Success at 2007 NSW Aboriginal Health Awards
10 July 2007
Hunter New England Health had a successful night at the 2007 NSW Aboriginal Health Awards held in Sydney last night.
Chief Executive Terry Clout said he was proud to witness a number of Hunter New England Health teams and individuals named as finalists and winners.
Hunter New England Health was named joint winner of the 2007 Minister for Health’s Award for Aboriginal Health in recognition of the health service’s overall dedication and achievement to improving the health of Aboriginal people.
“This is important recognition for Hunter New England Health and our partners as we continue our work to reduce the gap that exists for Aboriginal people in terms of their health disadvantage,” he said.
“It is not acceptable that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a life expectancy of 17 to 18 years less than the rest of the community and we are clearly focused on how we can help to reduce the gap in the shortest possible time,” Mr Clout said.
“Improving the health and life expectancy of Aboriginal people is a key focus for us and it was profoundly clear last night that many of our staff are doing some excellent work with our partners in the Aboriginal community to achieve our shared vision.”
Mr Clout said he was particularly pleased to witness Tamworth’s Uncle Joe and Aunty Pearl Trindall named as the winners of the 2007 Hall of Fame Award.
“Uncle Joe and Aunty Pearl are highly respected elders of the Gomeroi (Kamilaroi) nation and we nominated them for this award because of their exceptional dedication to their community,” he said.
Uncle Joe and Aunty Pearl have spent more than 60 years working tirelessly advocating for Aboriginal rights, the understanding and acceptance of Aboriginal culture and the improvement of Aboriginal people’s health and wellbeing.
“Perhaps the most striking feature of their life together – and the reason we nominated them as a couple – is that they are an exemplary illustration of a true partnership and the importance of family life,” Mr Clout said.
“It is this striking dedication to each other and their family that makes them a role model for all of us,” he said.
Hunter New England Health Director of Population Health Dr John Wiggers was named the 2007 winner of the Excellence in Workforce Award.
“John’s genuine commitment to improving health outcomes and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is exceptional and I congratulate him on this recognition,” Mr Clout said.
Dr Wiggers’ commitment has been demonstrated particularly in the past 18 months through a service redesign of Hunter New England Population Health.
“John has encouraged and participated in the formation of partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff to ensure the provision of culturally appropriate and effective population health services and to create a safe working environment,” Mr Clout said.
“He is a strong advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues and I’m pleased to see him recognised for his efforts in this way.”
Mr Clout also congratulated the Hunter New England Health teams named as finalists in the awards, including staff from Aboriginal Health, Population Health and Renal Services.
Hunter New England Health winners:
Hall of Fame: Uncle Joe and Aunty Pearl Trindall (nominated by Hunter New England Health)
Minister for Health’s Award for Aboriginal Health (joint winners): Hunter New England Health and Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation
Excellence in Workforce Award: Dr John Wiggers – Director, Hunter New England Population Health
Hunter New England Health finalists:
Excellence in Program and Service Delivery: ‘Shake A Leg’ Aboriginal Health Promotion Program – Hunter New England Aboriginal Health Unit (finalist) and
‘Koori Kidneys Need Kindness’ Kidney Health Education for Aboriginal Communities – Hunter New England Health Renal Services and Awabakal Aboriginal Corporation (finalist)
Innovation in Chronic Care: Using Knowledge to Safeguard Our Nations – A collaborative approach to vascular and renal health in Aboriginal communities within the countries of North-Eastern NSW – Hunter New England Health (finalist)
Contact: Shannon Ramadge
Phone: 4939 2216