PROJECT TITLE:
Murdi Paaki Health Project
CLIENT: Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) and Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
DATE: 2006 - 2008
1. Murdi Paaki Health Project
Between 2006 and 2008 KBC were contracted to undertake a series of projects on behalf of the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) and Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (ATSIH). The project explored the health-related findings emanating from the COAG Trial in the Murdi Paaki region of western NSW. The result of the work was the identification of the priority areas for a health response in the region and the subsequent development of frameworks for intervention in 3 key areas:
- Social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and drug and alcohol (including the development of a model for a COAG-funded drug and alcohol service)
- Chronic disease across the lifecourse
- Family wellbeing
2. Development and Implementation of the Murdi Paaki Drug and Alcohol Network
As a result of the Murdi Paaki Health Project, KBC were contracted to work with the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, to implement the Indigenous drug and alcohol service for the Murdi Paaki region using the framework developed during the initial work in the region. The service remains operational.
3. Coonamble Family Wellbeing Service
A further outcome of our original work in the Murdi Paaki was the funding of an Indigenous Family Wellbeing Service in Coonamble in Western NSW. The service aims to foster family and community environments in Coonamble that promote wellbeing in Indigenous families and reduce the negative impacts of alcohol and substance misuse and family violence. The service seeks to improve family wellbeing and reduce the impact of substance misuse and family violence through improving the interface between the relevant sectors and organisations and providing linkages to services for clients.
