THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO
entertainment in
Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au Available early Tuesday at: http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 22 #06 TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2007 22,300 copies every week
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New Aboriginal health service for north coast
Community joins in colourful NAIDOC
Goolaboonya dancers made up of members from related groups in the Bundjalung nation lead the NAIDOC parade away from Railway Park and up main street to the peace pole on the beachfront in Byron Bay last Thursday. The street parade kicked off a sunny day of community celebrations with traditional dances and
songs, a kangaroo BBQ with bushfood relishes, kids activities including beadwork in red, black and yellow, the Aboriginal colours of sovereignty, and a surprise performance by singer/ songwriter Jack Johnson. Children and adults were led in traditional dance by indigenous example with entertaining
results – kids mimicked goannas and adults lost all inhibition. Last week’s NAIDOC celebrations provided a place of connection for indigenous and non-indigenous people alike where all were able to celebrate the unique culture and nurture the morale of the indigenous community. Photo Lou Beaumont
Local woman dies from meningococcal disease A middle-aged woman died on Thursday July 12 in Tweed Hospital from meningococcal disease having been transferred from Mullumbimby Hospital earlier that day. Greg Bell, the Assistant Director of Public Health for the North Coast Area Health Service, said, ‘If anyone suspects meningococcal disease, they should seek medical attention immediately.’ Meningococcal disease has a sud-
den onset and symptoms may include a high temperature, headache, nausea or vomiting, irritability, weakness or drowsiness, joint and/or muscle aches, stiff neck, purple blotchy rash that may change quickly. Babies and very young children may have less specific symptoms such as refusing feeds, irritability and a highpitched cry. Mr Bell said, ‘Meningococcal infection does not spread easily. It is spread by secretions from the
back of nose and throat of a person who is carrying it, with close and prolonged contact needed to pass it on. It does not appear to be spread through saliva or by sharing drinks, food or cigarettes.’ Mr Bell stressed that while meningococcal disease can be serious, in most cases early detection and treatment would result in a complete recovery. Winter and early spring are the peak seasons for meningococcal
disease. In 2007 there have been 38 meningococcal notifications in NSW, with one other fatality. Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious illness that usually causes meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and/or septicaemia (blood poisoning). Information on meningococcal disease is available at www.health. nsw.gov.au/pubs/factsheet/pdf/ meningoccal.pdf.
A new Aboriginal health service is being established on the north coast. The Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service will be based in Ballina and serve the Aboriginal communities from Ballina to Wollongbar, Broadwater and Byron Bay. Commonwealth Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) funding of $600,000 a year will see the establishment of the premises and the employment of a half time GP, full time nurse, two full time Aboriginal health workers, receptionist, manager and a variety of social and emotional health, and drug and alcohol workers. The Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NRGPN) will be the auspicing body, with direction set by the Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service Committee. Dr Dan Ewald from the NRGPN, who was involved in the steering committee, has been providing an interim service from the Bunjum Aboriginal Co-operative premises in Tamar Street for the past four years. This will now become part of the new service. ‘Having the dedicated infrastructure for a primary health care service in place that can offer a GP service with the essential extras like immunisation, managed care for chronic diseases, health education, and mental health services will make a difference,’ Dr Ewald said. ‘This population with high rates of health problems needs a secure quality primary health care service that can be their health care homebase. Aboriginal people who have an established relationship with existing GP services in the area will be encouraged to continue that relationship. We will try to get to those people currently missing out.’ The health service committee is also calling on local Aboriginal artists to design a new logo for the service. A $500 prize is on offer for continued on page 2