 5:00pm

MERRY

CHRISTMAS

AND A

HAPPY NEW

YEAR