The Hon Gavin Jennings, Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (third from right) with members of the Koorie Heritage Trust Terry Garwood, Jason Eades, Sara Jones, Nerissa Broben and Jim Berg
The Koorie Heritage Trust aims to protect, preserve and promote the living culture of the Indigenous people of south-eastern Australia. The Trust embraces the broader goals of reconciliation for all Australians by Koories and non-Koories working together, side-by-side from the Board level down.
The Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre hosts two gallery spaces for emerging and established Koorie artists, a permanent exhibition tracing the history of the Koorie people, guided cultural tours, a gift shop, a resource library and an oral history unit.
Judges' summary assessment
- Strong leadership and direction provided by the Board which has a great diversity of members (lawyers, judges, business, community etc).
- Comprehensive complaint handling systems.
- Effective management systems.
- Good communications with members via regular newsletter.
- Good working relationship between Board, management and staff and opportunities for training.
Stakeholders feel that the KHT is a flagship organisation that provides a great service to the wider community of Melbourne through programs such as cross cultural courses for the police and others, information delivery to schools and by supporting and promoting local artists.
Innovative practices, such as Board membership including a mix of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people with an Aboriginal majority, and some members holding portfolios. All Board members are formally inducted and attend a lecture on roles and responsibilities.
Stephanie Bell, Robert Le Rossignol and Heather Campbell from the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress was established in 1973 and has grown over 30 years to be one of the largest and most enduring Aboriginal community controlled health services in the Northern Territory, and a strong political advocate for the health of Indigenous people.
Congress has eight branches and provides a wide range of comprehensive primary health care services including a medical clinic, community health program (including immunisation programs, child and infant health, frail aged and disabled, nutrition and diabetes clinics, bush mobile and specialist clinics), Alukura (a women's health and birthing centre), a social and emotional well-being centre, a child care centre, a pharmacy, a male health program and Aboriginal Health Worker education.
Judges' summary assessment
- Confident, able Board that clearly understands its roles and responsibilities and undertakes governance training once a year.
- Excellent manuals, policy documents and other written materials to guide the Board and staff.
- Competent highly skilled staff with opportunities for professional development and training readily apparent.
- High quality data collection and analysis.
- Congress is highly regarded among stakeholders for its professionalism and standing in the local Aboriginal community.
- Staff has good understanding of Indigenous culture and treats patients with respect.
David Lane, Maddy Bower, Gavin Greenoff, Lily Bennet, Daphne Daniels and Irene Fisher from Sunrise Health
By participating in the Commonwealth Government's second round of Coordinate Care Trials, Sunrise Health Service had the opportunity to develop a community controlled health service to replace the former Department of Health and Community Services. The goal of the trial was to provide additional benefits to clients and communities through the coordination and integration of care, and effective use of resources. Through the trial, Sunrise has been able to establish the health service infrastructure required to increase the range and type of health services to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the remote region east of Katherine.
Judges' summary assessment
- The Board has excellent financial management understanding due to innovative training methods. The Board has a clear vision and high quality strategic planning ability as well as good succession planning through training members of community health committees.
- Comprehensive induction policy and procedures for all staff.
- Excellent staff development, leadership and career opportunities.
- Breaking down cultural barriers partly through the creation of non-Indigenous sub-committees.
- Stakeholders are very positive and have high praise for the work and achievements of Sunrise Health.