Upcoming Events
ISSUE
National Sorry Day BBQ at Rotunda 25th May 2012 Coober Pedy to Oodnadatta Bike Ride Adventure 31st May— 2nd June
01 May 2012
This issue CEO Update P.1 Change Cycle Bikes P.2 UTHSAC Health Promotions P.3
Visiting Specialists This Month:
Issue 01 May 2012
UTHSAC SEWB/BTH Program P.4 Infection Control P.5
ON THE BALL: Coober Pedy SAINTS Vs. Andamooka DOCTORS:
By George Laslett It was ten minutes to three when George and Ali Laslett pulled into the Roxby Downs oval to see the Saints jogging around the boundary on a beautiful warm and cloudless day – they looked determined and impressive! Across to the car park with passing drills and a last minute word from the Coach and followers. The team of 17 Aboriginal and 4 nonAboriginal footballers ready to face the foe. Andamooka, kicking with a 2 goal breeze, pick up an early goal but a low stab pass to number 18 for the Saints (that un-named player often known as Mark Bell) and we scored a goal! We’re competitive, working as a team. Tim Walker (in his 50th game) skirted the pack and was rewarded with a lovely goal soon afterwards. Lionel Lester kicked a couple of great goals over his right shoulder and the Saints were showing real brilliance. Dylan Dodd is producing his weaving and side-stepping magic and showing off his potent left foot. So at half time the team, who were thrashed in the first quarter, had fought back to trail 5.2 to 8.9. This would have been a wider margin but for gallant work in the back lines by our legend, Patrick Larkins. (His daughter commented, “He’s so cute” and I give him 9/10 for persistence). Maybe it’s our fitness levels or maybe they just worked out our strategies, but that’s where it ended for the Saints. We got walked all over in the second half. The guys didn’t give up and there were many great individual efforts including a great smother by school teacher Andy
Dialysis Bus Visit P.6 STI Week P.7
Dr. Judy – April 30th to May 4th
(46) but it unluckily bounced Andamooka’s way and resulted in their goal. Solid play in the back line with Caleb Warren passing to Lester, to Dylan Warren showed signs of brilliance. Kyle Aitken made a great spoil, Patrick Larkins kicked to the high flying Corey Edwards who took 3 stunning marks against bulkier players and really held his own over 4 quarters. The Finke players showed their ‘silky skills’ and enabled us to win in the Ruck but they dominated in the centre. Andamooka side was half Roxby Downs players and they are much bigger those miners, but the SAINTS showed good skills and determination throughout the game. Marty Grava is valiant in defence but our fitness wasn’t there and Andamooka kept piling on the goals. The ¾ time score was Saints 6.2 to 11.6 In the last quarter we had the breeze but I think it’s swirling a bit. Darryl Doolan is supporting the coach by yelling instructions to the players in one of his nine languages then a strong tackle leads to a yellow card. Dylan Warren kept on going out on his own, bouncing the ball three times down the wing, double banking in the back lines by the fatherson combination of Kyle and Patrick
Larkins to get the ball out; Dylan Cameron, probably the youngest player on the field, sending off a look away handball and follow up block complemented Thomas Stewart’s skills. Yes, we got done but we take heart from how competitive we were in the first half. If we could have played like this for 4 quarters, no one would stop us! Back on the bus. A number of players with ice packs strapped to sore ankles and some with bruised ribs but we all did our best for Timmy’s 50th game. Tim Walker is an unassuming player. Having reached his 50th he declined the offer of a banner replying that ‘I’m not into heroics or big noting.’ This probably summarizes the game. We brought skill, pace, endeavour and charisma, but they had bulk, finance and fitness which told on the day. But eh! There’s always next week. And then there’s our first HOME GAME on May 12th at 2.30pm Thanks to Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation for Sponsoring the bus. Thank you to Bobby Warren for bringing 4 players from Oodnadatta, and to Daryl Doolan for getting 4 players down from Finke. This was an enjoyable afternoon and our first half showed us what’s possible in the future – GO THE SAINTS.
Upcoming Events/ Sports Page P.8
Dr. Fram - 7th-11th May Dietician - May 10th & 11th Dr. McKendry –14th-18th May Dr. Jodi - 21st-25th May SPECIALISTS: Dietician - May 10th & 11th Podiatrist - 10th & 22nd May Dentist –21st-25th May Physiotherapist –22nd May Occupational Therapist –23rd -25th May
U mo o n a T j u t a g ku H e a l t h S e rvi ce A b o ri g i n a l C o rp o ra t i o n ICN 7460 Lot 8 Umoona Road Po Box 166 Coober Pedy SA 5723 Ph.: 08 8672 5255 Fax:08 8672 3349 www.uths.com.au
Welcome to our very first edition of Umoona Tjutagku Wangka. Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation is a community controlled Aboriginal Health Service. The Health service provides primary health care services to Aboriginal people in and around Coober Pedy. Umoona Health also Auspices the Dunjiba Substance misuse Program in Oodnadatta by two Aboriginal Health Workers who have done a fantastic job. Umoona Tjutagku Health Service (UTHSAC) was established in 2005 to address the specific medical needs of the Aboriginal people in Coober Pedy. The organisation has expanded steadily over the past Seven and a half years to provide a comprehensive range of Medical, Dental and social services for our community.
UTHSAC continues to provide high quality comprehensive Primary Health Care Services and programs to an increasing number of clients in the community as well as the visiting transient population. Umoona Tjutagku Health Service has over the past two years have been focusing on improving our Service Delivery in the Community. As well as providing a variety of medical services, UTHSAC is committed to supporting the well-being of the community through contributions to community events and activities. UTHSAC is also committed to assisting research into the ongoing needs of the community. We hope that you will enjoy reading our news and we would love to hear back any feedback on how we can improve the services that we provide. We would also like to hear any feedback on the great work that the staff here at UTHSAC provides to the people in the community. Hope you enjoy! Thanks Priscilla Larkins Chief Executive Officer
The Change Cycle Bikes have arrived. As promised Kelly O’Brien Educational Psychologist
Youth Club and COBRA were so excited.
other riders 14 years and above.
(Toorak College, Mt Eliza) and partner Stuart Allen
George Laslett, Manager of Programmes and Policies at
Other sponsors for the ride along with Oz
transported 65 Bikes to Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal
UTHSAC commented on how this supply of bikes would benefit the community by the
Minerals and IMX Resources are OPAL Fuel, FACHSIA, Closing the
Corporation. This is part of an innovative concept called the
establishment of a permanent Bike Club, training sessions for
Gap, and Health SA. We have received great
Change Cycle where Homeless people work with school
10 adult and 8 young Aboriginal men taking on the
support from local member Lyn Breuer, Member for
children to recondition second hand bikes to send to Central Aboriginal Communities.
Challenge of riding to Oodnadatta over 3days in June as well as bikes for the
Giles and Craig Rigney, Closing the Gap.
Sponsors present included Greg Burns, External Relations
Breakaway Bash next June 30th.
Manager, Prominent Hill, Oz Minerals and Steve Staines, Manager, Support Services,
Already SBS TV Reporters have shown interest in following the Bike ride and it
IMX Resources whose companies are graciously
will provide participants with an opportunity of exercise,
supporting this project and COBRA (Coober Pedy to
camaraderie, being mentored by the adult riders, connection
Oodnadatta Bike Ride) from May 31st-2nd June 2012 the concept of SAPOL officers
to country and a great sense of purpose and achievement. Each young person completing the
Patrick Larkins and Chris Warrior.
journey will receive a recycled mountain bike and the
At a Barbecue attended by 40 people at UTHSAC on Tuesday 3rd April at 11am the bikes
enthusiasm is infectious. The young men are training each Wednesday night from
were handed over. The children from the ‘Yes’
UTHSAC Drug and Alcohol from 6pm and weekends. We
programme, Coober Pedy Area School, Coober Pedy Council
still have a couple of spots for
Sexual Health Community Screening 2012 Umoona Tjutagku Health Service staff have been
& slogan that would be easy for people to
preparing for the scheduled AHCSA STI
remember & hopefully help remove the “Shame”
screening program in Coober Pedy 23-27 of April (& again in May).
associated with the STI screening. Target age group for the
Alan O’Toole & Janine Le Bois are spearheading this
screening were from 16 to 31 years of age
promotion together with the AHCSA team. Alan
Groups approached: Footy
came up with the design & slogan ( approved by an elder) for the t-shirts
Coober Pedy High school
training, Bungala, and the
that staff wore during this promotional dates. He had to come up with the design
Environmental Health Roles and Responsibilities The roles of the Aboriginal Environmental Health Workers: * Improve the Environment of the Community * Work with the Community, Stakeholders & other service providers. * Educate and Empower the community.
The roles of the Community and Dog Owners: * Keep the Community Clean * Keep their houses Clean * Keep their dogs and bedding Clean * Eat Healthy * Provide their Dogs with healthy food and water. * Keep themselves clean and healthy.
Environmental Health is a Joint venture between Umoona Health and The Community.
UTHSAC Health Promotion in Miners Store & IGA on April 26 The Mobile Dialysis Bus was here!! Since August 2010, the Northern Territory
haven’t been back to Coober Pedy for a few years. So the
Government has run a mobile dialysis bus service
mobile dialysis bus a God sent to enable them to return
out of Alice Springs. Umoona Tjutagku Health service was fortunate to be
home. The Bus is equipped with 2 chairs, monitor and a qualified registered Nurse.
able to host the Dialysis bus for One week. The service
UTHSAC would also like to take this opportunity to
enables Aboriginal dialysis patients to return to their
Thank the Mobile dialysis Team for the Support and
home communities for short visits to see family and friends. For the first time in
Care for our people during this time. UTHSAC will continue to rally for the bus
history we had 5 people return to the home
to return and the ongoing support to get funding for 2
community and weren’t they excited. These people
chairs to be provided so that Our people can return home to their families and their country.
Risk factors for chronic kidney disease You are more ‘at risk’ of chronic kidney disease if you: Have diabetes Have high blood pressure
Teams from both Drug & Alcohol and Primary Health spent a morning at both IGA & Miner Store talking to people, offering advice, doing some health checks ( blood pressures check , BGL check , checking of weight, height etc).
Are obese
Pamphlets on various subjects including condoms & lubricants were left on the table available for people to pick from as they please. This gave us an opportunity to promote to the community what we can offer at UTHSAC. A wide variety of
Are over 50 years of age
Have a family history of kidney disease Smoke Are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
Flinders University Graduates Last year Arlene Ackland and Priscilla Larkins took on the Post graduate certificate in Remote Health Management Course at Flinders University. On the 20th of April they both graduated along with Ann Marie Power graduating from the Post graduate certificate in Remote
Health Practice and Kwa Gyan Graduating from Flinders University in Bachelor of Nursing. A Big Congratulations to these successful Ladies.
information was provided by the team and this gave opportunity for people to ask questions regarding health if they wanted to and find out the answers direct from the” horse’s mouth”
Infection Control - Flu Season Dora’s top ten tips to keep you in flu fighting shape
Get Vaccinated The seasonal flu jab
Flu is an acute viral illness that mainly affects the
strains of flu including the 2009 pandemic swine flu. If you are pregnant,
respiratory system. Symptoms usually
Meet the SEWB/BTH Worker Hi My Name is Sharon Graham, my position at
areas, of Centrelink, courts issues, paperwork, bank
work, family tracing and
UTHSAC is Social Emotional Well-being/
issues, talking and referring to other services when I am
members of the Stolen
Bringing Them Home Coordinator.
unable to address the issues. Provide counselling and support for Aboriginal &
reunion services to Generations, through the existing network of Link Up services across
starts with sudden onset of chills, shakes, headache, aching, fever and dry cough. Your body immune system most often deals with the virus within a few weeks but it can cause severe illness and life threatening com-plications especially in the elderly and
As the Social Emotional Well-being worker I help
Torres Strait Islander people; Offer a broad range of
Australia, Ensure priority is
people from Coober Pedy and other areas with things
counselling services which includes intergenerational
First Generation, elderly,
like, trauma, grief & loss, counselling, culturally sensitive social, emotional,
grief, trauma and family relationship counselling;
cultural and spiritual wellbeing support to
As the Bringing Them Home
assist in the full reunion
worker I work with people
process at the request of a
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Establish a referral network
from Coober Pedy and other
Link Up service; Work with
areas, I provide support to
established peer support
Indigenous workers with
groups and other Stolen
other Agencies in the related
Generations groups to
mental health, Bringing Them
either conduct or support
SOUL TIPS FOR SUPERCHARGING YOUR
Home & Link Up field of
healing programs and
WINTER WELLNESS.
of, and offer to refer clients to, professional counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, traditional healers and other services as required, including mainstream mental health services, non-government organisations. Maintain Networks, communication with relevant agencies and organisations essential to the provision of effective programs, Advocacy in the
given to Clients who are and/or requiring urgent assistance due to health concerns. Participate and
people with heart or lung disease. Winter can be trying times both mentally and physically. The days are darker, colder and shorter and our bodies become more susceptible to all kinds of winter nasties like cold and flu. HERE ARE BODY AND
provides 12 months of cover against the major
over 65, or have a chronic disease make sure you get vaccinated. Keep exercising Find an exercise partner to keep you motivated burn more kilojoules on that early morning walk or run. Eat Well Keep your immune system in shape by making sure you are eating a healthy diet. For your body to be able to respond to infection it needs to have enough protein. So enjoy lean meat, fish and poultry. Dose up on vitamins and minerals Iron, zinc and vitamin C are also key to a healthy immune system. Also look for dark, leafy greens and red and yellow vegetables, which are all high in antioxidants. Stay hydrated
related activities.
Wash Hands Stop spreading germs. Wash hands after using the toilet, before meals and after every few hours.
Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. If cold water is not good for you try boiled water with a slice of lemon. The moisture also help make mucous
membranes, including those in your sinuses, more resistant to bacteria. Rest up Regular sleep is vital to staying healthy. Don’t let yourself get run down. Those who aren’t well rested are more likely to get sick. Quit smoking Smokers are far more susceptible to upper respiratory infections, which tends to strike in winter. Clean up winter mould Mould can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, respiratory infections and worsens asthma nad allergic conditions. So move your spring clean forward to autumn. Save your skin Cold air, wind and heating will dry our your skin, so keep your face and body well nourished.