07 July 2009

2009 NSW Aboriginal Health Awards

Programs addressing the health and welfare of mothers and babies and disease prevention were among the winners at last night’s 2009 NSW Aboriginal Health Awards.

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, presented 11 awards which recognise the significant contribution of individuals, teams, agencies and communities to the improvement of health outcomes of Aboriginal people throughout the state.

“The awards provide an opportunity to both celebrate and promote the exceptional achievements of those within NSW Health and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector and its partners, which are working to close the gap between the health status of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people,” the Minister said.

Mr Della Bosca highlighted the large number of winners and finalists who have excelled in their work with mothers and babies.

“The Aboriginal infant mortality rate in NSW has fallen in recent years as a result of women commencing ante-natal care earlier, improvements in obstetric and paediatric care and earlier detection of problems due to increased availability of pre-natal diagnostic services,” the Minister said.

“Making Aboriginal health everyone’s business is a key focus of NSW Health and it is in sharing this responsibility through effective partnerships that achievements such as those seen at the awards are possible.

“Among them is Sister Alison Bush who has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for her work with Sydney South West Area Health Service and her dedication to improving the outcomes for Aboriginal mothers and babies across Australia over the past 40 years.

“I also acknowledge the outstanding work of Non-Government Organisation, Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation, which picked up three major awards,” the Minister said.

The winners of each category in the NSW Aboriginal Health Awards, sponsored by Baxter Healthcare, are:

Excellence in Program and Service Delivery:
Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) - Community Midwifery Outreach Program (CMOP), CHAC.

Innovation in Aboriginal Health:
Boomerangs Parenting Program - Sydney South West Area Health Service.

Strengthening Aboriginal Families and Children:
Shake a Leg Health Promotion - Hunter New England Area Health Service.

Working Together to Make a Difference:
Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) - Aboriginal Child Health Check Program, CHAC.

Enterprise and Resourcefulness:
Mister Germ Hygiene and Nutrition Program - North Coast Area Health Service.

Excellence in Workforce:
Hunter New England Health Aboriginal Employment Program - Hunter New England Area Health Service.

Innovation in Chronic Care:
Libby Johns - Justice Health Statewide Service Aboriginal Chronic Care Program Murr-roo-ma Dhun-barn ‘To Make Strong’.

Gail May Award:
Beverley Spiers - Justice Health.

Hall of Fame Award:
Sister Alison Bush - Sydney South West Area Health Service.

Director-General’s Award for Aboriginal Health:
Bugl Booyay – Good Breathing Respiratory Program - Dharah Gibinj Aboriginal Medical Service.

Minister’s Award for Aboriginal Health:
Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) - Aboriginal Child Health Check Program, CHAC.

A full list of winners and finalists can be found at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/ahawards/index.asp

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au