Australian Indigenous Doctors Association [AIDA]

Reports From Previous Events

2006 AIDA Symposium
Strengthening Connection
With
Family, Community & Country

AIDA’s Annual Health Symposium held in Alice Springs on Saturday 30th September 2006 gave members and invited guests a chance to showcase and celebrate the work carried out and the initiatives undertaken to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This significant annual event continues to provide members and stakeholders with key networking and development opportunities whilst providing essential collegiate support amongst AIDA members.

The line up of presenters was humbling and the passion in which the presentations were delivered was simply inspiring.

Mr Romlie Mokak, CEO of AIDA and Master of Ceremonies invited Mrs Betty Pearce, Arrernte traditional owner to welcome participants to the event. President, Dr Mark Wenitong talked about the timelessness of Indigenous knowledge and healing and how this work is continued through our doctors working alongside Traditional Healers, such as Ngangkari’s Mr Andy Tjilari and Mr Rupert Peter. Dr Wenitong reiterated that the ethics upon which modern medicine is based accords to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander views of wellbeing; autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice.

It was a privilege to have Dr Sally Goold as the Keynote speaker. Dr Goold is the 2006 Senior Australian of the Year and Chairperson of Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSIN). Dr Goold ‘s presentation embodied the importance of our people, across a diversity of professions, working together to improve the health of our people.

A poignant presentation titled Ngangkari Way was provided by Mr Andy Tjilari and Mr Rupert Peter with Mr Patrick Hookey as their interpreter. Mr Tjilari and Mr Peter shared stories of their work, lives, the past, the present and their concerns for the future. They reiterated the importance of respect for one’s self, family, community and country and the necessity and belief that by working together we can achieve positive health outcomes for our people.

Ms Marlene Spencer and Ms Sarah Brown from the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku (WDNWPT) took us on an inspirational journey with their dialysis patients from the Western Desert. They spoke passionately about the road they have taken, including the success of an incredible fund raising strategy involving the sale of Aboriginal artwork, in the pursuit of providing a high standard of holistic care to remote Aboriginal people with kidney disease.

An important presentation was also provided by Mrs Stephanie Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC) who proudly presented on the many initiatives of this Aboriginal Medical Service.

AIDA was also very proud to showcase the experiences of three Indigenous medical students, Ms Danielle Arabena, Mr Cody Morris and Ms Della Yarnold. These students gave motivating presentations from a student’s perspective about Getting the Message out There and Student Research. The next generation of AIDA leadership is built through our medical students. Many of these students played a significant role in the Symposium event through individual presentations and a role in introducing speakers.

Dr Alex Brown, Senior Research Fellow, Menzies School of Health Research moved us all with his excellent presentation on Maintaining Health against the Odds. Dr Brown provided an Indigenous model of wellbeing which reasonated with all present.

Associate Professor Paul Torzillo, Medical Director, Nganampa Health Council informed us of the Issues of Remote Area Health Service Delivery. Professor Torzillo was instrumental in the establishment of Nganampa Health, a community based primary health care service on the Pitjantjatjara Lands.

Important information and research on Improving Indigenous access to Mainstream Health Services was delivered by Dr Noel Hayman, Public Health Physician and Secretary of AIDA. Dr Hayman’s long standing expertise and positive research outcomes in the area of public health was very much admired and appreciated by all participants.

It was especially encouraging to hear from Associate Professor Helen Milroy and Dr Paula Edgill on the success story of the Centre for Aboriginal Medical & Dental Health (CAMDH) at the University of Western Australia situated in Perth. Approximately 20 Indigenous medical students are currently enrolled at UWA and the support mechanisms are a key to the success of the program.

The final presentation at the Symposium was delivered by Dr Marshall Watson, Psychiatry Registrar, Flinders Medical Centre and AIDA’s Treasurer. It was titled A Journey of Indigenous Identity and was an incredibly moving story about identity as an Aboriginal man and learning that connection to family and country is both embracing and healing.

A spectacular exhibition of inspiring Aboriginal artwork from Central Australia, reflecting stories of Family, Community & Country created an atmosphere of connection, warmth and celebration. The inclusion of art, craft and information stalls set up by local Indigenous organisations created a market place type atmosphere where a strong sense of community was evident. Local Aboriginal musicians and entertainers provided fun filled entertainment, which included performances from the energetic Tangentyere Council’s Drum Atweme. These kids who are from various local Alice Springs town camps, gave the audience a real treat with their drumming routine and animated dance movements. The deep and spiritual sound of Mr Tommy Crowe’s didgeridoo, played while images of AIDA’s 2006 journey flashed up on the big screen left us all feeling very inspired.

That evening delegates attended an open air dinner and entertainment event. Surrounded by an atmosphere of harmony (stars, the MacDonald Ranges, music and fire drums) Dr Simone Raye, AIDA Board Member and MC and Dr Tamara Mackean, AIDA’s Vice President presented uniquely painted stethoscopes (designed and painted by Ms Leila Schieber) and congratulatory certificates to new Indigenous medical graduates. Warren H Williams and Band provided the entertainment and Dr Kelvin Kong, Australia’s first Aboriginal surgeon, gave an awesome dinner speech titled I am You. Dr Kong’s speech epitomised the important message of connection to Family, Community and Country. What a wonderful role model to wrap up what was such a rewarding day for all.