Two strong additions to Indigenous children series airing February 17
February 3, 2009Two new Rural Health Education Foundation television programs airing on Tuesday 17th February continue the theme of healthy child rearing in Indigenous communities.
The new 26-minute programs, Stay Strong and Strong and Deadly, focus on Indigenous health and development issues for 6-12 year olds and 12-18 year olds respectively.
Building on strong foundations
The new programs build on the first two titles in the Foundation’s Strong Series, Start Strong and Grow Strong, which both premiered on the Foundation’s satellite network in 2006 and have since been shown on SBS Television, National Indigenous Television Service (NITV) and Aurora Community Channel.
Instilling pride and resilience in 6-12 year olds
Stay Strong, the first new program scheduled for February 17th, examines successful community-based primary healthcare and educational initiatives with an emphasis on prevention and health promotion in areas of identified need.
Stay Strong showcases the Nunga Kid’s Café in Port Lincoln, Music Outback Foundation in Central Australia and Chris Sarra’s Strong and Smart program, which all contribute to generational change by providing culturally positive experiences for Indigenous kids that build pride and resilience.
Helping 12-18 year olds with the transition to adulthood
Airing second, Strong and Deadly explores several community-based initiatives that are proving effective in addressing disadvantage, and are having significant impact on the health and well-being of Indigenous young people.
Featured case studies include a football-based program Kununurra District High School, WA; a young women’s group Sisters through Danila Dilba Youth Services in Palmerston, NT; and Tirkandi Inaburra, a culturally-based residential program for Indigenous boys aged 12-15 near Coleambally, NSW.
Clear evidence for the benefits of a nurturing environment
“The physical and mental health of a child has a powerful impact on their school attendance and their ability to learn and participate in school activities,” says Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Don Perlgut. “These two new programs showcase compelling examples of the positive impact of a nurturing environment, not only on a child’s educational prospects, but also on their future physical, social and financial well-being.”
Pertinent case studies and expert contributors
Stay Strong and Strong and Deadly are both presented by well known Indigenous actor Roxanne McDonald and feature multiple case studies.
Program funding
Both programs were produced with funding from The Ronald Geoffrey Arnott Foundation, managed by Perpetual, Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund, The Ian Potter Foundation, The Marian & E H Flack Trust and The Milton Corporation Foundation.
Additional funding was provided by an untied educational grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited in support of better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Rural Health Education Foundation also contributed funding for these programs.
Broadcast details
Stay Strong will be broadcast across the Rural Health Education Foundation’s satellite television network on Tuesday 17th February at 8.00pm (AEDT), with repeats at 8.00pm Perth time that same evening (two hours later) and 12.30pm on Friday 20th February.
Strong and Deadly will air on Tuesday 17th February at 8.30pm (AEDT), with repeats at 8.30pm Perth time that same evening (two hours later) and 1.00pm on Friday 20th February.
Available on DVD and the web
DVD copies of these programs will be available for purchase after the broadcasts via our website. Indigenous organisations may apply to the Foundation for a free copy of the DVD.
The programs will also be available free on the Internet for viewing via web-streamed video or listening via an audio podcast.
More information
For more information about these two programs - including presenter details, access instructions and associated educational resources – refer to the online program summaries (Stay Strong, Strong and Deadly) or contact the Foundation.
Stay Strong is based on the Foundation’s 50-minute program Step by Step: Indigenous Kids 6-12 Years, which premiered in 2008.
Strong and Deadly is based on the Foundation’s 54-minute program Deadly Steps: Indigenous Youth, which premiered in 2008.