Rural Health Education Foundation heads to the bush to film television series
August 12, 2005The Rural Health Education Foundation has recently produced a series of two documentary-style television programs on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues, for broadcast on its national satellite network. The programs were taped in Alice Springs, Hermannsburg NT, Darwin, Bathurst Island, Townsville and Sydney.
The documentaries are on Aboriginal maternal and infant care and early childhood development, and will be screened on 30th August and 27th September 2005. The programs highlight community based initiatives that combat some of the poor birth outcomes and early health problems experienced by Aboriginal peoples, with taping taking place at the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service (TAIHS), the Daruk Aboriginal Medical Service, NSW and Jirnani Childcare Centre on Bathurst Island, NT and associated Nguiu Clinic along with the Strong Women Strong Babies Strong Culture program in Darwin.
The two programs feature interviews with Dr Ngiare Brown (Menzies Institute of Health Research, Darwin), Dr Simone Raye (Menzies Institute of Health Research), Dr Rebekah Kidney (Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc Alukura, Alice Springs), John Boffa (Public Health Officer, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc, Alice Springs), Rachael Atkinson (TAIHS), Dr Kate Panaretto (TAIHS) and Dr Andrew White (NT Health, Alice Springs).
Series Producer Amanda Little (Program Manager of the Rural Health Education Foundation) said “I feel we were able to capture the essence of what these groups are trying to do out in the bush – and that is give these kids as strong a start to life so that they are able to combat early health problems which will set a healthy pattern for life”.
Allan Jangala Sambono worked closely with the production team as a program consultant. Commenting on the development of the programs, he said “It was great to work with people who focus on the way communities are dealing with their everyday health challenges rather than on the continual victimising of Aboriginal peoples.”
The programs were funded by an untied educational grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme in support of better health outcomes for support for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples. Additional funding was provided by the Australia Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Executive Producer for the programs was Don Perlgut (CEO of the Rural Health Education Foundation). Don noted how these programs marked a new stage in the Foundation’s evolution. “In the past, we have been bringing our program participants to a studio in a city like Sydney or Melbourne. But for these we took a different approach – going out to listen to the experience of people talking in their own environments. We believe that we have begun to bring the essence of rural Aboriginal health issues to our medium of television in a powerful and dynamic way.”
Further information
For more information see our timetable for broadcast times and our viewing sites section for details of satellite viewing locations. Otherwise contact the Foundation at rhef@rhef.com.au or (02) 6232 5480.