PAHA Newsletter
Head’s Up!
Left to right – Robby Chibawe CEO PAMS, Joan Hicks CEO MHS, June Councillor WMHSAC, Minister Mark Butler, Chris Pickett CEO PAHA
Issue #01 | March 2023
Chair Report
Richard Ansey
My name is Richard Ansey, I’m a proud Torres Strait Islander man from the Meriam Clan of Mer Island of Torres Strait and have been living in the Pilbara region for the last 45 years.
As PAHA Chair for 2023 I am proud to introduce you to the Inaugural Newsletter for PAHA.
The Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance is a partnership between the three Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations based in the Pilbara, Mawarnkarra Health Service, Wirraka Maya Health Service and Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, the purpose of this Alliance is to provide strong advocacy and support to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait People, Families and Communities in the Pilbara Region.
The Boards and CEOs of the three AMSs have worked closely together over the past few years to secure funding to see their vision become a reality. Today PAHA is an established organisation working at a Regional, State and Federal level for improving the health and well-being of our people.
We have a number of exciting opportunities and projects that have commenced already, and we look forward to sharing our new projects and continued success with you during the year.
Chair Report
Richard Ansey
My name is Richard Ansey, I’m a proud Torres Strait Islander man from the Meriam Clan of Mer Island of Torres Strait and have been living in the Pilbara region for the last 45 years.
As PAHA Chair for 2023 I am proud to introduce you to the Inaugural Newsletter for PAHA.
The Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance is a partnership between the three Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations based in the Pilbara, Mawarnkarra Health Service, Wirraka Maya Health Service and Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, the purpose of this Alliance is to provide strong advocacy and support to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait People, Families and Communities in the Pilbara Region.
The Boards and CEOs of the three AMSs have worked closely together over the past few years to secure funding to see their vision become a reality. Today PAHA is an established organisation working at a Regional, State and Federal level for improving the health and well-being of our people.
We have a number of exciting opportunities and projects that have commenced already, and we look forward to sharing our new projects and continued success with you during the year.
CEO Report
Chris Pickett
A huge welcome to the first edition of the PAHA Newsletter. We are going to trial this approach to complement our social media platforms as a way to keep you in the loop on what’s happening in and round the PAHA working space. We are aware that you are often bombarded with material you get little time to look at so we are trialling the best way to let you see easily those things that you may have an interest in without having to wade through things you don’t. Often there will be little teasers which you can follow up if you want to know more. We will see how it goes and your feedback will be much appreciated.
Board Changes
PAHA had its first Board meeting for the year in mid Feb and Richard Ansey of Mawarnkarra Health Service was elected Chair and William Landy from Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service was elected Vice Chair. A huge thanks from me to the departing Chair Selina Stewart and Vice-Chair Phyllis Simmons for the support and guidance they gave. Mr Landy and Mr Stanley Watson also joined the Board as new Member Directors.
Dialysis in the Pilbara
We continue to advocate strongly to Government and industry supporters around the urgency to address the dialysis needs of our Pilbara communities. PAHA is in regular discussions with WA Country Health Service and the Commonwealth Health First Nations division to work with us to develop solutions which will provide access to services and return to country for those community members who have been forced to relocate away from country to be close to a dialysis service.
Culture, Care, Connect
Very excited that Kesi-Maree Prior commenced with PAHA on 23 January as the CCC Coordinator for the Pilbara. Culture Care Connect is our new community led integrated suicide prevention and response program. Kesi has been kicking goals in getting everything ready for the startup of CCC and PAHA members have commenced work on recruitment of Aftercare Workers to provide support at the local level.
Till next time!
Good News
Culture Care Connect
Acknowledging the devastating and disproportionate impact of suicide and mental health challenges affecting our communities, the Culture Care Connect: Community controlled suicide prevention network, is an important step toward significantly reducing and sustaining the reduction of the impact of suicide on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The program aims to: implement uniform suicide prevention planning and reporting; generate a shared language for how our communities describe suicide prevention activities delivered by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; enable simplified processes that optimise service deliverables and outcomes; facilitate consistent data collection and reporting and provide strong evidence bases for ongoing advocacy.
The integration of suicide prevention planning, and quality aftercare services enables a coordinated approach to reduce the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours to reduce the impact of suicide on individuals, families, and communities. The Culture Care Connect Program will develop holistic, supportive, and preventive initiatives to empower and support communities to be suicide safer.
Through consultation and facilitated co-design forums, PAHA will support the development of a Pilbara Network Suicide Prevention Plan.
In partnership with the three Pilbara Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations across the Pilbara PAHA will also co-design, develop and implement an aftercare model of care to support individuals, families and communities impacted by suicidal behaviours.
Member Highlights
Member Highlights
ROWENA KITTY-BROWN
Board Member
My name is Rowena Brown I was born in Port Hedland. I am a NARLGA and NJAMAL,THUDGARI YINGARRADA WOMAN. I grew up in Port Hedland and also lived in TJAKU WARRA / 12mile / community where my father was a chairperson and was also the founder of our Aboriginal Medical Service. I enjoyed my life living in 12 mile and going out on country with my dad and mum who is resting in peace. I still live in South Hedland and enjoy practising law and culture going out on country fishing and camping, also dinner outings with my family.
Kesi-Maree Prior
Culture Care Connect Coordinator
My name is Kesi-Maree Prior, I am a Bidjara, Kamilaroi woman originally from Queensland. I have called Port Hedland home for 17years. Living and working on Karriyara country I have worked across many social support and mental health sectors supporting, children, young people, families, and communities during this time.
I am a mum to two boys aged 11 and 14. As a family we love the lifestyle the Pilbara provides, beautiful country with the opportunity for great active adventures exploring the amazing place we call home. I volunteer across the Hedland community in various capacities. I am the current Chair of the Lotteries House board and an active volunteer in the sports and arts spaces.
I am passionate about empowering communities to make positive changes to increase mental wellbeing and prevent suicide. Having personal experiences loosing loved ones, friends, and family members I have worked in this space for many years to increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma and shame, to advocate and promote that it is ok when we are not ok, it is ok to reach out for help when we need it.
I look forward to the new challenge I have taken on with the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance as the Culture Care Connect Coordinator and continuing to work in a space that I am passionate about. It is an exciting journey to be undertaking.
JOLLEEN HICKS
Board Member
Jolleen Hicks is a proud Ngarluma Aboriginal woman who grew up in Roebourne, and is passionate about Closing the Health Gaps for our local Aboriginal Community. Jolleen joined the Board in February 2013, and is a strong advocate for Aboriginal organisations being empowered to becoming self-sustainable.
Jolleen has a background that covers successful Aboriginal Engagement with over twenty separate Aboriginal cultural groups in Australia; leadership; and business. Jolleen believes that Reconciliation cannot be achieved without understanding; recognition; and respect between Aboriginal people’s and non-Aboriginal people.
Events
Prime Minister’s visit to Hedland
It’s not often you get to sit down and have a private yarn with the Prime Minister of Australia but that’s what we did a few weeks back when The Hon Anthony Albanese MP and some 17 members of his Cabinet visited Port Hedland for community discussions. PAHA and other members of Pilbara for Purpose met with the PM for over half an hour on issues including raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14, on country diversion options to Banksia Detention Centre and increasing investment in Upstream health activities. The PM is a very engaging man, and he was extremely generous with his time. Whether we have planted seeds that will grow is yet to be seen. I did give him our bright green PAHA shirt and said he could use it to remember us while mowing the lawn or trimming the hedge at the Lodge. We also met briefly with the Attorney-General The Hon Mark Dreyfus on the same issues and I also had a yarn with the Treasurer about the need for vision and long term investment in health initiatives that keep people health in their communities. All in all a fantastic opportunity – special thanks to the PMs staff who made the meeting possible.
– Chris Pickett
Global Health Challenge
PAHA Directors and CEO attended the Perth launch of the Global Health Challenge at Jandakot in December. The Government of Western Australia has issued a global challenge for a world-leading medical research and innovation solution to resolve a pressing problem of health service delivery in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The best solution will take home a $5 million prize.
Our Board members did us proud in meeting with and promoting PAHA and the Pilbara to senior Government and Industry people. The Pilbara launch was held in Hedland on 31 January and a workshop followed where staff and elders provided advice and information about the Pilbara and working with the sector.
– Chris Pickett
