Chairperson’s Introduction 

Dr. Summer Finlay, Senior Lecturer, University of Wollongong 

Addressing inequitable policies and practices within Indigenous healthcare 

Virtual Presentation: How a shared data warehouse for ACCHSs in each state - with national connections - would empower the sector 

 

Sam Heard, Medical Director, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress

Investing in Digital Health to empower clients to better manage their chronic conditions, improve their quality of life, and increase their life expectancy.   

 

Floyd Leedie, CEO, Goondir Health Services

Bittu Ann Cherian, Virtual Health Services Manager, Goondir Health 

• Highlighting the benefits of Virtual Health Services (VHS) when applied to client care in rural and remote locations. 
• Using VHS to empower clients to self-manage their chronic conditions. 
• Evaluating data and technology to reinforce the benefits of Virtual Health Services

Speakers

Bittu Ann Cherian

Virtual Health Services Manager

Goondir Health

Floyd Leedie

CEO

Goondir Health Services

Morning Tea

Panel: How should mainstream services go about setting up health initiatives with and for Indigenous communities?  

 

Damian Griffis, CEO, First Peoples Disability Network Australia
Deborah Jacobs, Principal Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Advisor, Department of Health WA
David Follent, Chairperson  / Senior Project Officer, Chronic Care for Aboriginal People, National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners / NSW Agency for Clinical Inno vation

• Dedicating time and resources to preparation and consultation  
• Engaging the community in your initiative  
• Ensuring the language you use as part of your strategy is culturally appropriate  
• Avoiding loading issues on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff  
• Recognizing that the best health initiatives for Indigenous communities extend beyond hospitals and clinics  

Speakers

Damian Griffis

CEO

First Peoples Disability Network Australia

Deborah Jacobs

Principal Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Advisor

Department of Health WA

Exploring the relationship between the Disability and Health sectors

• Ensuring equitable access to health services for persons with disabilities
• How the health sector can work better with disability services to provide integrated care
• How the health sector can support the growth of the disability workforce (weaving in the sector strengthening plan)

Speakers

Jamie Newman

CEO

Orange AMS

Lunch

Panel: Easing cost of living pressures in regional communities to improve access to good food and care  

 

Deanne Minniecon, National Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement, Diabetes Australia
Tracy Hardy, Founder, Nutritionist/Accredited Practising Dietitian, Wattleseed Nutrition, Health and Wellbeing

• Exploring policy mechanisms to subsidise the inflated cost of living in regional areas  
• Introducing cheap and accessible local produce to ensure food accessibility isn’t at the mercy of global politics  
• Examining case studies where the cost of living has remained steady despite socio-economic pressures  

Speakers

Tracy Hardy

Founder, Nutritionist/Accredited Practising Dietitian

Wattleseed Nutrition, Health and Wellbeing

Deanne Minniecon

National Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement

Diabetes Australia

Presenting data on the intersection between health and housing 

Paul J Torzillo AM, Consultant Medical Director, Nganampa Health Council, South Australia, Head, Department of Respiratory Medicine , Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

• What do families need working in a house to provide safe and healthy living conditions? 
• Why is routine maintenance critical to Indigenous health? 
• Evaluating the AHURI report on housing and climate change 

Speakers

Paul J Torzillo AM

Consultant Medical Director, Head, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Nganampa Health Council, South Australia, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Anchor Panel: Designing and investing in homes that maintain communal living while reducing overcrowding to prevent health issues  

 

Michael Doyle, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, University of Sydney, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Working Group, OzSage
Professor Emma McBryde, Professorial Research Fellow - Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, James Cook University

• How has the election impacted housing policy and its intersection with health outcomes?  
• When designing new stock, what will help most in reducing sickness and disease?  
• Tackling the problems presented by overcrowding, climate change, and poor health outcomes 

Speakers

Michael Doyle

Senior Research Fellow, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Working Group

Centre for Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, University of Sydney, OzSage

Chairperson’s closing statement and End of Day Two

STRATEGIES TO STRENGTHEN THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HEALTH WORKFORCE 

8.30 AM | Registration and Coffee  

  

9.00 AM | Session One  

 

How can health services develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers’ clinical skills and capacity in clinical, non-clinical and leadership roles?  

 

• History of the Aboriginal Health Worker Workforce  
• Recognition/defining the Role of Aboriginal Health Workers  
• Wage parity and career pathways for Aboriginal Health Workers  

  

10.30 AM |  Morning Break  

  

11.00 AM | Session Two

 

How can health services create a culturally supportive and responsive workplace environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals?  

 

  

The Ahpra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy 2020-2025: the goal is to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation within Ahpra through the development of a culturally safe work environment that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate and serve.  

  

Priority Areas  

• Build a sustainable talent pipeline through attraction and recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates;  
• Implement programs and culturally safe work practices which foster the retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees;  
• Invest in developing the capabilities and careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, including representation in leadership and senior roles;  
• Know the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce throughout Ahpra to encourage their engagement in delivering the Employment Strategy and goals.  

  

12.30 PM |  Networking Lunch  

  

1.30 PM | Session Three

 

How can we increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying for health qualifications and connect them with internship, casual and part-time work opportunities in mainstream and Aboriginal health services?  

 

• Aboriginal graduate and cadetship programs: An implementation guide for Victorian public health services  

• Health service preparation  
• Preparing the workplace for Aboriginal graduates and cadets  
• Establishing workplace and supervision for graduates and cadets  

  

3.00 PM | Afternoon Break  

  

3.30 PM | Session Four  

 

How do tertiary education providers and health services work together to improve graduation and employment rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in health degrees?    

 

• Strengthening education and training  
• Current status of the Australian health workforce  
• Identification of key health workforce issues and challenges  
• Ensuring a capable and qualified health workforce  

  

4.30 PM | End of Workshop 

 

Tony Martens

Managing Director

Australian Training Works 

 

Tony is a proud Gunggandji man whose traditional lands include the discrete Aboriginal community of Yarrabah. Tony also has strong family and cultural connections throughout Cape York.  

  

Tony is a Co-Owner and Managing Director of Australian Training Works Group Pty Ltd (ATW).  

  

Australian Training Works (ATW) is a 100% Indigenous owned and operated Queensland registered Group Training Organisation.  

  

ATW and its group of companies specialise in providing training, employment, mentoring solutions and workforce development with a major focus on Indigenous related outcomes.  

  

Tony has previously worked across the Queensland and Australian Governments for a combined total of 22 years. He has worked at an Executive Management level in both tiers of government where he has managed large organisational teams and has led effective workforce strategies through major periods of change. During this time Tony has mentored and supported staff, managed regional offices and held responsibility for programme expenditure within financial management guidelines.  

  

Tony’s past experience has specifically focused on the areas of Indigenous employment and training, Indigenous economic development and social housing delivery. Whilst employed by the Queensland Government Tony was the Manager of the Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Education Program (AIHWEP). AIHWEP was the first nationally accredited certificate program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers.  

  

Tony has had extensive experience in working on the ground with remote communities and has managed former Community Development Employment Program (CDEP). Tony is a Board Member of TRACQS Pty Ltd which is the Community Development (CDP) provider for the largest CDP site nationally.  

  

Tony is also a member of GHD’s Indigenous Advisory Committee and has previously been Australia’s representative on the World Indigenous Business Network (WIBN).  

  

Tony holds a Bachelor of Education from James Cook University, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) and a Certificate IV in Small Business Management. Tony also possesses a trade qualification as an Auto Electrician and has taught adult education programs in the TAFE and Correctional Services sectors. Through Tony’s experience he has a comprehensive understanding of apprenticeship and traineeship frameworks and is most familiar with the Vocational Education sector.