Program
Abstracts of sessions, yarn-ups/discussion and workshops
Please find below the concurrent sessions for the 2nd National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Family and Community Strengths Conference.
Concurrent Session A
1A Children & Youth | 2A Mainstream Services & Learning | 3A Culture & Strength-based Practice | 4A Yarn-up/Discussion | 5A Yarn-up/Discussion | 6A Yarn-up/Discussion | 7A Yarn-up/Discussion | 8A Workshop | 9A Workshop
Concurrent Session B
1B Maternal Child & Health | 2B Storytelling | 3B Partnerships & Relationships | 4B Yarn-up/Discussion | 5B Yarn-up/Discussion | 6B Workshop | 7B Workshop | 8B Workshop | 9B Workshop
Concurrent Session C
1C Strengthening Organisational Capacity | 2C Cultural Competency | 3C Local Government | 4C Identity | 5C Yarn-up/Discussion | 6C Yarn-up/Discussion | 7C Yarn-up/Discussion | 8C Workshop | 9C Workshop
Concurrent Session D
1D Cultural Competency | 2D Storytelling & Research | 3D Research into Action | 4D Yarn-up/Discussion | 5D Yarn-up/Discussion | 6D Workshop | 7D Workshop | 8D Workshop
Tuesday 1st December 11.30am – 1.00pm
CONCURRENT SESSION A (9 presentations to choose from – select one)
1A - Children and Youth
i Maningrida Community: working together to grow our kids up strong Virginie Branchut, Noeletta McKenzie, Roslyne Dunne - Maningrida Child Safety Service (Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation), NT
The Maningrida is one of the prescribed community under the NTER and while a range of government measures have meant large changes for local people it is the work of the community agencies on the ground which has made an enormous difference to the safety and wellbeing of children on the ground.
The Maningrida Child Safety Service (MCSS) was formed in the wake of a case of sexual abuse that shocked the nation and was highly mediatised. A group of Maningrida women took it upon themselves to organise a service seeking to protect local children and educated the community to generate change. The program has since grown and now operates two nightly patrols, one run by strong men and the other by strong women as well as a range of collaborative projects around educating youth on sexual health and positive life skills, substance abuse, protective behaviours and more.
Similarly, the Greats Youth Services have grown enormously in the last couple of years. Through the unshakable commitment of some strong community members a brand new Youth Centre has been officially opened in July 2009. The new Youth Centre offers a range of services from music room facilities, access to computers, mental health and wellbeing professionals, substance abuse prevention sessions and a lot more.
Since mid 2008, the new school councellor has put tremendous energy into not just providing councelling to the kids attending school but to providing services to all Maningrida children in close collaboration with the youth centre, MCSS, the clinic, the police, and outside government and non-government organisations.
Working together, the Maningrida community is making a real difference to the safety and wellbeing of children. Regular meetings which involve the agencies as well as government children welfare services are now taking place where the welfare of particular children "at risk" is being scrutinised and support plan are being agreed. A strength based approach is what guides each of our work and none of this could happen without the direct involvement and directions of community members such as night patrol workers, youth workers and school teachers. We are working both ways, Aboriginal and Balanda (non Aboriginal people) to create a better place for our children to grow up in and hence give them hope of a good and healthy future.
About the presenter/s
Virginie Branchut is Maningrida Child Safety Service (MCSS) coordinator. MCSS is a service run by Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation and funded by NT Department of Families and Children, as well as through the Federal Attorney General's office. MCSS runs a Women Child Safety Patrol and a Men Community Safety Patrol as well as a range of strength based preventative and educative projects around child abuse and neglect. Virginie has been in the community since early 2008.
Noeletta McKenzie is the Maningrida Greats Youth Services (GYS) coordinator. Noeletta is an Aboriginal woman with families ties in Maningrida, Darwin, and down in Centre Australia. GYS is managed by Malabam and offers a range of services to the Maningrida youth including organising recreative events, supporting youth involvement in the decisions that affect them directly, and running preventative programs around substance abuse, sexual health and life skills education and mental health.
Roslyne Dunne is the Maningrida Community Education Centre (MCEC) councellor. She has been in the community since mid 2008 and has work extensively within the school as well as in collaboration with other Maningrida agencies to support children and young adult experiencing difficulties. She also collaborates to projects around prevention of substance abuse and sexual health and life skills education.
ii The Safe Koori Kids Project: A school & community safety promotion program Kathleen Clapham , Freidoon Khavarpour - Woolyungah Indigenous Centre, University of Wollongong, NSW
This presentation reports on Safe Koori Kids, a research project carried out in SW Sydney 2006‑8. The study involved the development and evaluation of a culturally acceptable and effective safety program for Indigenous kids and families in SW Sydney and was carried out in collaboration with numerous community and organisational partners. The presentation will report on the results of the program delivered to 790 Indigenous and non Indigenous primary aged children across 5 primary schools in Campbelltown in 2008.
The Safe Koori Kids project drew on local knowledge and resources and was underpinned by recognition that a multitude of factors affect the safety of children and families. The school program embedded positive messages to reinforce the cultural identity of Indigenous people living in urban areas. Researchers recorded an increase in self‑efficacy the children. Qualitative data collected from teachers revealed that Indigenous children responded to the program with an increased sense of pride and achievement.
Improving the safety of Indigenous children in urban areas is complex and currently not well understood. Programs need to recognise the social and cultural context in which children live, draw on local resources and reinforce pride and positive Indigenous identity to build on the resilience of Indigenous people.
About the presenter/s
Dr Kathleen Clapham is Director of the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre at the University of Wollongong. She is an Aboriginal Australian and has a PhD in Anthropology. The focus of her present research is the development of a resiliency based intervention to prevent injury among Aboriginal children and youth in NSW.
Freidoon A. Khavarpour was born in Iran and received his postgraduate degree from The University of Michigan, USA. Freidoon and has been involved in teaching and research at the University of Sydney since 1992. He teaches in health promotion and community development and is involved in various community based organisations, as a volunteer.
iii Relationships & Diversion – Keys to Success Kim Reid, Anthony Beezley- KYC Consultancy and the Trustee for KYC Trust & Jabani Jinna, QLD
Working relationships that affect our young people are vital for holistic case management and support. Protocols and Service Agreements with Police and other vital services such as youth justice, youth detention, probation and parole and Court support are vital to the wellbeing and mutual positives that KYC has established and wishes to share with other organisations to see the same benefits for clients and positive networking.
Diversion based activities play a huge role in the reduction of harmful and criminal based activity for young people and proven facts and figures and case studies are provided for other areas to utilise to see such changes and healthy development for young people and their siblings. KYC has demonstrated statistics and case studies that show the benefits of safe, affordable and strongly supported diversion activities and the strong endorsement of families to see their young people participate. Safe, positive and strong working together.
This presentation will show the benefits of working together to holistically support and nuture young people through unconditional positive regard and strength based methodology to imagine and reach their dreams and goals in a realistic and ‘a walk beside until walk infront’ framework but always part of the ‘working’ extended family.
About the presenter/s
Kim Reid started KYC as an identified need in the area of volatile substance misuse for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth with change / positive outcomes through working with young people and families being open to learning and growth-building programs on client and community advised needs.
Anthony Beezley is a Traditional Owner and respected Elder of the Kabi Kabi people with a commitment and passion to see young people reach their full potential through Lonwiegh ATSI organisation and working at KYC to see cultural opportunities and learning for young people.
2A - Mainstream Services & Their Learnings
i. Cutting out the rotgut – an Aboriginal Health response to promoting healthy eating & physical activity for kids Scott Trindall and Michelle Fodeades,- Good for Kids. Good for Life. Hunter New England Population Health, Tamworth, NSW
Approximately 33% of Australian children are overweight or obese. Overweight/obese children are more likely to be overweight/obese adults. Aboriginal adults have a higher likelihood of being overweight/obese than the general community. Overweight/obesity are preventable risk factors for chronic diseases rife in Aboriginal communities and as such should be a focus area for working with Aboriginal families.
This presentation will outline how we are making ‘Good for Kids. Good for life,’ a population health childhood obesity prevention program for children, culturally appropriate.
Primarily focusing on healthy eating and physical activity for the whole community, Good for Kids has implemented several strategies to reach Aboriginal children, including developing resources for Aboriginal workers in schools and health service delivery settings, developing targeted social marketing material and adapting mainstream policies and strategies for cultural appropriateness.
Resources emerging from these strategies include an internal process for reviewing mainstream products for cultural appropriateness; a healthy eating training kit; a menu planner; print, radio and television advertisements; and cooking books.
The culturally appropriate resources for promoting healthy eating and physical activity for Aboriginal kids can be used in a number of contexts. The methods used in Good for Kids to become culturally appropriate are transferable across different mainstream programs.
About the presenter/s
No biography submitted
ii Culture Love school holiday arts program piloted in the Torres Straits & Cape York Terena Hopkins - State Library of Queensland, QLD
The State Library of Queensland (SLQ) partnered with Indigenous communities in the Torres Strait and Cape York to develop the Culture Love school holiday program through the network of Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs). IKCs combine library services, computers and the internet with a range of training and information learning activities. By engaging local leadership Culture Love has built the capacity of the IKC, volunteers and local artists to deliver arts based activities during school holidays and as after school programs, to exhibit Culture Love artworks including music clips also showcased as part of the Laura Culture and Dance festival.
Children and young people have been involved in a range of activities including visual arts, digital media and music that build leadership, self esteem, pride and connectedness to culture and community with the resulting and well documented benefits in functionality, health and wellbeing.
The Culture Love model provides professional development to local artists and has the potential to address the gap in sport, recreational and cultural programs; to respond to local needs to reduce alcohol and drug misuse; and resulting unemployment and violence. The paper presents an outline of the model; critical success factors; reflection and learning through community evaluation.
About the presenter/s
Terena Hopkins is experienced in partnering with Indigenous communities, has supported State government champions to engage with Indigenous communities to improve service delivery and has delivered a range of programs including housing, major infrastructure, employment, arts, culture, broadcasting, language maintenance, sport and recreation. Terena continues to demonstrate her commitment to reconciliation and the significant improvement in the wellbeing of Indigenous people through her engagement with Indigenous Shire Councils, their forums and building philanthropic partnerships to support the Indigenous Knowledge Centres as an innovative model that if properly resourced, is resilient and can produce impressive results.
iii – Running An Indigenous Specific Program In A Mainstream Organisation Janelle Duncan - Marymead Child & Family Centre, ACT
Marymead’s Indigenous Children’s Program was funded by FaHCSIA in 2007. The aim of the project was to establish an Indigenous Children’s Program in a mainstream organisation, which was aimed at meeting the individual needs of Indigenous families living in the Canberra and Queanbeyan regions.
Prior to beginning the program, a Needs Analysis was undertaken within the local Indigenous community by the Institute of Children Protection Studies, to establish the local needs of families. When establishing the program, the outcomes of this analysis were the focus of service delivery. Families identified the need for traditional in home family support type services, as well as advocacy, support in attending meetings and dealing with government departments, skill development and community access incorporating child care and transport.
As expected, the program took approximately twelve months to establish itself within the community. This presentation will explore some of the difficulties we experienced in establishing the program, as well as how we were able to overcome these difficulties. We will also present a number of case studies to highlight the different strategies used in working together with Indigenous families to achieve their goals, and it will highlight how working to people’s strengths, has empowered a number of families to feel more confident and willing to play an active part in addressing their issues.
About the presenter/s
No biography submitted
3A - Culture and Strength Based Practice Tackling Family Violence and Child Neglect
i Keeping My Spirit Rhonda O’Donnell - Relationships Australia, NSW
The Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation is an organisation dedicated to raising esteem, pride and dignity of people in their Aboriginal culture and heritage. Based in the old Kemblawarra Community Hall just south of Wollongong, it is ideally located to continue the role of custodians of the Coomaditchie Lagoon.
Adjacent to Coomaditchie Lagoon is Coomaditchie Mission. It was here that a relationship was forged between Coomaditchie women and Relationships Australia, Illawarra. A casual Koori group worker developed links with the Coomaditchie community, and with the Coordinator, met with elders to develop a plan to address some identified needs, particularly patterns of family violence.
A local artist (elder at Commaditchie), was engaged and a series of one day art workshops was held. With the artist, facilitators supported the group through a process of sharing experiences, talking through issues of family violence and breaking the cycle, and developing personal strengths and goals.
The women painted two large murals, one for Coomaditchie and one for the hallway at Relationships Australia (maintaining our links). Some of these women will attend a healing camp in November this year.
A highlight of the project was morning tea/presentation of the mural, with counsellors and the Koori women, where they explained the symbols and story of the artwork ‘Keeping My Spirit’.
About the presenter/s
Rhonda O’Donnell is the Program and Clinical Coordinator of the Family Safety Program and the Parenting Orders Program at Relationships Australia in the Illawarra. Rhonda has a Bachelor of Social Work, a Diploma in Community Services, Family Therapy qualifications and a background in crisis work with children, having worked as a Specialist Counsellor for Children at Risk. Rhonda has worked for Relationships Australia for 7 years after a solid grounding in community work, counselling, and particularly projects addressing the impact of family violence. Most recent focus has been in intensive studies in Child Consultations and accreditation as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
ii WIRRINGGA: Keeping Families Together Sara Griffin, Lesley Thomas - Anglicare SA, SA
‘Wirringga’ is a Kaurna word meaning ‘together’. Wirringga is an early intervention project that is aimed at ‘keeping together’ Aboriginal families in the Playford region of the Northern Suburbs of Adelaide. This program provides a culturally accountable service to families at risk of child abuse, neglect or having children taken into out‑of‑home care. By building on families strengths and linking in with the community and appropriate services, this program builds the families capacity to stay together.
The project has worked by focusing on family strengths, including extended family, as well as, making use of both formal and informal community networks. We work alongside families to address the issues that are impacting on their parenting capacity, and therefore their families. This program attempts to address the historical and systemic obstacles that provide cultural barriers to Aboriginal people receiving culturally appropriate/ accountable services and support to build strong kids and strong families.
This presentation will demonstrate the benefits of using of strength based practice with Aboriginal families, by focusing on strengths and not deficits/ development and not decline. Even in the midst of facing multiple and long‑term problems, these families have great resilience; it is not a matter of fixing their problems, but in helping them to recognise their own strengths and the family/community supports available to them, and so to develop strategies that will last for generations.
About the presenter/s
Lesley Thomas is a proud Yankantjatjara woman, residing in Adelaide. She has 20+ years experience working with / for Aboriginal communities of SA. Lesley is very passionate about working with Aboriginal children and families; and acknowledges her family who have helped to shape her strong sense of identity / cultural pride.
Sara Griffin has wide and varied experience in the health and community services sectors. She has 15+ years experience working with Aboriginal people; and is currently completing a Social Science Degree at UniSA. Sara is passionate about social justice, as well as, working in a cultural accountable way that ensures Aboriginal people have a fair and equitable access to services and resources.
iii – ‘Hooked Up’ – Developing research approaches in Maori youth violence prevention Moana Eruera, Kaahukura, NZ
The development of intimate partner relationships is a significant part of young people’s transition to adulthood. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an ongoing concern within Aotearoa New Zealand particularly for Maori communities within the context of whanau (extended family) violence. Given the prevalence of intimate partner relationship violence and the youthful demographic of the Maori population there are growing concerns for taitamariki (young person, though different tribes have dialect variations) Maori in the healthy formation of their intimate partner relationships. However ‘whanau ora models’ (Maori models which are grounded in common understandings of a Maori worldview and work strengthen whanau wellbeing) grounded in cultural values, beliefs and processes recognise the resilience and strengths of our taitamariki and see the potential for taitamariki to play a key role in designing initiatives to support them through this important part of their development and in turn as critical violence prevention strategies.
This presentation will describe the processes used to co-develop a research project with Maori youth to share their experiences and views in order to develop strategies to support their development of healthy intimate partner relationships.
About the presenter/s
Moana Eruera is a Maori woman from Te Tai Tokerau (the Northern region of New Zealand) who has more than 20 years experience in the social and community work sectors. She is committed to the development of Maori and indigenous peoples particularly in the practice of cultural models. She is currently working with iwi (tribal) and social services providers and practitioners. Alongside her professional social work practice Moana has also been involved in the development of her own hapu (sub-tribe) which provides a strong foundation and principles for her work. She has assisted in a number of Maori research projects which aim to achieve cultural understandings and processes to enhance oranga or wellbeing for Maori.
4A - Yarn Up / Discussion
Breaking the Spear of Trouble: Culturally determined mediation project in the West Kimberley Olive Knight - Project Leader, Maggie White, Herculeia Consulting, WA
This programme is funded to slow down alcohol-related family violence.
The concept draws on the development and use of culturally determined Alternative Dispute Resolution, and seeks to develop leadership and mediation skills that will endure and have application well beyond the project itself and the cycle of funding.
It looks at wide-ranging manifestations of family violence through the lens of post-colonial and inter-generational trauma rather than feminist theory.
The workshop will demonstrate how to support and encourage other Indigenous people to be able to ‘know what they know’ through accessing traditional and culturally determined ethically based approaches to social healing.
It will do this through a video presentation on how this cultural capital enabled the Fitzroy Crossing women to gain effective control of alcohol in their communities, and through sharing ‘teaching pictures’ and other materials.
These culturally sourced meta-frameworks inform how they use contemporary mediation and therapeutic interventions in order to develop leadership strategies and achieve community outcomes in which all are invited to take part and which seek to bring benefits to the whole community.
The overall focus of the Yarn Up workshop will be to describe how, through working with specific culturally determined processes – most interventions take place in language – and accessing memories and teaching materials drawn from their own cultural heritage of what it is to lead a rewarding and purposeful life, community members can join together in shaping a rewarding and purposeful future.
About the presenter/s
Olive Knight is a Walmajirri and Gooniyandi woman from Wangkatjungka. She is chair of the Kurungal Community Council, board member of the Kimberley Language Centre and project leader on this innovative project to develop culturally determined leadership and mediation skills to slow down alcohol related family violence and address systemic racism and inequalities.
Maggie White has backgrounds in the disability, drug and alcohol, mental health and family counselling fields and now runs her own business concentrating on supporting organisations, communities and individuals to achieve their goals, and designing and developing programmes and projects to overcome the social and economic exclusion experienced by Indigenous peoples through building cultural capacity and developing social enterprises.
5A - Yarn Up / Discussion
Developing Cultural Competency in the North Queensland Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Team Virginia Prior, Margaret Egan, Katherine Thornton - North Queensland Health, QLD
As service providers, the North Queensland Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Service is committed to delivering a culturally appropriate service. Our team is working towards Cultural Competencies which go beyond just Cultural Knowledge and Awareness. As health professionals we need the practical ability to enact that knowledge and awareness in our communication and behaviour. Our presentation relates to the service we provide, within the Dimensions of the Cultural Respect Framework.
We will share and discuss with participants group activities of the Policies from Pre-Colonisation through to Self-Determination and will provide the opportunity for participants to share information and knowledge. This YARN up / Discussion will enhance participants, ability to recognise and meet the needs of their Indigenous clients to deliver a more effective service.
About the presenter/s
Virginia Prior was born and raised on Palm Island during the era of the “Government Protection Act”. I am a descendant of the Giramay tribe of the Rain Forrest region. I have lived on the mainland (Townsville) for the last 35 years but have always maintained my cultural identity by going back to Palm Island to reconnect with my culture, traditional values, families and land.
Margaret Egan ‑ a proud Yallanga/ Gunngilita Aboriginal woman who grew up with culture and have respect for all culture. I have a huge interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health; I would like to see more Cultural Mental Health Awareness education available because of the impact and disadvantage our people experience with this Illness.
Katherine Thornton - Townsville born & bred, currently working with the North Queensland Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Team and continuing studies in Forensic Psychology.
6A – Yarn Up / Discussion
Discussion on Decolonising the self as a start to decolonising health services Jennifer Strong, Deborah Smith, Dr Rosemary Howard – Child and Family Health Centre; Karen Coventry - Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre; Dr Imelda Burgman – University of Newcastle, Kerrie-Ann Cook - Dhanggan Gudjagang Cottage, NSW
The dominant discourse in an Australian health setting is a Western medical model. The Western approach to information dissemination assumes that people will respond from a western perspective. In a colonised country where first peoples are often rendered invisible this approach has the potential to alienate indigenous clients. Indigenous inclusive research identifies an interface between indigenous and western culture, which provides an exciting opportunity for growth and change in the creation, dissemination and interpretation of information and services.
Research in New Zealand and Canada has demonstrated that an approach that includes acculturation and a holistic approach to health and wellbeing of families from indigenous backgrounds are most beneficial to these families. It has been identified that an approach that encompasses physical, mental and emotional, spiritual, and family and social wellbeing with recognition of the importance of attachment to land is needed (Durie 2002). Decolonising services and information in health (Strong 2009) would make a move towards a more culturally safe and acceptable way of involving indigenous families in supportive health programs.
Questions exist around decolonising the self as the beginning of decolonising services.
The forum will be comprised of workers in the Health system including Aboriginal workers, social workers, Psychiatrist, Occupational therapist. They will discuss the decolonisation from each perspective.
About the presenter/s
Jennifer Strong belongs to an Australian/Maori/Samoan family. She is a social worker in Child and Family Health and has 30 years experience in a variety of health settings. She is also studying her Research Masters at Newcastle Uni into Spirituality of families where there is a child with a developmental disability.
Dr Imelda Burgman lectures at the University of Newcastle in: children, youth and family practice; qualitative research; and rural and remote Occupational Therapy practice. Imelda's research focuses on children's spirituality and issues experienced by marginalised children, youth and families. Imelda has over 28 years experience working in urban, rural and remote parts of Australia and the USA.
Dr Rosemary Howard is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist working with Child and Family Health. She also works in remote areas in Central Australia every 8 weeks and half her client base there is Aboriginal.
Karen Coventry is a nurse at Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre. The Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre provides Primary Health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in The Wyong Community of the Central Coast.
Kerrie-Ann Cook is the Coordinator of Dhanggan Gudgagang Cottage, part of Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services. The Gudjagang Cottage provides programs for Mothers and Children, from birth to 5 years old.
Deborah Smith is a Wiradjuri woman with twenty years experience working in women’s health, and child protection and prevention programs. Her feminist philosophy underpins her work in the early detection and prevention of abuse, violence and neglect in the lives of women and children.
7A – Yarn Up / Discussion
Developing good resources for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander services. A panel of resource makers discuss their own learning’s about effective resource development.
SNAICC, VIC
A panel of resource makers briefly discuss their own learning’s about effective resource development.
Yarn up topics for speakers and audience include:
- Some resources I/we have made & which ones worked well, which not so well.
- Process, product, distribution, ownership, copyright & getting the balance right.
- Decision making, ethics and evaluation.
- High production values & do they matter?
Electronic distribution/promotion and www resources.
8A – Workshop - WITHDRAWN
Personalised Learning Plans Leanne McKay - Oak Flats High School, NSW
Please note that this workshop has withdrawn
9A – Workshop
Bush Babies - From Mums to Educational Leaders Mindy King, Pam Boney - Western Institute of TAFE, NSW
In July 2006, a local group of Aboriginal women met to discuss the needs, wants and dreams of the Indigenous children of Orange. This meeting culminated in the formation of a Playgroup supported by Families NSW and coordinated by Pam Boney, Aboriginal Family and Community Liaison worker. The Bush Babies Playgroup as it came to be known was given a home by Orange City Council and every Thursday Aboriginal Families came to play, do activities, support each other and celebrate their culture.
As time passed, several of the mothers identified a desire to learn more about how their children learn and what they could do to encourage this. A meeting was organised between Pam, Families NSW, several Aboriginal leaders within the community and the Western Institute of TAFE, Orange campus. They all identified a need within the community for qualified Aboriginal Early Childhood workers. All stakeholders enthusiastically committed to the inaugural Aboriginal Children’s Services class.
A pilot Statement of Attainment was organised and there were 12 eager participants. The subjects included Nutrition, Caring for Babies and responding to Illness and Accidents. The classes were at both the TAFE Campus and at the Bush Babies Playgroup.
The Certificate III in Children’s Services was offered to the completing students and was taken up by most of the ladies.
In order to provide each student with opportunities for success several considerations had to be made. To ensure the students were able and motivated to attend. Consideration of home lives and learning environments were needed.
Of the four students finished their Certificate III, three have gone on to start a Diploma of Children’s Services and all are working in childcare centres in Orange. The other student has gone on to join the Police Force, a dream she is only now realising.
The Bush Babies has given a group of women the opportunity to not only increase their knowledge of children’s learning but also their own ability, their importance in the community and an increase in their self worth and self esteem. The contribution they have made to the Aboriginal Community is immeasurable. They are inspirations, a source of knowledge and expertise for other mothers to draw from and positive role models for their children.
Corin Langley is one of the students who completed the Certificate III and is now studying the Diploma. She will be attending to offer a personal reflection of the experience and the opportunities it has presented her with.
About the presenter/s
Mindy King is a Teacher of Child Studies at the Western Institute of TAFE, Orange Campus. She taught in Preschools and Long Day Care Centres in the Central West of NSW as well as the Aboriginal community of Kalkaringi in the Northern Territory.
She has spent the last 7 years lecturing in Early Childhood Education, part time at Charles Sturt University in Dubbo and Bathurst before taking up a full time position in Orange.
She has 2 children (Grace and Oscar) and an interest in Indigenous Education and the importance of Early Learning opportunities for Indigenous children.
Pam Boney has been involved in learning programs for Indigenous children and assisting Aboriginal families all her adult life. She has a family of her own and provides guidance, support and acceptance for all families she comes in contact with.
Pam started working with families through the local schools and Families NSW and was fundamental in starting the Women’s gathering in Orange and has driven many initiatives for the Aboriginal community of Orange.
CONCURRENT SESSION B
(9 presentations to choose from – select one)
1B – Maternal Child and Health
i Koori SUPPS An Evaluation of a Program to Raise Awareness and Reduce the Incidence of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Aboriginal Communities on the South Coast of NSW Miriam Glennon, Leanne Lawrence - Barnardos South Coast, Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service, NSW
The Alcohol Education Research Foundation provided a grant to Barnardos to conduct a program in partnership with the Aboriginal Medical Services and the local Area Health Service to raise awareness of the risks of FASD in Aboriginal Communities along the South Coast of NSW. The new National Health Medical Research Council Guidelines on low risk drinking has highlighted the need to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.
Research in the last decade has found that even low levels of alcohol use can cause neurological deficits in the developing foetus which can cause permanent disadvantage to the child, the family and the community. This risk increases in disadvantaged communities. It is entirely preventable and therefore an early intervention project was developed to address this issue.
Resources were developed by Aboriginal health workers in a consultative process with local Aboriginal Communities. The program built partnerships between local agencies to work together to strengthen the community. Workers who where trained delivered the knowledge about FASD to Aboriginal Communities and to pregnant women using the recourses developed.
The program evaluation includes an evaluation of the training sessions, the usefulness of resources produced, the extent to which the project raised awareness within Aboriginal Communities. The project developed strong links between local agencies.
About the presenter/s
Miriam Glennon is a psychologist with 21 years clinical experience in the Drug and Alcohol field. She has worked in and managed a variety of D&A Services within Health.She currently works for Barnardos managing a family support service for women who are pregnant and have sustance misuse problems SUPPS.
Leanne Lawrence is the Community Services Manager at the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Services. She has many years experience working in the Drug and Alcohol field including working at Odyssey house in Sydney.
ii - paper withdrawn - Ngulyba Gunbina Gunyntharda
iii Parenting: Acknowledging a different conceptual framework Lorna Yarran - Department for Child Protection, WA
ParentSupport is an effective secondary intervention service that is strengths based and helps families to function as holistic, child‑focused systems. At the heart of the ParentSupport practice framework is the Family Functioning Profile a series of matrices designed to support a structured change process in which the goals of intervention, the pathways and timeframes to achievement are articulated and progress towards them monitored.
When the service was extended to the East Kimberley it was imperative to carry out extensive consultation to develop a culturally secure ParentSupport Program that would respond to the unique local family and community circumstances. From the consultation the service in Halls Creek is named Lirrgarn which encapsulates the concept of shared learning; that is both parties are teachers and pupils. In Kununurra the service name is Woonjoo woonjo barenjoo woothoo woothoong which means look after our kids everyone.
Consultation is currently underway in Metropolitan Perth to develop a Noongar version of the Family Functioning profile.
This paper describes the Family Functioning Profile in both versions and explains its role in direct service delivery and how it is used to build families.
About the presenter/s
My name is Lorna Yarran and I am a descendant of the Noongar and Yamaji people of Western Australia. I have more than 22 years experience of working in the social and community services fields.
I am currently employed as Senior Aboriginal Practice Development Leader for Responsible Parenting Services, Department for Child Protection in Western Australia. Part of this role involves promoting awareness of the strengths, differences and values of Aboriginal child rearing practices and respecting those differences but also acknowledging similarities to western practice.
I am committed to achieving better outcomes for Aboriginal people through human rights and social justice.
2B – Story Telling
i Our Journey My Story – the making of a literacy dilly bag Shareen Clayton, Rebecca Galea - Bankstown Community Resource Group Inc, NSW
In recognition of the integral part that oral story telling plays in Aboriginal life and in educating children, the Our Journey My Story project focused on engaging parents, extended family and community Elders in developing early literacy resources to promote the traditions of oral story telling in Aboriginal communities.
This program represented a process whereby families embarked on researching family history, dreaming stories and totems and passed this learning onto their children and therefore enhancing the connections of Aboriginal young children with their family’s journey of where they came from to where they live now.
Families were involved in developing culturally and age appropriate individual literacy resources that were put together in ‘Dilly Bags’. Families and community Elders participated in a Dilly bag weaving workshop, Elders shared stories with children and their families, scrapbooks depicting family stories, puppets of children’s totems and felt stories were developed for each child.
Once developed, Aboriginal families and their children shared their own family stories and cultural practices with local child care centre staff and children, thus, moving Aboriginal curriculum beyond tokenistic traditional notions. The sharing of these stories is imperative when recognising limited participation of Aboriginal children in pre‑school and/or early childhood programs.
Overall, Our Journey My Story provided an opportunity to piece together strong family stories, pass these stories on building not only strong kids but a strong proud mob.
About the presenter/s
Shareen Clayton has worked as a teacher’s aide supporting Aboriginal primary school children and has worked as an Aboriginal cultural worker with BCRGInc inputting the cultural aspects into the supported playgroup program.
Rebecca Galea has been the Executive Officer of BCRGInc for nearly 10 years. Throughout that time Rebecca has been involved in several Aboriginal programs implemented at BCRG. Rebecca also teaches community development and advocacy at TAFE.
ii Measuring the Impact of Cross-Cultural Storytelling as a vehicle for the development of a culturally aware & racially inclusive, multi-sector campus
Julie Mundy-Taylor - University of Newcastle, Annie Vanderwyk – Gibalee Centre, NS
Incorporating the Conference themes of: Nurturing cultural identity in children;Land, spirit culture; and Establishing evidence of effectiveness of existing practices.
This paper will outline a successfully developing program, now in its second year, conducted by the Gibalee Centre and the Ourimbah Campus Library of the University of Newcastle. The projects mandate is to showcase the cultural diversity present on the Ourimbah campus and to inspire a spirit of community through two annual signature events that highlight traditional and contemporary stories and costume of specific cultural groups represented within the student body across the campus.
Storytelling events are conducted for the children of staff and students, and family groups from the wider community during Open Day and Kids Day Out. Folktales that portray strong cultural elements are presented by a professional storyteller, and interpreted and enacted by young indigenous dancers resident in the local community. African and Australian stories were highlighted in the first year, while the second year of the program features South East Asian folktales and myths.
The project enables a strategic long term phenomenological study on the efficacy of focusing on ‘cultural diversity’ as a factor in creating a unique ‘campus culture’ within a multi-sectoral campus environment.
This paper will highlight the community-engagement aspect of the program and the collaborative team approach that is gaining strength between the University Library and the Gibalee Centre.
About the presenter/s
Annie Vanderwyk B.A. (1st Hons) PhD candidate, University of Newcastle, is an Aboriginal woman of the Ngarrindjeri nation, S.A. She is currently working in Aboriginal education as the Indigenous Community Engagement Officer at Wollotuka Institute, UNewc. Annie’s PhD research focuses on Indigenous Economic Self-Determination – Tourism, with particular interest in the maintenance of cultural integrity in Indigenous ‘signature’ cultural performance and storytelling.
Julie Mundy-Taylor B.A; Grad. Dip – Librarianship; Grad. Dip – Children’s Literature; PhD Candidate, University of Newcastle, is a university reference librarian who has previously been a Children’s Librarian in Victoria and NSW. A Professional storyteller for 17 years, Julie is now an Accredited Teller with the Australian Storytelling Guild. Julie’s PhD research focuses on the factors influencing children’s engagement with different styles of storytelling.
iii [WITHDRAWN] Learning through day by day practice, to help the future of aboriginal teenage pregnancy programs. This paper is written through the eyes of child and family health nurses.
Kim Bellingham, Vicki Ellis, Jenni Jones - Sydney South West Area Health Service, NSW
3B – Partnerships & Relationships: The Foundation for real outcomes [BOOKED OUT!]
Delivery of Quality Early Learning & Development in Remote Northern Australia “ The Challenges of the East Kimberley experience in collaboration” Juan Larranaga, Anthea Whan - Save the Children, WA
Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights development organisation, making a difference to children’s lives in more than 100 countries. From emergency relief to long‑term development, Save the Children secures a child’s right to health, education and protection.
Save the Children have been operating Early Learning and Development (ELD) programs in the remote East Kimberley since 2005 as part of the Communities for Children Initiative. Communities for Children aims to build strong communities by providing practical and educational activities for children and their families to improve their health and well‑being. Programs include:
- Early Years Network
- Mums and Bubs Playgroups
- Early Learning Programs in Warmun, Wyndham and Kununurra
- Deadly Blokes & Kids
Save the Children’s experience has been a progressive and constant learning path into the logistics of operating ELD programming in geographically remote locations. The key to our success has largely been due to the building on the available strengths and resources in the community and the development of strong and lasting relationships with local stakeholders and duty bearers. There have been significant challenges, and Save the Children has learnt from these experiences, constantly adapting its work to suit the priority and needs as identified by the community.
About the presenter/s
Juan Larranaga is the Western Australia Program Manager for Save the Children has a Master's in Public Health and 18 years experience in health, of which 8 years of this experience has been working in remote Northern Indigenous health issues. He has a solid, grounded expertise in Indigenous Primary health care research, program development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
In particular, his expertise has been in the development of evidence based, culturally safe child and maternal health.
Anthea Whan is the Project Coordinator for the Communities for Children project with Save the Children in Kununurra, Western Australia. Anthea has worked in Kununurra for the past 3½ years in the area of Indigenous community development. Anthea is currently completing a Master's in International and Community Development (Deakin University).
ii A Hearts Desire – Anita’s Story Rowena Backler - Kalwun Development Corporation / North Gold Coast Early Years Centre, QLD
This study concerns an Indigenous mother, Anita, and her 5 children aged between 2 & 15 years. Anita is a strong and independent, young mother who is determined to follow her ‘hearts desire’ in creating a better life for her children. In doing so, Anita has not only confronted her own experiences as a child which involved heavy drinking, domestic violence, living on the streets and racism but now overcome these generational patterns. Anita has moved away from these destructive forces and with Rowie’s unwavering support and commitment to her goals, Anita is for the first time, hopeful for her family’s future.
This case study provides a unique opportunity to explore how the innovative partnership model between North Gold Coast Early Years Centre and Kalwun Development Cooperation which provides Rowie’s position integrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values. Anita credits the trusting and supportive relationship with Rowie as providing her with the strength to make the right but hard choices to affect change for her family. Anita’s experiences offer a unique insight into how a strength based ‘in culture’ practice achieves real outcomes. These insights will be presented through the examination of Anita’s background, the relationship between Anita and Rowie and reflections from Anita during her journey.
About the presenter/s
Rowie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2007. She has a long history of supporting Indigenous families through roles such as delivering tours, working with high need children and now as an Indigenous Family Support Worker.
Anita has experienced many challenges growing up. She has recently moved away from her support system and by finding support, encouragement and affirmation locally is succeeding in her desire to change her life’s trajectory.
Julie, a Parent Participation Support Worker, has recently completed her Psychological Science degree with Honours. She has a strong interest in the delivery and research of services provided to families with young children.
iii Aboriginal Early Years “Pathways” Project Caroline Glass-Pattison, Jenny Sanders - Benevolent Society, NSW
The Benevolent Society is continuing their work alongside Aboriginal families through a new service being established throughout Guringai and Dharug ‑ Northern Sydney. The Aboriginal Early Years Project, ‘Pathways’, is designed to improve the well being of young children and their families who are from Aboriginal backgrounds. An Aboriginal Early Years Worker has been engaging the communities and providing parenting support and access to services and support groups.
The service focus is on the ‘doing and showing’ and the development of practical life skills to support the families in raising their preschool aged children.
There has long been a misconception that there are few Aboriginal people in Gurignai and Dharug Northern Sydney regions. The Early Years Pathways project within the Guringai and Dharug homelands will build on a current community engagement.
The Aboriginal Early Years Project will work in partnership with families and work closely with Health services, Early Childhood services, Schools, Housing, Centrelink, and local Aboriginal community groups finding pathways to support families.
Through affirming parenting skills, linking families to services and support groups, and providing practical assistance, families will become more aware of the importance of engaging children in play, reading and age appropriate activities and in giving the best possible start for children in the very early years of their life.
About the presenter/s
Caroline Glass-Pattison I am an Aboriginal woman from the homelands of Dungutti (Northern NSW) and Wiradjuri (South Eastern NSW). I have 6 years Local Government experience in Aboriginal Community Development.
Currently I am Secretary of Guringai Local Education Consultative Group. I understand the importance of community engagement, wellbeing and inclusiveness.
I have held such positions as the Chairperson for Manly Council's Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Committee, member for Northern Sydney Executive Aboriginal Child Youth Family Strategy, Department of Community Services Aboriginal Advisory Committee, and Co‑Chair for Guringai Regional Festival.
Jenny Saunders - Aboriginal Family Worker
4B Yarn Up / Discussion
White Fella Law Black Fella Lore Joe Harman, Ronald Ebsworth, Louise Coady - Penrith Family Mediation Centre, NSW
In 2006 the Family Law Act introduced the requirement for compulsory Family Dispute Resolution before parenting proceedings were commenced. As part of this new regime Family Relationship Centres and other FDR services have been established throughout Australia.
Most FDR services employ a rigid model that controls discussion and limits attendance to parents. These processes are often inaccessible and forbidding to Indigenous clients and don't acknowledge the role of extended family and community.
How can FDR work better for aboriginal families and children? What steps have or might be taken to make FDR more accessible to Indigenous clients and help them take control of the process, their lives and, ultimately, allow Aboriginal parents and family make arrangements without Courts or lawyers.
This session will seek to elicit feedback from service users as well as presenting a range of views and initiatives from service providers to open a dialogue for enhancement of future services.
About the presenter/s
Joe Harman is a mediator and family lawyer working in Penrith and the Central West. Joe has over 20 years of experience and is particularly known and recognised for his work with Indigenous clients before the Court and especially in mediation. Joe won a Stop Domestic Violence Day award for his work with Koori women.
Ronald Ebsworth is a Koori man and, until recently, the Manager of Marrin Weejali Centre at Emerton. Ronald is not a Project Officer for the Aboriginal Medical Service. Ronald was instrumental in working with Louise Coady, a solicitor from the Penrith Legal Aid Office, in establishing a legal outreach service through Marrin Weejali.
Louise Coady is a solicitor in private practice working in family law and primarily in the State Care & Protection field. Louise had previously headed the Legal Aid Commission's Aboriginal Outreach Service providing advice to Aboriginal parents and families and with a view to keeping those families out of the care system (and working closely with Ronald Ebsworth). Louise has a predominantly Aboriginal client base and has particular passion for working with and engaging Aboriginal clients.
5B – Yarn Up / Discussion
Mungullah Kids Starting School Dr Libby Lee-Hammond, Murdoch University, WA
In this forum, Libby will present a DVD made collaboratively with Mungullah Aboriginal Community. The DVD is a follow up to the earlier documentary produced in 2004 and distributed by the Aboriginal Education and Training Council of Western Australia, titled "Best Start". This follow up tracks the kids in the first DVD into their early years of school. Interviews with parents and teachers highlight some of the issues about parentschool partnerships, the things that work in the transition to school as well as areas for improvement. The DVD was made as part of a longer term project and Libby will briefly explain this context before facilitating a group discussion about school transitions for Aboriginal kids and ways to involve parents in a genuine education partnership.
Examples from the DVD will give the participants a starting point to discuss parent participation and involvement in early years transitions to school. Transition from home to school is a critical point in determining school success and is often the point where Aboriginal parents feel least empowered to support their children. We will yarn about what are the ways to strengthen parent involvement? how can we prepare kids and families for the transition to school? How can we prepare schools and non-Aboriginal teachers to be welcoming, culturally sensitive and provide environments where children and families feel welcome and included.
Libby will share the story of Mungullah Kids going to school with the following mums from Mungullah Aboriginal Community in Western Australia, Janine Bailey, Jocelyn Dodd, Lorraine Dodd and Gloria Sampi.
About the presenter/s
Dr Libby Lee‑Hammond is an education researcher at Murdoch University in Perth, WA. Libby has a particular passion for early childhood education and social justice. Her relationship with the Mungullah Aboriginal Community goes back to 2004 and continues to the present. Libby's ancestors were the Skolt Sami, the Aboriginal people of Norway and Finland. The Sami were colonised by Christians and their culture slowly eroded. The traditions and spirituality of the Sami share many similarities with those of Aboriginal Australians and they also the same traditional colours of red, black and yellow. Libby has a deep and long held commitment to work consistently to effect change in education provision and outcomes for Aboriginal children in Australia.
Libby will share the story of Mungullah Kids going to school with the following mums from Mungullah Aboriginal Community in Western Australia, Janine Bailey, Jocelyn Dodd, Lorraine Dodd and Gloria Sampi.
6B Workshop
Nunga Fellas Group Tui Leleisiuao, Rosko Tanimu - Centacare Social Services, SA
The Student MatterS Program (SMS) is an early intervention support service for students at high schools, whom may be experiencing issues of conflict, homelessness and school retention to some extant. We offer a one on one service; however, the one‑on‑one therapeutic model of engagement does not work within the core population of Aboriginal youth and is not culturally appropriate in resolving the complexities and difficulties that our young fellas face on a daily basis. Aboriginal (Nunga) Group component of SMS address the same issues, however in a more holistic and cultural appropriate format, evidence highlights the need to approach behavioural issues for Aboriginals youth in group participation. The Whare Tapa Wha Model, used in New Zealand is also utilised for Aboriginal youth engagement as similar issues exists with both cultural youth groups. Many of our Aboriginal fella’s have experienced the judicial system in one way or another. Through our program, trust and Rapp.
In this workshop we will discuss our model and will introduce workshop participants to the practice of motivational interviewing techniques as a strategy to enhance our pride, identity and culture as Indigenous people.
About the presenter/s
Tui Leleisiuao: BTHEOL, Soc.Work Dip. Narrative Therapist, is a Social Worker/ Counsellor has considerable experience working with youth at risk in New Zealand and implementing a cultural model in South Australia’s metropolitan Aboriginal youth community has brought considerable success. Tui has presented in the USA, Alaska within the Inuit community and other parts of Australia. An avid Rugby Head, who loves to support the under dog.
Ross Tanimu: BA, is presently employed in the capacity of a coach, mentor working with Aboriginal youth, whilst commencing the thesis component of a Legal Study Honours Degree in 2009. Rosko’s thesis investigates the use of sports to minimise anti‑social behaviour by youth in general. Combined with extensive experience in coaching youth in sports with credentials in junior rugby State coach, combined state Aboriginal rugby team assistant manager for National selection titles and Ball Boy co‑ordinator for Rugby World 7’s, has given the ability to observe the correlation that exists between Aboriginal youth, sports, wellbeing and social behaviour.
7B –Workshop
Country Town, Country Kidz: connecting young parents in Condobolin Liz MacRaild - NSW Department of Community Services, Jackie Powell, Sue Thomas – Central West Family Support Service, NSW
We will describe and workshop steps to connect with young Aboriginal parents in a small country town and link them to each other and services that support them and their children’s health and learning.
Country Kidz is a highly visible main street drop in centre in a vacant shop, attracting young Aboriginal mums who don’t have much contact with support services. It offers a safe place to hang out in town and provides programs, information and contacts supporting pregnancy, birth and parenting of up to 3 year old children. Some of the things we do are short play sessions focussed on language development, modelling of parenting skills, discipline and talking and playing with kids. Parents share in the running of the centre and can attend community education sessions, training and other activities.
The workshop will be set up as a learning exchange so we all learn from each other. We will introduce a facilitated interagency planning session where participants will be asked to look at establishing such a drop-in centre in their own community, focusing on potential partnerships, opportunities for funding and other support. It will cover street smart community education, and create a plan that engages the whole of the town in messages about the importance of early learning. For us some of these messages have been Condo Cares (community role in supporting parents raise kids) and Launch into Learning (importance of early learning programs). In the workshop we will also present ‘take-away talk’, short play sessions using the ‘shoe box’ and other resources we have found successful in encouraging parents to talk purposefully to their kids and extend their language development.
About the presenter/s
Jackie is a Wiradjuri woman born in Condobolin where she is raising her four children. She is studying Certificate IV in Community Services and enjoys her job working with young Aboriginal mums.
Sue is also a long term Condobolin resident and has worked in a number of different jobs in education, training and welfare always interested in new ways of building community strengths.
Liz lives in Orange and has worked in community development and policy roles. She is interested in communities as open and inclusive places for everyone to live in.
8B - Workshop [BOOKED OUT!]
Cultural Awareness – a workshop for non-Aboriginal people Mary Watson - Wiyiliin ta Child & Adolescent Counselling Service, NSW
Building networks with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people: A workshop for non-Aboriginal people.
Recently we have been developing opportunities for non-Aboriginal people to talk together about issues that arise in networking with Aboriginal communities and services. We have been considering the key roles we play as non-Aboriginal workers and how this contributes to the meaning of our work together. We have been reflecting for some time on managing our anxieties about making mistakes whilst we build networks and friendships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This is a workshop for non-Aboriginal people who would like to connect more closely with the richness of building networks and friendships with Aboriginal communities and will build on the knowledge and experience of participants.
About the presenter/s
Senior clinical psychologist, has been working together with local Aboriginal people since 1993 mainly from Awabakal, Worimi, Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi language areas within a team of Aboriginal Counsellors/Social workers/psychologists and non-Aboriginal Psychologists and Psychiatric Registrars and Consultants.
9B – Workshop - BOOKED OUT
Through Young Black Eyes SNAICC, VIC
This WORKSHOP IS NOW BOOKED OUT you may like to attend the Pre-Conference Workshop instead.
This workshop is for people who want to run workshops about the prevention of family violence in their own community or organisation, and are looking for inspiration, ideas and practical strategies.
In this workshop, presenters and participants will discuss strategies about how to run a community workshop on:
- Family and community strengths and what we want for our children
- Family violence and its effect on children
- Child abuse and neglect
- Child sexual abuse and/or
- Developing a child safe community
The presenters will draw from their own experience as well as from the Through Young Black Eyes Workshop Kit produced by SNAICC to provide tips and strategies and share success stories about running a successful workshop.
About the presenter/s
The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
CONCURRENT SESSION C
(9 presentations to choose from – select one)
1C – Strengthening Organisational Capacity to deliver Culturally Appropriate Disability Services
i National Disability Services NSW Aboriginal Resources & Pathway Project John Gilroy, National Disability Services, NSW
NDS will discuss the successes of the Aboriginal Resources and Pathways pilot. The ARP pilot is a two‑year (July 2007 ‑ June 2009) DADHC funded pilot to identify and promote effective ways for disability service providers to provide services and support for Aboriginal people with disabilities. The pilot was developed in response to concerns and requests from disability service providers for capacity building assistance in networking with local Aboriginal communities. The ARP pilot covers the whole of DADHC Metro South Region and the NSW South Coast (Wollongong, Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley Shires). More background information is available on the NDS ARP website www.nds.org.au/nsw/aboriginal.html.
About the presenter/s
John Gilroy is a Yuin man and the NDS Aboriginal Resources and Pathways Project Manager. John has successfully managed the project through the pilot phase and will manage the expansion of ARP projects. John is a doctoral candidate at the University of Sydney, investigating key factors that are attributable to the uptake of disability services in Aboriginal communities.
ii Common Ground Ruby Wright- Connect Child & Family Services, NSW WITHDRAWN
iii – Our responsibility begins with the power to imagine Michelle Bates- Lifestyle Solutions (Aust), NSW
Lifestyle Solutions (Aust) is an established leader in the areas of provision of support and assistance to people with diverse needs, by providing home and accommodation options, day programs, attendant care, mentoring programs, lifetime care, criminal justice support, and our work with children and young people in out of home care, and camp programs.
The following forms the basis of the proposed presentation:
- Building on Lifestyle Solutions proven experience of partnering with individuals and their families to host self managed and family governed support arrangements, Lifestyle Solutions successfully completed a two year pilot project‑ ‘My Life My Choice My Future’ Self Management model of support specifically for school leavers with disability in NSW.
- Lifestyle Solutions have partnered with more than 40 families, including Indigenous young people, across NSW to facilitate family control and authority over program planning and we have seen many positive outcomes.
The service areas of Family Governance, Self management and Self Directed arrangements are underpinned by principles including:
- A person centred approach to planning using creative thinking in partnership.
- Acknowledgment that genuine partnership (between service/agency & family/individual will get people support they need, when they need it.
- agency role in assisting families and individuals to assert authority and control over decisions that directly affect them
- Assisting families & Individuals to pursue culturally typical life experiences which reflect their identity.
The lessons learned can be applied to all areas of support and service to all members of our communities. For Aboriginal people, the principles of self management have potential to align well with kinship and family arrangements. A person centred approach to support and service forms the backdrop for offering genuinely relevant and meaningful service to people, empowering people to utilise and build on their strengths, and further develop cultural identity and a sense of place.
About the presenter/s
Michelle has worked for many years in varied roles in support of children, young people and adults and their families, in particular in the area of disability support. Michelle has completed study in the areas of Sociology, Education & Disability Studies. Her favourite work experiences are those that involve working closely alongside families and individuals to plan well, problem solve, think creatively, dream big, connect with others and achieve meaningful & typical life experiences. Michelle believes in the value of the ‘everydayness’ of life whilst assisting people to achieve their dreams.
2C – Cultural Competency in Child & Family Services: Principles & Practices
i Building a Collaborative Relationship Fran Quigley - Relationships Australia Ballarat, VIC
This paper outlines the work undertaken by Relationships Australia Ballarat to improve access to this service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. It identifies the current context for Aboriginal people in regard to accessing mainstream services including some of the barriers and challenges for mainstream services to address these issues. This paper will outline the two staged approach undertaken by Relationships Australia (RAV) Ballarat to developing a partnership with the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC). It also presents the process used for improving access to specific services provided by RAV Ballarat. It briefly acknowledges the National and Statewide initiatives for Relationships Australia to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and finally it provides a summary of some initiatives and plans for continuing this work.
About the presenter/s
Fran Quigley is a Social Worker employed at Relationships Australia Ballarat as a relationship counsellor and child consultant. She became involved in this collaborative work during stage one of the project undertaken by Relationships Australia Ballarat and the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative. In her role she currently has responsibility for liaising with BADAC and RA, she also sits on an Indigenous Working Group for RAV and is a member of RAIN the National Relationships Australia Indigenous Network. Fran also works directly with clients providing counselling, advocacy and support.
ii Not Just Kids Play – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Playgroups Lesley Olsen- Playgroup Queensland, QLD
This presentation will discuss the ways in which Playgroup Queensland works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and families to establish and maintain playgroups in their communities.
Several studies have confirmed that many of the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, parents, extended families and communities are often overlooked and diminished by well intentioned practitioners. Playgroup Queensland staff work with the communities to identify the best way that a playgroup can operate in that particular community, rather than following a one size fits all format.
Quality early childhood education and care influences a range of outcomes in later life and through engaging the families and the communities in supported playgroups, the children are able to participate in early childhood activities in a non‑threatening environment and the families and communities can come together with the common goal of giving the young children the best opportunity available. While the children are participating in play‑based early childhood activities, the parents and caregivers are becoming more confident, both in their parenting role and within their community.
About the presenter/s
Lesley Olsen is the Early Intervention Manager for Playgroup Queensland. Lesley has worked for Playgroup Queensland for more than 10 years and for all of that time has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander playgroups throughout Queensland.
iii – Aboriginal Service Delivery Principles Guiding Mainstream Service Delivery Rita Perkons, David Towney - UnitingCare Children, Young People & Families, NSW
This paper traces the development of Aboriginal Service Delivery Principles by UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families ‑ a mainstream non‑government organisation working with disadvantaged children, young people and families in New South Wales ‑ as a means to think through and make wise decisions on how services for Aboriginal people are planned, implemented, reviewed and supported.
The paper explores the consultation and endorsement process undertaken with the Aboriginal staff and its working group "Jaanimili" to derive the principles and decision making criteria that will apply to four service delivery options. The options discussed are: (i) the provision of mainstream services for Aboriginal people; (ii) the provision of Aboriginal specific services within a mainstream organisation; (iii) transferring Aboriginal specific services to Aboriginal managed and run services; (iv) supporting Aboriginal managed services to provide Aboriginal specific services.
The paper concludes by discussing the steps that will now be taken to make sure that the principles become a practical tool that assists in shaping effective, meaningful and participatory service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in New South Wales.
About the presenter/s
Rita Perkons is the Director of Social Justice, Partnerships and Communication with UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families which includes UnitingCare Burnside. Rita was the Foundation Chair and is a member of the organisation's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initiatives Working Group "Jaanimili" that is focussed on enhancing and strengthening the recruitment, retention and service delivery processes. Rita's Masters dissertation explored inter‑cultural organisational development and she has many years experience in addressing and shaping inter‑cultural issues in the community services sector.
David Towney - I am a Wiradjuri Aboriginal man. My family and I were raised at Peak Hill, in central NSW.
I am a son, a father, a grandfather, an uncle and cousin, cultural learner and mentor, member of an Aboriginal Men's group, community volunteer and football manager. I have completed my HSC in Dubbo in 1986. Since that time, I have moved around the state in various roles in Federal and State government, community and my own organisation. My career roles have included Aboriginal Road Safety Officer in the RTA, Aboriginal Police Liaison, Aboriginal Natural Resource Officer, Aboriginal Heritage Officer, Coordinator of Peak Hill Local Aboriginal Land Council, and a casual TAFE teacher in Aboriginal Education.
Currently, I am working with UnitingCare Children Young People & Families, as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initiatives Project Leader. This position requires me to work in partnership with the mainstream programs and assisting them in making their services more accessible and appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service users. Another important part of the role is to develop links and relationships with the Aboriginal communities within NSW so that we can consult with them on service delivery and design issues.
3C – Local Government Working with Aboriginal Communities
i paper withdrawn
ii Stories on the Floor – Local Government & Strength Based Community Development in action Lianne Tasker- Walgett Shire Council, NSW
Local Government is well placed to develop pathways that enable communities to grow. Adopting a strength based approach to community development requires a shift in thinking that puts people first. Participants will follow the journey of 'stories on the floor' an asset based approach to developing early literacy with children 0 5 and their families. The 'stories on the floor' project engages Aboriginal communities living in Walgett. The presentation outlines how Council's internal and external asset mapping provided a new approach to developing real and locally owned community responses. The session demonstrates how Local Government can engage with communities in a way that is strength based and culturally responsive.
About the presenter/s
Lianne Tasker has a Master of Social Science and Post Graduate qualifications in Counselling and Community Welfare. She has over 20 years experience in service delivery and community development with diverse groups and communities. Lianne is currently working with Walgett Shire Council in the role of Manager ‑ Community Development & Tourism.
iii – Makin Tracks: Our Journey Jodie Clarke, Nicole Hayward - City of Armadale, W
Our presentation ‘Makin Tracks: Our Journey’, takes the participant on a localised journey of successes and challenges, highs and lows that the Champion Centre and its partners have been on for the last year.
In the 18 months since its doors were opened, the Champion Centre has become a significant focal point for programs and activities that support Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people within the City of Armadale.
With recent confirmation of a further two years FaHCSIA funding through the Family Support Program, the Centre is set to move into a new phase of its development and the City is keen to involve current and potential partners to develop and support partnerships that delivers services and programs for Aboriginal people in Armadale (rather that duplicating services).
Services and programs that are already underway at the centre have had a positive impact on local Aboriginal families and it's clear that there is a demand for the centre to grow as a major hub for the provision of services, programs and information.
There is a shared understanding amongst the major stakeholders about the general concept of the centre and the presentation reflects this.
About the presenter/s
Jodie Clarke is a Noongar woman, mother of three children, Coordinator of the Champion Centre and is always eager to confront new & invigorating challenges. She has 19 years of professional experience in an administrative and community development capacity working with Aboriginal people as well as having many years experience at the ‘coal face’ in the dealing with the issues that are faced by her people.
Nicole Hayward, a Nyoongar woman living and raising family in the community for 11 years. Past work has included Aged Care, Family and Children Services and Juvenile Justice. Currently employee of the City of Armadale, working within the Champion Centre, committed to working with the Aboriginal community and issues facing the community, in bridging the gap and building positive relationships.
4C - Identity
i Reinvigorating Maori Identity through Mau Rakau (a traditional Maori martial art) Anaru Eketone - University of Otago, NZ
In the 1960’s the New Zealand government changed its policy towards its Indigenous people from a process of assimilation to one of integration with the mainstream population. This policy was in many ways a response to the rapid change in Maori society where its urban population had gone from 25 to 75 in the 30 years after World War II.
For many, urbanisation brought a degree of dislocation from Maori culture and language. It is often the children and grand children of the immigrants to the cities who look for opportunities to have a greater connection with the Maori world and reinvigorate their Maori identity.
This paper discusses the experiences of a group of men involved in mau rakau, a traditional Maori martial art, and the role it plays in enabling a greater connection to the Maori world in a way that also reinvigorates a positive masculinity.
About the presenter/s
Anaru Eketone is a senior lecturer in the Department of Social Work and Community Development at the University of Otago. Before that he worked for 10 years as a youth worker in South Auckland and 6 years as a Maori Health Promoter in Otago.
ii Aboriginal Men Regaining Their Self Identity: A Personal Reflection Les Ahoy JP - Catholic Community Services, NSW
Listening my Great Grandfather and Grandfather and many others like them, it is little secret that most Aboriginal men have had their stable base of life and self identity taken away from them through the effects of colonisation and its processes, and that those processes have been instrumental in shaping many Aboriginal men's self identity today.
These processes have seen many Aboriginal men's roles and responsibilities forcibly removed along with the suppression of his cultural lifestyle and for some the forced removal from his family and community. Such processes have compelled many Aboriginal men to adjust dramatically to a lifestyle which in most cases is not very accepting or supportive of them. This is a lifestyle of 'helplessness' in which after much repeated put-downs, they become accustomed to such a lifestyle and in doing so, they tend to develop a strong sense of hopelessness and worthlessness and a sense that they have no control over their life.
A renewed focus towards change has begun. Aboriginal men themselves have come to realise that they must be given the opportunity to once again become empowered to regain their self identity.
About the presenter/s
Les Ahoy JP is from the Nunnawunna Clan of the Ainawain Nation of Armidale in the New England Region of NSW. His Mum is of the Dhunghutti Nation and his Dad was of the Eora Nation. Les is proud of his Aboriginality and takes every opportunity to promote it.
iii Mana Tane - Return to our creation stories and ancestral knowledge to enlighten our roles and responsibilities, Inia Eruera - Amokura Family Violence Prevention Consortium, Northland, New Zealand
Maori men alongside their non-Maori brothers have gathered to find solutions to the many challenges faced by them and their whanau (families). In the spirit of kotahitanga (oneness) a group of men have mobilised to make a stand against violence and to model strong and resilient relationships in their communities. Most of these men are employed as practitioners, managers and community workers effective across the health, sports and recreation, education and social services sectors. To anchor themselves in their work they have sought to explore their collective and individual cultural identities. Through looking at the sacred knowledge passed down from their ancestors they have rediscovered Te Ao Maori (a Maori worldview) which informs their traditional roles and responsibilities within the context of whanau, hapu, iwi (families, sub-tribes and tribes) and the wider urban and rural communities.
'Mana Tane' refers to the intrinsic qualities and powers of men which define them as grandfathers, fathers, partners, uncles, brothers, leaders, protectors, guardians, servants and nurturers. There is resurgence amongst men to congregate, cooperate and deliver service to the community. Whether this be as a response to the prevalence of violent crimes committed by males or as a willingness to support the future security (and sanctity) of our families, who knows? But it's happening now and we are drawn to surf this wave. Let's join in this journey of self re-discovery and service.
About the presenter/s
Inia Eruera is from the iwi (tribes) of Te Whanau a Apanui, Rangitane, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Raukawa. He lives in Whangarei, Tai Tokerau (Northland), Aotearoa (New Zealand) with his wife Moana and two sons, Kahurangi and Rahuikura. Inia has worked within the education, health and social services sectors for the last 15 years. His current role is Outreach Manager for the Amokura Family Violence Prevention Consortium, a Tai Tokerau iwi-led initiative to eliminate violence within families. This work encompasses a broad range of community-awareness raising, education, resource development and event management activities.
Inia has been involved with significant health promotion, social marketing and violence prevention activities in Northland. e.g. the White Ribbon Day Motorcycle and Classic Car Run - where over 200 men drove their vehicles around the Northern region of New Zealand to support the kaupapa (purpose) of making a stand against violence towards women (and whanau). He has also managed the implementation of the 'Step Back' brand which encourages families, especially young people to seek alternatives to violence by 'stepping back'. In 2007, Inia led a regional men's cardiovascular health project for the Northland District Health Board called 'One Heart Many Lives'.
5C – Yarn Up / Discussion
Bush Adventure Therapy Activities – the Santa Teresa Horse Program Chris Wallace, Will McGegor, Wayne Clarke, Charlie Hodgson, Chris Hawke - Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, NT
A DVD has been made looking at two recent 5day horse treks around Santa Teresa. The presenters workshop will use the DVD to lead discussion about ways of empowering local senior men and women in the delivery of programs for Indigenous youth at risk. Adventure therapy programs in areas where the community have expertise and skills are valuable ways of supporting strong families to work within their own family networks. These programs also can assist outside community members to learn about an Aboriginal framework for healing.
Santa Teresa has a long proud tradition of horsemanship. In recent times the young people on the community have struggled with substance misuse, self-harm and depression. Chris Wallace was employed as a local Aboriginal AOD/family support worker. With funds from DEETYWA he was able to engage older stockmen to train up some of the young men in horse breaking and stockwork. They broke in a mob of local horses. With Bushmob, they organised a five day horse trek targeting at risk young people. The trek also provided a venue for local and national youth workers, police, and educational workers in the local framework for healing. The initial trip had some ten local horsemen working with about forty participants. A second trip in June 2009 had a similar number of participants and large involvement by local community members. This included senior women providing training in bush medicines and traditional healing.
About the presenter/s
Chris Wallace is an Arrentre man living and working at Santa Teresa. He is the AOD Worker. He is a noted horseman and the lead singer‑songwriter for the South East Band. Chris has worked to develop local male leadership around issues affecting the community.
Will McGregor founded Bushmob in Alice Springs in the late 1990s. Bushmob developed activity based programs that included going back to the bush targeted to teenagers living in the towncamps with a history of petrol sniffing. More recently Bushmob has worked with Santa Teresa to deliver two five day horse treks within local cultural frameworks of healing. Both trips engaged three generations of Indigenous horsemen working as a team to provide an adventure for visiting and resident young people.
Wayne Clarke is the manager of Bushmob outreach services. Previously he was the senior Indigenous policy officer with NTFACS.
Charlie Hodgson is currently the co‑ordinator of NTH&CS Men's Health in remote Central Australia. Previously he was employed as a suicide prevention worker providing programs in Santa Teresa.
Chris Hawke is the Community Development worker/ counsellor based at Santa Teresa. Previously he was involved in a number of fathers and men's initiatives in northern NSW and nationally.
6C –Yarn Up / Discussion
Speak Up: Creating primary prevention resources to address Aboriginal Child Sexual Assault Pamela Hansford and Nita Dowel, NSW Department of Corrective Service, NSW
The discussion forum will present Speak Up, a multimedia resource made by the NSW department of Corrective Services with the participation of over 200 Aboriginal people. The Speak Up DVD comprises interviews that provide powerful insights into the dynamics of child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities. The resource highlights perpetrator tactics and the need for increased community awareness, adult responsibility for protecting children, practical prevention strategies and good news stories about communities taking positive steps towards prevention.
The resources invite adults to yarn up about child sexual assault. The package is designed to be used in multiple ways: by individuals to get information; by facilitators as a discussion starter in community groups; by communities with service providers to develop more effective partnerships and services; for community planning workshops to develop local prevention plans; in secondary and tertiary education; to train workers; and for cultural competency training.
In this resource Aboriginal people take the lead in addressing the issues surrounding child sexual assault. This unique resource provides tools for community engagement, education and primary prevention.
The presenters will:
- Talk about the background of the project, including the process of consultation involved in production
- Preview some of the 2 hours of multimedia content from the resource. We will screen a selection of the 38 segments from the documentary DVD, ranging from 6 minutes to 2 minutes in length
- Demonstrate the flexibility of the resources for use with audiences who are at different levels of need, understanding and motivation to engage with issues of child sexual assault
- Give examples of some of the multiple contexts in which the resource can be used by government, non-government and community
- Demonstrate how the resource can be utilised to promote discussion.
About the presenter/s
Pamela Hansford is a social researcher employed in the NSW Justice sector and is currently completing a PhD at the Graduate School of Government, Sydney University. In 2008 she was the recipient of the inaugural NSW Premier's award for academic excellence. She coordinated the development of Speak Up.
Nita Dowel is a Darkinjung woman from the Central Coast. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Welfare Studies) and has worked for NSW Corrective Services for eighteen years. She assisted in the development of Speak Up.
7C – Yarn Up / Discussion
Working Round In Circles Melinda Brown - Interrelate Family Centre, NSW
Sitting and ‘yarning’ in a circle is the way that Aboriginal people traditionally communicate - it represents respect and equality for it’s participants, yet has unspoke rules and ‘lores’ to which participants adhere to.
By using the Circle concept, groups can be formed to achieve many types of outcomes, from simple yarning, to deep spiritual healing.
The aim of the ‘Working Round in Circles’ discussion would be to provide the group with idea’s on a ‘Best Practice Model’ for working in Circles with Aboriginal people.
During the Discussion, I would discuss explore topics such as:
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Cultural safety
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Importance & meaning of the Circle
- Physical set up a circle
- Ideas for what Circles can be used for‑ with a particular focus on Healing Circles.
- Issues that can be discussed in circles
- How to engage the group in the topic
About the presenter/s
Melinda Brown is a Ngunnawal Aboriginal woman, with many years experience in Welfare, Child Protection, Counselling and Group Work, and is currently undertaking a Master’s in Indigenous Studies, in the areas of Trauma and Well‑Being.
Melinda has won an ACT Public Service award for ‘Most Improved Services to Indigenous Children and Young People’, and is involved in a range of Aboriginal Committees and Groups on both local and National levels.
Combining Melinda’s counselling skills and knowledge of alternative therapies, she has a strong commitment to empowering her people to heal themselves, physically and spiritually.
8C – Workshop - [WITHDRAWN]
Building Strengths Together Kerry Grace- MiiMi Aboriginal Corporation, NSW
9C – Workshop
Age of the Senses – Inspired Early Childhood & Parent Education Jane Hanckel - Spirit of Childhood Foundation, NSW
Successfully supporting parents and children in Indigenous communities, the Inspir=Ed program helps parents to connect with their children between 0 and 5 by creating calm and nurturing environments, modeling sensitive adult‑child relationships and fostering creative and imaginative play.
The program uses culturally appropriate storytelling, singing, circle, hand gesture and movement games and imaginative play to help create stronger parent‑child bonds, increase parent‑child skills and increase capacity for joy and happiness in the parent‑child relationships.
In the workshop participants will have the opportunity to experience how simple, affordable natural materials can be used to create creative and nurturing environments for children.
Outcomes of the working the Inspir=Ed programs and training include ‑ Children have a strong sense of identity and well being ‑ Children are confident and involved learners ‑ Children participate in relationships and communities.
I’ve noticed the changes in my children’s behaviour’ kids just love playing with all the natural toys and they use their own imagination a lot more it’ made it a lot easier for me. Parent and Program participant, I would love to see the program available in all Aboriginal Medical Services. Pamela Simon, Indigenous Early Intervention Co‑Ordinator, Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Campbelltown, Sydney.
About the presenter/s
Jane Hanckel has researched early childhood and parent education world wide. She believes that in order to provide support for children and their families we must think outside the box ‑ by looking to an education that fosters creativity, connection and security in an environment where respect, responsibility, rights and reflection are valued.
CONCURRENT SESSION D
(8 presentations to choose from – select one)
1D – Cultural Competency in Family Services
i Strength–Based Cultural & Family Partnership approach in a mainstream community child health service Maureen Marczak, Sonya Preston - Child & Youth Health – Bayside, Metro South Health Service District, QLD
Indigenous children’s healthy development, particularly in the early years has been recognised as a crucial determinant of lifelong health, well‑being and competence. Using a strength based cultural and family partnership approach within mainstream service provision enables Indigenous families and communities enhanced self efficacy to explore family issues through building on their strengths in a genuine and culturally respectful manner.
Indigenous Child Health Worker roles were introduced to deliver culturally and clinically competent health promotion and primary health care services for infants, toddlers, children and their families. This paper will describe the strength‑based cultural and family partnership approach adopted at a local level to deliver mainstream child health services to Indigenous families and their children. It will explain practical strategies implemented to nurture cultural competency within mainstream services, identify ways of ensuring services are culturally secure and techniques to ensure that they work within the cultural norms. The focus of the clinical interventions are strength based and threefold whereby it involves the identified strengths in the child, the family and the community and through adopting such an approach it mobilises the family and community’s capacity to make a positive difference for children and their families.
About the presenter/s
Maureen Marczak has worked as an Indigenous Health Worker for the past twenty years and has worked as an Advanced Indigenous Health Worker within Metro South Health Service District - Bayside since 1996. The first ten years as a Hospital Community Liaison Officer (Generalist) and the past 3½ years as an Indigenous Child Health Worker.
Maureen has a Certificate and Diploma in Primary Health Care & Health Science. She has attended Family CARE, Family Partnerships, Indigenous Triple P, Growing Strong and SmokeCheck training. Maureen has been instrumental in the implementation of the Stradbroke Island Child Health Outreach Service, the outcome being a 60 increase in Indigenous customer access to Child Health Services.
Since 2001, Sonya Preston has worked as the Nurse Unit Manager within Child and Youth, Metro South Health Service District‑Bayside. This role provides clinical support and leadership to nursing staff within Child Health, School Health, School‑Based Youth Health and Paediatric Ambulatory Services.
Sonya is a registered nurse and endorsed midwife. Sonya has also completed a Bachelor of Nursing (Post‑Registration); Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Child & Adolescence Health); Graduate Certificate in Health Management and a Masters of Public Health (Health Promotion).
Sonya’s clinical experience includes general nursing specialising in burns nursing; midwifery; rural & remote nursing; child health including residential care, school health and school‑based youth health nursing.
ii - Working Together: Cultural adaptation of training programs to support Aboriginal workers involved in outreach to families & infants Lynn Briggs, Sharon Gorton, Helen Lenga- Queen Elizabeth Centre, VIC
VACCHO have been supporting the cultural adaptation of two core training programs delivered by QEC Education Unit, focussed on enhancing the development of workers engaged in infant and family work. The project, funded by the Victorian Government Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, has involved VACCHO and QEC staff exploring the suitability and adaptation of training content of the Family Partnership model and Keys to Caregiving training programs for Aboriginal In Home Support Staff. The process of cultural attunement commenced with consultation and relationship building, cultural training for QEC staff and participation of VACCHO project staff in training for a mainstream audience. The shared understanding of cultural pathways and community needs has been a valuable process for both QEC and VACCHO. In this presentation staff will share their journey and experience of working together to adapt and deliver training programs in four sites across Victor.
The Keys to CaregivinG series was designed to provide parents and caregivers with knowledge about infants & their states, response patterns and non verbal language. Application of knowledge about infant cues increases understanding of infants, helps frame interactions and leads to richer and more positive relationships with young children. When home visitors and maternity unit staff know about these concepts and share them with parents, parents are empowered in their relationship with their baby.
Family Partnership Training is based on the highly acclaimed, evidence based model developed by Hilton Davis and his colleagues. The Family Partnership model has been widely implemented around the world and is the basis for many successful early intervention programs for families. The model assists practitioners to develop highly respectful and reflective relationships with parents, resulting in increased skills and confidence in the process of engaging and relating to parents and supporting them effectively.
About the presenter/s
Lynn Briggs is a proud and strong Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri Woman with 4 children and 7 grandchildren. She has over 33 years experience in Aboriginal Health that has included Manager of the Women and Children's (Maternity) Program at VAHS. Lynn is also an active member of the Victorian Aboriginal community and sits on numerous Boards of Management and Advisory Committees. Lynn's career has transitioned to Senior Project Officer and facilitator with the VACCHO ETU. Her role includes co facilitation and encouraging in home Support workers in their professional and personal development Lynn's experience and positive energy will be of great benefit to participants.
Sharon Gorton is a kindergarten teacher with extensive experience in the early childhood as a teacher, preschool field officer and a practicum supervisor of undergraduate students for Melbourne University. Over the last 20 years Sharon has worked in the Early Childhood Intervention Sector and as a coordinator she has worked with children with disabilities and their families. Sharon is an innovative practitioner; engaging collaboratively and respectfully with families is central to her practice. She has developed her expertise in working with children with autism and behaviours which challenge. Sharon is a ReACT trainer. Sharon is an accredited trainer in the Family Partnership Model; and is responsible for facilitating workshops and supporting QEC staff development including the implementation of family partnerships and reflective practice.
Debbie Brewis is a second generation Australian whose grandparents migrated from England and Scotland in the early part of the twentieth century. Debbie has two brothers, one sister, five nephews and two nieces. Debbie has extensive experience working with parents and their infants and young children, to support and enhance their parenting skills.
Debbie has worked across the range of early parenting programs provided at QEC for the past 10 years. She has a special interest in guiding and promoting positive parent/caregiver child interactions and supporting parents to provide enhanced nurturing care environments and build secure attachments with their children. Debbie's work has involved the sharing of practical parenting strategies, information and support to parents based on current best practice.
iii Stronger women, stronger communities - Macarthur Indigenous Women Leadership Program Alana Moffett - The Benevolent Society Centre for Women's Health, NSW and Vanessa Kendall, Community Options HACC, Macarthur.
This paper presents the journey of a group of Indigenous women in the Macarthur community of South West Sydney and documents the outcomes of this innovative capacity building project. The program's aim was to build leadership skills in Indigenous women 18 to 30 years old and develop cultural and community awareness around the issue of family violence.
Scope and Outcomes - The project consisted of 9 workshops over 3 months with two retreats to gain knowledge and skills where Indigenous women could undertake journeys of learning for empowerment and advancement while strengthening their leadership capacities which in turn will build stronger families and stronger communities.
Program Content - The program was specifically designed to provide technical skills in practical areas such as communication skills, public speaking, confidence, networking, building on personal strengths, as well as developing the self management capacity to work towards being in a community leadership role.
The Macarthur Indigenous Women's Leadership Program is an initiative of the Benevolent Society's Centre for Women's Health funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) through the Sydney Indigenous Coordination Centre.
About the presenter/s
Alana Moffett is a Bidjara women working with Aboriginal women in the Macarthur area of South West Sydney. She is a counsellor and group facilitator and has coordinated the Macarthur Indigenous Women's Leadership Program since inception. Alana provides counselling for Aboriginal women and works with them to address, grief and loss and to overcome the impact of domestic and family violence on their lives and supporting them to gain the confidence, skills and resources to create positive futures for themselves and their children.
Vanessa Kendall works in service provision for HACC Community Options for the Aboriginal community in Macarthur and Wingecarribee and is a graduate of the Macarthur Indigenous Women's Leadership Program. Vanessa will speak first-hand of her experiences as a participant of the program.
2D – Story Telling & Research Learning for all
i Tracks in Learning: Strong Kids, Strong Mob all growing together Deb Mann, Sam Knight, Angie Cameron- SDN Childrens Services, NSW
In this presentation we will use a young urban Aboriginal woman’s story to explore the successes and challenges associated with an innovative learning program that supports Aboriginal women.
Angie’s story illustrates the complexities faced by many people who have exited from formal learning, yet have a great desire to enhance their learning and promote family well being. This story tells of a strong young woman who remained positive, committed and focussed whilst being challenged by negative stereotypic views.
Challenging questions identified by the presenters include:
- What does a strength based approach really mean within an urban Aboriginal community?
- What do we, as educators, need to do as we track learners to maximise success as a learner?
- What is it that keeps a young woman strong and engaged in the challenges associated with ongoing learning?
- How do we enable the passion and enthusiasm for learning to flourish through tracks beyond the initial taste of formal learning?
Angie’s story will highlight the need for educators to not only take a strengths based approach but to actively and intentionally plan and reflect on the learner’s journey and dreams.
About the presenter/s
Deb Mann is Manager, Aboriginal Programs at SDN Child and Family Services. Deb is an early childhood educator who established SDN Children’s Services ‘Tracks In Learning’ Program. This is an innovative educational program enabling Aboriginal women to balance family and study responsibilities.
Sam Knight is an Aboriginal woman. She holds an Associate Diploma in Child Studies, and has 12 years experience in working with children and families. Sam co‑ordinates ‘Tracks In Learning’.
Angie Cameron is a young Aboriginal mother who entered the program during her pregnancy. Her daughter is now 10 months old. She has completed a number TAFE Certificate 3 modules during the last twelve months.
ii Creative Ways to collect child rearing stories Jane Harrison, SNAICC, VIC
The Secretariat of Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national peak body representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. SNAICC has commenced a three‑year project to collect and share child rearing stories. There is a need for positive stories around child rearing to be shared, to counteract the many negative stereotypes that abound. Collecting and sharing positive stories will preserve them for families and communities, validate the ways in which families function, and help to educate those who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities. SNAICC acknowledges that stories are important to families and communities.
This presentation will explore the project methodologies and highlight the emerging themes. The research has a hybrid qualitative approach, balancing ‘western’ methodologies and Aboriginal ways of co‑constructing the research. As well as a literature review and interviews with key informants, SNAICC, in partnerships with local organisations, will facilitate a series of arts‑based community workshops as a way of collating stories. The workshops will build skills in the community and have a community outcome. This presentation will report on the outcomes of a pilot workshop to be held in August 2009 which will collect stories through children’s self publishing methods around the theme ‘Growing up strong in culture’.
About the presenter/s
Jane Harrison has Muruwari heritage and is the Child Rearing Stories Project Officer at SNAICC. She was previously the Aboriginal Research Officer at La Trobe University, the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and Take Two, researching the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal children. She worked in events liaison during the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games on behalf of the Koori Business Network and edited their publication Tribal Expressions. Jane coordinated the Indigenous Performing Arts Course at Swinburne University and is an award‑winning playwright; Stolen was on the VCE English list from 2002 - 2005 while Rainbow’s End is currently on the NSW HSC English list. She contributed one chapter to Many Voices, Reflections on experiences of Indigenous child separation. She is currently undertaking an MA at QUT.
iii The Gudaga Project: helping to build strong kids in south west Sydney Vicki Wade, Jennifer Knight, Elizabeth Comino – Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW
The Gudaga Project is a birth cohort study of urban Aboriginal infants recruited at birth and followed to 5 years. This paper describes results at 12 months and dissemination of findings to Aboriginal and mainstream services.
Methods
At home visits at 3 weeks, 6 and 12 months information was gathered on birth outcomes, a range of protective and risk factors, and at 12 months, health and development using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales.
Results
Of 159 infants, 87 were followed to 12 months. We observed high rates of maternal smoking (64); lower birth weight (3,315g); infrequent breast feeding (23 at 3 weeks, 5 at 6 months) and early introduction of solids (35 by 16 weeks); low knowledge of SIDS risk factors (21 identified three risk factors) although most infants were put to sleep on their back; and strong support for immunisation (90 up to date). Development at 12 months was within normal ranges.
Discussion
The implications of these findings are being discussed with mothers and Aboriginal Organisations in the region. Results have prompted a commitment to enhanced services for Aboriginal families including establishment of a ‘model’ sustained home visiting service beginning during antenatal period and continuing into childhood.
About the presenter/s
Ms Vicki Wade is the Area Director of Aboriginal Health for Sydney South West Area Health Service. She is a proud Nyoongar woman and comes from a strong Aboriginal family where the women were healers. She has held a number of senior positions clinically, academic and in management as well as positions on state and national committees for Aboriginal cardiac/ chronic disease.
Dr Jennifer Knight works with the Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW. She manages the Gudaga project and is involved in all facets of the project: survey design and development, liaisoning with the participating mothers and toddlers, overseeing the paediatric assessments, maintaining links with all project stakeholders and overseeing the project’s publication program.
A/Prof Elizabeth Comino is an epidemiologist working with the UNSW Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity. She leads an NHMRC funded project, the Gudaga Project, as well as research into access to ‘best practice’ primary health care using administrative data collections. She has extensive experience in the conduct of descriptive, longitudinal, and intervention research.
3D – Empowering Approaches in Child & Family & Community (2 paper presentation)
i - WITHDRAWN - Research into Action: The Developing Parenting Partnerships Project Lenora Thaker, Mary Brodie - Aronel Pty Ltd, QLD
ii – Yarrenyty Arltere Learning Centre as a Model of Supporting Families within their Community, NT
Des O’Shaughnessy - Yarrenyty Arltere Learning Centre (YALC)
Yarrenyty Arltere Learning Centre (YALC), based on the Larapinta Valley Town Camp in Alice Springs and under the auspices of Tangentyere Council, was established nine years ago. Tangentyere Council developed over 30 years ago to assist aboriginal elders to have legal tenure over their land. It provides housing management as well as a wide range of family; youth; aged care; community development; and employment services to residents of 18 town camps.
YALC was a community response to the critical needs of families with high levels of substance use amongst its young people. Its strength is seen in its ability to respond to the vision and strategies the community have chosen to address their own social and family issues. The environment focuses on learning, and numerous programmes have been delivered eg. a school within the centre for resident children, playgroups; accredited training, a young men’s programme.
A major asset is its ability to bridge families and providers covering health, well being, legal, and employment and training services. Being a safe place, and working within a community development model, YALC has brought support to individuals, within the structure of their family and the context of the broader community.
About the Presenter/s
Des O’Shaughnessy is the male case worker based at YALC.
Alistair Splinter is a Central and Northern Arrernte man, who has lived for different periods at Larapinta Valley Town Camp. Currently he is employed at YALC as a maintenance/security worker, and is a major participant in the Men’s Programme
Tristam Malbunka is a Western Arrernte man who was brought up on outstations in the Ntaria/Hermannsburg region west of Alice Springs. Since moving to Larapinta Valley Town Camp, he has become a leader for his extended family and for the camp, and he has become an artist successful in different media.
iii - Yarning Circles: A different way doing research, Sophia Pearce, Charles Sturt University, Centre for Indigenous Studies
Yarning Circles is a Indigenous approach to exploring Child Care Choices of Indigenous families in remote communities. It explores the notion of Indigenous womens knowledge in child rearing and how government provision of child care can be more attractive to Indigenous families.
About the presenter
Sophia Pearce is employed as the Associate Lecturer within the Centre for Indigenous Studies. Sophia is a graduate from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Social Science and she is currently completing a Master of Social Policy and Planning.
Sophia commenced work within the Centre for Indigenous Studies in December 2006. Prior to this Sophia has worked in the research field of nursing and early education. Sophia has 16 years of practical experience within the social welfare field. This includes such fields as the Department of Community Services (Child Protection and Substitute Care), Aboriginal Women's Health Programs and the Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Strategy Health.
Sophia is a Barkindji woman whose interest has been in Indigenous women's knowledge. A knowledge that provides a platform that allows them a voice that enables Indigenous women's heritage that transcends generations, through culture, dance, food, and story-telling, thereby maintaining heritage that is important to Indigenous women and the preservation of their cultural knowledge.
4D – Yarn Up / Discussion
Building Capacity in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Communities Mary Pekin, Glyniss Church, Andy Spaulding, Manja Visschedijk – Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, ACT
Building Capacity within the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities is acknowledged as a priority direction of skills building community workers/members to deliver a culturally appropriate and competent service delivery across the board in the community and Government sectors. The Dipolma addressing this. Currently there is 19 students enrolled in the course. It is an innovative and daring direction that has been taken.
Two trainers, one student, and one Manager from AIRS, will share their journeys towards reconciliation, by talking about the development, implementation and delivery of a white mainstream counselling Diploma of Counselling and Group work, VETAB accredited course, to a group of 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students./p>
Factors that were vital to the success of the course will be identified, factors that challenged the group will be named, and learning’s for all will be shared.
Delivery of this Diploma, free for students, has been achieved through Government and non-Government partnerships, and by the good will and cooperation of people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people from non-Aboriginal communities.
A power point presentation from the pioneer of the initiative, Betty Connelly, will be followed by a panel discussion, with questions and interaction invited from the audience.
About the presenter/s
Mary Pekins‑EO for Relationships Australia, Canberra
Glyniss Church ‑ Reconnect Project Officer ‑ Gugan Gulwan Youth Corporation, Canberra
Manja Visschedijk ‑ Director of Community Services YWCA, Canberra
Andy Spaulding ‑ Programme Manager Australia Institute Relationships Studies ‑ Relationships Australia, NSW
Betty Connelly ‑ Counsellor/Advocate ‑ Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, Canberra. I have worked at CRCC for 5years. I work in the Nguru program which specifically addresses the needs of Sexual Violence within the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Communities within Canberra and the surrounding areas.
5D – Yarn Up / Discussion
WHITE LITTLE “BLACK” GIRL Melinda Brown - Interrelate Family Centre, NSW
This story is about Me, and how I came to understand the significance of healing the spirit as a means to healing the physical and emotional body.
In my late 20’s I began to realise that the connection to my spirituality and my ability to heal myself from past abuses, where inter‑linked.
Over the years I have combine my skills as a Meditation teacher and a Counsellor, to create Healing Circles. Over the past 4 years these Healing Circles have continued to be developed and adapted to suit a wide range of needs, including Meditation Circles for Aboriginal students in High Schools.
My passion is running groups for my people, with a focus on healing within a cultural context.
Discussion topics for a YARN UP are:
- is Spirituality (not religion)?
- iscuss the differences between religion and spirituality
- iscuss what spirituality is in it’s many forms – meditation, belief in different realms, such as angels, god/s and goddesses, spirit world, ancestors who have passed, etc.
- Is Aboriginal spirituality different for other spirituality?
- Discuss how I struggled to find a way to combine both
- Discuss the “light bulb” moment when I realised that they can be interwoven and are both equally important to wellbeing
- How does connecting to your spirituality assist with the healing of the body and soul?
- Discuss how connecting to your spirituality can assist with healing the body both physically and emotionally
- How can you being to heal your self by working with your spirituality, and what some of these techniques are
- Does the power of “positive thought” have any significance in a person’s emotional health and well being?
- Discuss how the power of what you think translates into who you are, and the events that occur in your life
- Discuss affirmations, and how a change of positive thought can begin to heal your life
- How do you connect with your spirituality?
- Discuss ways in which you can connect with your spirituality through meditation, research, etc
About the presenter/s
Melinda Brown is a Ngunnawal Aboriginal woman, with many years experience in Welfare, Child Protection, Counselling and Group Work, and is currently undertaking a Master’s in Indigenous Studies, in the areas of Trauma and Well‑Being.
Melinda has won an ACT Public Service award for “Most Improved Services to Indigenous Children and Young People”, and is involved in a range of Aboriginal Committees and Groups on both local and national levels.
Combining Melinda’s counselling skills and knowledge of alternative therapies, she has a strong commitment to empowering her people to heal themselves, physically and spiritually.
6D – Workshop
Children and Young People Living in Safe and Strong Communities Facilitated by Grant Sarra of Grant Sarra Consultancy Service. Joint workshop led by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
Protecting Children is Everyone's Business: National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009 - 2020 was endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments on 30 April 2009.
A high priority under the National Framework is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are supported and safe in their families and communities.
The key question this national workshop will ask participants is what needs to be done to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to build and maintain the social structures, attitudes and activities that will create more child and youth friendly communities.
To answer this there are a range of other questions, such as: How can we focus on the needs of children as we work towards Closing the Gap? How can all stakeholders work better together to join the dots across the various initiatives already out there? What are some good models we can learn from? What are the key ingredients to instilling culture and connectedness in our children? How can we apply a strengths based approach to address the areas that put children at-risk of abuse and neglect? What is needed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to better support families and strengthen communities?
Ideas from this workshop will inform priority actions for children that will develop over the coming years under the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children.
About the presenter/s
The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children was developed by the Commonwealth working together with State and Territory governments and members of the non-government sector. Implementing the National Framework, through activities such as this workshop, will continue under this tri-partite arrangement and involve working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives.
Grant Sarra has thirty years' background and experience working in areas that deal exclusively with Indigenous community aspirations, problems and issues throughout Australia. Grant is passionate about change, dignity and integrity and about changing the way we think, feel and behave toward each other to become better human beings but we must have the dignity and integrity to know what that means.
7D - Workshop [WITHDRAWN]
Ngaanyatjarra Tjitji Pirni – Ngaanyatjarra Children Beryl Jennings – WA Department for Communities, Anne Shinkfield – Shire of Ngaanyatjarra, Rosalie Dwyer – WA Department of Child Protection
8D - Yarn Up - BOOKED OUT
BOOKED OUT
Building Parenting Communities from the Inside Out Sofi Thomson, Janet Blair - C.A.R.E. Parent Support Program, NSW
Uncle Bob Randall, calmly and passionately describes the severing of strong Aboriginal connection to Family, Land, Spirit and Culture in the documentary, Kanyini. CONNECTION is what we all look for and thrive on, mostly unconsciously. Parenting was never intended to be done by a couple in a nuclear family. Isolation is a major factor behind PND.
Parenting for a Peaceful World, by Robin Grille comprehensively documents strong psycho-historical & anthropological evidence that cultures that use co-operative parenting do better on child wellbeing.
QUALITY of relationship creates CONNECTION. How does that work with children? Connectedness is about emotional authenticity; listening with empathy and expressing with emotional openness.
Presented in simple language, in response to your questions, we include up-to-date child development, gained from attachment research, social learning theory & neuropsychology. We create a safe and trusting environment to workshop the Parenting Heart2Heart process developed by Robin Grille.
We encourage participants to be ‘real’ and we ask questions which focus on the challenges of parenting - Why is it hard to listen to my children's feelings? Why do I fix, shame, control and manipulate my child? How was this handled for me as a child? How can I listen better?
For any parent, the capacity for healthy attachment with their children is vulnerable to his/her own attachment history, and current availability of emotional & practical support. Authentic sharing among group participants helps them bond with each other, creating lasting friendships & co-operative parenting in communities.
Shared anecdotes of cooperative parenting by an informed community have the power to move hearts.
About the presenter/s
Sofi is mother of 4 adult children with 6 grandchildren. Apart from being a mother, the most influential experiences in her career include; working with families in Indonesia as an Australian Volunteer with a focus on gender equity; running a mobile playgroup in remote Aboriginal Communities in the Kimberley; and piloting Parenting Heart2Heart in the Byron Shire.
Janet, Butchulla woman from K'gari (Fraser Island) Qld. Growing up as eldest of 3, Janet shifted around to different parts on the east coast of Australia, with her family until grade 11. Janet completed nursing training at Rockhampton Base Hospital 1987 & Midwifery training at Redcliffe Hospital, Brisbane 1998. Janet worked in rural and remote Australia, Saudi Arabia & USA. She coordinated antenatal & postnatal programs with Aboriginal/Islander Health Service. Currently living in NSW - Janet is a mother and working with RFDS looking at current maternal & child health programs in North West Qld. Janet completed Parenting Heart2Heart Facilitator training with Robin Grille.
Our gold sponsor is the Australian Government's Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Our silver sponsor is the University of Newcastle