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Tarwangin - Talking To Me - March 2009
In this edition of Tarwangin read about the establishment of a men's crisis centre in Narrogin, research on Indigenous health, the Ministerial Council on Child Protection and more.
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From the Director General
I was pleased to go with Lt-Gen Sanderson to the Kimberley Conversation and the Fitzroy Futures Forum last month.
It is at these sorts of grass roots meetings that most of the real business gets done – where the people who are directly affected by government decisions can explain what their lives are like, and suggest solutions that directly address their circumstances.
On a related note, the Indigenous Implementation Board, which Lt-Gen Sanderson chairs, has now met and set itself a 100-day target which continues these regional dialogues, ensures development and empowerment of Indigenous leaders and begins a redesign of Government processes and decision-making.
One of its principal aims is to ensure the Aboriginal design and delivery of services - and thereby contribute to the continuation of a vibrant living culture, and build more sustainable Indigenous remote and regional communities, economies and environments.
Patrick Walker
Director General
Narrogin Men’s Crisis Centre
Mental health support in Narrogin will be enhanced through the establishment of a local, community-controlled men’s crisis centre.
In announcing the establishment of this centre, Mental Health Minister Dr Graham Jacobs said the State Government recognised the need to provide urgent support to the town, where a number of suicides of young men had occurred in the past year.
“The Narrogin community identified the clear need for a men’s crisis centre and today’s announcement will provide this valuable community mental health facility to support Aboriginal men in the town,” Dr Jacobs said.
“This will be a place where men can take time out and gain culturally-appropriate support in times of crisis.”
Read the full statement here.
DIA perspective on Ministerial Council on Child Protection
DIA's Principal Indigenous Advisor Mary Cowley has been appointed to the newly created Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection.
Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney said the external advisory body will provide her with expert advice on child protection policies and practices in Western Australia.
The Minister said the council will also identify current and emerging child protection issues that impacted on children and young people in care and their families.
The council will be chaired by former Attorney General Peter Foss QC.
Other council members include:
Colleen Hayward - Telethon Institute of Child Health Research;
Michelle Stubbs - Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse;
Dr Andrew Turnell - Resolutions Consultancy;
Basil Hanna - Parkerville Children and Youth Care;
Fiona Lander - Department of Child Protection;
Sophie Lee - CREATE Foundation;
Heidi Mippy - Protective Behaviours Consultancy;
Anthony Pietropiccolo – Centrecare;
Sahba Salekian - CREATE Foundation; and
Associate Professor Ted Wilkes - Curtin University.
To read the full statement, click here.
Income management throughout the Kimberley
Following on from trials in Kununurra, Cannington, Balgo, Halls Creek, Broome and Dampier Peninsula, income management will be rolled out across the remainder of the Kimberley.
The Australian and Western Australian Government’s income management trial gives the Western Australian Department of Child Protection the power to recommend to Centrelink that income support and family payments are quarantined to ensure welfare is spent in the interests of children.
Voluntary income management has also been introduced in the Kimberley in response to people asking for assistance with managing their money. More than 120 people are on voluntary income management.
To read the full statement, click here.
Indigenous leadership program
Three graduates of the Australian Government's Indigenous Leadership Program have completed a 10-day sailing journey across Bass Strait on the Young Endeavour.
The graduates joined 24 other young people and ten crew as they sailed from George Town, Tasmania, to Williamstown, Victoria.
The first-time sailors learnt valuable life skills on the voyage including teamwork, leadership skills and a strong sense of community responsibility.
The voyage is more than learning to set the sails and navigate; it helps build self-esteem, memories and friendships that last a lifetime.
The three Indigenous women, Arlene McInherny, Dianna Wright and Rebecca Richards all won Australian Government-funded scholarships to take this trip on the Young Endeavour.
Ms Wright, from the Karrajarri people of the Bidyadangol community in Western Australia, was a finalist in the environment category of the WA Youth Awards.
To read the full statement, click here.
Funding opportunities
Fellowship for Indigenous actors
Applications are now open for the Bob Maza Fellowship which is awarded to an established Indigenous actor to further his or her professional development, provide career longevity and raise his/her profile internationally.
The fellowship is sponsored by Screen Australia’s Indigenous Branch to commemorate and celebrate the life and work of Bob Maza, and as a tribute to his passion and commitment to the film and entertainment industry.
The Fellowship is worth $10,000 + international airfare, and applications close 5pm, Friday 3 April 2009. The Fellowship recipient will be announced at the Message Sticks Film Festival on 1 May 2009.
More information here.
Crime prevention projects
A new round of funding under Section 298 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 has opened.
Applications from incorporated, not-for-profit community groups and local government associations/agencies are sought for projects which address Indigenous prisoner throughcare (rehabilitation, treatment and reintegration projects); and/or Crime prevention.
Eligible organisations are able to seek funding of up to $500,000 for each project.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 20 March 2009. Application forms and information are available here.
Curtin researchers to focus on Indigenous health
Curtin University of Technology has been awarded nearly $5 million for two research projects into Indigenous health care.
A team led by Associate Professor Tony Butler, of the University’s National Drug Research Institute (NDRI), has been awarded $2,315,190 through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to investigate the health and health care of Indigenous people in contact with the criminal justice system, including prisoners.
Aboriginal leaders Professor Mick Dodson – Australian of the Year – and Associate Professor Ted Wilkes will be part of the research team working on this grant.
The research will help to create an Australia-wide network for sharing knowledge and examining the health of Indigenous people in prison and following their release. The focus will be on infectious diseases, mental health and the impact of incarceration on Indigenous communities.
Curtin Health Sciences Professor of Psychology Jan Piek has been awarded a NHMRC grant of $2,376,600 to train Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers to work with Indigenous communities to determine how to provide culturally secure mental health services.
Three academics from Curtin’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies will undertake PhDs as part of Professor Piek’s funding to focus on different aspects of mental health and Indigenous people.
Curtin Faculty of Health Sciences Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jill Downie, welcomed the NHMRC funding.
“The Faculty, through the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI) is committed to continued research into Indigenous health and building capacity in vulnerable communities,” she said.
“These research grants will allow established CHIRI researchers to train new researchers, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who can continue to work towards improved health outcomes for Indigenous people.”
The research projects are scheduled for completion in 2013.
Mixed cultural cook-up day
Everyone is invited to participate in a day of day of sharing stories, dance, food and music.
It will be held on Saturday 28 March 2009, from 4 to 8pm, at the Nyungar Healing and Storytelling Circle, Booyeembara Park, at the corner of Stevens and Montreal Streets, White Gum Valley.
For more information please contact:
Erin Phipps – 0400 062 507, ephipps@bigpond.com.au or Marie Thorne – 9314 5718
Vice-Chancellors’ Oration
This year’s oration will be delivered by Lt-Gen John Sanderson, former Governor of Western Australia, Chairman of the Indigenous Implementation Board in WA, and strong advocate of human rights.
This is a free event, but bookings are essential.
Monday 16 March, 6:30pm
Elizabeth Jolley Lecture Theatre, Kent St, Bentley
Bookings phone 9266 2563 or email events@curtin.edu.au
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