A Queensland CEO armed with a syringe, is fighting to have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples protected against COVID-19, personally administering the vaccine, one vial at a time.
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Gidgee Healing CEO Renee Blackman, a proud Gubbi Gubbi woman and registered nurse, has remained hands-on in her quest to have all her people from Mount Isa, the North West and Lower Gulf regions of the State fully vaccinated.
Renee is part of a First Nation contingent of doctors, nurses and Aboriginal health practitioners injecting vaccines, imparting a greater understanding of the virus, while also allaying personal fears around getting the jab.
That process will again be on show in Mount Isa this Friday evening as Gidgee Healing hosts its Deadly Night Out push for vaccinations among Australia's First Nations populations.
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"This is about Gidgee doing their bit in the effort to lift vaccination rates before that December deadline drops where our next focus will shift to handling our first case of COVID and the inevitable outbreak," Ms Blackman said.
"This Friday will be another chance for the First Nations community of Mount Isa to access a bulk vaccination opportunity to either acquire their first dose or complete their course. We look forward to having one-on-one sit downs with people who want to ask questions, who are not sure and want more information. It's a chance to have a chat with a health professional."
Gidgee's Deadly Night Out will be a family affair with kids activities also available, including coaching clinics on behalf of the NRL and AFL, a free barbecue plus the chance for those people stepping up for the jab to take home a retro Deadly Choices shirt and be in the draw to win free Virgin Australia Flights to anywhere in Australia.
"We are really excited to be working with Virgin Australia and Accor to make this event possible," Ms Blackman said.
"The incentive should attract some attention and we hope that many more large companies follow suit and like Virgin Australia and Accor, throw unwavering support behind events like this one in communities like ours."
Current and former Broncos rugby league players Jordan Rikki, Ezra Mam, Lote Tuquiri, Xavier Willison and Ethan Quai-Ward, along with Deadly Choices Ambassadors, league legend Steve Renouf and NRLW rep Tallisha Harden will joining in the fun at Buchanan Park from 4pm.
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