More than 50 people came together in Melbourne last week for a #CroakeyGO, to share a walk and conversations about critical health issues ahead of this Saturday’s Victorian election.
To date, there have been 2,097 views via the Periscope app of video interviews conducted during the walk, and the 19 videos can now also be seen from this playlist at Croakey’s YouTube channel.
You can also watch each of the interviews below. (The first three videos all share the same 4.5 minute introduction so feel free to fast forward for sections.)
We acknowledge and thank cohealth for co-hosting and sponsoring the walk, and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCO) for launching the event. Read the related articles here.
“Keep walking with us”
Trevor Pearce, acting CEO at VACCHO, welcomes participants, who then introduce themselves and discuss the health issues on their minds ahead of the election, including health equity, racism, cultural safety, and investment in Closing the Gap.
Introductions – part 2
#CroakeyGO participants discuss health equity, the need to invest in prevention, public interest journalism, and areas crying out for youth justice reform.
Introductions – part 3
Participants discuss health equity, entrenched car dependency in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, rural and remote access to cancer care, gaps in systems (eg between health, aged care, disability, justice), over-incarceration of Aboriginal people, youth futures, and racism.
“Aboriginal health is everyone’s business”
Talking about the work of VACCHO through its Koorie Maternity Team and the importance of cultural safety. Also the need to increase funding for efforts to address drug issues, particularly ice. “Aboriginal health is everyone’s business.”
Talking sexual health
Hearing about VACCHO’s work, including efforts to address rising notifications in Victoria of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis which reached record highs in 2017.
Healthy food systems
Mikaela Egan, Aboriginal Nutrition Promotion Officer at VACCHO, on effective promotions for healthy food and drink choices, taking a systems and holistic approach. #DrinkWaterYouMob
VACCHO’s acting CEO Trevor Pearce
Trevor Pearce talks about VACCHO’s work on self-determination, and addressing racism in the health system.
On the role of community health
Cohealth Chief Executive Lyn Morgain, colleague Aram Hosie and community advisor and activist Kim Ling Chua talk about community health as a “second home” for local residents, and the critical intersection of direct clinical services with systems advocacy to address barriers to good health, including racism, stigma, and discrimination. Also the leadership of ACCHO sector.
“Vote to end violence against women”
Family violence survivor and advocate Nicole Lee on her campaign to be elected to the Upper House at the upcoming Victorian state election. “Vote to end violence against women”.”No family should ever get that knock on the door.”
Four key asks for Aboriginal health
Sheena Watt from VACCHO re 4 key asks for the election: 1. Maintain our work on self determination. 2. Fund the ambition. 3. A plan to respond to growing Aboriginal community. 4. Justice reform including raising age of criminal responsibility. She says: A lot is at stake this election. “Keep walking with us”.
Speaking with CATSINaM leaders
Janine Mohamed, CEO of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM), and Joshua Pierce, a board member of CATSINaM, speak about the importance of building an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and cultural safety.
Interview with Kathleen Maltzahn
Greens Candidate for Richmond speaks to Ruth Armstrong about wrapping services to improve health in Victoria, and the importance of support for “incredibly neglected” community health services. Also the importance of addressing housing, mental health service shortfalls, and climate change and its health impacts.
Justice reforms urgently needed
Brad Boon, Regional Community Team Leader at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), talks about urgent justice reforms ahead of the state election, including need for increased investment in prevention and diversion, and bail support services. “Aboriginal women should only be jailed as a last resort”.
Profiling community justice issues
Community health nurse Mary Natoli from cohealth Collingwood works with older clients, speaking outside Neighbourhood Justice Centre. She discusses elder abuse & “deep concerns” about the adverse consequences of mandatory sentencing for people who assault emergency services responders.
Innerspace – a guided tour
Hear about cohealth’s innovative drop-in primary care health service, Innerspace, from program manager Paul Hamilton – and from Yarra Drug and Health Forum executive officer Greg Denham about the long battle for a safe injecting room in the area.
Walking the talk
Public health researcher Penelope Smith is on the walk at #CroakeyGO – renewing a passion for public health, and meeting new people. “Everyone’s here! Where are you?”. Talking about a neighbourhood renewal program that was axed. Urging politicians to use evidence to do things better for communities. “Don’t forget to vote!”
“We should be able to do better”
Dr Simon Judkins, president of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, canvasses wide-ranging reforms needed to improve care for people with mental health issues, including more community care, housing security. Also covers gaps in aged care delivery, lack of access to drug and alcohol services. “It’s about giving people a voice.” In a wealthy society like Australia, “we should be able to do a lot better.”
A chance encounter with history
Alfred (Uncle Boydie) Turner is the grandson of legendary Aboriginal leader and activist William Cooper. He talks here with Abe Schwartz about the #WalkingTogether march on 6 December to honour his grandfather’s protest against the persecution of Jewish people in Germany.
Reflections
Participants share their main takeaways on community health, health equity and solutions as we wind up #VicVotes #CroakeyGO at an artwork commemorating the Stolen Generations at the Atherton Gardens public housing estate in Fitzroy.
