Workforce development is a key area of WACHS strategic vision and through an assessment of current workforce and financial capacity WACHS has been successful in onboarding four (4) trainees to complete 12 months of blended learning and workplace experience.

3 of the trainees are commencing studies in Certificate IV Aboriginal Health Worker – Primary Healthcare and 1 trainee is undertaking Certificate IV Accounting and Bookkeeping. Work placements will be across the Maxwell St clinic service and program streams and the Warne St Corporate Hub finance and community program streams.

WACHS is extremely proud to be able to self-fund these positions and further demonstrate the commitment to building our workforce with local talent.

Pictured are Darren Green from WACHS and Trainees – Shannon, Kathryn, Amekah and Ethan.

Inspiring Moree local, Sarah Moore, is encouraging the community to follow her lead as local employment opportunities continue to grow in the community services industry.¹

The determined mother-of-three studied a Certificate III and IV in Community Services at TAFE NSW Moree to upskill and give her the practical, hands-on skills for her return to the workforce. She is now working full-time at Maayu Mali Aboriginal Residential Rehabilitation Centre as a Drug and Alcohol Support Worker.

Maayu Mali Team Leader, Therese Stacey said there was a high demand for qualified social workers in the region.

“It takes a certain personality type to be able to work in the community services industry. They really have to have a strong connection to the local people and be able to communicate openly and transparently.

“A TAFE NSW qualification is looked upon favourably at Maayu Mali, as it is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to learn the practical skills and experience to be able to assist local people and their families.”

Ms Moore said learning a broad range of practical skills from industry recognised teachers at TAFE NSW has helped her transition back into the workforce.

“I have learnt strategies to communicate with people, strong computer skills, how to be an advocate for others, working with a diverse range of people, case management and much more.

“The teachers at TAFE NSW were always able to help if I needed assistance. I believe there is enough supportive teachers at TAFE NSW to get you through your course no matter your literacy levels.”

Ms Moore is taking her skills to the next level by studying a Diploma of Community Services online through TAFE Digital.

“I really enjoy the freedom of being able to study when and where it suits me around my work and family. Studying through TAFE Digital has not only expanded my knowledge in community services, but it has increased my computer skills.

“Anyone thinking about a career change or furthering their skills, should really consider studying at TAFE NSW. I have developed my confidence and hands-on skills that has set me up for a successful career.

For more information about community services courses available at TAFE NSW Moree, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515

¹ Australian Government Jobs Outlook. Welfare support workers

Our Dietician at our Wellington Clinic, Taryn provided us during COVID with some great ideas on healthy and portion eating whilst isolating at home.

We also held a Healthy Cooking Competition and the winners were Rekai and Zahra (as pictured) who collected their prizes of a $100.00 Coles voucher. Congratulations to you both.

If you are looking for some healthy inspiration we have a number of video’s available to view at the link below:

http://www.wachs.net.au/photos-video

Maayu Mali (the Moree Aboriginal Residential Rehabilitation Service) continues to work closely with the local Community in Moree. In recent weeks the staff and residents of Maayu Mali took part in the ‘Nation Dance’ event in Moree. This event encouraged Aboriginal people across the country to dance on country at the same time coordinated nation-wide. The resident also supported Community through a local sorry event looking after the BBQ and serving food.

Maayu Mali (the Moree Aboriginal Residential Rehabilitation Service) continues its partnership with TAFE NSW and works to implement a new relationship with Moree Community College. The TAFE NSW partnership incorporates the Certificate II in Horticulture which includes developing the Maayu Mali vege garden, all of which produce is either eaten on site or donated and the Backyard and Beyond course which has included the Maayu Mali clients working on some community restoration projects in the Moree Community. The partnership with Moree Community College included two recent First Aid training days in which staff and residents worked together to attain their First Aid and CPR certification.

Our Quit B Fit team has been busy educating our kids at Orana Heights Public School, Peak Hill Central School and Anson Street School in Orange.

With the assistance of Ninja Warrior Jack Wilson and NRL Players Cody Walker, James Roberts and Blake Ferguson our team were able to get the Healthy Choices and Tobacco education sessions delivered to the kids at each school.

15 Members from our ANFPP Blacktown and Dubbo teams attended the national conference in July 2019 alongside our program manager and CEO.

It was a great opportunity for the team to meet and network with other teams.

We engaged in group sessions with other home visiting teams. Our Blacktown team presented a joint presentation with the WACHS Dubbo team.

We enjoyed learning more about NFP and what is happening internationally from Gail Rodford Trotter the international lead for NFP.

We had the chance to meet with local Aboriginal people and learn about the different languages and undertake a guided nature walk.

Some children from the local school performed playing drums and singing and dancing. It was an experience we will never forget.

   

Foolina and her brother are currently accessing Speech services with Luci here at ACTT. During a recent therapy sessions Foolina’s mum was concerned with discharge from one of Folina’s ears. Luci recommended that she head to the Doctor to get it checked out – Foolina had a perforated ear drum.

When the family next came to an appointment, Naomi commented that she was worried about her daughters hearing. ACTT was able to link the family into the Hear Our Heart Ear Bus Project, where Foolina was able to get her hearing tested by a specialist audiologist and this resulted in her being fitted with a bone conduction hearing aid, whilst she waits for grommits to be fitted by an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist.

It is REALLY important to encourage Parents to have their children’s hearing checks every 3-4 months. The reason for this is that if they need to go to see the Ear Specialist then they need the evidence that the child has had regular tests and the condition is ongoing that will warrant booking them in for grommet surgery.

Statistically, for a child with middle ear fluid;

• 70% of the kids it will be gone in 1 month
• 20% it will take 2 months and
• 10% it will take 3 months and more than likely it won't go away so ENT intervention is needed

Therefore it is important to keep the testing gap to 3-4 months between tests. The federal guidelines for ENT for ATSI children is if the child has fluid for 3 months or more sent to the ENT. Check out the Hearing Loss Parent/Carer Checklist attached that highlights some indicators of hearing loss for children ages 6 months to 18 years. Remember up until age 9, ‘glue ear’ comes and goes. Some children may have symptoms some weeks/months but not the next.