Jarrod Wicks
Project Lead, Closing the Gap
Booroongen Djugun
Jarrod Wicks is a proud Yorta Yorta and Walbunja (Yuin) man, health promotion practitioner, educator and contemporary Aboriginal artist with more than a decade of experience working across Aboriginal health, mental health, community development and wellbeing programs. Throughout his career, Jarrod has worked within ACCO and NSW Health, leading and contributing to culturally grounded programs that strengthen social and emotional wellbeing, cultural identity, health literacy and community connection. He played a key role in the award-winning Aboriginal GOT IT! Program, which received the NSW Health Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Health Care, and most recently delivered health education programs to primary school students across New South Wales through the Our Healthy Kids Program with AH&MRC.
Jarrod recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion through the University of Sydney and currently serves as the CtG Project Lead – RTO Oversight with Booroongen Djugun Limited, supporting Aboriginal-led workforce development, education and training initiatives. Drawing on both professional and lived experience, Jarrod is passionate about creating spaces where people feel safe to connect, share stories and strengthen wellbeing through culture, relationships and community. His approach is grounded in Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing, recognising that wellbeing is built through connection to self, family, community, Country and culture.
Sessions
Day 1
2.15
Yarning Circles
A: Deadly career pathways for allied health: Join Petina Fry as she unpacks the initiative at Metro South Health designed to strengthen cultural leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health staff and grow the First Nations workforce within culturally safe workplaces.
Petina Fry, Allied Health Workforce Development Officer - Identified, Metro South Health
B: Rainbow Mob Are My Mob: Best Practice Model of Rainbow Mob Inclusion in ACCOs
This best practice model was designed for ACCOs to increase Rainbow Mob inclusion in their organisations, meet their LGBTQIASB+ safety compliance requirements and align to the Rainbow Tick accreditation standards. Learn more about how the model was made and how it can be used in your organisation.
Natalie Bassett-Bokic, Senior Accreditation Officer (Inclusion & Diversity), Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
Dan Powell, LGBTIQ First Nations Senior Project Coordinator, Rainbow Health Australia, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society
C: Strengthening Social and Emotional Wellbeing Through Culture, Connection and Community: Join this interactive yarning circle to explore how culture, connection, identity and community can support social and emotional wellbeing. Together we will share perspectives, reflect on practice, and discuss strengths-based approaches that can be applied within communities, organisations and everyday life.
Jarrod Wicks, Project Lead, Closing the Gap, Booroongen Djugun
D: Thirrili Yarn up: Postvention is prevention: Join Thirrili as they explore their culturally grounded model of care supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the Country who have been impacted by loss and trauma. Learn how Thirrili provide emotional and practical support through Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.
India Brown, Practice Coordinator, Thirrili
Daniel Howell, NSW Indigenous Community Support Worker, Thirrili
Day 2
1.55
Yarning Circles
A: Deadly career pathways for allied health: Join Petina Fry as she unpacks the initiative at Metro South Health designed to strengthen cultural leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health staff and grow the First Nations workforce.
Petina Fry, Allied Health Workforce Development Officer - Identified, Metro South Health
B: Rainbow Mob Are My Mob: Best Practice Model of Rainbow Mob Inclusion in ACCOs
This best practice model was designed for ACCOs to increase Rainbow Mob inclusion in their organisations, meet their LGBTQIASB+ safety compliance requirements and align to the Rainbow Tick accreditation standards. Learn more about how the model was made and how it can be used in your organisation.
Natalie Bassett-Bokic, Senior Accreditation Officer (Inclusion & Diversity), Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
Dan Powell, LGBTIQ First Nations Senior Project Coordinator, Rainbow Health Australia, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society
C: Social and Emotional Wellbeing Through Culture, Connection and Community: Join this interactive yarning circle to explore how culture, connection, identity and community can support social and emotional wellbeing. Together we will share perspectives, reflect on practice, and discuss strengths-based approaches that can be applied within communities, organisations and everyday life.
Jarrod Wicks, Project Lead, Closing the Gap, Booroongen Djugun
D: Thirrili Yarn up: Postvention is prevention: Join Thirrili as they explore their culturally grounded model of care supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the Country who have been impacted by loss and trauma. Learn how Thirrili provide emotional and practical support through Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.
India Brown, Practice Coordinator, Thirrili
Daniel Howell, NSW Indigenous Community Support Worker, Thirrili