WACHS has successfully maintained compliance across all clinical and community programs for Wellington – Dubbo – Mount Druitt – Penrith – Blacktown – Doonside, with all;

• National Key Performance Indicator reports accepted
• Indigenous Australian Health Program performance reports accepted for 2019-2020
• Indigenous Australian Health Program activity work plans accepted and funded for 2020-2021
• Tackling Indigenous Smoking activity work plans and activity reports accepted 2020-2021

The key areas that bring together our clinical and community programs focus on our mandate as a primary health care provider across;

• Child and maternal health
• Preventative health and
• Chronic disease management

It is through our clinics and community programs that we collect and analyse our data and feedback to ensure we are meeting our obligations to provide the health our communities need and work with and our partners in health to provided accessible, culturally responsive primary health care.

The WACHS Board has invested into its workforce to redesign, develop and create implementation tools for the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. This significant investment reinforces WACHS’s commitment to the community-controlled health sector and Aboriginal self-determination, by demonstrating leadership in governance through community engagement, workforce development and outcome driven partnerships as a strategic commitment to improving health outcomes for the communities of whom we work.

Taking control of the 2020-2023 strategic plan process allows for;

• Organisation ownership and responsibility of the strategic direction for the next 3 years across all services, programs and locations
• Reduction of the financial and workforce burden on the organisation
• The strengthening of partnerships through input and involvement to align health priorities that have been determined by our data and community feedback

Focusing on leadership, WACHS’s aspiration for the strategic plan is also in concert with the “Closing the Gap” reforms to localize the way in which we contribute across the 16 socio-economic indicators through;

• Improving formal partnerships and decision making
• Ensuring we are integral to building the community control sector
• Providing constructive, measurable learning activities to assist in transforming government organisations and
• Creating processes for ethical and transparent data sharing

The WACHS 2020-2023 is anticipated to be released formally in February 2021.

6 months into our WACHS trainee program we are excited to share that our;

• 3 Cert IV Aboriginal Health Worker trainees are currently completing units of competency across: Infection Control, Work Health & Safety, Legal and Ethical, Aboriginal primary health care, Provide first aid. These are the first 5 of the 14 competencies of study the trainees have been focused on along with their work placement blended learning and attainment of mandatory hours in the clinic
• 1 Cert IV Bookkeeping and Accounting trainee is currently completing units of competency across: Foundations of Accounting and Bookkeeping, Preparing Ledgers and Financial Reporting, these are the first 3 of 13 modules of study combined with the workplace learning and development within the finance team

Building our workforce with local talent remains a focus of WACHS to ensure sustainable, effective leadership is driven by our youth guided buy our Elders and experienced health and business professionals.

WACHS during the month of November promoted NAIDOC and the theme this year was Always Was, Always Will Be.

With the help of Latrell Mitchell, Jesse Ramian, Braidon Burns, Tyrell Fuimaono, Will Smith, Will Kennedy and Braydon Trindall we produced a series of video’s that have been showing throughout the month and available on our website.

Our Staff also participated in producing video’s on what NAIDOC means to them for the promotion and these are also available on the website.

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