Welcome to 2021 - with 2020 bringing us the COVID-19 pandemic, we were looking forward to a new year more than any previous year in living memory. Unfortunately, we have come to realise that life goes on in 2021 with a virus still present and affecting the many aspects of our daily lives, even in the remote Kimberley region.
With our new normal, we have learnt how to modify our daily routines and behaviours to reduce its spread, and we have seen how we can change and adapt to minimise its impact on our clients and staff. With this confidence and the promise of a vaccine not too far away, we can return to some normalcy in the Kimberley, albeit in a new and changed way.
Our staff will continue to be diligent, going above and beyond government-mandated actions. In all instances, we will be acting to put the safety of our staff and clients first and foremost. This means there may be some changes, and some disruptions, to our normal schedule of services. We aim to keep you informed well prior to any changes that may occur.
Notwithstanding COVID-19, we are looking forward to a challenging and productive year ahead. Something to look forward to in 2021 is the Close the Gap Day on March 18, and the great fish net throwing competition.
No doubt as the year unfolds we will provide more updates closer to the time of events. Fingers crossed, COVID-19 stays in check and we can all get on with our lives and the important task of supporting people with chronic conditions across this wonderful region. Live well.
Matt Burrows | CEO
Digital media workshops in Wyndham
Last year, Wyndham families embraced the opportunity to be a part of a family portrait project photographed by participants from the ABLe program photography and storytelling workshops.
Boab Health Service, in partnership with Wyndham Early Learning Activity Centre (WELA) and Ngnowar Aerwah, set up a real-life photography studio at the Wyndham Community Hub.
Over the course of two family portrait sessions, student photographers were responsible for considering the overall portrait composition, including directing family members' position and adjusting camera and lighting settings. Families who participated received a print and digital copy of their family portrait, just in time for Chrismas! Read more here.
Generous donation promotes access to innovative diabetes self-management tool
Thanks to some seriously dedicated advocacy by the Rotary Club of Hawthorn, and an incredible donation of $21,000 worth of continuous glucose monitoring sensors from Abbott Australia, we are working with a number of clients to examine the acceptability and effectiveness of innovative technology to self-manage diabetes. Read more about this exciting initiative here.
New mental health group-programs
In response to the high demand for our mental health services, we are thrilled to announce we will be offering several new group programs throughout the year. These programs will be open to new and existing mental health clients.
New!Hack your Nervous System! Body-based group program - coming soon.
Managing your Emotions (DBT- based 12-week program) - dates to be confirmed.
For more information about these programs, contact our Mental Health Team on 9192 7888 (ask for the Triage and Assessment Officer) or email reception@boabhealth.com.au.
Tackling childhood iron-deficient anaemia
Over the past 6 months, Leah, our Paediatric Dietitian in Kununurra, established a project to address the high rates of childhood iron-deficient anaemia (IDA) Kununurra. Following an in-service on this topic at Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service (OVAHS), staff requested more information on this problem and, importantly, solutions to support children and families prevent and manage IDA.
Leah, together with OVAHS GP Wey Mey Loh, and WACHS Kimberley Population Health Unit Senior Environmental Health Field Support Officer, Tim Bond co-delivered two workshops.
Over two sessions, the workshop brought together staff from six organisations. Program participants included Aboriginal Health Workers, environmental health field officers, early childhood educators, family support workers, FASD support workers and maternal and child health professionals.
This interdisciplinary approach provided a platform for collaborative, solutions-based discussions around anaemia prevention and support for families with diagnosed children. You can read more about these workshops and this project here.
Partnerships key to delivering culturally appropriate nutrition education
Last year our dietitian Mandy collaborated with Ngnowar Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation (NAAC) to deliver nutrition education and cooking skills workshops for participants of the Women’s Lifeways Program in Wyndham. Read more here.
Supporting school students for work experience in the health sector
Over the January school holidays, Year 11 Santa Maria College student Ella Lydeamore completed a student placement with our allied health team in Broome.
Originally from Broome, Ella is boarding in Perth for her final two years of high school. Ellia is working towards her Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance through DNA Kingston Training College.
During Ella's placement, she spent time with our dieticians, health navigator, diabetes educators and podiatrists. She was fortunate to accompany podiatrist Jenny to Noonkanbah Aboriginal Community in the Fitzroy Valley via a Royal Flying Doctor Service flight.
Ella said, “the opportunity to see the different roles Boab plays in the community in comparison to a hospital environment was great to see. Seeing how allied health services are delivered in a remote community was impressive, and I felt so lucky to see our beautiful region from the air in the wet season”.
Ella is hoping to pursue a career in nursing and has a strong interest in Aboriginal health. We wish Ella all the best with completing both her Certificate IV and Year 12 this year.
