Cultural Information

The Barmera Hospital and Community Health Centre sit on the lands of the Erawirung people. The Erawirung people lived on the eastern bank of the river between Paringa and Loxton occupying 3400 square kilometres. The Riverland is made up of 7 traditional owner groups. Each group had its own religions, songs, laws, language, and ceremonial culture. Their social structure was closely guarded through kinship ties. Elders were responsible for passing this knowledge to the younger members of the group. A strong network linked these communities with each respecting each other’s boundaries.

Outlined below are statistics on the make-up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population within the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout RMCLHN as of May 2021

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working within RMCLHN as of May 2021

• Life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is 71.6 years for males and 75.6 years for females. The Life expectancy for non-Aboriginal Australians is 80.2 for males and 83.4 for females (stats as per CTG report 2020).

• Once onsite you will be able to access the Aboriginal Health Hub page which will provide you with information on contacts within Aboriginal Health, resources and educational information that is localised to RMCLHN.

• As a part of your orientation with RMCLHN you will complete an online cultural awareness training session and be provided with a document that focuses on understanding the cultural difference of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

• During your placement you will participate in a Cultural Immersion overnight stay at Calperum Station. For more information on the venue see https://alt.org.au/. Further details, including dates, will be provided further into your placement.

• Complete the ‘Your Mob Learning’ training through Flinders University (free of charge).

• Get to know the country you live on by using the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia

• Learn more about Aboriginal Kinship Systems which will support working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through the Kinship Module - The University of Sydney

• Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: Cultural Safety for Health Professionals