PAHA Newsletter
Issue #03 | September 2023
Chair Report
Richard Ansey
Welcome everyone to our third newsletter for the year. We have had some exciting times over the last few months which I hope you enjoy reading about below.
We are thrilled to be working together with the Australian Family Partnership Program will see an increase in support and improved health outcomes for Mums and Bubs in the Pilbara, with the newly appointed PAHA Nurse Coordinator, Samantha Barba we are sure this program will be a deadly success.
A very busy couple of months coming up for the team with the continued role out of Culture Care Connect which helps bring together programs for suicide prevention planning, early intervention, crisis management, after care service support and education to raise awareness. The Pilbara Aboriginal Health Planning Forum Men’s Health Subcommittee is getting ready to host their second On Country Yarn which will be held in the Roebourne area. All Indigenous men are welcome to come and have a fish, bbq and yarn. Meet at Cossack Jetty, 10am Wednesday 4th October. Big thank you shout out to Rio Tinto for their support for this second event.
Later this year will see us hold our AGM which will be hosted by our Roebourne mob, a whole mob of us travel to Perth to attend the NACCHO national conference where we hope to shine again at karaoke.
Till next time, take care and keep your family safe.
Chair Report
Richard Ansey
Welcome everyone to our third newsletter for the year. We have had some exciting times over the last few months which I hope you enjoy reading about below.
We are thrilled to be working together with the Australian Family Partnership Program will see an increase in support and improved health outcomes for Mums and Bubs in the Pilbara, with the newly appointed PAHA Nurse Coordinator, Samantha Barba we are sure this program will be a deadly success.
A very busy couple of months coming up for the team with the continued role out of Culture Care Connect which helps bring together programs for suicide prevention planning, early intervention, crisis management, after care service support and education to raise awareness. The Pilbara Aboriginal Health Planning Forum Men’s Health Subcommittee is getting ready to host their second On Country Yarn which will be held in the Roebourne area. All Indigenous men are welcome to come and have a fish, bbq and yarn. Meet at Cossack Jetty, 10am Wednesday 4th October. Big thank you shout out to Rio Tinto for their support for this second event.
Later this year will see us hold our AGM which will be hosted by our Roebourne mob, a whole mob of us travel to Perth to attend the NACCHO national conference where we hope to shine again at karaoke.
Till next time, take care and keep your family safe.
CEO Report
Chris Pickett
Just back after a few weeks leave and attendance at the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide Conference in Vancouver.
I am extremely grateful to PAHA for allowing me to attend this very special First Nations Conference. I was overwhelmed by the spirit, passion and interests of First Nations people from around the globe and how so many of the priorities they have for First Nations health and welfare align with priorities we have here in Australia and the Pilbara specifically. Sovereignty, self determination, Treaty negotiations, health and social determinants including housing and education are key issues. Mens health was a particular interest for me and it was amazing to hear about the Dudes Club which operates in locations across British Columbia to engage and support First Nations men. We are aiming to follow suit with our second on country get together due to be held on the 4th October at Cossack.
Back on the 10th August I had the pleasure of attending WMHSACs 30th Birthday celebrations in Port Hedland. What an amazing fun night celebrating the achievements of WMHSACs Board and staff over those years. Congratulations to June, staff and the Board for staging this event. It captured very well the efforts of so many special people dedicated to the health and well being of their community.
Good News
YULE RIVER – 8th Annual on Country Bush Meeting
An annual Aboriginal Community event held over two days to provide discussions between First Nations people from the Pilbara with Government representatives. PAHA was thrilled to be have been invited to attend both days.
This Community led event enabled Aboriginal people in the Pilbara to come together as one to talk about their concerns and raise them with Government officials.
It included updates from YMAC on heritage protection, a presentation and discussion on the Voice referendum, and community discussion on a draft Call to Action prepared ahead of the meeting from a workshop with Elders and Emerging Leaders in April.
The Hon. Linda Burney MP, Minster for Indigenous Australians and Hon.Tony Buti MLA, Minister for Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Senator Dorinda Cox and the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Ms Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, along with several representatives from a range of government and community agencies, along with strong representation by our AMS and their staff.
Member Highlights
Member Highlights
Jodie Burgess
Secretariat
Originally hailing from Ballarat, Victoria I now happily call Newman and the Pilbara my home. Having worked pre-dominantly in real estate prior to taking on the Secretariat role 3 years ago provided me with the skills to interact with people from all walks of life and ensure confidentiality. I feel privileged to work with such an amazing Board and team at PAHA.
Stanley Watson
Board Member
I was born in Port Hedland in 1965, family is the Nyiyaparli Desert mob and I was raised on the outskirts of Marble Bar. Best part of school was my friends, after school I worked all around the Australian country on different cattle and sheep stations as a younger man. My favourite thing to do is take the family out bush camping by the river like our ancestors used to do. As a Director at Puntukurnu I want to improve issues with young kids, we need changes to laws for youth and how we educate them. We need to make them more resilient; they simply need someone to love them and care for them. During my time as a Director I want to help make good, honest and purposeful changes.
Nora Cooke
Board Member
My name is Nora Cooke. I was born and raised in Port Hedland and I am from the Ngarla and Nyamal people. I am a Board Member of YMAC and Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation and I am a language teacher.
I teach my father’s language Ngarla. I still do traditional hunting and cooking.
Events
Danila Dilba Health Service Darwin AFPP team
New Regional Nurse Coordinator position for the Australian (Nurse) Family Partnership Program (AFPP).
We are thrilled to announce that PAHA have recruited to the Regional Nurse Coordinator position for the Australian (Nurse) Family Partnership Program (AFPP).
We introduce you to Samantha Barba who commenced with PAHA in August 2023.
Sam is a mother of two who has spent the last 20yrs passionately working within the child health system throughout WA. Sam has a key focus on primary, holistic, sustainable, and preventative health within rural and remote communities. In the last year, Sam has worked closely and formed solid relationships within the three Pilbara AMS’s as a clinical nurse with the WA RHD Register and Control Program and has enjoyed collaborating with communities and clinicians across the state. Sam enjoys mentoring and supporting local clinicians with education and resources that support preventive and sustainable solutions for their clients and communities and looks forward to continuing her professional relationships with Pilbara AMS’s whilst working towards the AFPP program goals of improving outcomes in pregnancy and child health and development.
Top End Health Service – Tiwi Island outreach AFPP team
In a recent trip to the Northern Territory, Sam was warmly welcomed by the AFPP teams at Danila Dilba and Top End Health Service Darwin to see firsthand how the program operates in established town-based and outreach services. This was a great opportunity to learn from the masters and establish great service partnerships moving forward.
Sam can be contacted via email at [email protected]
Healing our Spirit Worldwide 2023
With representatives from PAHA, Puntukurnu, Wirraka Maya and Mawarnkarra the Pilbara were certainly well represented at the recent 9th Healing Our Spirits Worldwide. This gathering brought together thousands of Indigenous leaders and health care professionals from around the world to share and celebrate the healing power of traditional Indigenous knowledge and cultures.
WMHSAC 30 YEAR CELEBRATIONS
What an amazing two days spent celebrating 30 fantastic years of dedication to their Community. PAHA was thrilled to be involved in both the Community celebration day which featured all the great things in life (live music and a great feed). The celebrations were then finished off the following night at the Gala dinner where the PAHA staff definitely dusted off their dancing shoes!
