PAHA Newsletter
Issue #08 | December 2024
CEO Report
Chris Pickett
It’s been a whirlwind couple of months since our last newsletter, marked by significant milestones for PAHA. We’ve secured new funding agreements, signed a Project Management Agreement with Purple House, and finalized a land lease agreement with the Shire of Ashburton for the Tom Price Dialysis Unit. In addition, we held our AGM, our final Board Meeting, and the last Pilbara Aboriginal Health Planning Forum for 2024. We’ve also just returned from the NACCHO Conference in Canberra.
During this time, I announced my decision to retire from PAHA, and we’ve begun the process of selecting a new CEO to lead PAHA into what I’m confident will be an exciting and productive future. Stay tuned for further updates on this in the coming weeks.
We are deeply grateful to BHP, our initial funding partner, for their continued belief in PAHA’s work and for renewing their core funding support for the next two years. We’ve successfully met all the milestones in our original work plan and are now focused on delivering our next set of objectives.
Over the past three years, PAHA has been working on a plan to enhance Aboriginal primary health services in the Shire of Ashburton. The Commonwealth’s investment in the Tom Price Dialysis Unit has sparked wider discussions with Traditional Owners about the lack of health services on Country. Recently, Rio Tinto announced a $5 million, five-year partnership with PAHA to support the success of the Tom Price Renal Dialysis Unit. This partnership will provide wraparound support for patients and help establish preventative health programs delivered on Country within the Shire of Ashburton with further support from the Traditional Owners. Exciting times!
The icing on the cake was the announcement last week that the Commonwealth will continue to fund our two flagship programs Culture, Care, Connect and Australian Family Partnership Program beyond June 2025.
PAHA continues to punch above its weight and my admiration for our small team will be enduring. The closely guarded surprise retirement farewell was overwhelming.
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas break and lots of fun and relaxation with your families as we prepare for a big year in 2025.
Good News
PAHA at the 2024 NACCHO Conference in Canberra
A highlight of the event was the Country and Western-themed Karaoke Night, which was a resounding success. Western Australia’s participants stole the show, securing a clean sweep of the night’s accolades—no doubt aided by the Karaoke machines we had up for raffle earlier in the conference!
The first raffle draw winner, Maybre (pictured), was thrilled to take home her prize, alongside many other excited recipients. Congratulations to all the winners, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who entered.
We look forward to continuing our work in this space and building on the connections and insights gained during the conference.
Events
Culture Care Connect: A Busy and Impactful Few Months
Our CCC Coordinator has been hard at work over the past few months, delivering programs that are making a real difference in our communities. In Hedland, we held a transformative ASIST training for 23 local Pilbara participants, equipping them with essential skills to help save lives. The CCC Coordinator also delivered an I-ASIST workshop for 30 Mercy Care team members, building capacity and life-saving skills across the state.
At the WA Mental Health Conference, our CCC Coordinator shared a powerful presentation on the CCC Co-design process, highlighting our commitment to community-led, place-based solutions that support social and emotional wellbeing while reducing the impact of suicide on individuals, families, and communities.
We are proud to announce that all CCC positions across the Pilbara have now been fully recruited, with 100% of roles filled by First Nations people. As we move into the next phase of our work, we remain focused on creating lasting, positive change in the communities we serve.
We are also excited to share that Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation is currently progressing through the onboarding process and will soon begin undertaking service package handovers and Aftercare worker onboarding in the coming weeks. Marwarnkarra Health Service is actively promoting the service and has already been receiving referrals from key stakeholders. Additionally, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Services is working to implement and promote the Aftercare Service within their community.
The Pilbara Suicide Peer Network recently returned to Onslow to share their engagement story and launch the Pilbara Network Suicide Prevention Plan, marking an important step in strengthening suicide prevention efforts in the region.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue working together to create a suicide-safer Pilbara region.
Welcoming Kaleisha to the PAMS AFPP Team
We are delighted to introduce Kaleisha, a proud Nyoongar, Martu, and Palyku woman with strong family ties to the Jigalong community and Newman. Kaleisha is a Registered Midwife and a dedicated mother of six, bringing not only extensive clinical expertise but also a deep cultural connection to her role. She is passionate about providing compassionate, preventative maternal and child health care and is committed to building strong partnerships within the community to ensure families receive the support they need. Kaleisha’s enthusiasm for expanding her clinical knowledge and tailoring care to meet local needs will be invaluable as we grow our program in the Pilbara.
Highlights from the NLT AFPP Conference
PAHA and its AFPP teams recently attended the NLT AFPP Conference in Cairns. This invaluable event provided an excellent platform for learning, collaboration, and connecting with stakeholders from across Australia. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Yvette, Roianne, and the NLT team for organizing such a meaningful experience. As the newest AFPP site, the Pilbara team is eager to build on the strong foundations established over the past 15 years. We are excited to implement a new coordination model tailored to meet the unique needs of the region.
Learning from Mookai Rosie
During our time in Cairns, we had the privilege of visiting Mookai Rosie, an exceptional organization dedicated to maternal and family health for women and children from the Torres Strait Islands and Cape York. Guided by the Mookai Midwives, Mookai Rosie employs a culturally respectful, holistic approach, offering comprehensive pregnancy care, education, and support. Their programs include yarning circles, traditional knowledge-sharing, antenatal and postnatal care, family planning, and vaccinations.
A unique feature of their model is the Chalali Doulas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural birth attendants who provide continuous support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. These doulas offer continuity of care by accompanying women to the hospital and assisting them after discharge. Their dedication to helping women transition back to their communities with ongoing health support was deeply inspiring.
We extend our warm thanks to Theresa and the Mookai Rosie team for their hospitality and for sharing their invaluable insights. The lessons we’ve learned will guide us in future maternal and child health initiatives in the Pilbara.
Looking Ahead
The Pilbara team is energized by these recent experiences and is committed to supporting our member services to provide tailored, culturally connected AFPP care to families in the Pilbara. Together, we are building a strong foundation for the future, fostering collaboration.
Pilbara Healthy Skin Community Events Update
A heartfelt thank you to Strelley Community School and Yandeyarra School for their flexibility and partnership in hosting services on their grounds. We also extend our gratitude to the Environmental Health Trachoma Project (#EHTP) for providing essential resources, including the washer-dryer trailer, BBQ trailer, slip-n-slide and hygiene packs.
The Pilbara Aboriginal Environmental Health Forum (PAEHF) remains steadfast in its mission to prioritise preventative health activities to the region. By addressing the underlying causes of environment attributable health issues and empowering communities, we aim to create sustainable, long-term improvements.
This initiative’s success was made possible through the collective efforts of the Aboriginal Environmental Health Service Agencies: Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, Pilbara Meta Maya, #EHTP and the Aboriginal Environmental Health Directorate. Additionally, the collaboration of clinical services: Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, WA Country Health Service, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, ensured the delivery of healthy home assessments, skin health education and checks and health promotion activities.
As we prepare for 2025, we look forward to reviewing outcomes and planning ahead through PAEHF. By working together, we will continue driving preventative health initiatives and fostering healthier, more connected Pilbara communities.
PAHPF
The Pilbara Aboriginal Health Planning Forum held its final meeting for 2024, closing the year with engaging presentations from the Water Corporation, The Kids Institute, and East Metropolitan Health Service. These insightful contributions highlighted key initiatives and opportunities to strengthen health outcomes for our Communities. The Subcommittee Chairs also provided comprehensive wrap-ups of their activities throughout the year, showcasing the progress made in 2024. The Forum Members are now actively planning for next year, with a strong focus on achieving action-oriented outcomes.
During the meeting, members expressed their heartfelt thanks to Mrs. June Councillor for her outstanding leadership as Chair throughout 2024. Her dedication and guidance have been instrumental in advancing the Forum’s work. The Forum also warmly welcomed Mr. Robby Chibawe as the incoming Chair for 2025, looking forward to his stewardship in driving the Forum’s goals in the coming year.
PAHA Board and AGM
In November we held our final Board meeting for 2024 in Karratha, which was followed by our Annual General Meeting. The gathering provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past year and to discuss our plans for the future. The Board appreciated the robust discussions and collaboration, which continue to drive PAHA’s mission of enhancing the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal communities across the Pilbara.
During the meeting, the Board also took time to recognize and thank our outgoing CEO, Chris Pickett, for his unwavering dedication and passion. Under Chris’s leadership, PAHA and our Member Aboriginal Medical Services have grown significantly, strengthening their capacity to deliver vital services to our communities. His vision and commitment have left a lasting legacy, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude as he steps into the next chapter of his journey.
We took the opportunity to have a photo taken of Chris with the Member Directors that have held the position of Chair and our Consultant. From left to right, Stephen Magwenzi, Chris Pickett, Richard Ansey, Mr Stanley Watson (current Chair), Mrs Selina Stewart.