Moving Forward Together in Aboriginal Women's Health: - Theses ...

Moving Forward TogetherJanet Kellygood it was to get together for fun, celebration and health information ratherthan getting together only for funerals and sorry business.The Aboriginal Education Worker said that the young women from the localhigh school had enjoyed coming and being part of the health day. They told herthat they had learnt a lot by listening and joining in with activities. TheAboriginal Education Worker indicated that more time for preparation ofschool notices, parental/guardian consent and organising interpreters wasneeded to enable more students to be able to attend. As a result of the day, thehigh school asked if it were possible for the Aboriginal Outreach HealthService to run a program or activities on school grounds in the following term.This request was taken to management, who sought additional funding for ayouth leadership and health promotion program to be facilitated. This isdiscussed further in Collaboration Area Three.The Elder women in the Aboriginal Women’s Reference Group were verypleased to hear about the day, and in particular, about the inclusion of theyoung women. They reflected that it was Nunga way for young Aboriginalwomen to be taught about women’s health and well-being in women’s groupswith different generations sitting together (Aboriginal Women's ReferenceGroup 2005).The Aboriginal Outreach Health Service staff also enjoyed the day. Theyreflected that it was a lot of work to pull it together, but working together madeit possible. In many ways it was easier to provide a one off day than anongoing program (AH D7).Focusing on young Aboriginal women’s needsAfter the Aboriginal Women’s Health Day, co-researchers and I met to planwhere to from here. They made a pragmatic decision that they could manageone event per term. There was high staff, organisational and policy interest inprioritising work with the young Aboriginal women and so term two activitiesfocused on supporting a program at the nearby high school. Managementobtained additional funding, and external facilitators worked with Aboriginalhealth staff to provide a Leadership Program at the local high school. In the244