Issue 12, December 2010
Welcome
Welcome to the final edition of CEO Communique for 2010.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers a happy and safe Christmas and a successful 2011. AHCSA will be closed from Friday, 24 December 2010 and will re-open on Monday, 10 January 2011.
Since our last Communique, one of the most anticipated events of the year was held when Ministers from both Labor and Liberal governments signed the Statement of Intent to close the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous people.
AHCSA held its AGM on Tuesday 23 November at which our Chairperson Yvonne Buza was re-elected and the AHCSA Constitution updated.
On Wednesday 24 November, the inaugural Health Promotion Storybook was launched with community members and the AHCSA Council of Management.
Also at the Board meeting, members and staff were treated to some Christmas cheer with lunch and singing from the AHCSA Car Park Choir led by Maestro Chris Rektsinis. We have some talented people here at AHCSA. They were joined by Board Member Mabel Locowiak in the final song – Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. It was a great way to finish the year off.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tony Sherbon, previously Chief Executive SA Health, for his support and to wish him well in his new role with the National Health Reform in Canberra. A special thank you to Tony also for organising funding for AHCSA representatives to attend the ‘Healing Our Spirit Worldwide 2010’ Conference in Hawaii.
AHCSA continues to grow with new programs being offered and new staff being appointed. We welcome Beth Hummerston, Eric Milera, Mary-Anne Williams, Robert Dann and Brooke Starr. Sadly, we have farewelled Ben Stewart, Anna Leditschke, Andrea Merrigan and Michael Larkin, who have gone on to new endeavours and we wish them all the best for the future.
Kind regards
Mary Buckskin
Chief Executive Officer SA Government & Opposition Sign Statement of Intent
At Parliament House on Friday 29 October at 4.00pm, Ministers from both Labor and Liberal governments signed the Statement of Intent to address the health inequalities and close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous people. This event was attended by Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda, James Ensor from Oxfam Australia, and Dr Lynn Arnold from United Care Wesley to name a few, and many more key stakeholders.
AHCSA would like to thank Minister John Hill for hosting the event and formally pledging his commitment which he has done for many months. We would also like to thank everyone who attended from Aboriginal and non-Indigenous government and other organisations to support the signing.
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Yvonne Buza Appointed Chair for a Two-Year Third Term
Yvonne Buza was re-elected Chairperson of AHCSA at the AGM on 23 November for a two-year third term. At the AGM, it was decided to extend office bearer positions from a one year term to two years.
Yvonne was also re-appointed as AHCSA’s NACCHO representative along with John Singer. AHCSA congratulates both Yvonne and John who have and will continue to represent members effectively at the national level. More >>
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AHCSA Executive
Supporting Yvonne Buza in her role as Chairperson for the next term are the following Executive:
- Les Kropinyeri (Deputy Chair)
- Charlie Jackson (Treasurer)
- Kathy Chisholm (Secretary)
- Polly Sumner Dodd
- Fabian Peel
- Lawrie Rankine
- Lucy Evans
- Wayne Oldfield
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Constitution Changes
At the AGM, Members reviewed the Constitution to ensure best practice and efficient and effective use of resources is sustained along with the changing needs of members and communities, priority health issues, and the political environment.
The changes included:
- Updating the objectives.
- Change of Board to Council of Members.
- Increasing the size of the Board Executive Committee.
- Election of all office bearer positions by the Council of Members.
- Extension of the appointment of office bearer positions from one year to two years.
- Formal recognition of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and election of representatives.
- Formal definition of Aboriginal community control.
- Associations Incorporations Act updates.
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National Hospital and Health Reform
AHCSA has been participating in discussions regarding the proposed Hospital and Health Reform process. AHCSA Board Members and CEOs met in July to work on a position statement for South Australia which is to have an Aboriginal specific Medicare Local in SA. This also formed the basis of our submission to the Commonwealth.
This issue will continue to be a high priority for AHCSA as our Chairperson notes: “The national health reform measures could provide opportunities to greatly improve the many health disadvantages our people endure, particularly, with meaningful engagement and the development of Aboriginal specific Medicare locals in each state and territory, and with appropriate Aboriginal representation on the proposed Local Hospital Networks,” Yvonne said.
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2009 Health Promotion Storybook Launched
The Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) SA Branch launched the 2009 Health Promotion Storybook on Wednesday 24 November at AHCSA. The 18 month journey for the Storybook began in May 2009 with a request for stories and finished on 23 November when the hardcopies arrived from the printer.
The journey was a first in many ways. This is the first time there has been an Aboriginal health specific storybook and the first time that AHCSA and AHPA (SA Branch) have worked together. The three executive members working on the Storybook editing group were Margaret Cargo, Jeanette Brown and Amanda Mitchell. There will be more information on the Storybook in the next AHCSA News.
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Australian-First Aboriginal Health Study Launched in SA
More than 600 Aboriginal women in SA will participate in an Australian-first study into their experiences of pregnancy and parenting owing to a partnership between the Children Youth and Women’s Health Service, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of South Australia in collaboration with AHCSA.
The study, which was launched on 30 November at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, is the largest of its kind to be conducted in Australia and has been developed to help health providers improve antenatal care and reduce infant mortality among Aboriginal women and children in SA.
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Graduations
Congratulations to the 12 graduates of the Research Course which included students from SA, NSW, Vic, Qld and NT.
In addition, 50 people graduated in the Aboriginal Primary Health Course from around SA and another 30 will graduate in March.
Well done to the Education and Training Team!
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Lowitja Institute
Recently, AHCSA staff met with Kerry Arabena, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Lowitja Institute. Kerry was accompanied by Ms Lowitja O’Donoghue who is the Patron of the Institute as well as some of their staff including AHCSA’s Alwin Chong who will be working with the Institute one day per week. AHCSA looks forward to working closely with the Institute to progress the research agenda for our communities.
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Healing Our Spirit Worldwide 2010
Positive feedback was provided from participants of the ‘Healing Our Spirit Worldwide 2010’ Conference in Hawaii. The next conference will be held in Alice Springs in 2013, and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) will be taking a lead role in the organisation with support from NACCHO and other state affiliates.
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Inaugural National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Association AGM
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Association held its inaugural AGM in Alice Springs on 10 December at which the Board was elected. Mrs Jenny Poelina from WA was elected Chairperson and Therese Williams from Pangula Mannamurna was elected SA representative.
AHCSA congratulates the work undertaken by the Interim Board to get the Association up and running. Robert Dann from the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service (PLAHS) was the Interim Chairperson and AHCSA especially acknowledges his contribution and hard work, and the support from PLAHS for Robert and the Association.
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AHCSA News
The next edition of AHCSA News will be out in late January 2011. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please call AHCSA on 8273 7200.
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Disclaimer
CEO Communiqué is copyright to the Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. (AHCSA). No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the Chief Executive Officer of AHCSA. Whilst every care is taken to ensure that the information contained in this newsletter is accurate, errors and omissions may occur. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, we apologise for any inconvenience caused and ask that you click the unsubscribe link below.
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