Facebook icon Twitter icon Forward icon

The Lowitja Institute eBulletin 4 August 2020

The Lowitja Institute fortnightly eBulletin focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing research, and the social and cultural determinants of health. We welcome contributions, subject to editorial review. The next edition will be out on Tuesday 18 August 2020 | subscribe | eBulletin archive.

Project Grants

The Lowitja Institute is hosting online Q&A sessions until Friday 7 Aug, to provide potential applicants with information about the project funding requirements. Due to limited places per session, bookings are essential. Please register HERE.

Please Note: Applicants are advised to read the program guidelines online and gather information on project proposals prior to attending a drop-in session. If you would like to check whether your project meets the eligibility criteria beforehand, please contact grants@lowitja.org.au

Applications for the Lowitja Institute Project Grants opened on Monday 20 July 2020 and close on Monday 12 October 2020. Applicants that have not received a 2020 Lowitja Institute Seeding Grant will be required to submit an Expression of Interest. The Closing dates for the EOI application is 12 August 2020. Find out more about our Project Grants HERE. 

GovComms Podcast - Listening & learning together – with Janine Mohamed

Our CEO Dr Janine Mohamed was interviewed for this week’s episode of GovComms with host David Pembroke. She talked about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and health research, her own career path, the legacy of our patron Lowitja O'Donoghue, and the need for “deep, daring conversations" on racism and cultural safety. Listen to the podcast HERE.

Lowitja Institute Expert database

The expert database has been developed to assist Aboriginal community controlled health services to search for experts with necessary skills to assist and support their community in preventing and managing infections from COVID-19, or other diseases.

The ability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to manage this fast-changing pandemic and to recover from it needs input from a range of health professionals, researchers, and academics. If you have expertise that can contribute to these vital health services, to help address the challenges of COVID-19 and support recovery, or have expertise with other diseases and are able to assist with managing and supporting services, please register HERE.

Vale, Jak Ah Kit

On behalf of the Lowitja Institute, our chairperson Pat Anderson AO paid her respects to Jak Ah Kit, a well known Darwin identity and leader who had a real sense of community.

Pat said:
“Like his father, Jak was a big man with a big heart and lots of energy. He made a real contribution to the life of the Darwin community, not only as a Minister and Member of Parliament, but as a very active member in the affairs of the town. The Lowitja Institute would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication Jak had for the process that led to the Uluru Statement of the Heart. He helped to chair the Uluru Convention in 2017 and lent his energy and intellect to this important national work.

The Ah Kit family came to live in Darwin at Parap Camp. Jak came from a world of struggle and hard work. He was a man of leadership and courage, with a great sense of humour, and he was a good cook.

Our deepest condolences to Gail, Ngaree, Darren and Jonathan and the extended Ah Kit family on their loss. Vale Jak. Rest in peace, brother. You will be sadly missed. Thank you.” 

Conferences and events

Application for the 9th annual Geo for Good Summit is now open! October 20-21, 2020.
The Summit is intended for nonprofits, scientists and other change-makers who want to leverage technology and use mapping tools (such as Google Earth, Earth Engine, and My Maps) for positive impact in the world. This year’s Geo for Good Summit is a virtual conference to be held October 20-21, 2020. Originally Geo for Good had been scheduled for September 2020 as an in-person event, however due to the extraordinary circumstances this year we have shifted to a virtual event in October. Applications cloes September 25. Find out more HERE

COVID-19 Updates

DHHS Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
We all have an important role to play during this pandemic, to protect ourselves, our clients, our families and our communities. We can do this by getting tested early as soon as you have symptoms, and stay at home until you receive your results. If you know anyone (particularly Aboriginal people aged 20 – 29 years) who has flu like symptoms, encourage them not to go to work, get tested and stay at home. They must stay away from Elders, friends and extended family. Remember, in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, there are only four reasons to leave your home. They are for work or study (but only if you can’t do this remotely); care giving and health; outdoor exercise; and shopping for food and essential supplies. Remember, Melbourne and Victoria have imposed tighter regulations, including an 8pm-5am curfew in Melbourne, compulsory face mask wearing, and other restrictions. Stay up to date with the latest information in Victoria HERE. For all other updates visit the DoH HERE

Jobs

Asthma Australia, Consumer Advisory Council.
Interested in helping to alleviate the significant burden of respiratory disease, and particularly asthma, suffered by our people? Asthma Australia is looking for three new consumer advisors to join its Consumer Advisory Council. Closing date 5:00pm 14 August 2020. More info HERE.

APS6 Senior Project Officer - Arts Development (CAH)
The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is always looking for dedicated and professional people to deliver services in order to achieve TSRA outcomes. All applicants will need to apply online through the TSRA Website by 11.30pm AEST, Wednesday, 12 August 2020. More into HERE.

Expressions of Interest are now open for membership of the National NAIDOC Committee for the period of September 2020 – August 2023.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the evolution of NAIDOC Week celebrations across the country. NAIDOC Week plays a vital and unique role in not only celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement, but the rich history, diverse cultures and survival of the oldest continuing living culture on the planet. Applications close 5pm (AEST) on Monday 3 August 2020. More info HERE.

Media

Academic Professor Roianne West talking about how Lowitja Institute named her as the winner of the 2020 Lowitja Institute Cranlana Award BBM National Talkblack, 31 July 2020

Award Recognises a leader, Koori Mail, 31 July 2020

Strength in the face of adversity, Pro Bono, 27 July 2020

AFL's Indigenous players to have say on jab blunder, The Age, 23 July 2020

The long road to healthcare justice, Inside Story, 23 July 2020

We have 16 new Closing the Gap targets. Will governments now do what’s needed to meet them?, The Conversation, 30 July 2020

Publications

Cancer Australia has released A guide to implementing the Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer (the Guide). The Guide is designed to support health services and clinicians in the planning and delivery of culturally safe and responsive cancer care. Using the OCP as the foundation for best practice, the Guide contains priorities for consideration at a system level, practical strategies to help health services plan for improvement and guidance for health professionals to consider in relation to their own practice. Find out more HERE.

Resources

NAIDOC Week 2020 Grants
Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has announced a new $1.4 million round of NAIDOC local grants for NAIDOC Week 2020, which has been postponed this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, to 8-15 November. Find out more HERE.

Episode 1 – The Point: Coalition of Peaks Conversations
In the lead up to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, watch the Point, NITV  - Closing the Gap: A New Agreement.

National Indigenous Fashion Awards
Four favourite Territory events are being joined by a newcomer this year as August turns into a celebration of Indigenous art, fashion, design and music. In a sign of the times, all will be accessible online, showing how the world’s oldest living culture is finding new ways to connect with people. The new arrival is the inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Awards. Find out more HERE.

2021 Stanner Award – seeking nominations
The AIATSIS Stanner Award is presented biennially to the best academic manuscript written by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander author. The Stanner Award is open to all Indigenous authors, scholars and academics, however submissions must not be under consideration by other publishers or simultaneously entered in to other awards. Find out more HERE

ORIMA Research conducting research on behalf of NHMRC. NHMRC is looking to speak with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clinician researchers (i.e. those who are employed in both patient care and research work) as part of this project. If you have any questions or would like any further information, contact Rose Doole (03) 9526 9000.

Check out the latest HealthInfoNet bulletin for more.

Lowitja Institute's Members Community

Member applications are now open to join the Members Community. Click HERE to apply. 

Further information about the Members Community can be found on our website HERE.

If you have any queries, or need more information, please contact us by email at members@lowitja.org.au.