Hi all,

We hope you had a wonderful Easter break and enjoyed some well-deserved time off with your loved ones. 

In 2023, CheckUP is celebrating 25 years of creating healthier communities, and we're looking forward to marking this significant milestone with you. We have some exciting events planned, including a CheckUP Outreach Forum and a Gala Dinner. So, we hope you'll save the date to celebrate with us. Please mark Friday 8 September on your calendars as we'll be releasing all the details on these events soon.

Additionally, we're thrilled to announce that applications for the Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant Program will be opening next week. CheckUP is proud to administer this program on behalf of the Queensland Mental Health Commission, and we encourage eligible organisations to apply for funding to support events to be held in Queensland to celebrate the week.

Registrations for our next Queensland Primary Health Care Network event are now open. The event, which will be held on Thursday 1 June during National Reconciliation Week, will focus on how various organisations are approaching the important topic of reconciliation.  The event will commence with a cultural performance from the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company, which is sure to be a moving and memorable experience.

Finally, don't forget to enter our photography competition! We're inviting entries that capture the spirit of community and highlight the importance of health and wellbeing. It's a great opportunity to showcase your creativity and potentially win some fantastic prizes.

As always, we appreciate your continued support, and we look forward to connecting with you through our upcoming events.
Best wishes,

Best wishes,

Ann Maree Liddy
Chief Executive Officer
CheckUP

Register now for our QPHCN event on reconciliation

Join CheckUP during National Reconciliation Week for a Queensland Primary Health Care Network (QPHCN) event exploring how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

When: Thursday 1 June 2023 | 10am - 12pm 
Location: Online or in-person at the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) training rooms, Level 1/36 Russell Street, South Brisbane
Tickets: Members and Providers - Free!; Non-members General Admission (face-to-face) - $50; Non-members Virtual Attendance - $20

Get those cameras out for
the chance to win

CheckUP is looking for photos that capture the unique landscapes, communities, and people of Queensland and the Northern Territory! By submitting photos to CheckUP’s 2023 Photo Competition, amateur and professional photographers have the chance to win prizes and have their images featured in our annual IMPACT magazine. 

The categories for 2023 are 'Natural environment' and 'Human interest'. Entries to both these categories will be automatically entered into a 'People's Choice' category with voting to occur via Facebook. Entries close on Friday 9 June 2023, so get snapping. We'd love to see entries come in from our members, Outreach providers and partners!

Grants available to support mental health events

What could you make happen this Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) with the support of grant funding? In 2023, one-off grants will be available to support organisations across Queensland to host mental health awareness events and activities to celebrate QMHW. 

Funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Mental Health Commission and administered by CheckUP, the QMHW Community Events Grant Program provides the opportunity for eligible organisations to apply for up to $3000 to assist with event costs. The program opens to applications on Wednesday 26 April and closes on Friday 26 May.

Become a Queensland Mental Health Week sponsor

As we prepare for this year’s QMHW, we are excited to invite you to partner with us in making this initiative a success. Through sponsorship, your organisation can help us increase mental health awareness, bolster belonging and provide opportunities for connection in communities right across Queensland. 

The 2023 QMHW Sponsorship Prospectus provides an overview of the sponsorship opportunities available for this year.

Staff visited Ripley Valley State Secondary College to talk about health careers

Last month CheckUP staff members Kat Murray and Cassie French visited Ripley Valley State Secondary College to talk to health academy students about careers in the health sector. Students impressed the team with their extensive knowledge of the wide scope of careers in health. We would like to thank the College for inviting our team to visit the school and the students for their participation.

CheckUP presented at two Industry Connect Forums

CheckUP's Industry Skills Advisor for Health Amanda Griffiths and Gateway Schools Manager Sabrina Kerr had the pleasure of presenting at two Industry Connect Forums (Pimpama and Logan) for secondary schools hosted by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. These events brought together educators, high school representatives, VET champions in schools, and industry stakeholders from around the region to explore industry career options, career pathways and employment.

This was a great opportunity for CheckUP to establish new connections with both schools and industry, showcase the vast opportunities within the health and social assistance sector, as well as promote how the Health Gateway Program can support secondary schools and industry to grow and attract young people to the health industry.

Workforce planning assistance

Are you a general practice or other health business that could use HR support? Eligible small businesses can now access up to $5,000 in funding. This funding is available through the Queensland Government's Workforce Connect Fund.

To be eligible for the funding small businesses must work with their Industry Workforce Advisor to determine eligibility and have developed a workforce plan that identifies the need for new or innovative HR solutions that will address an immediate need within their business.

Expressions of interest are currently open, so don't miss out on this opportunity to engage with CheckUP's Industry Workforce Advisors.

Access for All training course

Did you know that one in five people live with disability? That's just one reason why it's important for mainstream health providers to undertake CheckUP’s 'Access for All‘ disability awareness training. By understanding the needs of people with disability, we can improve patient experiences and ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare.

CheckUP staff attend True Relationships & Reproductive Health's 50th Anniversary Gala

Last month, CheckUP staff had an amazing time celebrating True Relationships & Reproductive Health at their 50th Anniversary Gala. True is a valued CheckUP member and Outreach provider that has been a leading provider of clinical services and education for half a century. We're thrilled to see them continue to make a positive impact in the field of reproductive health. 

Congratulations True! Here's to many more years of success and working together.

National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework

The Australian Government has announced the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework. The framework supports registered nurses to work to their full ability in rural and remote healthcare settings.

Yarning Disability

First Peoples Disability Network has released a new podcast. 'Yarning Disability' is the first-ever podcast dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with disability.

Hosted by FPDN Advocate and experienced radio host, Bernard Namok, a proud St Paul, Badu, and Erub Torres Strait Islander man with his own lived experiences with disability. Each episode of Yarning Disability will showcase the story and experiences of a First Nations person living with disability or caring for someone with disability, and will also feature disability industry professionals.

Campaign reminds parents and carers about the importance of timely childhood vaccination

The Australian Government has launched the ‘One more way you keep them safe’ campaign. The campaign highlights the importance of vaccinating children to protect them from serious diseases. Australia has a strong National Immunisation Program with high rates of childhood vaccination but recent data shows that routine childhood immunisation coverage rates have declined over the past two years.

Online and digital approaches to support wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often experience barriers to seeking help. These include a lack of culturally appropriate services and geographical remoteness. Online and digital programs that are community-led can address some of these barriers and support the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. On Wednesday 26 April you can attend a webinar co-produced by CFCA and Emerging Minds to hear from three Aboriginal presenters as they share their experience with online and digital wellbeing programs.

New centre for parents experiencing mental health conditions

A new centre for parents experiencing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression is set to open at the Mater in South Brisbane. The Queensland State Government invested $7 million in capital funding and committed to investing $11 million in annual operational funding. An additional $17 million in community donations to the Mater have been made, which will go towards the building costs.

Proposals now open for afterhours primary care services in Mackay and Townsville regions

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is now inviting Request for Proposal (RFP) submissions for the delivery of comprehensive and integrated After Hours Primary Care services in the Mackay and Townsville regions. Services will help address the current gaps in afterhours primary health care delivery in the Mackay and Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) regions. The RFP closes on Monday 15 May.

Recovered Futures Art Exhibition - artist applications now open

Richard Fellowship Queensland (RFQ) are the organisers of the annual Recovered Futures Art Exhibition, a mainstay on the Brisbane art calendar and a major Queensland Mental Health Week event. The exhibition showcases the talents of artists with lived experience of mental illness while raising awareness of mental health, recovery and wellbeing. Artists are invited to apply to exhibit by completing an application by Sunday 11 June.

Job opportunity: CEO of Wuchopperen Health Service

Wuchopperen Health Service is seeking a strategic and dynamic CEO to lead the organisation into its next exciting phase. Based in Cairns, the health service provides holistic health and wellbeing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Applications close on Sunday 30 April.

Have your next event or training featured 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, which is sent to all of our current members and a wide range of stakeholders. You can send us items by return email, via comms@checkup.org.au.