Honouring our elders and nurturing our youth - NAIDOC Week 2009
NAIDOC Week 2009 ~ 5-12 July
NAIDOC Week 2009 will see Hunter New England Health staff recognise and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in communities from Newcastle to Moree, Muswellbrook to Taree.
Each year, health staff join with others across Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations is ‘Honouring our Elders, Nurturing our Youth’.
Director of Hunter New England Aboriginal Health Tony Martin said it was pleasing to see so many Hunter New England Health staff keen to observe the importance of NAIDOC Week.
“Hunter New England Health is actively trying to boost the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we employ, with more than 300 Indigenous staff currently working for us,” Mr Martin said.
“There is a wide range of Aboriginal Health staff working across our health service, including Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers, Aboriginal Health Education Officers and other health professionals and support staff who work in a variety of settings,” Mr Martin said.
“These health workers are integral to our aim of reducing the health disadvantage experienced by Indigenous people in Australia.
“However, the health service also recognises that Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health workers must stand together – united in the spirit of reconciliation – to bridge this gap,” Mr Martin said.
“Better Aboriginal health is everybody’s business and Hunter New England Health wants to make sure Indigenous people have access to the services they need, but also that these services are provided in a culturally sensitive way.
“In recognition of this, cultural respect has become a standard part of the orientation package for all staff working in Hunter New England Health.”
The Hunter New England Health region is home to a significant proportion – some 21.6 per cent – of the state’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“That’s why it’s so important that we bridge the gap for Indigenous people in terms of their access to appropriate health care,” Mr Martin said.
“To achieve a healthier future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we must continue to strengthen our partnerships to make sure people do not slip through the cracks,” Mr Martin said.
MEDIA NOTE: A list of NAIDOC Week activities is below.
NAIDOC Week activities at HNE Health facilities (media welcome):
Tamworth
The staff of Tamworth Hospital invites the community to celebrate NAIDOC Week with them by attending a public ceremony on Monday 6 July at 10.30am. The event will include a flag raising, guest speaker, NAIDOC Week cake, Aboriginal dancers and more. The ceremony will be followed by a Careers in Health information session.
Newcastle
John Hunter Hospital Arts for Health Program will launch an exhibition by Windale Indigenous Art Support Group in celebration of NAIDOC Week on Monday 6 July 2009. Artists exhibited include Sharron Byers, Warren Donnelly, Belinda Scheupenhauer, Tamara Richards, Nolan Simon and Kay Wallace. Launch will commence at 11am in the foyer of Royal Newcastle Centre, Level 2 by the piano.
Tingha
Hunter New England Health and the Anaiwan Local Aboriginal Land Council are hosting a fun day of touch football for NAIDOC Week 2009. It will be held at Tingha Football Ground on Monday 6 July. There will be a march from the memorial gates at the football ground at 9.30am with a flag raising at the Anaiwan LALC. This will be followed by a touch football game, featuring an Aboriginal team who will play a team from NSW Police at 11am.
Armidale
Armidale Community Health staff will be involved with the following NAIDOC events: Aboriginal Men’s Road show starting in Inverell on Monday and then Tenterfield on Tuesday 7 July. There will be a Men’s Health Expo in Armidale on Wednesday 8 July at the Town Hall at 10am.
There will be a plaque unveiling and flag raising, followed by a barbecue on Thursday 9 July at Armidale Community Health from 11am.
Moree
Moree Hospital and Fairview Nursing Home NAIDOC Week community day and flag raising will be held on Tuesday 7 July at 10am at Moree Hospital.
A luncheon for all members of the community will be hosted by Aboriginal Health from 12.30pm until 2pm at Frome Street, Moree.
Inverell
An information stand about Aboriginal health will be among stalls at a NAIDOC Week exhibition on Friday 10 July from 10am at the Inverell Town Hall.
Muswellbrook
A flag raising ceremony will be held on Tuesday 7 July at 10.30am at Muswellbrook Hospital. A display of Aboriginal art work is at the Muswellbrook Community Health Centre foyer all week.
Quirindi
A flag raising ceremony will be held on Tuesday 7 July at 10am at the front of Quirindi Hospital, followed by a morning tea.
Cessnock
A flag raising and dance performance will be held on Monday 13 July at 10.30am near the main entrance at Cessnock Hospital, View Street, Cessnock. A welcome to country will be performed by local Wonnarua Elder Marge Anderson, followed by a performance by Cessnock High School Dance Group supported by Steve Lombardi on the digeridoo.
Contact: Communication Unit
Phone: 4985 5522