Tune in for new diabetes plays

A new series of Diabetes Queensland’s Got Suga radio plays, raising awareness about management of type 2 diabetes, sees the return of Steve and his family.

Listen to the previous series here.

In the new series we catch up with Steve, his wife Becky and children Shanae and Connor, as they learn about various services and support available to people living with diabetes.

The radio plays are written by writer Steven Oliver who is well-known as one of the Tiddas from ABC TV’s Black Comedy.

Steven plays the main character Steve, a forty-something year old father who is learning to manage his type 2 diabetes. His family are played by Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts graduates Karlani Murray (Shanae) and Lucas Stephenson (Connor) and training manager, Barbara Baugh (Becky).

The plays are made possible through a partnership with Diabetes Queensland, 98.9FM and the NDSS (see story below for more). 

How to listen 

If you're in SEQ tune to 98.9FM on your radio or listen from anywhere in the world via livestreaming on your PC.  

You can also download our 98.9FM app by visiting iTunes or Google Play.

Alternatively, order a CD copy for your radio station by contacting us here.  

Recent research shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are now three times more likely to have diabetes.

According to Donna Murray, CEO at Indigenous Allied Health Australia, these figures emphasise the importance for people with diabetes within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities signing up to the NDSS to access support services.

The NDSS was set up to provide support and financial relief to people with all types of diabetes to help them live well by self-managing their condition.

The NDSS provides information specifically targeted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as free or discounted products, including insulin syringes, pen needles, insulin pump consumables, and urine and blood glucose testing strips.

Aside from the support provided, the NDSS is also a key tool in helping to map diabetes prevalence across Australia. The information may also inform health decision making, such as identifying areas of most need.

The NDSS is an initiative of the Australian Government administered by Diabetes Australia.

For more information, contact Diabetes Queensland on 1300 136 588 or email here.

Have you heard of the Feltman?  

Feltman is a person-sized felt mat that is a diabetes education tool.  It was developed by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Diabetes Australia - Victoria for use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In 2009-10, the NDSS funded the national roll-out of Feltman.

Feltman shows the key organs involved in, and affected by diabetes and is primarily used for prevention and management education.  Feltman can be used either with individuals or in group sessions.

National Feltman Training

As part of Diabetes Queensland’s ongoing commitment in working closely with health workers involved in diabetes education with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, nationally recognised Feltman Training is available.  Feltman training is delivered by a qualified diabetes educator from the Diabetes Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health team.

To send an EOI for Feltman training, or for more information, contact Diabetes Queensland on 1300 136 588 or email here.   

Providing culturally-appropriate programs to educate and support mob living with Type 2 diabetes is the role of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program at Diabetes Queensland.

The team is led by Tricia Elarde Health, Program Manager; Grace Ward, Diabetes Educator; Erich Barkmeyer, Project Officer; Tim Heywood, National Coordinator; and John Roe, Communications Specialist Officer.

Activites, including digital communication, media and print resources, are all backed by a culturally-appropriate strategy, helping to inform the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and Indigenous health workers and practitioners nationally.  Education programs and initatives, such as the HitNet kiosks play a key role in improving diabetes knowledge and awareness, and are part of the National Development Program (NDP).

For more information, contact Diabetes Queensland on 1300 136 588 or email here.

Got Suga is a Diabetes Queensland initiative funded under the National Diabetes Services Scheme.