Western Australian drug and alcohol conference
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a cafe at this event.
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Key resources
This section provides details of past HealthInfoNet cafes conducted at conferences. A HealthInfoNet café is a unique service that allows us the opportunity to showcase the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website. Not only is the website a free resource, it is a 'one stop shop' for anyone working or studying in the area of Indigenous health. The opportunity to take delegates through this massive resource is a wonderful value added service that conference organisers can provide.
We use the opportunity to ensure they know how to use the site (the main navigation points) and what is available there to assist them in their line of work, such as the largest searchable bibliography on Australian Indigenous health, with over 13,500 publications, and the quarterly online journal, HealthBulletin, which brings together recent published Indigenous health research.
Photos are taken of some delegates and these are put up on the website, with their approval, to show how a café works. We hand out brochures that outline website content on particular health topics and how delegates can access this information on the website. We also present papers at many conferences on the work of the HealthInfoNet, which we find generates even more interest in the HealthInfoNet cafes.
If you are organising a conference and it is related to Indigenous health or has Indigenous streams or sessions please let us know and we can:
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a cafe at this event.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a cafe at this event.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a cafe at this event.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a cafe at this event.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Research Officer Belinda Urquhart will be running a cafe at this event.
The 2nd Australia Otitis Media (OMOZ) Conference held in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) introduced new clinical, practice and policy research and experiences. Presentations covered topics such as: clinical trials in research; the impact of vaccines; treatment and prevention; social and educational determinants and impacts; advocacy and engaging government to influence policy; transference of research into health services; and clinical practice.
Jane Burns and Anomie from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held a HealthInfoNet café on the first two days of the conference and met many attending Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and health professionals currently working in primary health care services. Delegates were interested in connecting to other practitioners by signing up to the EarInfoNet Yarning Place as well as learning about information accessible on the HealthInfoNet website, particularly information reviewing or assessing health promotion programs and ear health interventions. Jane also presented at the conference where she introduced the HealthInfoNet website and encouraged those professionals producing publications and resources relevant to Indigenous ear health and hearing to disseminate their work through the site. The Australia Otitis Media (OMOZ) Conference was attended by over 150 delegates.
Christine Potter and Miranda Poynton from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be presenting at this conference.
Director Neil Thomson from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be presenting at this symposium.
The 10th National conference on injury prevention and safety promotion was held in Brisbane, Queensland from 2 to 4 November 2011. The conference was for individuals or organisations who were involved in the delivery and development of services and/or initiatives across Australia and internationally. This included individuals from research, teaching, practice and policy. The program included a range of presentations and workshops which focused on road and transport safety, falls and ageing, child safety, water safety (including drowning)and rural and remote injury prevention.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held an Internet cafe where Christine Potter highlighting many of the features of the HealthInfoNet with a particular focus on the Indigenous road safety and injury sections of the website. The cafe aimed to raise awareness of how the HealthInfoNet can support people from different states, territories and regions and who work in different sectors and organisations, in their work. There was positive feedback on what the HealthInfoNet offered and it was a great opportunity to introduce the HealthInfoNet to new users.
The WA sexual health forum was a two day event that took place at the All Seasons Hotel in Northbridge, WA. Presentations and workshops reflected the forum's theme Yarning from the heart, and broadly focused on the following topics: service delivery; programs and projects; research; ways of working; and skill building.
Belinda Urquhart from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held an internet café on day one of the forum. Delegates were interested in learning about the type of information accessible on the HealthInfoNet website, particularly information pertaining to sexual health, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS. The WA sexual health forum was attended by over 100 delegates.
The NSW Aboriginal mental health workers forum was a two day event that took place at the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal, NSW. Presentations and workshops reflected the forum's theme Changing the story: making a difference, and broadly focused on the following topics: supporting the workforce; models of service delivery; consumer and community participation; and early intervention.The keynote address was given by Professor Pat Dudgeon - a psychologist and research fellow at the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Western Australia.
Belinda Urquhart from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held internet cafés on both days of the forum. Delegates were keen to hear about the social and emotional wellbeing content available on the HealthInfoNet website, with some delegates taking the opportunity to sign up to the Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing yarning place. Belinda also presented at the forum where she demonstrated the various features of the HealthInfoNet website to the delegates. The NSW Aboriginal mental health workers forum was attended by over 200 delegates.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be presenting and running a cafe at this symposium.
The Our mob, our minds, our spirit conference 2011 was held at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle from 12-14 October. The theme for this year's conference was 'What hat are you wearing today?' which sought to explore the many roles Aboriginal workers undertake in their employment, their community, and their family. The presentations and workshops covered a range of topics related to social and emotional wellbeing, with many reporting on programs and projects, ways of working in the social and emotional wellbeing area, and skill building for workers.
The HealthInfoNet ran an internet cafe on day one of the conference, represented by Belinda Urquhart and Michelle Catto. Belinda and Michelle, along with Christine Potter, also conducted a workshop for conference delegates. The workshop demonstrated the various features of the HealthInfoNet website with a particular focus on the social and emotional wellbeing section.
CRANAplus conference is an annual event for all health professionals who work in remote areas of Australia. The presentations at this year's event were as diverse as the remote locations in which these health professionals work, with topics ranging from social and emotional wellbeing, Aboriginal Health Workers, women's health, medication dispensing and primary care.
The HealthInfoNet was represented by Jasmina Brankovich who ran a successful cafe at the conference. CRANAplus members are dedicated health professionals, passionate about remote and Aboriginal health and highly skilled in working in some of the most challenging conditions. Many of them use HealthInfoNet resources frequently and this was reflected in the large number of visits made to the cafe. The reviews of health topics were popular among all delegates who found them useful and informative, as well as credible, sources of analysis.
The Australasian sexual health conference was held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra for three days. The opening keynote address was given by James Ward, Program Head of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Program at The Kirby Institute. The presentation focused on equality in health outcomes for Australia's First Peoples in terms of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and bloodborne viruses. The conference program also included presentations from a range of international, interstate, and local people and covered topics such as communicating healthy sexuality, strategies to connect with hard-to-reach groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and updates on the diagnosis and treatment of STIs.
Belinda Urquhart from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held an internet café on day 1 of the conference. Delegates were keen to hear about the sexual health content available on the HealthInfoNet website, including information on hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. The Australasian sexual health conference was attended by over 1,000 delegates. The conference coincided with the final day of the Australasian HIV/AIDS conference and the first day of Ngarra - an event that showcases initiatives in Indigenous sexual health.
The 8th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander environmental health conference was held in Darwin, NT from the 27 to 30 September 2011. The conference was for individuals or organisations who were involved in the delivery and development of environmental health services and/or initiatives in Indigenous communities across Australia. This included individuals from government and non-government departments and agencies, Aboriginal controlled organisations, educational and other research institutions. The program included a range of presentations and workshops which focused on different aspects affecting Indigenous environmental health. On the final day Indigenous delegates were given an opportunity to discuss the way forward for Indigenous environmental health.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held an internet cafe and conducted a live presentation. Christine Potter highlighting many of the features of the HealthInfoNet with a particular focus on the Indigenous environmental health web resource. The cafe and presentation aimed to raise awareness of how the HealthInfoNet can support practitioners from different states, territories and regions and who work in different sectors and organisations, in their work. There was positive feedback on what the HealthInfoNet offered Indigenous environmental health practitioners, especially the yarning place and resource sections of the web resource.
The Australasian HIV/AIDS conference was held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra for three days. The conference is an annual event which seeks to promote the strategic objectives of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine in Australia and the Asia and Pacific region. The conference program included presentations from a range of international, interstate, and local people and covered topics such as prevention, immunology, comorbidity, Australia's First Peoples, and treatment.
Belinda Urquhart from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held an internet café on day 2 of the conference. Delegates were keen to hear about the HIV/AIDS content available on the HealthInfoNet website as well as the content coverage in related areas, such as sexual health. The Australasian HIV/AIDS conference was attended by over 1,000 delegates. The conference coincided with the Australasian sexual health conference as well as Ngarra - an event that showcases a range of sexual health initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups.
The 13th National CATSIN conference and annual general meeting was held in Brisbane from 21-23 September. It was attended by around 80 delegates.
The conference theme was "Are we there yet?" and addressed professional nursing issues in the context of Indigenous health. The keynote speaker was Joan Winch, founder of Marr Mooditj Foundation in Western Australia. There were also several presentations addressing workforce issues; the National training plan, remote area nursing, and nurse education.
Kathy Ride ran a HealthInfoNet cafe for two days, which generated considerable interest.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Director Neil Thomson will be presenting and running a cafe at this conference.
The Chronic Disease Network held its 15th annual national conference in Darwin over the period 7 - 9 September 2011. The conference theme was ‘Out of the shadows, into the spotlight'. Conference presenters included multidisciplinary health professionals involved in the prevention, treatment and management of chronic disease and mental illness, and the program included national keynote speakers, as well as a range of invited speakers.
A strong focus of the conference covered: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives; policy and practice; mental health from various perspectives; and, health promotion approaches.
The conference attracted over 250 delegates and included: people working with and caring for those who have chronic disease and/or mental illness; service providers; healthcare workers, and those involved in research and public policy.
Caitlin Gray from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet presented to conference delegates on the first morning of the conference with a concurrent session entitled ‘Internet-based knowledge about Indigenous chronic disease, and the interplay of social and emotional wellbeing, for the workforce'. Caitlin Gray also conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe for two days during the conference. Given the large extent of chronic conditions and the importance of social and emotional wellbeing in the Indigenous Australian population, delegates were keen to hear about the breadth of information they could access in this specific area.
The Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association held its 21st national conference in Perth over the period 8 - 10 August 2011. The conference theme was 'Casting a wider net'. Conference presenters included multidisciplinary health professionals involved in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, and the program included international and national keynote speakers, as well as a range of invited speakers.
A strong focus of the conference covered: the barriers of inclusion and accessibility of cardiac patients, including Indigenous Australians; and behavioural interventions and other chronic disease.
The conference attracted over 200 delegates and included: people working with and caring for those who have cardiovascular disease; service providers; care workers, nurses, doctors and clinicians; and those involved in research and public policy.
Caitlin Gray from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet presented to conference delegates on the first morning of the conference with a concurrent session entitled ‘Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: Internet-based knowledge about Indigenous cardiovascular health for the workforce'. Caitlin Gray also conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe for two days during the conference. Given the large extent of cardiovascular disease in the Indigenous Australian population, delegates were keen to hear about the breadth of information they could access in this specific area.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a cafe at this conference.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a cafe at this conference.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a workshop session at this conference.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a cafe at this conference.
The conference covered a variety of topics related to Indigenous women's health including: pregnancy; incontinence; cancer; menopause; mental wellbeing; family violence; health service delivery; health promotion and education. The Inaugural Alison Bush Memorial Lecture was given by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir and Robyn Shields.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff member, Jane Burns, gave a presentation and ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference to inform delegates of the benefits of using the website in their work.
The theme of the 29th national conference of the Dietitians' Association of Australia, was 'Evidence to practice - not always black and white'. This theme was chosen to reflect the new international standard of good practice in dietetics. This new standard highlights the need to use evidence-based information in combination with experience, judgement and clients' needs, to guide decision-making in dietetics.
The conference attracted around 600 delegates from all over Australia. Kathy Ride from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet ran a cafe.
The Alzheimer's Australia 14th national conference was a four day event that commenced on May 17 in Brisbane. The conference theme was 'Take a different view - a broader view - of dementia and its social, health and economic impact'. Conference presenters included some of the leading experts in dementia and the presentations were aligned with the conference sub-themes of: personhood, identity and consumer rights; ethics and decision making in dementia care; best practice; and research and new developments.
The conference attracted over 700 delegates and included: people living with dementia; family members and carers; people working with and caring for those who have dementia; service providers; care workers, nurses, doctors and clinicians; and those involved in research and public policy.
Belinda Urquhart from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet (AIH) conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe for two days during the conference. Given dementia is a relatively new content area on the AIH website, delegates were keen to hear about the breadth of information they could access. The AIH Director, Professor Neil Thomson, also presented to Alzheimer's Australia's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dementia Advisory Group (NATSIDAG) on the features of the AIH website as well as the collaborative work being undertaken by AIH and Alzheimer's Australia.
Highlights of the conference, which attracted around 300 delegates to Sydney on 5-6 May to consider ‘Research for a better future', included the keynote addresses by Pat Anderson, chairperson of the Lowitja Institute and Professor Ezra Susser, Professor of Psychiatry and Epidemiology of the Mailman School of Public Heath at Columbia University in New York, USA. Ms Anderson stressed the need for the research evidence to inform policy and practice in Indigenous health, and Professor Susser provided a variety of international examples in his address linking social justice and mental health.
These keynote addresses were complemented by major symposia - effective partnerships between Indigenous communities and researchers for both adults and children, translation of research to policy for mental health, and building the base to support research - and a number of concurrent sessions devoted to key issues in Indigenous health research.
Many delegates took advantage of the opportunity of getting hands-on experience of the HealthInfoNet at a cafe.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet will be running a cafe at this conference.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet ran a HealthInfoNetcafe at this conference. Staff member Jane Burns gave a short presentation at the pre-conference Indigenous workshop on how the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet was assisting to close the gap by providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The conference included many presentations on Indigenous health promotion on topics such as:
This is one of the larger health conferences held in Australia, attracting over 1,200 delegates. The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, a member of the Friends of the National Rural Health Alliance (conference organisers) had a full cohort of staff hosting a HealthInfoNet cafe on all four days of the event.
The theme was ‘Rural and remote Australia: the heart of a healthy nation', emphasising the importance of the ‘bush' to the country's identity, economy and culture. The strong emphasis on Indigenous health ensured that the focus of the alliance on health equity by 2020 was consistently reinforced.
There was keen interest among delegates in all aspects of the AIH's work, particularly the yarning places. Some topics, such as social and emotional wellbeing and environmental health, registered numerous inquiries.
Notable speakers at the conference included Dr Tom Calma (former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner), Hon Brendon Grylls (WA Minister for Regional Development; Lands), Professor Mike Daube (Curtin University's Public Health Advocacy Institute) and Dr Pat Dudgeon (Chair of the Indigenous Australian Psychologists Association).
Research Officer Kathy Ride will be running a HealthInfoNet cafe at this event.
Richard Midford, Deputy Director, and Michelle Catto, Research Officer, from Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet ran a cafe throughout this conference. In addition, Richard, Michelle and Michael Doyle, from the National Drug Research Institute ran an hour long workshop on how to get the best out of the HealthInfoNet resource. The focus was very much on meeting the knowledge needs of participants, who were guided through live use of the website to find the material they identified as important for their work.
The 5th Indigenous Road Safety Forum 2010 was held in Coffs Harbour, NSW from the 10 to 12 November 2010. The forum was for individuals or organisations who had a wide range of skills and interest in Indigenous road safety. This included individuals from government and non-government departments and agencies, Aboriginal controlled organisations, educational and other research institutions. The program consisted of a trip to the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the Corindi Beach Gumbaynggirr Community, NSW and a range of presentations and workshops which focused on different aspects affecting Indigenous road safety. The presence of National Road Safety Council (NRSC) members was very important for the future of Indigenous road safety across Australia. On the final day the delegates were given an opportunity to present recommendations to the NRSC on the way forward for Indigenous road safety.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held a HealthInfoNet cafe and conducted a live presentation on the second day, Christine Potter highlighting many of the features of the HealthInfoNet with a particular focus on the road safety web resource. The cafe and presentation aimed to raise awareness of how the HealthInfoNet can support people from different states, territories and regions and who work in different sectors and organisations, in their work. There was positive feedback on what the HealthInfoNet offered, especially the yarning place and how it was an important facility for continued dialogue between forums for the delegates.
On 4 November 2010 Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff members Jane and Caitlin ran a stand at the event to promote the organisation's services. Other stands offered information on health issues, career guidance and Indigenous cultural aspects.
Research Officer Belinda Urquhart will run a HealthInfoNet cafe at this forum.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Senior Research Officer Jane Burns attended this symposium on 20 October to provide information about the EarInfoNet www.earinfonet.org.au to delegates. The symposium provided information about training for ear and hearing health, programs and research.
The NSW Aboriginal Mental Health Workers Forum 2010 was held in Orange, NSW on the 13th and 14th October. The forum was specifically designed for Aboriginal Mental Health Workers employed in mainstream mental health services, Aboriginal community controlled health services, and non-government agencies. The forum also had relevance for Policy and Program Officers, Service Directors, and Team Leaders working in the area of Aboriginal mental health and wellbeing. The theme governing the content of the forum was "Effective partnerships and effective relationships". The forum program included a range of presentations from workers involved in a variety of domains such as: infant and peri-natal care; child and adolescent mental health; justice health; training and workforce; information technology; alcohol and other drugs; and policy.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held HealtInfoNet cafés on both days of the conference with Belinda Urquhart raising awareness among the forum delegates about the utility of the HealthInfoNet for those working in the area of Aboriginal mental health and wellbeing. There was keen interest among the delegates about the work of the HealthInfoNet with the ‘Summary of Australian Indigenous health, 2010' a popular publication among the forum delegates. The HealthInfoNet yarning places also generated a lot of interest with many delegates signing up to become members. With over 200 people registering to attend the forum, the NSW Aboriginal Mental Health Workers Forum 2010 was well attended.
"Our Mob, Our Minds, Our Spirit" Conference 2010 was held at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle from the 4th October - 6th October. The theme for this year's conference was 'Self Care - Taking Care of YOU so you can take care of your mob'. Presentations at the Conference represented the array of knowledge and experiences of people who work within Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing.
The HealthInfoNet ran a cafe on day one and two of the conference represented by Belinda Urquhart and Alison Weston. Belinda and Alison also gave a joint presentation to conference delegates. Belinda conducted a live presentation demonstrating the features of the HealthInfoNet with a focus on the social and emotional wellbeing section. Alison presented her paper from Healing Our Spirit Worldwide on 'Development of a Yarning Place and Message Stick for Indigenous Health Workers'.
There was some keen and active interest in the HealthInfoNet from conference delegates and a few copies of the Overview of Australian Indigenous Health Status 2010 were sold.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff will run a HealthInfoNet cafe at this event.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Director Neil Thomson will run a cafe at this event.
The Creating Futures 2010 conference was held from 20-23 September at the Sebel Cairns Hotel. The conference focused on Indigenous peoples from Australia, New Zealand and North America, people living and working in rural and remote Australia, and residents of Island nations. Social determinants of health as well as the use of creativity and social enterprise provided the themes for the conference where the aim was to address the following question: "How is it possible to harness the creativity and energy of the social enterprise sector to address the underpinning social determinants of mental health and wellbeing in the populations of interest?"
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held HealthInfoNet cafés on day two and three of the conference, with research officers Belinda Urquhart and Sasha Stumpers raising awareness among the conference delegates about the work of the HealthInfoNet. Interest in the HealthInfoNet web resource was high and many delegates offered positive feedback about their experience in utilising the website. The ‘Summary of Australian Indigenous health, 2010' was a popular publication among the delegates. The 'Overview of Australian Indigenous health' also attracted a lot of attention. There was a strong interest in the HealthInfoNet's yarning places, particularly the social and emotional wellbeing yarning place, with many new members joining up during the conference.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Deputy Director Richard Midford ran an internet cafe during both days of the conference. There was a steady demand for demonstrations of the website, and copies of the health topic reviews were popular, particularly among delegates from remote locations where internet access was poor.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Research Officer Alison Weston will be presenting at this international conference.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Deputy Director, Richard Midford, ran a HealthInfoNet cafe on the first day of the symposium. The print reviews of alcohol use and illicit drug use among Indigenous people were much in demand.
Senior Research Officer Ineke Krom ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the Local Drug Action Groups (LDAG) State conference.
Local Drug Action Groups Inc (LDAG) is a Western Australian not for profit organisation, which provides an opportunity for people to actively participate in their local community. Made up of volunteers, LDAGs combine to take action to reduce prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug related harm. The State Conference provides LDAG members with the opportunity to share successes, ideas and projects and featured presentations which provided valuable ideas and skills that can be taken back to the community. Over 100 members attended the 2010 State Conference.
Neil Thomson, Director of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet presented at a plenary session of the conference about the usefulness of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Senior Research Officer Ineke Krom ran a HealthInfoNet cafe on the first day of the conference.
HealthInfoNet researcher Michelle Catto and Deputy Director Richard Midford ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the inaugural NIDAC conference held in Adelaide on the 16-18 June 2010. The conference had a great atmosphere: around 500 delegates were abuzz networking and sharing information on the latest research, policy, and prevention and treatment initiatives. The NIDAC conference successfully realised its ambition to provide an opportunity to learn and to foster the exchange of information and experience.
HealthInfoNet staff member Ineke Krom ran a HealthInfoNet cafe on the first day of this conference. HealthInfoNet Director Neil Thomson ran a workshop on the second day, with assistance from Ineke Krom.
Over 600 delegates attended presentations on the Australian Women's Health Network (AWHN) priority areas: women's economic health and well being; women's mental health and well-being; preventing violence against women; women's sexual and reproductive health and improving access to publicly funded and financially accessible services. Staff member Jane Burns, ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at this conference. Many delegates said that the HealthInfoNet was one of their 'favourites'! The cafe provided the chance for those who had not heard of the resource, to discover the benefits of its use. During the proceedings the HealthInfoNet launched the Summary of Indigenous women's health and the AWHN launched The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Health Strategy.
Presenters spoke on subjects as varied as the new Strong Spirit Strong Mind resources, culturally secure supervision, AOD service provision and funding throughout Australia, and how to recruit and retain Aboriginal staff members.
WANADA abstract
The way forward for Indigenous health: A focus on food and nutrition was very well attended, attracting over one hundred delegates to the one-day event.
Facilitated by Dr Norman Swan, presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National, presenters at the symposium reported on evidence and discussed ways in which Indigenous nutrition impacts on all aspects of Indigenous health, such as maternal and child health and food security issues.
Researchers and others delegates working in the areas of Indigenous nutrition and health were united in their conviction that nutritional initiatives must be pursued as part of a combined, intersectoral approach to closing the gap.
The HealthInfoNet cafe run by Kathy Ride was well patronised, with the free HealthInfoNet publication Summary of Australian Indigenous health, 2009 being a very popular giveaway.
Kathy Ride from the HealthInfoNet ran a HealthInfoNet cafe on the second day of this two-day event.
The conference attracted delegates with wide ranging interests in food - from food production and sustainability, to food supply, food security, and food policy issues, and many other topics in between.
Day 2 included a session on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' initiatives and included presenters Katherine Cullerton (Senior Project Officer, NATSINSAP), Dympna Leonard (Early Life Indigenous Nutrition and Growth program, Queensland Health) and Deanne Minniecon (Chairperson, NATSINSAP Steering Committee).
The panellists on Day 2 for the topic 'State policies and program initiatives' included special guest Lisa Forster-Coull, Provincial Nutritionist at BC Government, BC, Canada.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff will run a HealthInfoNet cafe at this conference.
HealthInfoNet staff Michelle Catto, Belinda Urquhart and Ineke Krom ran a HealthInfoNet cafe on 24 November 2009, and Ineke Krom presented about how the Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing web resource can be of use to people working in this topic area.
The section of the website about substance misuse and the state specific section for Western Australia generated a lot of interest from the conference delegates, just like the Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing web resource and yarning place. Our ‘Summary of Australian Indigenous health, 2009' was also very popular among delegates.
Some of the conference presentations are available for download below.
The Aboriginal Health Council of WA hosted this 3 day work shop and delegates included health workers and health promotion officers from WA Aboriginal medical services. The work shop covered health promotion, tobacco control and chronic diseases. HealthInfoNet staff member Jane Burns ran a HealthInfoNet cafe on 17 November 2009. Delegates were particularly interested in the Indigenous health workers and the health promotion sections.
The WA Sexual Health Forum was held on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November 2009 at the All Seasons Hotel Northbridge. The forum sought to strengthen networks between service providers involved in sexual health and Aboriginal community members. Delegates attending the forum came from all over the state and included people who were working, or had an interest, in sexual health as well as local community members. The forum presenters came from a range of organisations such as: Canning Division of General Practice; HALO; Save the Children Kununurra; and Great Southern Aboriginal Health Service. The HealthInfoNet held an Internet cafe on the first day of the forum and spoke to many of the delegates regarding the work of the HealthInfoNet, website navigation, and the utility of the website for forum delegates.
HealthInfoNet staff ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at this event
HealthInfoNet staff ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at this event
HealthInfoNet staff ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at this event
The conference provided valuable networking opportunities among chronic disease practitioners from the NT and also interstate. Jane Burns ran a HealthInfoNet cafe and showed delegates where to find information about chronic diseases on the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website and described the benefits of joining yarning places. Many delegates had used the website before and commented on the improvements of the relaunched website. It is anticipated that the HealthInfoNet will be able to assist the Chronic Diseases Network further by promotion of its work.
The Mental Health Conference was held at the Perth Convention Centre. This conference was combined with the WA Transcultural Mental Health and the Australasian Refugee Health Conference. The two HealthInfoNet cafes were run by Belinda Urquhart, Tara Hoyne, Kathy Ride and Christine Potter. The feedback from many delegates were that they were pleased to find a free health resource on Indigenous mental health. Our recently printed ‘Summary of Australian Indigenous health, 2009' was very popular among delegates.
HealthInfoNet staff ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at this event
The purpose of this conference was to provide a forum for the sharing of ideas and knowledge about enhancing community safety and preventing injury in rural and remote Western Australia. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet (AIH) contributed to these aims by running an Internet cafe for conference delegates to demonstrate how they could use the AIH web resource to access knowledge on injury prevention in Indigenous communities.
Most conference delegates worked in Aboriginal Medical Services around Western Australia. An internet cafe was provided in the exhibitors' hall on Saturday 27 June to create awareness of the Indigenous HealthInfoNet web resource among the delegates. Demonstrations were provided throughout the day as to the information available on the site, its utility in terms of service delivery and how it could be best accessed.
This conference was organised by the Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia (DANA) and held at Surfers Paradise, 24-26 June 2009. Conference attendants were people working in nursing, and have a particular interest in addressing substance misuse.
The first day of the conference consisted of two workshops: Clinical supervision and What is advanced practice in alcohol and drug nursing?
Keynote and other presentations took place on 25 and 26 June. Presentations which had specific Indigenous content included:
Senior Research Officer Ineke Krom from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference on 25 and 26 June. The HealthInfoNet cafe provided the conference attendees with the opportunity to see how the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet can help support people working, studying or interested in addressing Australian Indigenous substance misuse.
The workshop, held at the Bentley Technology Park on Monday 22 June 2009, provided an opportunity to showcase new Indigenous health promotion programs and resources for people working in Perth's South Metropolitan health area. There were around 40 participants from a range of health-related agencies.
In a lively workshop, participants heard about a range of program and resources, including:
Neil Thomson, the HealthInfoNet director, gave a presentation about the HealthInfoNet's new site, and conducted a small HealthInfoNet cafe.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe at the Dietitians' Association of Australia's 27th National Conference in Darwin in May 2009. The theme of the conference was 'Exploring new territory' and session topics included infant feeding, nutrition and gastrointestinal disorders, food security, weight control, malnutrition, communities, and Indigenous health.
The conference was well attended with over 500 delegates from all over Australia.
Indigenous nutrition was a focus through plenary session presentations from Dr Julie Brimblecombe ('Food security in an Indigenous community'), Ms Dympna Leonard ('Lecture in honour of Cheryl Rae'), and Dr Dorothy Mackerras ('Update on the ABC study'). The Indigenous health concurrent session on the third day included presentations by Sharon Laurence (NATSINSAP), Megan Ferguson (Outback Stores), Alison Lorraine and Emily Moloney (Fred Hollows Foundation), Jacqui Brown (Northern Territory Government), Pippa Craig (Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit), and Vikki Wearne (Royal Darwin Hospital).
The HealthInfoNet cafe was well attended, both by those who knew about the HealthInfoNet and those that didn't. For those who were already aware of the HealthInfoNet, it was an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new layout (the new-look website was launched in March 2009) and pick up some promotional materials. Those new to the HealthInfoNet were able to take a personalised tour of the website and to have a comprehensive look at the nutrition web resource and yarning place.
The theme of the 2009 Winter School conference was the integration of research policy and practice. Australian Indigenous HealthInfonet contributed to the conference theme by providing an Internet cafe for delegates that demonstrated how reseach could be used to inform responses to Indigenous substance use
The 18th National Health Promotion Conference aimed to:
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet aimed to contribute by highlighting Indigenous health issues within the context of health promotion. Jane Burns gave a presentation, Building a ‘one stop info shop' for Indigenous health workers on the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Jane Burns, Karla Cerna, Tara Hogan and Christine Potter ran a HealthInfoNet cafe which was well attended and many delegates joined yarning places at the conference.
This conference was organised by the National Rural Health Alliance and held in Cairns, 17-20 May 2009. The conference was intended for anyone who had a personal or professional interest in the health and well-being of people in rural and remote areas. Indigenous health and well-being was once again a major focus of the conference.
Deputy Director Richard Midford and Senior Research Officer Ineke Krom from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference, showing the attendees how the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet can help support people working, studying or interested in Australian Indigenous health. Between four and seven laptops with Internet connection were available for use for the conference attendees. The Internet cafe was set up with support from Beyondblue, the national depression initiative.
On Monday 18 May Richard Midford did a presentation titled: Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: bridging the gap between research and practice and policy in Indigenous health.
The Indigenous Environmental Health Practitioners web resource was launched at this conference. Jane Burns, Senior Research Officer, HealthInfoNet gave a joint presentation with Sonja Carmichael, Senior Policy Officer, Indigenous Environmental Health, Queensland Health, titled 'Building a one stop info-shop for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander environmental health practitioners on the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Jane Burns and Director, Neil Thomson ran a HealthInfoNet cafe.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet had a strong presence at this conference. Two staff members were present throughout the two days of the conference and were busy during the breaks informing delegates about the AIH and demonstrating the features of this web resource. Particular emphasis was given to the substance misuse pages because these had particular relevance to the work of most delegates.
The conference was organised by Population Health Services, WA Country Health Services and the Department of Education, Goldfields District. It brought together people working in the area of ear health from all across Australia with around 200 delegates attending. A HealthInfoNet cafe was held over the two days run by Felicity Ward from Menzies School of Health Research and Neil Thomson to encourage people who had not seen the HealthInfoNet site to familiarise themselves with the EarInfoNet and yarning place. For those who were already members it was a good opportunity to view the relaunched website.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe at the 20/20 Vision for Aboriginal Health: Renal disease- Have we got it right? research forum held at the Western Australian Department of Health in February 2009. The focus of the forum was renal health in Indigenous communities.
Many of the delegates at the forum who were aware of the HealthInfoNet showed an interest in information available for areas of health beyond renal disease. For those delegates new to HealthInfoNet the cafe provided them with an opportunity to become familiar with the website and pick up promotional materials.
Local Drug Action Groups Inc (LDAG) is a Western Australian not for profit organisation, which provides an opportunity for people to actively participate in their local community. Made up of volunteers, LDAGs combine to take action to reduce prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug related harm. The 2009 State Conference provided over 100 attendants with the opportunity to share successes, ideas and projects and featured presentations which provided valuable ideas and skills that can be taken back to the community. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff members,Olivier Debuyst and Ineke Krom, ran a HealthInternet cafe at the conference.
The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference 2008 featured a program of international and national keynote speakers who focused on new treatment prevention and policy approaches to the drug and alcohol field. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff members, Associate Professor and Deputy Director Richard Midford and Ineke Krom, ran a HealthInternet cafe at the conference.
Our Mob, Our Minds, Our Spirit was held in Fremantle, WA, in November 2008. The purpose of the conference was to get people yarning about the many different facets of life in the community and how they interact with the mental health of the people in the communities. The program included a range of thought-provoking presentations on topics such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, adult guardianship of Aboriginal people, inter-generational issues, spirituality, and youth drug and alcohol issues. Media personality Mary G attended the conference as well as providing entertainment at the conference barbeque. HealthInfoNet staff members Jane Burns, Christine Potter, Tara Hogan, Ineke Krom and Kathy Ride ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference.
The Joining the Dots Aboriginal AOD Forum was organised by the WA Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA), in partnership with the Drug and Alcohol Office and the Department of Health and Ageing's Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. It was an opportunity for Aboriginal AOD workers and others to get together to discuss relevant issues within the Aboriginal AOD sector, and share experiences. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff members, Associate Professor and Deputy Director Richard Midford and Jane Burns, ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference.
The Indigenous Road Safety Forum is a bi-annual event, where people working to improve road safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia can share information. The Fourth Indigenous Road Safety Forum was organised by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, in conjuction with Queensland Transport. The Forum consisted of a visit to the Yarrabah Aboriginal Community, and two days of presentations, workshop discussions and a plenary discussion session. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff member Ineke Krom presented about the HealthInfoNet web resource and yarning place, and ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference.
On 21 October 2008 Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff members ran a stand at the event to promote the organisation's services. Other stands offered information on health issues, career guidance and Indigenous cultural aspects.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff member, Jane Burns, participated in the forum.
The Creating Futures: Research, practice & policy for Indigenous, rural & remote and island peoples conference focussed on theoretical debates and evidence based interventions with particular attention to three groups of interest: residents of rural and remote communities, indigenous populations (within Australia and elsewhere) and island nations experiencing social transition. Speakers addressed: developing the evidence base for effective policy and interventions to bring about positive change; empowering communities and families; and how policy, services and practitioners enable population and personal change that supports wellbeing and recovery. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff member, Jane Burns, ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference.
In collaboration with the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA), the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet organised a workshop for a group of Indigenous health promotion officers. During the workshop, Professor Neil Thomson and Ineke Krom introduced the group to the HealthInfoNet, and explained how the website can support health promotion officers in their work.
Around 200 people from around Australia attended the conference in Alice Springs. Keynote presentations were delivered by Tom Calma, Olga Havnen, Michelle Elwell and Dympna Leonard. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet director Neil Thomson ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference.
The title of the 2008 Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Summer Forum was ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander's mental health and emotional wellbeing', and had the theme: 'time to listen, time to act'. The Forum was attended by 190 people, ranging from consumers to researchers to representatives from the health workforce. . The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid training and research program was launched at the conference.
Budgeri Booroody, which means 'good and getting better' in the language of the Eora people of coastal Sydney, was the name of a two-day conference focusing on quality and best practice within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health sector. The conference provided OATSIH-funded community controlled health services with the opportunity to come together at a national forum to share information about best practice and to hear about current research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff, Neil Thomson and Ineke Krom, ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference.
The centrepiece of the conference was the inaugural National Excellence Awards in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health ceremony (22 November, 2007). A total of 77 individuals and organisations submitted nominations for the awards. The six award categories were: Lifetime achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health; Young leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health; Individual contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health; Excellence and innovation in service delivery; Excellence and innovation in community health outcomes; and Working together – partnering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
A HealthInfoNet cafe was run at the Summit.
The Western Australian Aboriginal Health Promotion Conference - Strong Communities, Our Stories, was held at the Burswood Convention Centre, Perth, on 29 October. A precursor to The WA Health Conference 2007 - Getting it right, the conference focused on key areas of Healthy Indigenous Partnerships, Leadership and Communities. The interactive style of the workshops provided an opportunity to share ideas and visions for the future. Keynote speakers were Kenneth George Wyatt and Kerrie Tim. Sponsors included the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, the Office of Aboriginal Health - Health Department of Western Australia and Healthway.
The symposium Working Out What Works: 16th Western Australian Drug and Alcohol Symposium was held in Perth, Western Australia, 18-19 September 2007. The symposium was sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Reckitt Benckiser and St John of God Healthcare. Collaborations included the W.A. Drug and Alcohol Office, the National Drug Research Institute, Murdoch University, Curtin University of Technology, University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University and the Western Australian Network for Alcohol and Drug Agencies (WANADA). The symposium had a focus on clinical research, policy and practice and drug regulations and practice and while not Indigenous specific, many presentations focussed on Indigenous issues.
A HealthInfoNet cafe was run at the Forum
The Hear, Speak, Live Conference was held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, 4 - 7 September 2007. It was hosted by the Deadly Ears Team, the Statewide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ear Health Program from the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane. The conference focused on otitis media and its impact on the health and well being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Practical examples were showcased on successes and learnings in holistic ear management from communities across Australia. Susie Hopkins from Menzies School of Health Research and Jane Burns from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet did a joint presentation and ran an Internet cafe to promote the EarInfoNet resource.
Jane Burns and Sharon Clews attended the event and promoted the work of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet in an HealthInfoNet cafe.
The national symposium Enhancing Indigenous Capacity: Building a Sustainable Future was held in Perth , Western Australia , 8 - 9 May 2007. The symposium was hosted and supported by the Rio Tinto Child Health Partnership and sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The symposium examined issues central to the development of the maternal and child health workforce in Indigenous communities. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff Sam Burrow, Sharon Clews, Ineke Krom and Annemarie Paddick ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the symposium.
Professor Neil Thomson and Jane Burns attended the event and promoted the work of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.
HealthInfoNet staff Bronwyn Gee and Darren Garvey attended and ran a mini HealthInfoNet cafe and display for participants. This provided an opportunity for Board members, senior managers and health professionals from Aboriginal community-controlled services to become more familiar with the HealthInfoNet's online services, and with our role in empowering Indigenous people by providing them with access to relevant, high-quality knowledge and information on Indigenous health.
This conference was organised by the National Rural Health Alliance and held in Albury, 7-10 March 2007. It was intended for anyone who had a personal or professional interest in the health and well-being of people in rural and remote areas. Indigenous health and well-being was once again a major focus of the conference and was identified as a priority social issue.
Sandra Harben and Bronwyn Gee from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet and Shannon Smith from the Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference. This showcased Aboriginal health information particularly related to rural and remote health.
Sandra Harben and Jane Burns ran two workshops at Marr Mooditj on 23 February 2007. Students were guided through the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website and encouraged to use the resource for their studies.
On 26 October 2006 Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff members ran a stand at the event to promote the organisation's services. Other stands offered information on health issues, career guidance and Indigenous cultural aspects.
The 3rd Indigenous Road Safety Forum was and held in Broome, 23-25 October 2006. It was chaired by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), and organised by the ATSB in partnership with the Office of Road Safety in Western Australia. The forum was an initiative of the National Road Safety Strategy 2001-2010 and provided an opportunity for safety and health practitioners to assess and progress actions to improve road safety for Indigenous people.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet was represented by Professor Neil Thomson (Director) and Ineke Krom (Research Officer). Neil gave a presentation on the HealthInfoNet Indigenous Road Safety web resource (view web resource) Ineke carried out demonstrations at a HealthInfoNet cafe.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff member Ineke Krom attended the conference and was available to share information about relevant HealthInfoNet website resources. HealthInfoNet flyers and other promotional materials were also distributed.
The Aboriginal Health Promotion Conference: Taking Control: Our Health, Our Future, held in Fremantle, Western Australia from November 2-4, was organised by the WA Department of Health's Office of Aboriginal Health and the Department of Health and Ageing. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff, Ellie Kirov, Kim Hansen and Jane Burns ran a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference. Professor Neil Thomson, Director of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet gave a presentation, 'Using the Internet to empower Indigenous peoples in the area of health'.
Professor Neil Thomson also introduced the Western Australian Indigenous Health Promotion Network website. The Network includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous people involved in Indigenous health promotion. The website is designed to support the Network in its aim to facilitate the sharing of relevant information and knowledge, with the ultimate goal of improving the health of Indigenous Western Australians.
During a visit to Darwin, HealthInfoNet staff conducted HealthInfoNet workshops and participated in the 8th annual Chronic Diseases Network Conference - The Turning Tide: Action and Improvements in Chronic Disease, 23-24 September, 2004. Two half day workshops were conducted prior to the conference at the Danila Dilba Education and Training Centre, to provide Internet training to Indigenous health workers. A HealthInfoNet cafe was conducted at the conference and gave delegates an opportunity to learn about web-based health information and other HealthInfoNet services. HealthInfoNet staff also participated in a session which explored the use of communication technologies to support Indigenous yarning and the sharing of health information.
Also during the visit to Darwin, meetings were arranged with Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT), Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH), NT Menzies School of Health Research, Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health (CRC) and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education to promote and discuss HealthInfoNet services.
The 8th National Rural Health Conference, 10 -13 March 2005, was the largest ever public meeting on remote and rural health. Held at Alice Springs Convention Centre, Northern Territory, it was attended by 1,100 delegates from around Australia including health service providers, students and consumers.
Internet access for all conference delegates was provided at the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet exhibition stand, with Telstra Country Wide providing Internet connectivity. Diana Hay from the Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal and Jane Burns from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet also ran a joint display with information about the two organisations. A HealthInfoNet cafe was run about web-based Aboriginal health information particularly related to rural and remote health, and other HealthInfoNet services such as training and website development. Delegates were encouraged to visit all the exhibition booths.
The 5th National Indigenous Environmental Health Conference, 3-4 November 2004, was hosted in Terrigal by NSW Health for the enHealth Council and the National Indigenous Environmental Health Forum (NIEHF). The theme 'Today, tomorrow - together' promoted the benefits of team work in creating healthy living environments and improving health and social outcomes. Presentations and workshops covered a wide range of environmental topics and focused on projects, workforce, and training. Delegates were able to share information, explore positive initiatives and consider lessons learned. Staff from the HealthInfoNet and the Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference to give delegates an informal opportunity to learn about web-based environmental health information and other available services.
A HealthInfoNet cafe was held at the conference by staff from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, and delegates were provided with an opportunity to learn about the online information resources available on the HealthInfoNet website and other HealthInfoNet services, such as Internet training.
In the exhibition area, a joint booth comprised of staff from the HealthInfoNet, Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH), Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, and University of Queensland, was co-located with the National Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) booth. The HealthInfoNet conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference, and provided an opportunity to introduce conference delegates to the online information resources and services offered through the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website.
The 3rd National Indigenous Male Health Convention was held in Cairns, Queensland from 8-9 September 2003. The conference provided the opportunity for Indigenous men to review the cultural and social context of their health and to further develop the integration of traditional ways with contemporary best practice. The Indigenous convention was restricted to male participants and presenters in accordance with cultural customs, traditions and Lore. The Indigenous men's conference was followed by the 5th National Men’s and Boy's Health Conference from 10-12 September 2003. September 10 was organised as a bridging day to link the events. Widening the approach to all men - urban, rural and remote - of all backgrounds, both conferences built on themes from earlier conferences which have sought to promote positive aspects of the health and wellbeing of men and boys.
The 14th Australian Health Promotion Association Annual Conference was held in Sydney from the 16 - 20 June 2003. The conference theme, 'Made in the future', a conference on leadership, capacity building, evidence and advocacy, highlights factors that are vital to successful Indigenous health practice and policy at all levels. The conference also provided the HealthInfoNet with an opportunity to share its work with health promotion professionals from around Australia.
The 4th National Aboriginal and Islander Health Workers' Conference was held on Kaurna land in Adelaide, South Australia from June 15-18 2003. The theme of the conference acknowledged the unique contribution that health workers make to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. The conference offered an opportunity for health workers to gain information about innovative projects, expand their local, regional and national networks, and discuss the future direction of their profession. The HealthInfoNet, together with the Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference. Staff were available to introduce conference delegates to the online information services offered through the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website. The cafe also offered an informal setting for further exchange of information on creative and innovative programs and projects currently being implemented across the nation.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet held a mini HealthInfoNet cafe at the conference. Staff introduced conference delegates to the online information and services offered through the HealthInfoNet website. The effect of forced separation on the social and emotional wellbeing of individuals was a feature of a number of conference presentations and delegates showed particular interest in the information provided on the HealthInfoNet's Social and emotional wellbeing webpage.
Neil Thomson and Bronwyn Gee, conducted a symposium titled the 'Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet - a model of knowledge sharing for the health sector'. This allowed participants to understand how the HealthInfoNet's work focuses on the generation and sharing of knowledge to assist decision-making in Indigenous health. In addition, the HealthInfoNet staff conducted a HealthInfoNet cafe.
For the first time at a NACCHO conference, the HealthInfoNet conducted for participants a HealthInfoNet cafe along the lines of those from other conferences. This provided an opportunity for Board members, senior managers and health professionals from Aboriginal community-controlled services to become more familiar with the HealthInfoNet's online services, and with our role in empowering Indigenous people by providing them with access to relevant, high-quality knowledge and information on Indigenous health.
Reflecting the conference's emphasis on the development and sharing of information resources on Indigenous environmental health, staff from the HealthInfoNet and and the University of Western Sydney were given the opportunity to demonstrate their respective websites at a combined Internet cafe.
With support from the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), the HealthInfoNet conducted a small cafe at the PHAA Conference, A Public Health Odyssey: popular culture, science and politics, held in Sydney in September 2001. The cafe provided an opportunity to share the work of the HealthInfoNet with a wide range of public health advocates, including many who work, study or have an interest in the field of Indigenous health.
The HealthInfoNet is grateful to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies for their support of a HealthInfoNet cafe to introduce delegates to online services and technology providing information on Indigenous health.
An Internet cafe was conducted at the National Rural Health Conference held in Canberra in March 2001. As was the case with previous cafes, participants were guided through the major sections of the HealthInfoNet's site, and were then encouraged to explore the site and affiliated sites with regard to their specific health interests. The HealthInfoNet is grateful to the National Rural Health Alliance for their support of the cafe.
An Internet cafe was conducted at the Third National Indigenous Environmental Health Conference. Held at Rydges Plaza, Alice Springs from 14-16 November 2000, the conference built on previous cafes and workshops. The aim of the cafe was to enhance Environmental Health Worker support by raising awareness of the role of the Internet in accessing information and assistance, and by enhancing and broadening knowledge and skills in information technology.
Our first HealthInfoNet cafe; was conducted at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers' Conference in Cairns, with support from the National Office for the Information Economy, [NOIE]. The cafe; provided computer and Internet learning opportunities in a supportive and culturally appropriate manner to conference participants. Health Workers had free access to four computers and were encouraged to 'have a play' on the Internet. The interactive sessions allowed Health Workers to have first-hand computer and Internet access and increase their knowledge of information technology.
The HealthInfoNet cafe at the Aboriginal Health 2000 Conference in Perth was made possible by the support of the conference organising committee from Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service and Royal Perth Hospital. The aim of the cafe was to introduce conference attendants to on-line services and technology providing information on Indigenous health. Participants were able to have personalised and informal sessions with the staff at a level that suited individual knowledge and skills of the technology and the Internet. New users were shown the HealthInfoNet site and guided through its major sections. Participants were encouraged to explore the site and its affiliated sites with regard to their specific health interests, and were able to print out material as desired. Many Indigenous health workers visited the cafe to increase their skills and knowledge about new technology.
Helping to 'close the gap' by providing the evidence base to inform practice and policy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
