5th National Indigenous Environmental Health Conference

The 5th National Indigenous Environmental Health Conference was hosted by NSW Health for the enHealth Council and the National Indigenous Environmental Health Forum (NIEHF). The conference was held at Terrigal, Central Coast, NSW on 3 – 4 November 2004.

The conference theme ‘Today, tomorrow – together’ followed from the previous conference (2002) ‘It’s in our hands – let’s take the lead’, and promoted the benefits of team work in creating healthy living environments and improving health and social outcomes.

The themes of the conference were:

• Environmental health workforce development
• Housing issues and planning
• Local, regional and national initiatives
• Community capacity building/partnerships
• Community food supply and nutrition
• Environmental health services in communities

The keynote speaker was Hal Wootten AC QC, founding President of the first Aboriginal Legal Service from 1970 to 1973, a former Judge of the Supreme Court, a Royal Commissioner into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and a Deputy President of the National Native Title Tribunal.

Presentations and workshops covered a wide range of environmental topics and focused on projects, workforce, and training (view program). Delegates were able to share information, explore positive initiatives and consider lessons learned. Delegates included:

Aboriginal health workers
CDEP workers and supervisors
community housing providers
community council members
directors & managers of environmental health services
environmental health officers, workers and practitioners
essential services providers
health promotion officers
primary health care workers
town clerks and local government CEOs

Diana Hay from the Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal and Jane Burns from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet ran a joint display. Diana provided information about the Journal and the Journal’s Indigenous health promotion resources guide. Jane conducted a HealthInternet café to give delegates an informal opportunity to learn about web-based environmental health information and other available HealthInfoNet services such as, training and website development.

Veterinarian and Burke’s Backyard presenter Dr Chris Brown officially launched AMRRIC (Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities) at the conference. AMRRIC, a non-profit organisation, works to promote and provide guidance, support and education to veterinary services in remote localities.

For further details view the conference information on the NSW Health website.

We would like to thank the conference participants who provided written permission for us to display their photos here