Stay in the loop! Read about CheckUP's 2025 - 2027 Strategic Directions, the NEW NDIS Business Connect site launch and register for upcoming events!
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CheckIN | Issue 218 | February 2025
Hi there,
I am pleased to present this month's edition of CheckIn, filled with exciting news and updates.
With great pleasure, we announce the launch of the new NDIS Business Connect website. This new initiative helps small businesses improve the quality of services and the safety of service environments to assist in ensuring people with disability have access to appropriate quality support services.
We encourage you to register for the FREE Going All OUT for Outreach—Teaching online micro-credential course to go in the draw to win a Royal Flying Doctor Service Rescue Swag. Register by 28 February.
If you want to mentor the next generation of rural health professionals, this course is for you. It's designed to address workforce shortages by supporting student learning and the future of rural and remote healthcare.
Above: Ms Ann Maree Liddy, CheckUP CEO
Read more exciting news and member updates below.
Best wishes,
Ann Maree Liddy
Chief Executive Officer
CheckUP
CheckUP Strategic Directions 2025-2027
CheckUP is delighted to share our Strategic Directions 2025-2027 document. Download this strategy to learn more about CheckUP's vision, purpose, values and priorities. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do.
The NDIS Business Connect website is now LIVE!
NDIS Business Connect supports sole traders and small businesses to build their business capability and capacity to navigate the NDIS market to assist in the delivery of quality, sustainable services to people with disability.
To learn how NDIS Business Connect can help you, visit the recently launched website.
FREE online course | Going All OUT for Outreach - Teaching
Going All OUT for Outreach Teaching is a FREE online micro-credential that provides valuable information to successfully deliver health services in rural and remote areas.
It will support your team in building their professional skills in supervision and coaching and address workforce shortages.
#GOHEALTH Cairns Careers #GOHealth Expo 26 March 2025
Get ready for the 2025 Cairns #GOHealth Careers Expo. It will be held on Wednesday 26 March from 9am-5pm at the Cairns Convention Centre.
The Expo is an immersive industry event that will connect students with industry leaders and open doors to exciting jobs and careers in acute healthcare, wellness health, allied health, and social services.
Access for All | Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services (TAIHS)
The team at TAIHS share how completing CheckUP’s Access for All online disability awareness course has enhanced their delivery of person-centred care to people with disability.
“I would definitely recommend Access for All training to any GP service. I think it enlightens you; it reminds you that we’re not all the same and I think that’s really, really important.”
Have you completed CheckUP’s Access for All course yet? The course is free, online and attracts three CPD points. The course is suitable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and all other health professionals.
Queenslanders urged to be alert against mosquito bites
Queensland Health recently distributed a media release urging Queenslanders to take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes amid detections of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Ross River virus across the state.
“Mosquito numbers always increase significantly after wet and warm weather, and Queenslanders should be extra vigilant against bites across the state at this time,” Dr Carroll said.
“The most effective way to prevent mosquito borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites.
Neurodiversity Week 2025
Neurodiversity Celebration Week runs from March 17 - 25. It is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. The initiative is supported by providing schools, universities, organisations, and others around the world with the opportunity to recognise the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.
World Hearing Day 2025
World Hearing Day is 3 March 2025.
By 2030, over 500 million people are expected to have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation.
Our future hearing depends on today’s ear care, with prevention, safe listening, and timely rehabilitation crucial for avoiding and managing hearing loss.
You can take steps today to ensure good hearing health throughout life.
Free flu vaccine in 2025
All Queenslanders over the age of 6 months can access the influenza vaccine for free in 2025.
The 2025 Free Flu Vaccination Program will commence from 1 March 2025 as vaccine stock becomes available and concludes on 30 September 2025. Please note, while some influenza vaccines may be available at the commencement of this program, the full supply is not expected until April 2025.
Nominate a rural hero for the Backbone of the Bush Award
Every year, the Queensland Rural Medical Family Network (QRMFN) shines a light on the incredible spouses, partners, and family members of rural medical professionals who go above and beyond to support their families and communities. The QRMFN is a not-for-profit organisation funded through Health Workforce Queensland.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 QRMFN Backbone of the Bush Award, celebrating the extraordinary contributions of spouses, partners, and family members of rural medical practitioners.
International Women's Day is coming up | 8 March 2025
United Nations (UN) Women Australia's International Women's Day theme for 2025 is #MarchForward. The theme recognises that while women have broken barriers in all industries and sectors and ignited global movements, we are not where we should be. Let's continue to march forward.
To show your support for IWD and equity, here are ways to get involved:
- Attend an event (online or in person)
- Learn about the IWD and be a gender equity advocate
- Amplify IWD with #MarchForward
- Encourage your friends, family, colleagues and community to embrace equity
IWD is a day for everyone, regardless of gender or gender identity.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Accoras has been delivering a range of early-intervention mental health and wellbeing services for over 30 years. They work with children, young people, adults, families and communities across South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
Accoras acknowledges that everyone has the right to quality mental health and the right to take real action to change their life for the better. Through expert guidance and an adaptable, genuine approach, Accoras supports clients to create a life that inspires not only them, but those around them.
QAMH welcomes new CEO, Emily Wolter
The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health welcomes Emily Wolter as their new CEO.
Emily joins QAMH from Mental Health Victoria, where she most recently served as Acting CEO and Deputy CEO. The QAMH Board is confident her vision and skills will drive QAMH forward in our mission to support and strengthen community mental health and wellbeing services in Queensland.
"Are You Remotely Interested...?" Keeping on Track for Health Equity in the Bush Conference 2025
Abstracts are now open for the Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health's Are You Remotely Interested...? Conference.
Abstracts should reflect the conference's theme, Keeping on track for health equity in the bush. Presentation topics include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing
- Engaging and empowering peoples and communities for health research
- Addressing health inequities in rural and remote geographies
- Building and strengthening the rural and remote health workforce
- Innovative rural/remote service delivery and practices
Hear and Say announce new CEO, Sharon Stokell
Hear and Say welcomes Sharon Stokell as their new CEO. Sharon's expertise spans over 35 years with skills in administration, operations, business development and leadership across healthcare and the not-for-profit sector.
Sharon will be focused on expanding Hear and Say's audiology and speech pathology services and ensuring easier access to life-changing support, particularly for families in regional and remote Queensland. She is dedicated to broadening Hear and Say's reach, helping individuals with and without hearing loss to improve their communication and development.
Rockhampton Trauma Workshop: 29-30 March 2025
Trauma care in rural areas requires quick thinking and expert skills. Are you ready to enhance your confidence and capability?
Be part of Health Workforce Queensland's Trauma Workshop held in Rockhampton on 29-30 March, led by Dr Jamie Thomas, Emergency Physician at RBWH. Gain real-world experience in:
- Systematic trauma assessment
- Practical skills training – chest tube insertion, intraosseous access, lateral canthotomy
- Crisis management & team leadership skills
Feature your next event or training in CheckIN
CheckUP Organisational Members are eligible to advertise their latest news and upcoming events or training under the Member News section of this eNewsletter. It is sent to all of our current members and a wide range of stakeholders in the third week of each month. You can send us items via comms@checkup.org.au.
2025 NAIDOC Week theme announced
This year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects on the ongoing connection between past, present, and future and urges us to look ahead and to continue to push forward as past lessons guide us. Now is the time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together.
At a time when Australia faces uncertainty in its reconciliation journey, this theme calls on all Australians to step forward together.
Get ready for NRW 2025 by downloading and displaying the posters and resources, sharing the theme on social media, and making plans for how you can use the theme and resources to celebrate the week in your communities.
Queensland Reconciliation Awards 2025
Do you know a Queensland business, community organisation, educational or health institution, or partnership that is advancing reconciliation in our state? Nominate them now. The Queensland Government 2025 Queensland Reconciliation Awards are now accepting nominations until 5pm Monday 10 March 2025.
Strawberry Breakfast Trifle
If you're looking for an easy, healthy breakfast, look no further than this delicious strawberry breakfast trifle, filled with nutritious strawberries, greek yoghurt, granola and honey.
Acknowledgement of Country
CheckUP acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.
CheckUP strongly supports equality for all. We embrace diversity and condemn any kind of discrimination, be it on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
