Our people
Improving health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
29,000
people in our region identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
1 in 3
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples work with their GP to manage a health condition
96%
of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children are fully immunised
2%
of people in our local health workforce identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that the following page may contain images and names of people who have passed away.
Reconciliation Action Plan
In 2020-21, Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN continued to ensure the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were heard and considered in all of our decisions and actions through the implementation of the organisation's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The development of a RAP ensures our PHN can improve cultural understanding and influence sustainable change that will incorporate the knowledge, traditions, customs and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples and their cultures.
New artwork shows our commitment
Connected country, healing place
Kangaroo bounds on red sands, this land is ancient and connected, wind blows all traces as life disappears.
Rains renew Country, bird call pierces throughout, as landscape is coloured in diversity and grandeur. Carving its way through the land formations are created – Creation Spirit inspires song, dance, ceremony.
Water flows, knowledge is exchanged. This place of healing connects people to Country, Culture and Community.
Our knowledge is in this land and we are all connected to this place, healing begins.
Health and hope of the people is restored through listening, learning, sharing, caring and understanding one another.
*Commissioned Riki Salam from 'We are 27 Creative.'
Integrated Team Care
The Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program improves access to primary health care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the region.
The ITC Program is a core foundation in our PHN's primary care strategy and provides:
- care coordination
- supplementary services for people with chronic conditions
- access to affordable medicines
- transport services for medical appointments
- medical aids, and
- linkages to a wider array of community services.
Funded providers for 2020-21:
29,665
care coordination
services delivered
15,903
supplementary services
delivered
12,083
transport services
delivered
13,957
clinical services
delivered
Integrated Team Care Program provides care that matters
It takes a big heart to work in Integrated Team Care (ITC) and the team at Carbal Medical Services are in no way short of support and heart to help their patients manage and get back on top of their health.
The ITC Program improves access to primary health care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the region. Carbal are one of many Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in our region that wear their heart on their sleeves helping their patients with health care coordination, supplementary services, transport services, medical aids, affordable medicines access and a network connecting patients to a wider variety of community services.
Manager of the Carbal ITC Program, Deslea Cooper recalls when she was a program coordinator and shares a special moment with one of her patients.
Goondir Cultural Development Program
The Goondir Cultural Development Program is delivered by Goondir in Dalby and aims to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of participants through providing activities that offer a re-connection to culture.
These activities are led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander facilitators who take participants through a range of cultural activities and experiences including boomerang and didgeridoo making, cultural dance, story telling and visits to culturally significant sites.
398 individuals were supported through various activities and visits to cultural sites during 2020-21.
A cultural camp site visit at Girraween National Park guided by an Elder and a Traditional Owner of the Kambuwul Country.
A cultural site visit to Minjerribah - North Stradbroke Island including traditional ceremonies and dances by the Yulu Burri Ba Aboriginal Dancers.
Connecting with culture through land and water. A workshop teaching participants how to make coolamons and the variety of uses for different trees.
Culturally appropriate services
The PHN funds culturally appropriate services to provide free, culturally appropriate social and emotional wellbeing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Mental health service providers are:
Alcohol and other drug service providers are:
New yarning circle for Cherbourg
The PHN has been working with CRAICCHS in Cherbourg to improve support, education and cultural safety and understanding in the community.
To assist fostering this, the PHN and CRAICCHS have been working to open dialogue with the community to better understand barriers and opportunities within the local area with the view to resolve identified gaps and needs.
As a result, a Yarning Circle was established to offer a safe space for community members to talk about what they are seeing in the area and to discuss their concerns.
Goondir Walkabout Barber
Our PHN funded the Goondir Walk About Barber, a first of its kind mobile barber service focused on trauma recovery and suicide prevention support.
The service is designed to provide a safe space for men to connect and have real conversations that support healing while focusing on hope and happiness.
This experience gives men the opportunity to sit in a chair, receive a fresh cut and connect with their Barber over challenges they may be or have experienced.
Contact Us
P: 07 4615 0900
Darling Downs Office
Level 1, 162 Hume Street (PO Box 81),
West Moreton Office
Level 5, World Knowledge Centre, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central QLD 4300
Acknowledgement of Country
The Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN wishes to acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal people as the Custodians of this land. We pay our respect and recognise their unique cultures and customs and honour their Elders past, present and emerging.
