APRIL 2013
ISSUE
NPAFACS
Representing
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN’S DAY
1
NEW STAFF
2
PHOTO OF THE
MONTH
3
YOUR KIDNEYS
4
YOUR KIDNEYS
CONT’
5
SEXUAL HEALTH
TEAM
6
STRESS
MANAGEMENT
7
INTERNATIONAL
WOMENS DAY
CONT’
8
FOSTER AND KINSHIP
CARE TRAINING
9
HEALTH PROMOTION
& EMOTIONAL WELLBEING TRAINING
10
FAMILY WELLBEING
UNIT
11
ABOUT US
12
Women in the NPA
At International
women's day
MEET OUR NEW TEAM WORKERS
Charlene Lifu (Receptionist)
Hi, my name is Charlene. I live in New
Mapoon with my partner and two boys. I’ve
lived here in the NPA for 24 years.
I came on board as the Healing Centre
Receptionist as of the 20th of March. I am
very much enjoying my work and I find my
co-workers kind, funny and supportive. I
hope to help and support my co-workers and
the organization in every way possible.
Ashleigh Ahboo (Receptionist)
Hi my name is Ashleigh AhBoo. I come
from Thursday Island, which is about
45minutes north-east of Seisia. I have
only recently graduated last year, so this
is my first full time job as receptionist at
the Family Resource Centre. I enjoy
working here, the people I work with are
friendly and very welcoming.
When I’m not working, you can find me
playing sports, which I have a huge passion for and spend a lot of time doing.
One of my goals for the future is to set
up a Youth Centre on Thursday Island
that will run activities for the youth and
hopefully keep them out of trouble.
Amber Rigby (Receptionist)
Hi, my name is Amber. A few
months ago I joined my mother
and sister living in Bamaga. I love
the quiet lifestyle in comparison to
the busy Brisbane city life. Everyone is so kind and welcoming
which made starting my new job
as a receptionist at the Injinoo
Child Care Centre very easy. I
have already learnt so much about
the cultures here and I look
forward to learning more. I am also excited to start doing things I never did in
Brisbane, like camping and fishing.
Photo of the Month
The new art wall at the Injinoo OSHC captures the youth as they enjoy
some fresh fruit and healthy eating tips provided by NPAFACS Health Promotion Unit. That wall is looking great, thanks to the Injinoo OSHC Staff!
LET’S GET MOVING
DAY
SESSION
TIME
VENUE
MONDAY
MAT YOGA
5:30PM
NEW MAPOON COMMUNITY HALL
MONDAY
WATER AEROBICS
5.30PM
BAMAGA POOL
TUESDAY
KICKBOXING FEMALE
5:30PM
BAMAGA YOUTH CENTRE
TUESDAY
KICKBOXING MALE
6:30PM
BAMAGA YOUTH CENTRE
WEDNESDAY
CHAIR YOGA
5.30PM
BAMAGA OSHC
WEDNESDAY
WATER AEROBICS
5.30PM
BAMAGA POOL
THURSDAY
MAT YOGA
5:30PM
INJINOO COMMUNITY
HALL
THURSDAY
KICKBOXING FEMALE
5:30PM
BAMAGA YOUTH CENTRE
THURSDAY
KICKBOXING MALE
6:30PM
BAMAGA YOUTH CENTRE
Please note that
water aerobics will
not be running until
maintenance is
finished.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL
ON: 4069 3555 or follow us on Facebook for all
updates: https://www.facebook.com/#!/
You and Your Kidneys
WRITTEN BY: TRISH KILGOUR
Where are your Kidneys?
Most people are born with 2 kidneys; they are each about the size of an adult fist. The kidneys are protected by muscle, fat and your lower ribs.
What your kidneys do for your body?
The kidneys act as a filter which cleans our blood of wastes and keeps the essential elements
that are required by the body. The kidneys produce enzymes and hormones which help the
kidneys to: control blood pressure, keep your internal water balance in your body, produce red
blood cells, maintain blood composition and PH levels and help to maintain healthy bones.
The kidneys filter out all the toxins in your body, they filter though about 150 litres of blood
per day and they reabsorb about 99% of that. Out of this about 1 litre of urine is produced.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
There are 5 stages of Chronic Kidney disease which is determined by how well the kidneys
are working and how much function is occurring. Chronic kidney disease is when the kidneys
are no longer performing their full function . If the kidneys are not doing their job then the
body is not getting rid of the waste and toxins and these can build up in your body and in turn
make you sick.
Once you have chronic kidney disease it cannot be reversed, but treatment is available to stop
the disease from getting worse. It is also recognised that diet, exercise and medication can
reduce the progression of chronic kidney disease. Sometimes Chronic Kidney disease can be
difficult to detect and this can mean that your kidney can lose their function without you even
knowing it.
DID YOU KNOW: Indigenous Australians are 4 times more likely to die of kidney disease
than that of non indigenous Australians.
Risk Factors for getting Kidney Disease
If you have diabetes , high blood pressure , if you are obese, over 60 years of age, have a
family history of kidney disease, are a smoker are of Aboriginal or Torres Straight Island
origin, or if you are a binge drinker.
How to keep your kidneys healthy
Watch your alcohol consumption. Stay in a healthy weight range. Stay physically active by
doing at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Stay away from smoking, these are toxins
which make your kidneys work harder. Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated.
Keep your blood pressure at the right level. Stay away from soft drinks and keep your blood
sugar at the right level.
Treatment
Chronic kidney disease is treated throughout the 5
stages with different methods. This can include
changes and improvements within diet, exercise and
lifestyle changes. Other treatments also include
medication. Dialysis and kidney transplants are used
in the case which the disease has reached the higher
stages
It is important that we look after our kidneys and
keep our bodies healthy and in shape. If you have
any concerns please see your doctor, nurse or health
worker. It can be as simple as a urine or blood test to
see how healthy your kidneys are.
THE CHRONIC ILLNESS REDUCTION TEAM HIT
THE STREETS MARCH TO PROMOTE HEALTHY
KIDNEY WEEK. THEY GAVE OUT BADGES AND
EDUCATED THE COMMUNITY ON HEALTHY
KIDNEYS
Information On Syphilis
Syphilis is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) that has been spreading rampantly
throughout the NPA. Some people refer to Syphilis as “The Pox”. It can be treated
with medication. However, if left untreated it can cause damage to your organs such
as the heart and brain. If you have been diagnosed with Syphilis, you should not
have sex until treated and you have proof that you are no longer positive for syphilis.
It is important to remember that the best protection from illness is by wearing a
condom.
Syphilis Is Spread By:
Having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the infection. Syphilis is
spread through close skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or a sore. Syphilis can
also spread to un-born children if the mother is afflicted.
You Cannot Get Syphilis By:
Sharing baths, toilets, towels or eating utensils.
1st Stage:
It can take 4 to 12 weeks after contracting syphilis for the first symptoms to show.
These generally manifest themselves as painless sores (ulcers) on genitals or the
mouth. These sores can sometimes be missed due to the position of the sores as
they can be hidden from view or in some cases the sores don't appear at all. The
sores will normally heals completely in 4 weeks .
2nd Stage:
This stage can take up to 24 months to occur and can include symptoms such as:
hair loss, joint pain, flu like illness, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash (flat red rash commonly on soles of feet or on palms of hands).
3rd Stage:
This stage can occur 5 to 20 years after being Infected. This stage affects the organs, particularly the heart and the brain.
If you experience any of the symptoms, go see your doctor or sexual health
workers as soon as possible. There is treatment available which will stop the
illness from getting worse.
For more information please contact the sexual health education unit or go to :
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Syphilis
Please feel free to contact the Sexual Health Education Team at the Family Resource
Centre. Just ask for Bev, Rochelle or Aaron.
Written by Margie Bond
Stress Management and Relaxation at the Healing Centre
“Turn
off your mind, relax, and float downstream” John Lennon
Relationships, family and work are all
stressors which can make it difficult for us
to find a spare minute to be able to take a
deep breath and relax. It is easy to get
caught up in the pressures of life. Over the
coming months our Art Therapist Gabby
will be providing opportunities for
community members to participate in group
workshops with a focus on stress reduction and stress management.
Tapping into our creative resources can be a powerful tool to better manage stress. Painting, drawing
and colouring can help to tell stories and help to get
the stress out of our heads. Group workshops provide the opportunity for us to learn from our
auntie’s, uncles, cousins, sisters and brothers,
mothers, fathers, friends and the challenges they
may have faced in their lives and how they overcame these challenges.
If you would like to learn more about getting involved in relaxation and stress management
workshops please call the Healing Centre on 07 4069 3811
Written By: Tess La Fontain
Let’s Get Smart with Power; here are some tips where you can save
Power, Money and the Environment.
Turn off computers, monitors, printer and other equipments at the
end of each working day, “don’t leave any standby lights glowing”

Turn off screen savers and install standby (sleep mode) on computer monitors


Turn off power to lights, fans and small appliances when not in use
Enable power save mode on all printers, fax machines and other
shared machines during the day

International Women's Day 2013 - ‘Ending
Violence Against Women’
On Friday the 8th of March, International
Women’s Day was celebrated in the
NPA at Seisia community hall. It was a
special day to acknowledge the achievements of NPA women. The theme for
2013 was; ‘ending violence against
women’ and members from the five
women’s action groups presented their
vision for ending violence against
women to participants. The
presentations were the highlight of the
day; there was singing, a powerful
drama piece from Bamaga women’s
group, and a presentation about the importance of peace from Umagico
women’s group members.
NPA Family & Community Services,
Women’s Shelter, Social Emotional
Wellbeing Team, Healing Centre and
Women’s Action group project officer
would like to extend a warm thank you
to all who supported and took part in
this special day.
Written by: Tess La Fontaine
Life’s Circle At the Family Wellbeing Unit
We in the Family Wellbeing Unit are using the Life Circle as an assessment tool.
This interactive tool creates a fun opportunity for children to express themselves and
really show us how they are feeling.
Pam Winter (PHD and Early Childhood Educator) describes the life of a young child
and the growth of their brain below. Her comments describe why I feel excited about
working as a child therapist here in the NPA.
Written by: Tony Sanson-Gower
For a child -
‘The first five years matter and last a lifetime
Good nutrition, health, and exercise are critical
Children are born ready to learn
The best learning happens in nurturing relationships
The brain develops through use
Children’s wellbeing is critical to brain development and learning
Children learn through being engaged and doing
Children learn from watching and copying
Children’s self control is critical for learning, responsibility and relationships
Children learn language by listening to it and using it
Children are born ready to use and learn mathematics’
If I can achieve a small part of Pamela’s views above with your kids in NPA; I’ll be satisfied.
You can call me at NPAFACS anytime to chat about your kids and any concerns you may
have @ 4212-2000 - Ask for Tony.
Foster and Kinship Care Training
On 25th – 277h of March 2013, Jodie Baird
from Foster Care Queensland delivered
training to foster & kinship carers in the NPA.
The 3 day training took place at The Resort
Bamaga & The Family Resource Centre. The
training included the following components:
MOC (Matter of Concern), QCAT
(Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Training) & Quality to Care (Standard).
Foster and Kinship Carers provide a crucial
role for children and young people of NPA
who are under Child Protection Orders
(Current Court Orders). More importantly
Carers ensure the children receive the love
and care they deserve and that NPA children
remain in their communities - connected to
their families; maintaining culture and identity.
For further information or any enquiries
on becoming a foster or kinship carer
please contact Francyna Mandie (Foster &
Kinship Care Support Worker) on
07 4212– 2000
Witten by: Francyna Mandie
Health Promotion & Emotional Wellbeing Training
The NPA Family and Community ATSI
Services provided a Health Promotion and Emotional Wellbeing Workshop for 13 staff members
over a two day period. The workshop was held on
the 13th & 14th of March, 2013 at the Injinoo
Healing Centre and the Family Resource Centre
conference room.
The workshop was delivered by professional
trainer; Fran Lester from the Australian College
of Community Services, Brisbane. Fran had
previous experiences with delivering training
throughout the Capes Indigenous Communities.
THE GROUP WORKS ON MARKETING
STRATEGIES
Staff really enjoyed participating in the training, working in groups and brainstorming.
The strategy and structure of the workshop is one based on information and awareness
as a foundation for practical skills development.
The scopes of the workshops were:
Day 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How is Health Promotion different to marketing
Defining Health Promotion
What is community engagement and its paramount presence
What is community partnership
Marketing is much more than a website
The relationships between community engagement, health promotion and
marketing?
7. What is an effective communications strategy - a foundation for targeted
stakeholder relationships
8. Marketing communications – the love child of health promotions, marketing and
communications?
9. Social Marketing and social media and health promotions
Day 2
1. Developing a health promotion strategy for the local region
1. Developing a local stakeholder targeted Communications strategy for health promotions activities
2. Creating a local marketing plan
3. Linking with social marketing
4. Capitalizing on social media
5. Currency and Quality through review, evaluation and continuous improvement.
6. Evaluating and reviewing your health promotion activities
7. Re-invigorating and e-inventing your health promotion programs
At the completion of the workshop each participant received workshop materials and a Certificate of Completion issued by the Australian College of Community Services.
Written by: Beatrice Sebasio
NPA Family & Community Services
ATSI Corporation
NPA Family and community services ATSI Corporation is a non for profit charitable
body, governed by a board of directors who are indigenous female representatives of
the five communities in the NPA. The organization has been operating since 1992.
List of primary services provided include:

Counseling

Support, information advocacy

Referrals

Community education and awareness

Crisis care for women and children escaping domestic and family violence

Therapeutic stress management through art
NPA FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
10 Adidi Street, Bamaga
Phone: 07 4069 3555
Fax: 07 4069 3548
INJINOO CHILD CARE CENTRE
McDonnell Road, Injinoo
Phone: 07 4069 3510
Fax: 07 4069 3520
NPA WOMEN’S SHELTER
Phone: 07 4069 3020
Fax: 07 4069 3184
INJINOO OSHC
McDonnell Road, Injinoo
Phone: 07 4069 3109
Fax: 07 4069 3189
NPA HEALING CENTRE
54 Peters Street, Injinoo
Phone: 07 4069 3811
UMAGICO CHILD CARE CENTRE
Pascoe Street, Umagico
Phone: 07 4083 0111
We continually strive to improve our service to the
Fax: 07 4083 0222
community and encourage all types of client feedback. We take any feedback seriously and uphold our
strict confidentiality and privacy standards. FeedUMAGICO OSHC
back surveys can be completed at any of our seven
8 Young Street, Umagico
facilities and placed into the boxes provided. You can
Phone: 07 4083 0440
contact the NPA Family Resource Centre on 4069
3555 and provide feedback over the phone to one of Positions Vacant
our helpful office staff remaining anonymous if you
wish or if you would like to send it by mail to address Team Leader-Chronic Illness Reduction (FullTime)
at P.O Box 84, Bamaga QLD 4876.
This Newsletter is Written,
Photographed and Designed By:
Mark Colletti
[email protected]
Physical Activity Officer– Chronic Illness Reduction (full-time)
Community Education Officer– Chronic Illness
Reduction (Full-Time)
Cleaner– Family Resource Centre (part-time)
Contact Caroline Thlang at 4212-2000