Footprints Across

the Territory

From the Coordinator

Hi everyone. Every year I know I say this, but what a big year we have had. 2014 has been such a busy year and again we have been so lucky that our hard work has had some great achievements for us all. I’m really proud of the work we are doing. This year we saw us present at the National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Conference and the feedback from the conference delegates was so positive about us. We have been lucky enough to have the Commonwealth fund us for more workers in the Program Support Unit and on the ground Remote AOD Workers, and 2015 will bring this workforce more growth, change and opportunity to expand what we do across the Territory. We had 2 wonderful forums this year, the last one being a real success in Darwin, and I thank you all for coming to be a part of it. Our next forum is in Alice Springs, and we will all be coming together again for more education, sharing, learning, team building and of course karaoke. We’ve welcomed new staff, and sadly said farewell to others. The Program Support Unit also moved from Primary Care/Remote Health to Alcohol & Other Drugs Services and we thank our new team for our warm welcome. 2015 is going to be a big year, and we all look forward to working with you together as our Territory team grows. A big thank you to you all, and to your managers, our teams across Primary Health Care Services and the Aboriginal Medical Services, and our partners and stakeholders. Together we make this team a family.

Jennifer Frendin—Remote AOD Coordinator

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE……

The Newsletter— Remote Alcohol & Other Drugs Workforce 2nd Edition

July 2014—December 2014

1. From The Coordinator

2. Welcome to New Staff and

Teleconferences

3. Clinical Supervision and

Website

4. Administrator’s Medals

2014

5. September 2014 Forum

6. September 2014 Forum

Photos

7. OCSOBER in Elliott

8. Training & Education

Update

9. Groote Eylandt Trip

10. “Blue Sky” Workshop

11. Community Healthfest

Days

12. RMIT Graduation

Ceremony

13. Upcoming Events

14. Photos

15. Remote AOD Workforce

and Farewells

Welcome to new Staff!

On behalf of the Remote AOD Workforce

we would like to welcome the following

people to the team!

Alice Springs

Jenny Hains, Kelly Saler, Norman Dulvarie

Darwin

Luchi Santer

Groote Eylandt

Dorothea Lalara, Cynthia Mirniyowan,

Derek Wurrawilya

Wurli

Andy Blaney

We look forward to working with you all.

AOD Workforce Teleconferences

The Remote AOD Workforce Teleconferences have come to an end for 2014.Our last one for 2014 was held on Thursday 27th November 2014.

The first Teleconference for 2015 will be on Thursday 5th March 2015.

We look forward to catching up with everyone in 2015!

The agendas and relevant information are sent out on the Tuesday prior to the fortnightly teleconferences. It is an expectation that all Remote AOD Workforce Members link in to the teleconferences where possible as these are excellent opportunities for information sharing, professional development & mentoring among the team.

Please note: Teleconferences last for 1 hour, participants to link in by 9:30am.

We look forward to hearing from you all then.

If you have any questions at all about his process please phone or e-mail Jess. TELECONFERENCE DETAILS:

At 9:30am

Phone: 89243666.

At the prompt enter GUEST PIN NUMBER: 9180007947#

Page 2 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

Edition 2

Page 3 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

Edition 2

Don’t Forget to check out our website at

www.remoteaod.com.au

Another year of great supervision and yarning about work is coming to a close. A big thank you to all of you for being committed to your work and being willing to learn and develop so you can be even greater workers by participating in your supervision sessions. And a big thank you to Sarah and Phill for their commitment to our workforce by providing supervision also.

2015 is going to be a great year, and we are going to make a few changes to the supervision program. Before we do, we want feedback from you, so we will be asking you all to fill out a survey in the next few months telling us what you like about supervision, and what you would change if you could. It helps us to provide a better service to you all. I will let you all know when it is happening.

In the meantime, you can always tell me, Sarah, Phill or Jenn what you think, whenever you want. Have a great summer break and enjoy the beautiful warm weather.

Lauren Buckley—Remote AOD Workforce Clinical Supervisor

Page 4 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

The Remote AOD Workforce was nominated for the Administrator’s Medals for Primary Health

Care in August 2014 for the Team Medal.

These awards acknowledge the contributions of Primary Health Care Practitioners from across

the NT for their hard work, dedication and commitment to primary health care.

Joseph Knuth, Diane Mayers, Sampson Henry, Leon James, Jess Thompson and Lauren

Buckley attended to receive the nomination from the Honourable Sally Thomas AC,

Administrator of the Northern Territory at Government House, Darwin.

While we did not win the award, we were recognised for our team’s significant achievements

across the Northern Territory.

Thank you to Joseph, Diane, Sammo and Leon for coming to represent our workforce on the

night.

Lauren Buckley—Remote AOD Workforce Clinical Supervisor

Edition 2

v

Edition 2

Page 5

The Remote Alcohol & Other Drugs Workforce Program recently gathered for their second forum for 2014 in Darwin from 23

rd-25

th September.

Over 30 participants, including members of the Remote AOD Workforce, invited guests and presenters, attended the 3 day event.

This workforce extends from the Top End to Central Australia across both Department of Health and Aboriginal Community–

Controlled Health Services, including Danila Dilba, Miwatj Health, Wurli Wurlinjang, Katherine West Health Board, Central Australia Aboriginal Congress, Western Aranda Health Aboriginal Corporation and Anyinginyi.

The theme of this forum was ‘Working Together, Growing Together’ and provided an excellent opportunity for the workforce to come together to participate in education and information sharing activities, networking, and professional development in the areas of alcohol and other drugs and community development.

This forum’s focus was on building the leadership capabilities of the workforce and expands mentoring opportunities for the workforce to better support each other.

Our next forum will be held in Alice Springs on 21st – 23

rd April 2015. Please save this date

and block it out in your calendar.

We look forward to seeing you all together again and hearing about the great work you have been doing in your communities.

Jess Thompson – Program Support Officer

FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

Visiting the Alcohol Mandatory Treatment

Facility in Darwin

Page 6

Edition 2

v

FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

Daniel & Sonny

Scotty, Norman & Jacob

Nigel, Irish, Mary, Diane & Leon claiming

their karaoke prizes!

Lauren, Jenn, Jonno & Sarah

FOOTPRINTS across the Territory Page 7

Edition 2

For the month of October it is recognised as OCSOBER and is all

about finding and freeing WILL POWER, meeting a challenge to

say ‘no’ to alcohol for 31 days and raising funds that will be

used to empower Australian children to make healthier and

safer choices as they grow up.

The money raised supports Life Education, the organisation

delivering vital health education in schools, supported by its iconic

mascot, Healthy Harold. For 35 years, Life Education and its team of

educators have been teaching Australian children how to find their

own WILL POWER and make safer and healthier choices about drug and alcohol use. This year, we aim to raise

over $1 million during Ocsober to help Life Education with Healthy

Harold travel to even more schools across Australia.

Ocsober is also an important opportunity to highlight the growing

danger of binge drinking and alcohol abuse, particularly among

young Australians. Participants can also enjoy other potential

benefits from a month off alcohol… you’ll feel healthier and fitter,

lose weight and enjoy your weekend mornings again!

We held a Mocktails and Movie night Thursday 29th October for the

ending of Ocsober. We had a great night and with about 40 participant’s it was great. Thanks to Linda and Sue for

your help. Diane Mayers—Elliott

Cinema ELLIOTT style

Helpers Linda Rice (Catholic Care) and

Sue Wiley (DCF)

THIS IS WHERE WE DECLARED THE

DIANES DELIGHT MOCKTAIL!

Page 8 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

Edition 2

There are many mandatory and non-mandatory Courses, Workshops, Trainings and Education available to our Workforce.

Our Mandatory Training consists of the following:

Responding to Child Abuse & Neglect: What Primary Health Care Practitioners Need to Know

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health

Domestic and Family Violence Workshop

Applied Suicide Interventions Skills Training

The completion of this training is a very important. It will help to maintain and develop the skills needed for the for your role as a Remote AOD Worker.

Training and Education dates for 2015 are to be advised and will be distributed shortly.

Jess Thompson – Program Support Officer

Page 9 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

A great week was had with the team on

Groote Eylandt, workshopping how to work

with clients using gunja and the latest

research on how harmful gunja can be.

Workers from Bickerton Island and from

Angurugu and Umbakumba attended the 2

days, exploring AOD assessments and using

out tool Assessment 1A.

Thanks to Alistair, Lawrence, Nathaniel,

Dorothea, Agnes, Fred John and Jayne for

participating.

Lauren Buckley—Remote AOD Workforce Clinical Supervisor

Edition 2

Page 10 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

On Tuesday 25th November the RAODW Program held a “Blue

Sky” workshop for stakeholders with an interest in developing

the future of Remote AOD Workforce services in the Northern

Territory.

We wanted to capture the imaginations of participants to help us

build on the good work and commitment of the RAODW team to

take the Program to the next level. It was exciting for us that we had Rachael Norman and

Kyla Holmberg from the office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in attendance, as well as

representatives from the RAODW Advisory Group, Joseph Knuth, Norman Dulvarie, Mary

Babia and Leon James amongst the crew.

The day was facilitated by Dr Tina Lambert who worked everyone hard to get creative and get

the ideas flowing. Of course we had some fun during the process as you can see in the

photos.

The next steps will involve putting together an action plan and starting some new projects in

2015. I look forward to sharing the next steps with you all.

Jenny Hains—Senior Project Officer

Edition 2

Here are some photos of recent heath fests that we held in our communities. The days were

composed of health promotion displays, healthy BBQ, hip hop dancing by artists and

community members, showing video clips that we made in our communities and the sports /

activities on the “Specky Dreaming” equipment and

giveaways / prizes of footballs and basketballs.

Peter Clottu—Alcohol and Other Drugs Coordinator

Page 11 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

Edition 2

Page 12 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

Edition 2

Congratulations to Mary Babia and Scott Nelson (Wurli Wurlinjang),

Sampson Henry (Jabiru) and Asman Rory (Borroloola) who graduated

there Cert IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs on 18th November 2014.

This training was delivered in Katherine through a series of interactive

face to face workshops over an eight month period and was designed

to meet the needs of Remote Community Service Workers.

Their hard work and commitment to study has been rewarded with

this qualification and is a huge achievement.

You should be very, very proud of yourselves for accomplishing this

goal. Well done.

Jessica Thompson—Program Support Officer

Page 13 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

Edition 2

Ocsober is a fundraising initiative that encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of

October. For more information visit www.ocsober.com.au

National Youth Week (NYW) is

the largest celebration of young

people in Australia. Thousands

of young people aged 12-25

from across Australia are

involved in NYW each year.

In 2015, NYW will be held from

10th—19th April.

It starts with us is the theme for

2015 and was decided by the

National Planning Group Mem-

bers. For information on how

you can get involved in activities

near or far from you, visit

www.youthweek.com

Every second year many of the current and future leaders

of the rural and remote health sector meet at the

Conference to exchange information on the latest

developments and to craft a set of recommendations for

action. There is a lot of networking in formal and informal

sessions - with the wellbeing of country people always at

the forefront of discussions.

The 13th National Rural Health Conference will focus on the

People Places Responsibilities that are keys to good health

for rural and remote Australia.

The conference will be held from 24-27 May 2015 at the

Darwin Convention Centre. For more information visit

www.ruralhealth.org.au

FebFest is the original charity movement which challenges

you to take a 28 day break from alcohol and raise funds for

youth addiction. New for 2015, FebFaster’s will have a

choice to take a break from alcohol, sugar, junk food, smok-

ing or social media.

For more information visit www.febfast.org.au

Edition 1

Page 14 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory

Readers are encouraged to

send their feedback to :

jessica.thompson@nt.gov.au.

The next Newsletter will be

due to come out in 2015 —

start thinking about the next

newsletter. If you would like to

contribute please send

Newsletter items to Jess

Thank you.

Jess Thompson

(Program Support Officer)

See you later. . .

Farwell to : Kelly Saler Peter Clottu Damien Yunupingu Lalambarri Yunupingu

Remote AOD Workforce

Edition 1

Workforce Area

Jennifer Frendin DoH- Alice Springs Remote AOD Coordinator

Lauren Buckley DoH- Clinical Supervisor

Jenny Hains DoH– Senior Project Officer

Luchi Santer DoH– Business and HR Senior Project Officer

Jess Thompson DoH- Program Support Officer

Kelly Saler DoH- Remote AOD Administration Officer

Norman Dulvarie DoH-Clinical Mentor

Sarah Haythornthwaite AMSANT- Darwin

Robert Wilson DoH- Angurugu - Health Centre Manager

Dorothea Lalara DoH-Angurugu

Jacob Hoosan DoH- Aputula/Titjikala

Patricia Taylor DoH- Borroloola

Asman Rory DoH- Borroloola

Diane Mayers DoH- Elliott

Leon James DoH- Gunbalanya

Samson Henry DoH- Jabiru

Cynthia Mirniyowan DoH- Umbakumba

Derek Wurrawilya DoH-Umbakumba

Linda Turner Anyinginyi -Tennant Creek

Janine Andrews Anyinginyi -Tennant Creek

Patricia Grant Anyinginyi -Tennant Creek

Lewis Charles Anyinginyi -Tennant Creek

George Butler Anyinginyi -Tennant Creek

Joseph Knuth Danila Dilba- Darwin

Patricia Raymond Danila Dilba- Darwin

Shane Russell Danila Dilba- Darwin

Peter Clottu Katherine West Health Board- Katherine

Sonny Victor Katherine West Health Board- Katherine

Nigel Yunupingu Miwatj Health– Nhulunbuy

Irish Riseley Miwatj Health– Nhulunbuy

Kellie—Anne Muller Congress- Remote

Chris Wallace Congress- Santa Teresa

Andy Blaney Wurli Wurlinjang– Katherine

Mary Babia Wurli Wurlinjang-Katherine

Scott Nelson Wurli Wurlinjang-Katherine

Page 15 FOOTPRINTS across the Territory