LOW RES 14-11-03 NHS_A4_Newsletter_Edition 42

N h u l u n d u Wo o r i b a h I n d i g e n o u s H e a l t h O r g a n i s a t i o n N e w s l e t t e r | Edition 42
Community Day rewards clients
for looking after their health
Perfect weather last weekend saw a
crowd of nearly 300 community members,
staff and entertainers catch the ferry to
Quoin Island to enjoy Nhulundu Health
Service’s Deadly Choices Christmas
Community Day.
The Christmas trip to Quoin Island is always
something that our clients look forward
to and this year, attendance at the event
was dependent upon the completion of an
MBS 715 health check. Those who qualified
were rewarded with a fun filled day of
entertainment, activities, scrumptious lunch
and plenty of healthy fruit.
Traditional games were played, but mostly the
younger people were happy to spend their
time in the pool with their friends.
Deadly Choices ambassador, Jharal Yow Yeh
proved yet again that Santa is always the most
popular man on the island when he underwent
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Corner Manning & Hixon Street, Gladstone
Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm
a quick costume change and turned up with
a bag of goodies. Jharal also entertained the
crowd with stories from his football days at
the Broncos and continued to spread positive
health messages to his audience.
The Regional Tackling Tobacco and Healthy
Lifestyle team and clinic members undertook
smokalyzer activities and provided nutrition
and sugar in beverages information, as well as
explaining eye health.
The HACC and Aged Care team were in
attendance with important safety messages and
first aid advice.
Entertainment was provided by Jacob
Ridgeway, Jalen Sutcliffe, Dimple Bani and
Garret Lyon.
The day was voted a huge success by all those
who attended and many are already making
plans for next year’s event.
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Sporting honour for Georgia
You might be forgiven for thinking that the smile on the face
of Nhulundu Health Service’s receptionist, Chris McManus is
a little wider than usual, and you would be right!
Chris’s 17 year old daughter Georgia is a talented young golfer and
has been voted Central Queensland’s team captain for the Greg
Norman Junior Masters event.
This is the first time an Indigenous person has had this honour. In
order to qualify for this team Georgia has played in tournaments
throughout the year, and must win to qualify for this event which is
the pinnacle event of the year. She has qualified to play in it for the
past 4 years. The event will be played at the Gold/Sunshine Coast
over four days during December. This will be Georgia’s last event
as a junior and she hopes to continue on to amateur ranks in the
future. Her family will accompany her to this event as she sets out
to make her community proud.
Georgia began playing golf when her family moved to Tannum
Sands. She was only 4 years old. She has represented the Central
Queensland School team on four occasions and has won many
tournaments throughout the region, travelling to Townsville,
Emerald, Brisbane, Blackwater, Wowan and Hervey Bay, as well as
playing at her local golf courses in Gladstone, Calliope and Boyne
Island.
Georgia plays A Grade off a handicap of 6, a remarkable
achievement for such a young player.
Dedication to Indigenous
health recognised
Looking to the future, Georgia has applied to study psychology and
social work at James Cook University in Townsville, with the goal of
eventually working with Indigenous communities in remote areas.
In 2008, the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council
(QAIHC) Directors established the QAIHC Hall of Fame to
formally recognise and honour the dedication and commitment of
individuals to the establishment and expansion of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services to
Queensland.
Congratulations on your achievements Georgia and good luck in
the future.
Cecelia Cook , Senior Aboriginal Health Worker at Nhulundu Health
Service has become the latest inductee into the QAIHC Hall of Fame.
Georgia was a member of the CQ Girls Junior Jug Team for elite
players and was part of the winning team in 2013.
Cecelia has been an Aboriginal Health Worker for more than 15 years
commencing her career with Gehgre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Corporation (Gehgre), as their first female Aboriginal Health Worker.
Gehgre was the result of a collaboration between Commonwealth Health
and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Gladstone.
Overtime Gehgre transitioned to Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous
Health Organisation (Nhulundu Health Service) and soon after Cecelia
commenced employment with Nhulundu Health Service for which she has
spent the past 9 years as a Senior Aboriginal Health Worker.
Cecelia has displayed a longevity and commitment to the field of
Aboriginal Health that is surely the envy of many who work in this
challenging arena.
Cecelia holds a Diploma in Health Science and Community Development
and a Certificate in Hearing Health Skills. She is the Coordinator of
Nhulundu’s Hearing Health Program. Her experience ranges from
women’s clinics, general home and hospital visits, youth at risk activities,
school health checks, ATODS, sexual health and assisting and facilitating
health promotion activities.
Emily Dempsey - Medical Receptionist
Emily moved to Gladstone with her family from
Mt Isa eleven years ago. She completed year
12 at Gladstone State High School in 2012 and
worked at Civic Video before commencing in
her role at Nhulundu Health Service earlier this
year. In 2015 Emily will undertake Certificate III
in Medical Reception.
In 2013 Cecelia was awarded a National Study Bursary from the National
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. Cecelia has
been part of this hearing program since its inception and a continuing
part of her commitment is to participate in the delivery of accredited Ear
Training to Aboriginal Health Workers across the country.
Above: Cecelia is congratulated by her daughter Michelle, sister Lesley, Nhulundu
Health Service General Manager Carly Cooke, and mum Maureen Eggmolesse.
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Iced Coffee
By Louise Bolger Warmer weather has arrived in
Gladstone that means it is essential to
keep well hydrated. As it is getting hotter
you may have swapped your morning flat
white or latte for an iced coffee, but do
you know what is actually in your drink?
Some drinks may appear nutritious but are
actually quite detrimental to the waistline.
Iced coffee is made from milk, therefore
it contains calcium and protein, but also
a large amount of sugar, so much in fact,
it outweighs any nutritional benefits of
consuming the drink. A 600ml carton of
one of the most popular brands, contains
the equivalent of up to 12 teaspoons of
sugar and as many kilojoules/calories as a
main meal, or the same amount as eating
➔ Dietitian & Diabetes Educator
5 slices of bread! If you consumed a
600ml carton everyday on top of what you
normally eat, you could gain up to 3kg by
the end of the month.
Iced coffee also contains caffeine, an
addictive stimulant that works on the
A 600ml carton of one
of the most popular brands,
contains the equivalent of up
to 12 teaspoons of sugar.
brain and nervous system. Caffeine
affects people differently, depending on
the amount and frequency consumed.
In large amounts it can make you feel
nervous, restless and make it difficult
to achieve a good night’s sleep. Also, if
you have a lot of caffeine then suddenly
stop, you may feel withdrawal symptoms
such as headaches, tiredness, anxiety and
irritability.
As we age our metabolism slows, so if you
are wondering why it might be difficult to
shift those extra kilos or if you are simply
watching your weight, you might want
to re-think what you drink. Don’t be
fooled, even lighter versions can still be a
significant source of kilojoules.
The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
recommends water as the best drink. It
contains no kilojoules and excellent at
hydrating the body and best of all it’s free.
Packages offer choices to aged care clients
Nhulundu Health Service has
preparations underway to introduce
aged cared clients to a new Australian
Government initiative that will simplify
the delivery of aged care services.
Consumer Directed Care packages will
empower clients with more control and
choice about the type of care and services they
can access, how the care is delivered and who
delivers the care.
With a deadline of July 1st, 2015 for the
mandatory changeover to the new packages,
Nhulundu Health Service is consulting with
clients to determine what gaps may be present
in current services in an effort to better meet
client needs.
“We will be conducting a series of focus
groups with our clients to establish what
services need to be accessed and what
services still need to be provided. This
may include specialised health services or
handyman and gardening services,” said
Nhulundu spokesperson, Leisa Fraser.
With plans to introduce more allied health
providers to the clinic, Nhulundu Health
Service will be able to offer clients a holistic
approach to aged care services.
“We will provide services for all levels of
aged care requirements – from low care to
high care – and the new packages will allow
services to change as the needs of our clients
change,” said Ms Fraser. “The increase in allied
health providers means the majority of our
client’s health care needs can be serviced and
monitored from the one location.”
The individualised, consumer directed care
packages will allow clients to tailor services to
better meet their needs. “The advantage of
these new packages is that clients are given
the choice to decide where their funding is
directed. Some clients may require more
in-home support while others may need
increased community access or specialised
health care,” Ms Fraser explained.
Nhulundu Health Service has applied for 25
more high level care packages to better meet
community needs.
Left: Fillies in fashion
were on display at the
annual Aged Care and
HACC Melbourne Cup Day
celebrations. This day
proved once again to be a
huge success, with everyone
who attended having a lovely
day. There were plenty of
giveaways, a fashion parade
and delicious food. Everyone
enjoyed their day and look
forward to next year.
Congratulations
Matthew Cooke
Management and staff of Nhulundu
Health Service extend sincere
congratulations to former CEO
Matthew Cooke on his appointment
as Chairperson of the National
Aboriginal Community Controlled
Health Organisation. Matthew was
elected to the role in November.
He has spent many years in the arena
of community controlled health and
brings a wealth of
knowledge and
experience to the
role. Matthew
is currently
the CEO of
Queensland
Aboriginal and
Islander Health
Council.
Right: Our HACC Centre
day Respite clients travelled
to Rockhampton recently
with staff for a social day
out. Clients took great
delight in doing some early
shopping for Christmas
and then travelled to the
Rockhampton Leagues Club
where they enjoyed a tasty
lunch. Everyone agreed that
it was a fantastic day and
they would love to repeat
the trip in the near future.
Services Available
➔ Medical Centre
General Practice services, immunisation, maternal and child health, mental health support, diabetes support, men’s health, women’s health,
chronic disease support, skin checks, Indigenous health incentives, smoking cessation and healthy lifestyle education. Nhulundu Health Service is
a bulk billing practice. Open hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm - appointments necessary. This practice is AGPAL accredited for quality
assurance and ISO 9001:2008 Management Systems Standards accredited.
➔ Indigenous Community Links
This service provides a culturally acceptable and readily accessible place for local Indigenous community members, and offers access and referrals to a range
of mainstream and Indigenous specific services including health care, child care, court support, education, employment, housing and an internet cafe
➔ Aged Care
Nhulundu Health Service offers a comprehensive community-based aged care program called Community Aged Care Package, designed to improve
and maintain independent quality of life for the aged living in their own homes. The Aged Care team also runs the Home and Community Care
Program. All clients must be assessed before being accepted into any program.
Nhulundu Health Service offers a safe and non threatening medical environment where
our patients feel cared for and valued in an environment that has a zero tolerance policy
of aggressive and threatening behaviour
Newsletters are now available online - visit our website www.nhulundu.com.au
4979 0992 nhulundu.com.au
Corner Manning & Hixon Street, Gladstone
Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm