On Monday the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS) invited health workers and community members to the hospital courtyard to mark this significant national week. 

Kalkadoon woman, Jenny Watts performed the Welcome to Country, saying the land on which they stood was Kalkadoon land long before fences and roads.

“Everything underneath these roads, buildings and footpaths is still Kalkadoon Country,” Ms Watts said.

Director of Cultural Capability and Engagement Christine Mann was MC, and said it was “really important” for NWHHS to acknowledge Reconciliation Week.

“The theme this year is lets take the next step, I think you can always interpret that nicely into continuing to provide a culturally responsive service to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the wider community.”

Ms Mann outlined the hospital and health service’s Lower Gulf strategy which would establish a comprehensive primary health care model in the region.

“It’s a piece of work happening between Gidgee Healing, the Western Queensland Primary Health Network and ourselves to look at comprehensive primary health strategy to our lower Gulf region, where the need is at the moment,” Ms Mann said.

“Looking at how we do that alongside community, co-designing it with people, not just applying it to people – really true engagement and doing this together.”

Ms Mann talked about NWHHS’ cultural practice program for new staff, with 17 sessions over the past 12 months well attended by staff.

“I was really pleased to see the strength of that program to provide people with insights into all the different policy areas in the history of our nation since federation which were directed towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Ms Mann said.

“Some of those policy areas have lasting effects today and that’s coming out in poor health.”

NWHHS Board Chair Paul Woodhouse touched on the celebrations of the anniversaries of the 1967 Referendum and Eddie Mabo’s Native Title achievement.

Mr Woodhouse went on the say the Board was truly committed to building a health service in the region.

“We have a very diverse population, with long distances between our communities, and lot of health issues, but we are committed to working in a way that suits our communities,” Mr Woodhouse said.

Referring to the Lower Gulf strategy, Mr Woodhouse said, “We’re going to build it slowly, working with the communities. A local solution produces great outcomes for local communities.”

Mr Woodhouse praised the new Nurse Navigator initiative which aims to keep people out of hospital.

Sundowners Kalkadoon dance group performed for the crowd, with music and commentary by Ronaldo Gavara.

Mr Gavara explained the meaning behind the dance pieces; Willie Wagtail, Kangaroo Dance, and Mosquito.