Weekly Update

Dear CRANAplus Members,
The Bush Support Services Cosy Blanket project has seen an extraordinary response from members. The enthusiasm, skill and generosity demonstrated by members involved resulted in a significant donation of blankets this month in Alice Springs. THANK YOU so very much to all our knitters and crocheters!

Colleen Neidermeyer on behalf of BSS presented Tangentyere Council with dozens of the hand knitted blankets to be distributed to the homeless in Alice Springs. The Council had alerted Colleen to the need and BSS was able to respond accordingly with the contributions members made to the project.
The BSS team now ask for your assistance in identifying organisations and individuals you know would benefit from a similar donation. Call or email Colleen to assist in distributing to those in need.

Last week the National University Rural Health Club conference saw over 350 delegates attend their annual event in Alice Springs. NURHC is a multi-professional student organisation representing over 9,000 students across the country. CRANAplus CEO Carole Taylor was part of an expert panel offering the remote perspective to discussions around working together for the future of the rural and remote health workforce to ensure its sustainability. The session was an open floor forum, aimed to promote discussion between the panel and the student delegates. Support mechanisms for rural and remote clinical training placements and the promotion of equity among all disciplines with regard to scholarships and support were foremost on the students’ agenda.

“It is through conferences like these that the next generation of health professionals, are able to get together and network with one another. We all need to remember that today’s students will be our future leaders in rural and remote communities, and by supporting them and encouraging them to learn about and experience rural healthcare, we are fostering a more secure future for rural, remote and Indigenous healthcare.” said Shannon Nott, Co-Chair of the National Rural Health Students’ Network

I was approached by students from a range of disciplines excited that they will join us at Conference this year in Adelaide. Students gave positive feedback about the CRANAplus decision to reduce the cost of our student membership fees recently . Our student membership base is predominantly from nursing with other disciplines now represented.

A reminder also that 'Early Bird' Registration discount is available for registrations received prior to 5pm on the 31st July 2010. Early Bird Registrations must be paid by the cut off date to receive the substantial discount.

Regards,
Anne-Marie Borchers
CRANAplus Business Manager
 

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Meetings and Conferences

The 28th CRANAplus Conference
13-16 October 2010
Adelaide, SA

SNAICC National Conference
27-29 July 2010
Alice Springs, NT

The Australian Association of Gerontology (SA & NT Division) presents
AAG Northern Territory Conference
12 & 13 August 2010
Holiday Inn Esplanade Darwin, Northern Territory

Australian Diabetes Society & Australian Diabetes Educators Association Annual Scientific Meeting
1-3 September 2010
Sydney, NSW

Early Childhood Development in Indigenous Communities
21-22 September 2010
Darwin, NT

2nd Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium
29-30 September 2010
Sydney, NSW

The 4th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Suicide Prevention
17-20 November 2010
Brisbane, QLD

14th Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists Scientific Meeting
Brisbane Convention Centre, Australia from 28th – 30th of October 2010.

RADIO PROGRAM Birthing on country for Aboriginal women
The stories of Aboriginal women from remote communities who were transported to Darwin to give birth because their community didn't have medical support are compelling.

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Scholarships & Educational Opportunites

FLEC Update
New courses have been added to the schedule:
MEC170 Pt Augusta Sept 17-19
MID185 Alice Springs Oct 1-3
MID186 Pt Augusta Oct 29-31
MEC175 Tennant Creek November 5-7
MEC184 Mackay December 3
Register online now

CRANAplus Undergraduate Scholarships
Deadline - 31st August 2010 Each year CRANAplus offers a total of six $1000 scholarships. These scholarships are available to students who as part of their undergraduate course of study in a health discipline at any Australian university, undertakes a remote location placement.

PHC: Making a difference 25-26 October 2010.
This short course has been developed to strengthen health professionals understanding of the social, environmental, structural, political and philosophical issues that impact upon health care provision in remote Australia. The workshop will explore primary health care, its current status and potential in Australian health care as well as the recognition of the importance of integrating health promotion and prevention strategies in remote health settings.

AUSMED: Improving Your Knowledge of Medicines Seminar
As medicines are one of the highest areas of risk for ALL nurses; it is essential that YOU regularly update your knowledge on this key professional area.
Brisbane: 19 - 20 August
Perth: 2 - 3 December
Adelaide: 15 - 16 November

Live Strong: Closing the Gap on Chronic Disease DVD available to order
Live Strong is the latest of the half hour documentary style programs in the Rural Health Education Foundation’s Strong Series.

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Articles of Interest

HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WORKERS MOST STRESSED
Safe Work Australia data shows that people in the health and community services sector are the most stressed, with education workers close behind them.

LANDMARK ABORIGINAL-OWNED MEDICAL CENTRE OPENS
One of Australia's first Aboriginal-owned medical centre will open in north Queensland today to help fill a gap in GP services.

JESUIT SCHOOL FOR INDIGENOUS KIDS IN REDFERN
Named Jarjum - which means “children” in the Bundjalung language - the fee-free school will be sponsored by St Aloysius’ College, Milsons Point, on behalf of the Jesuits.

RIO HELPS INDIGENOUS CONVICTS BACK TO WORK
RIO Tinto is hiring Aboriginal prisoners from one of the west's most isolated jails to provide employment and tackle reoffending rates.

MCGORRY SLAMS MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES
Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry has joined major church groups in slamming the mental health policies of both major parties.

MOBILE HEALTH WORKERS IN THE TORRES STRAIT CROSS THE BORDER
HEALTH workers in the Torres Strait will be able to travel more freely to combat diseases and treat medical conditions.

FEDERAL ELECTION 2010 - HEALTH MUST BE THE TOP PRIORITY, AUSTRALIA
AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said that health policy must be the top priority for all parties in the Federal election.

PEOPLE URGED TO GET FLU VACCINATIONS
The number of influenza case is expected to rise and NSW Health authorities are urging people to get vaccinations.

FETAL ALCOHOL STUDY SET UP
AUSTRALIA's first study into the prevalence and impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder on indigenous children will be launched today.

THE MARATHON PROJECT IS A NEW INITIATIVE BY ROB DE CASTELLA'S SMART START FOR KIDS! THAT WILL ANNUALLY SELECT SIX INDIGENOUS YOUTHS FROM REMOTE COMMUNITIES ACROSS AUSTRALIA TO TRAIN AND RUN IN THE NEW YORK MARATHON.
This project has a large focus on identifying and addressing current health issues in indigenous communities. After the marathon in November the project will continue to support indigenous communities to promote physical activity, healthy lifestyle and compliment existing Indigenous health initiatives in years to come.
The Indigenous Marathon Project relies heavily on the support of volunteers and local community members who have played a major role in the day to day operations of the project.
We appreciate all the support we can get, and attribute a lot of the project’s success to our volunteers. We need support in an array of fields, from transport to local guides, community groups and individuals, health care workers to mentors ─ we would love you to get you involved.
Please visit website or contact SmartStart staff on (02) 6260 5750 or email marathon@smartstart.com.au to get on board with this project.

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