MEDIA RELEASE: Inspiring the future generation of Indigenous health leaders in Bowraville

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The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) are pleased to be the hosts of an Indigenous health workforce expo at the Bowraville Central School on Friday, 9 March. This event is a first for AIDA that will inform and inspire Indigenous students and their families in Bowraville and surrounding areas to pursue careers in health.

Alongside the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM), Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association (NATSIHWA) and the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD), AIDA have more than 30 Indigenous doctors, nurses, midwives, nutritionists, and physiotherapists attending the school to deliver activities demonstrating some of the day-to-day procedures that occur in their respective fields. Through applying plaster casts, delivering a mannequin baby, operating on organs and participating in pre-game exercises undertaken by players from the St Kilda and Melbourne Victory teams, we will show students the variety of jobs available to them if they embark on careers in health.

AIDA President Dr Kali Hayward says “it is so encouraging that we have so many people, organisations, families and community members supporting this important event. We are really excited to bring Indigenous health workers into the community to engage with students about the many options they have regarding careers in health”.

CATSINaM CEO Janine Mohamed says “building the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce through targeted investment in our young people is critical to closing the gap on health disadvantage – we are proud to be part of an initiative that works with our communities in delivering a tailored approach to health education and training pathways”.

NATSIHWA CEO Karl Briscoe is proud to participate in the event, which will showcase what is possible for the Aboriginal youth of Bowraville who wish to commence a career in the health sector. “There are many pathways for our youth and we are thrilled to help foster and support our next generation of Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners”.

IAHA Chairperson Nicole Turner says “we know that if we want to see long-term sustainable change to health outcomes, we need a strong representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and workers across the many diverse careers in health. Engaging our young people and sharing the amazing opportunities available is part of growing that health workforce into the future”.

The MNCLHD has been instrumental in pulling this event together at the local level and engaging with the community to ensure this event is a success for everyone who attends. It is inspiring to see this level of enthusiasm in the community and we all look forward to bringing this expo to Bowraville.