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Kimberley mental health initiative wins Australasian award 06 September 2019 An innovative program that brought Fitzroy Crossing young people and Elders together and resulted in a hip hop song about suicide prevention has won a top Australasian mental health award. The WA Country Health Service-led Standing Strong program won an award in the category of Mental Health Promotion or Mental Illness Prevention at the annual Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand. Developed, written and recorded in Fitzroy Crossing, the Standing Strong project was a partnership between WA Country Health Service’s Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service and the Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services. Young people between the ages of 10 and 17 worked with the Indigenous Hip Hop Project team to develop a song using their own words and ideas about mental health, alcohol and drug issues. Elders from five local language groups also shared their stories about the... -
Dynamic duo at Busselton recognised for excellent GP obstetric care 05 September 2019 Dr Sarah Moore and Dr Peta Sadler, both GP obstetricians (GPOs) at Busselton Health Campus, have been recognised for their outstanding work. Dr Sarah Moore has been awarded the Fay Gale Scholarship to attend the third International Congress on ‘Whole Person Care’ to be held in Canada later in the year. Dr Sadler has been appointed as the rural GPO on the Perinatal and Infant Mortality Committee of WA. While both doctors are delighted with their respective achievements, they are also passionate about their work at the Busselton Health Campus. “I love working in a team with the fantastic GPOs and midwives in the Busselton Maternity Unit,” said Dr Moore, “particularly the fact I can provide continuity of care to the women and families I look after as a GPO.” Dr Moore, who has been associated with the Busselton Health Campus for more than 10 years, wa... -
Stroke team stride it out to promote powerful B.E.F.A.S.T. message 29 August 2019 Ahead of national stroke week next week WA Country Health South West allied health staff have gone to great lengths to demonstrate their commitment to promoting the need for a rapid response to stroke. Some of the staff formed a team and commissioned special ‘B.E.F.A.S.T.’ t-shirts to wear while competing in the Vestrum Women’s 5km Fun Run in Bunbury earlier this month. They’re looking forward to donning the shirts again for National Stroke week next week. “Running as a team was not only a great way to demonstrate how exercise can reduce stroke risk but while we pounded the pavement we also promoted awareness around early signs of a stroke,” said Michaela Eaton, Acting Stroke Coordinator for WACHS South West. B.E.F.A.S.T. promotes the message that emergency attention is needed for anyone experiencing sudden changes in Balance, Eyes (vision), Face (... -
Exercise group a ‘winner’ according to the original Wheatbelt Wheezer 29 August 2019 An exercise group in Northam, specifically for clients with longstanding cardiac or respiratory issues, is so popular with one participant he keeps signing up for more. The cardio-respiratory exercise group was set up by the WA Country Health Service Wheatbelt allied health team six years ago based on the fact that exercise and education-based programs benefit anyone with a long term heart or lung condition. Local resident Colin Easther, who also established the ‘Wheatbelt Wheezers support group’ for anyone with a lung condition, is a strong advocate for the program. “Quite simply, this class helps keep me alive! “Exercising with this group has not only helped me improve my stamina but also my overall outlook particularly through winter, which is the toughest time of the year when you have a lung condition,” he said. Mr Easther, a former ships officer, was d... -
Narrogin’s ‘No more Ngamari’ ball a success in taking a fresh and fancy approach to tackling smoking 29 August 2019 Tackling smoking with style was the idea behind staging a community ball in Narrogin last month. Vennessa McGuire, health promotion officer with WA Country Health in the Wheatbelt, came up with the idea because she wanted to try a different approach to promoting changes to the ‘Ngamari Free’ program. The ball was open to anyone in the community, regardless of age or cultural background and entertainment was provided by members of a youth dance group. Ms McGuire said she was delighted with the response to the event, particularly the fact such a diverse range of community members braved a cold night to attend. “It was brilliant to see such a positive vibe on display at the ball which proved to be an effective way of signalling a change in the way we’re delivering the ‘Ngamari Free’ program,” she said. “Most importantly the ball provided a gre...
Last Updated:
17/04/2026