Rural Health Education Foundation marks launch of Indigenous programming framework with strong new productions
February 11, 2009The Rural Health Education Foundation yesterday launched two new television programs which address health issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth - Stay Strong and Strong and Deadly. The Foundation also launched its new Strategic Framework for Indigenous Programming 2008-2012.
Launch event opened by NSW Governor
The event was hosted by Perpetual Limited, with Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales, doing the formal launch. A Welcome to Country was offered by local Aboriginal elder Mr Charles Madden, of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, who is also Secretary of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Lands Council.
The event was also addressed by Mr Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission. Mr Calma spoke about how a key to social justice for Indigenous Australians was fair and equitable access to healthcare resources, noting the significance of the “Close the Gap” campaign. Mr Calma also noted the important role that non-government organisations (NGOs) such as the Rural Health Education Foundation have in Indigenous community development.
Professor Bashir also spoke warmly of the Foundation’s two new programs, drawing on her experience working as a senior medical consultant to Aboriginal Medical services in both Redfern and Kempsey NSW.
She opened stating “today we also share an important sense of gratitude in celebration of the launch of the two DVD presentations of a far reaching, visionary Australia-wide program - a program which is already producing positive rewards - in response to a wise investment in our most precious resource, the children of this nation.”
Other speakers at the launch included David Knowles, Head Philanthropic Services, Perpetual Limited; Steve Berry, the founder of Music Outback Foundation (who appears in Stay Strong); Dr Gary Jankelowitz, Director, Business Development and Strategy of Merck Sharp and Dohme; Margaret Norington, of the Rural Health Education Foundation’s Board of Directors (and who developed the Strategic Framework); Don Perlgut, CEO of the Foundation; and Amanda Little, Deputy CEO of the Foundation.
Framework for a stronger focus on Indigenous health
The Foundation’s new Strategic Framework for Indigenous Programming outlines guiding principles and sets specific goals in order to strengthen the Foundation’s commitment to meeting the professional education needs of practitioners delivering health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Although the Foundation’s goal in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is to provide practical, positive health outcomes, the Foundation Board decided that our efforts in this area needed to be based on a strategic approach,” Ms Norington said. “The new document formalises the context, principles and objectives for the Foundation’s ongoing Indigenous programming activities.” To download a copy of the Framework summary, please click here (note PDF document of 526kb).
Strong start to program delivery under the new Framework
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. Both will premiere on the Foundation’s national satellite broadcast network at 8pm (AEDT) on Tuesday February 17th.
Stay Strong examines successful community-based primary healthcare and educational initiatives with an emphasis on prevention and health promotion in areas of identified need. It showcases programs like 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.
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.
Community support evident in program funding
Stay Strong and Strong and Deadly were produced with funding from a number of philanthropic groups. Professor Bashir stressed that “these programs of the Rural Health Education Foundation must be supported and extended. There are big stakes involved, and I do not mean financial. Positive outcomes are a treasury from which every one of us in Australia will benefit.”
The programs were funding by the Ronald Geoffrey Arnott Foundation, managed by Perpetual; the Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund; the Ian Potter Foundation; the Marian & E H Flack Trust; and the Milton Corporation Foundation. Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited provided funding through an unrestricted educational grant, and the Rural Health Education Foundation also contributed funding for these programs from its own resources.
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.
Both programs will then be available from the Foundation’s website for viewing via web-streaming, and free DVD copies will be available for Indigenous organisations.
For more information, please contact the Foundation.
Photos
Top: Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales, addresses the launch
Middle: (from left to right)
- Associate Professor Sabina Knight, Centre for Remote Health, Alice Springs (member of the Board of Directors of the Rural Health Education Foundation)
- Mr Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
- Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales
- Mr Don Perlgut, CEO, Rural Health Education Foundation
- Ms Margaret Norington, member of the Board of Directors of the Rural Health Education Foundation
- Ms Zarli French, Merck Sharp & Dohme Australia, member of the Board of Directors of the Rural Health Education Foundation
- Mr Charles Madden, Elder of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, Secretary of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Lands Council