Makin' Tracks for NAIDOC Week

9 July 2007

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff from right across Hunter New England Health will join together with their colleagues and local communities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week this week.

In Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, this includes a free health check program for Indigenous men and women and interested community members are invited to attend today - Monday 9 July  - and Tuesday 10 July (see further details below).

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and this year’s theme is Looking Forward. Looking Blak.

“NAIDOC Week is particularly relevant to the people of the Hunter New England Health region, because it is home to a significant proportion (21.6 per cent) of the State’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Director of Hunter New England Aboriginal Health Tony Martin said.

Mr Martin said NAIDOC Week was a good opportunity to join together and reflect on the good work being done by health staff right across the region to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people.

“Increasing access to health services and improved health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a key priority for Hunter New England Health,” he said.

Aboriginal Health staff in the Greater Newcastle region are celebrating NAIDOC Week by running a free health check program called ‘Makin’ Tracks’ on Monday, 9 July on the Newcastle Foreshore from 10am and on Tuesday 10 July at the Toronto Foreshore from 11.30am.

“Makin’ Tracks gives Indigenous people, young and old, the opportunity to have a free health check and at the same time learn about different health issues provided by Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff in a comfortable setting,” Aboriginal Health Education Officer Kristy Crooks said.

“We’ll be offering men and women free health checks for such issues as diabetes, wellbeing, women’s health awareness, cardiovascular disease, drugs and alcohol and a few more,” Ms Crooks said.

“Children will have the opportunity to sit down with health staff and learn about various health topics.

“The children’s section is based along the same lines as the successful Shake-A-Leg health promotion program that will enable children to learn about how to brush their teeth, Mr Germ, Otitis Media and nutrition just to name a few,” she said.

Contact: Shannon Ramadge

Phone: 4939 2216