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Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet launch

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet was launched via video link-up by The Honourable Dr Michael Wooldridge MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care on 4 December, 2000. The launch took place at the Joondalup Campus of Edith Cowan University. View the official ECU media release.

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is the 'new face' of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Clearinghouse. Designed by Duncan Barnes, the new site builds on aspects of the Clearinghouse site to provide the same information in a more user-friendly manner. In particular, the new site was designed with improved navigation, enabling users to access information much more efficiently.

Professor Millicent Poole, Vice-Chancellor, Edith Cowan University spoke of the commitment that the University has to Indigenous people and to improving Indigenous health, including that Edith Cowan University has the largest number of Indigenous student enrolments in Australia. View the Vice-Chancellor's full speech.

Ted Wilkes, CEO, Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, spoke about the role of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet in contributing to advocacy and health program planning, and in ensuring high quality services. He stressed the importance of quality, accessible information - made available by the HealthInfoNet - to Indigenous people and organisations and, in particular, the value of the HealthInfoNet's work to Aboriginal Health Workers. Ted told of the long association he and Professor Neil Thomson, the HealthInfoNet's Director, have had and how the local Indigenous community had developed a trusting relationship with Neil. Ted also spoke about the value of partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, between universities and 'grass-roots' health services, and between researchers, policy makers, and program developers.

Professor Neil Thomson, Director, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, gave a background to the HealthInfoNet and described the nature of the HealthInfoNet's work. He also acknowledged that the work of the HealthInfoNet has been contributed to by many, and that this is only the beginning. View Neil's full speech.

Dr Michael Wooldridge, in Canberra, launched the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet by video link-up and discussed the use of the Internet as a vehicle for disseminating Indigenous health information to people around the country. Dr Wooldridge also commented on ways that the HealthInfoNet impacts on Indigenous health, by the website, by providing Internet training for Indigenous health workers, and by assisting Indigenous and relevant agencies in Internet site development. View the media release from the Honourable Dr Michael Wooldridge MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care.

The official launch was followed by a sumptuous lunch, giving visitors the opportunity to be guided through the website by HealthInfoNet staff members. Sandy Angus, the HealthInfoNet's Queensland member of staff, made a special trip to Western Australia to be present for the launch.

The luncheon room featured a display on the 'Listen to the land' exhibition of Aboriginal art from the ECU art collection. The 'Listen to the land' exhibition brings together some of the different styles of Australian Aboriginal art and includes paintings, carvings, ceramics, batik, weavings, dolls, and other artefacts.

Guests at the launch included Alan Thorpe [Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health], Bev Paterson, [former Manager of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Clearinghouse], and staff and representatives from Derbarl Yerrigan Indigenous Health Service, Kurongkurl Katitjin School of Indigenous Australian Studies, and the Office of Aboriginal Health at the Health Department of WA.

Last updated: 27 November, 2001