What a fantastic week it was for Nidjalla Waangan Mia as Mandurah came together to celebrate NAIDOC Week. The events kicked off with a Community Walk and Comedy night at MPAC, followed by  Health and Wellbeing Expo hosted at Nidjalla, the Mandjar Dance Off, and wrapped up with the Gnaala Karla Booja netball carnival.
 
The Health and Wellbeing Expo was truly heartwarming, with community and health agencies coming together to share valuable information. A big thank you to everyone who attended; your support made the day special. The positive energy was palpable throughout the day, and we are grateful to all who contributed to the vibrant atmosphere.
 
The NAIDOC Health & Wellbeing Expo was a magical experience, with the community coming together for song, dance, and a powerful smoking ceremony. Special guests Sean Choolburra and Gary Wilkes added to the atmosphere of the day.  Every age group was catered for with craft activities led by Leanne, a sausage sizzle, a coffee van, and face painting added to the festive vibe.
 
Shout out to the local services who participated:  Allambee, Choyces, Money Mentors Financial Counselling, Foodbank WA, headspace Mandurah, Moordijt Djena Podiatry Service, Department of Justice, GP down south AOT Team, Palmerston, Foodbank, Avivo,  and City of Mandurah Youth, were showcased alongside engaging activities like the Winjan Aboriginal Corporation Aboriginal Rangers' "fire making" and other activities.
 
GP Down South participated in the Gnaala Karla Booja Mixed Netball Carnival with three teams. The community team, a mix of individuals with diverse skills, reached the B Grade Grand Final and secured the Runner-Up title, with Danny earning MVP honors. Special thanks to Charellett Bennell for coordinating the team.
 
Our second team, consisting of GP Down South staff and their families, not only showed support for the event but also displayed excellent teamwork throughout the competition. A special shoutout to Rebecca Cabassi for coordinating the team. The third team, a junior squad aged 12 to 15, courageously competed in the adult category, showcasing teamwork and determination. Clive secured Junior Runner-Up MVP, and a special mention goes to Danika Lundie for coordinating the junior team. Thanks to all participants; we look forward to next year's event.
 
As the week of celebrations concluded, the sense of unity and wellbeing lingered, creating lasting memories and setting the stage for another year of vibrant NAIDOC festivities in Mandurah. Huge thanks to the Binjareb NAIDOC Community for all their work.

The Assertive Outreach Team took over 20 young Aboriginal youth travelled into the South West region for a week of connecting to country, each other and culture.

Kambarang is one of the six seasons in the Ngoonar calendar.  It occurs from October through to November and is the season of birth.  Colours are exploding and there is lots of new life.  Many things are undergoing transformation with the warm change in the weather.

The aim of the camp is to encourage Aboriginal youth to respect the Aboriginal ‘Country’ in which they live and recreate on. The focus is to understand how critical the connection to the land is to Aboriginal people and to show them that they are descendants of one of the oldest cultures in the world, and at its heart, is a strong affinity with the land they inhabit. Helping to understand this connection, creates pride in who they are and where they have come from. We are then handing them the responsibility to live and create a better future for themselves.

We help build confidence by encouraging participation in making the camp a success.  They assist mentors in preparing Kangaroo meat for a BBQ dinner, those that did not wish to help prepare meat assisted other mentors to make damper, this gave them the opportunity to learn cultural skills in relation to food preparation.

There were many beautiful experiences for everyone.  The Wellington Discovery Forest – Nearer to Nature (Nyoongar Way) guided walk taught them to look for bush tucker and how other plants can be used.  Searching for hidden animals in bush helped embed connection to country and sustainable hunter-gatherer techniques.  They also got to participate in hands-on toolmaking, learning to make a fire and completed an art piece together.
Troy Bennell from Ngalang Wongi (Dreaming Town Tour) joined youth at camp to conduct a welcome to his country and smoking ceremony before going on a guided tour around Bunbury central giving them a historical facts, stories of early settlers and dreaming stories specific to the region to deliver a fascinating insight into the history of the town. He then came back to camp and extended the tour giving then tools to complete basic landscape pieces in the traditional way.

In Collie, they spent multiple days swimming and attempting to catch marron and fish at Honeymoon Pool.  The forest and bushlands through that area hold cultural significance.  The young people also did a tour of the underground mine and the historical museum, which was very informative, and the young people engaged in a scavenger hunt to find different items throughout the museum.

At the mine they did a simulated explosion and a ex miner explained the mining process and the conditions they worked in prior to them being closed in recent years.

Dressed to impress, one of the final nights we all headed to a local pizza restaurant, this being the first time for some of them. We feasted on Large 22” pizza and a variety of flavoured wings.

Camp participants were encouraged through mindfulness and kindness activities, we had an art corner set up throughout the week so the young people could go and chill out and be creative when they wanted to.
Our evenings were filled with a quiz night, multiple nights of spot light  and sitting by the camp fire yarning and cooking smores.

The week went quick and before we knew it, it was time to go home.
 
Many thanks to the other agencies who helped us by supporting this camp and our young Aboriginal people to get a strong connection to culture:  Alcoa & Department of Communities and Child Protection
 

A couple of weeks ago most of the GP down south staff from all regions, made their way to Mandurah for training with the Freedom Centre.  GP down south is made up of a diverse team of people who regularly work with youth, the vulnerable and diverse. 

We were challenged to identify our biases and confront them.  A lot of the time we operate on automatic pilot and assume we are not biased.  However, we often have hidden prejudice that shows up in the way we interpret and interact with certain situations.

Something many of us found useful was to define the distinction between gender, sex and sexuality.
Gender: Thoughts, behaviour, expression.  How you move through the world and want others to see you. It is how we see and feel about ourselves. Gender is not the same as sex.
Sex:  Biological characteristics that align your body with being male, female or intersex.
Sexuality:  Who and what we are attracted to.  Can include romantic / emotional attraction and sexual attraction.
 
“People aren't born with prejudice -the moment we are born we are inundated with messages (spoken and unspoken) about different types of people.
 
Negative biases and stereotypes can impact how we interact with individuals personally and at work. Recognising your bias is an important step in becoming an ally. The more aware we are of our own biases and their impact on our behaviour, the easier it is to ensure that our personal beliefs don't undermine our effort to support LGBTIQA+ people.” (GLSEN, 2016)

When we can understand how power and privilege intersect to create the framework that fosters the rise of stigma and judgement, then we are over halfway to pushing it to the kerb and take on better beliefs and behaviours that lead to a more inclusive and safer world for everyone. 

It is imperative for mental health and well-being that we all try to learn and understand these things.  LGBTIQA+ communities are uniquely affected by social and emotional health problems, from potential social rejection and lack of social support to more severe depression and anxiety symptoms. It is our mission at GP down south to ensure we make a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of those experiencing, or at risk of, poor health outcomes in our communities.
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From that safe space with the freedom to ask any questions we wanted, we came away with :

• An understanding of important terminology relating to LGBTIQA+ people
• An awareness of the stigma and disparities in healthcare which impact LGBTIQA+ people
• Foundational knowledge and awareness to inform safe and inclusive practices in the workplace

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge , the Freedom Centre offers the following services:

• Peer mentoring education and training, social support for young LGBTQIA+ people;
• Training, resources and support for sexual health education and capacity building;
• Harm reduction services for people who inject drugs;
• Free condoms and safe sex resources;
• Counselling and integrated support for people living with HIV.

I can safely say we all came away with a fresh toolkit and knowledge to move through our work and personal lives with more consideration and understanding.

RUOK? Day, celebrated on the second Thursday of September each year, is a powerful reminder that sometimes, all it takes to make a difference in someone's life is to ask a simple question: "Are you okay?" This national day of awareness serves as a beacon of hope, promoting mental health and well-being.

At the heart of this annual event lies the belief that a genuine conversation can be a lifeline for those grappling with the storms of life. It's about acknowledging the emotional struggles that may be hidden beneath the surface and offering support to those who may not be feeling okay.

The Aboriginal culture, deeply rooted in the ancient wisdom of connection and community, understands the importance of meaningful conversations and the healing power they hold. Indigenous Australians have long recognized the intricate ties between mental, emotional, and physical well-being, making their perspective invaluable in the context of RUOK? Day.

One example of this commitment to well-being can be found in the Down South Aboriginal Health Service's initiative to host RUOK? Day events in Manjimup and Collie. These events signify the intersection of cultural values and contemporary mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of unity and support within the Aboriginal community.

RUOK? Day's message is simple yet profound: "Are you okay?" These four words have the potential to change lives. By asking this question, we not only open the door to dialogue but also create a safe space for vulnerability and honesty. In a world that often emphasizes self-sufficiency and stoicism, RUOK? Day reminds us that it's okay not to be okay and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

The power of this conversation extends beyond the individual, rippling through families and communities. It fosters an environment where mental health is a priority, and where seeking help is encouraged rather than stigmatized. It promotes empathy, compassion, and active listening - qualities that are essential for building stronger, more resilient communities.

In Aboriginal cultures, the concept of "yarning" holds great significance. Yarning involves sharing stories, experiences, and knowledge through conversation, often in a circle. This tradition of storytelling and open communication serves as a valuable tool for addressing mental health challenges within these communities.
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RUOK? Day should be used as a day of healing, hope, and unity. It reminds us that a simple question can have a profound impact on someone's life, and that by fostering open and empathic conversations, we can create a more compassionate and understanding society. We are bombarded with yellow on the second Thursday in September, but we are encouraged to ask this question year round. Together, we can make a difference, one conversation at a time, and ensure that no one feels alone in their struggle to be okay.

On Monday 24 July Mandurah Baptist College hosted parenting author and educator, Maggie Dent. In an event open to the community, Maggie came and spoke to over 700 people on her topic ‘From the Sandpit to Adulthood: helping Today’s Children to Thrive’, discussing her 10 key points to raising children who flourish.

This is one of Maggie’s most popular topics as it is packed full of common sense and inspiration for parents and communities raising children throughout their childhoods and adolescence. Every parent wants their children to thrive – to grow up happy, healthy, strong, kind and capable of realising their full potential. In this presentation, Maggie explored the 10 keys to parenting that support this goal. She acknowledges there is no ‘perfect’ and that challenge, adversity and failure can actually help our kids grow stronger and smarter.

Maggie spoke to this topic in the way only she can.  With bucket loads of humour and love.  Acknowledging time poor and frazzled parents who constantly feel pull of competing priorities, Maggie spoke of the power of micro-moments.  We have all been told about carving out quality family time.  And that usually feels like having a time chunk large enough, when everyone is available for it to be quality.

Instead, Maggie suggests ensuring our teens are constantly reminded of our love and that they matter in tiny moments – frequently.  Like a conspiratorial wink, a small note in lunch boxes, send them text messages to tell them you are proud of them or join them while they are watching a favourite TV show.  She calls these ‘love bridges’.

Mandurah Baptist College generously donated $3,000 from ticket sales to the Peel Youth Medical Service (PYMS).  PYMS and GP down south has had a long partnership with the Mandurah Baptist College.  They have been key supporters for our Three Tier Youth Mental Health program, with Tier 1 being held in their Lakes Theatre.

“It was an incredible evening, and we were privileged enough to be able to donate the proceeds to GP Down South and the incredible work they do for the young people in our community. We look forward to having Maggie Dent at the College again and more opportunities to partner with GP Down South in the future.”  Mandurah Baptist College
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Through its holistic, youth friendly primary health care service PYMS aims to promote wellness by improving the mental, social and physical health of people in the Peel region.
 
PYMS offers comprehensive, multi-disciplinary services with General Practitioners, Practice Nurses and Mental Health Professionals.  The target group is young people living in the Peel Region between the ages of 12 and 25 years.  All services at PYMS are provided free of charge and in confidence.  We rely on the support of our community partners and are grateful for these donations which enable us to keep delivering these important services.
 

Clinical Care Coordination Program Manager, Paul Reilly, was delighted to accept The Mental Health Services (MHS) award for Therapeutic & Clinical Services at their annual conference in Adelaide recently.   The Awards acknowledge and promote: best-practice in the delivery of mental health services; innovation, consumer-focus and lived-experience leadership; excellence in mental health research; as well as media and journalism that helps decrease the stigma which can still be associated with mental distress.
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In a highly competitive field, the Clinical Care Coordination Team took  out the Award among highly regarded programs and services Australia wide. The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Conference is Australasia’s largest and most diverse mental health conference. It brings together people working across the mental health sector from a wide variety of disciplines.
 
TheMHS conferences have been a milestone event in mental health for more than thirty years, attracting a large number of people from a broad spectrum across the sector to share challenges, opportunities and learnings.
 
The Clinical Care Coordination Team is based in the Peel Health Hub (PHH) and provides services to hundreds of young people and their families each year.  This unique model of care was established not long after the PHH opened and demand for all services increased exponentially, with demand quickly outstripping supply. Consequently, waitlists increased dramatically. One of the guiding principles of the Peel Health Hub’s Model of Care (MoC) is that all clients be supported while on waitlists as part their continuity of care. Therefore, a major component of the Clinical Care Coordinator’s (CCC’s) role within the Hub MoC became the management and support of clients on Pell Health Hub co-locator’s waitlists. With demand for Hub services expected to continue to increase, additional staff members were required to meet the growing demand.
Impact the CCC has:

• Reduce waitlists across all co-locating PHH services- significant number of referrals are diverted from other services as a result of receiving a clinical intervention through the CCC. The CCC provides clinical interventions and engagement whilst clients wait on other services’ lists. This reduces disengagement, risk and often completes care.

• 0 days on a waitlist as clients are seen immediately and engaged by the CCC team
• Reduced admissions to Peel Mental health, ED, and other external services
• Better experience for clients by minimising history-taking sand story-telling, with information shared with consent by the CCC.
• 97% of clients feel that the care received has led to an improved health outcome
• The model of care used is simple and intuitive, but also supported by a large body of independent research. It has been successfully applied overseas, however the Peel Health Hub is the first example of a purpose built ‘one stop shop’ health service in Australia.
• The care coordination workers are highly skilled clinicians who are able to provide triage, screening/assessment, and immediate engagement and therapeutic intervention with the client from the first point of contact. This team operates with a much higher skillset than is typical of a triage, screen/assess/refer function.
• If the client does require further intervention, the CCC team provides a ‘warm’ handover to the relevant service ensuring that the client does not need to retell their story with a new service, and the new service is able to pick up at the appropriate stage of intervention as opposed to recommencing the intervention from the beginning.
• The State Government has recognised the innovative approach taken within the Peel Health Hub is best practice in realising substantial health outcomes for consumers as well as providing key systemic efficiencies addressing workforce issues.  In fact they detail a vision for “integrated ‘Hubs’ in the Perth South, Perth North and Perth East metropolitan regions, and across regional WA. 

In partnership with our funder, WAPHA, Bernie co-presented a workshop to the Australian Practice Nurse Association National Conference held in Perth 27-29 July.
 
Bernie is a registered nurse and leads GP down south’s Sexual Health Program and her co-presenter Sara is the Program Coordinator – Aboriginal Health WAPHA, and together they presented a one-hour session on improving Aboriginal health assessments and follow-ups.
 
A key element of closing the gap is to address preventable chronic conditions and to enable this practices need to ensure that Aboriginal clients are identified so they can utilise additional sessions and services to improve their health.  Due to the disparities in health for Aboriginal people, there are a number of additional Medicare (MBS) items available to assist in providing best practice care.
Improving the uptake of Aboriginal health assessments is linked with improvements in preventative health practices, however insufficient follow-up is a barrier to effective and safe care.
 
The workshop at the conference focussed on ways practices can support staff and clients to ensure that the uptake of these additional items.  This session was useful regardless of the practice status as an Aboriginal health organisation.  The importance of providing a service that is culturally safe, keeps focussed on the individual, prioritises proactive follow up and emphasises early intervention was delivered in this impactful session which had the audience wanting more.
 
The presentation addressed the lack of support for preventative health interventions targeted on the basis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, poor understanding of why they’re necessary and cultural safety as a continuum. As practices progress along the continuum they are more likely to have been able to reduce barriers. A key practice is allowing enough time for the health assessments – and this means that staff at all levels in a practice need to understand what is required and be trained to ask the right questions. 
 
A strategic and practice-wide approach is needed to overcome barriers.
 
Bernie shared some ideas on how this could be achieved including safe yarning,  piggy-backing on other appointments, being proactive about follow ups and dates and mostly – just keep communicating.
 
The presentation discussed the actions that nurses/Aboriginal health practitioners can take in their role specifically, with a focus on addressing four common barriers – demographics recorded/identification, time constraints, patient return for follow-up and cultural safety.
 
Bernie provided some great practical tips for how a nurse/Aboriginal health practitioner can contribute toward completion of an Aboriginal health assessment, and the types of services that could be provided as nurse/Aboriginal health practitioner follow-up.  With a wealth of experience,  Bernie was able to share her insights on relational aspects of engaging patients, including a ‘slow burn’ approach to supporting patients to take control of their health in a manageable way.
 
‘Nurses are a powerful workforce.’ ‘We, the grassroots providers recognise some of the issues before policy catches up.’ Aboriginal people have used fire for thousands of years to regenerate the landscape. Ignited health workers and nurses are the fire starters.’ Bernie Garnier
 
Classically self critical, Bernie said – “I never saw anyone asleep during the session so we must have got something right.”  

For the third year running GP down south were involved in delivering the Makaroo cultural camp.  The camp was held at Nanga Bush camp Dwellingup and went for five days.
 
31 Aboriginal youth participants from the Mandurah, Pinjarra, Waroona and surrounding Peel areas, ranging in age from 7 – 17 years were able to learn, have fun and connect to country.   Camp mentors were on hand to support participants and included staff from all participating organisations along with four WA Police cadets attending daily.
 
It was a huge 5 days with the young people enjoying a range of activities.  Supported by the mentors, they were welcomed with a smoking ceremony and some of the kids worked to maintain the fire during the camp. 
 
There were adventurous options with a high ropes course, orienteering and a riot squad session with the WA Police.  They had a great day out at the Newmont Boddington Gold mine looking at the kinds of jobs available in mining and also had a guest speaker from the Australian Defence Force.
 
Culture and country remained front and centre for the camp and they had lots of opportunity to participate in activities such as  Mayakeniny Dance Group lessons and Lane Pool Dwellingup cultural session.  The boys were taught how to prepare kangaroo and the camp culminated with a cultural evening with traditional foods and dance presentation.  Around  50 guests attended to celebrate with the camp participants.
 
The young people have the opportunity to build cultural connections that will be lifelong while also getting the opportunity to learn about career pathways available to them. The young people build new friendships and awareness of services available to them through these cultural camps. Once camp is done, AOT and CPFS run a Koolunga Mia program for all participants to attend weekly to continue the connections formed at camp.
 
Many thanks to Department of Communities for funding and enabling the camp to go ahead.  Pavilion Media were on hand to document the camp and will be creating a short film about the experience.

And huge shout out the Assertive Outreach Team and other staff who put in mammoth efforts to make sure the kids have a fun and enriching experience. 
 
We are looking forward to the next camp happening in the Greater Bunbury region later this year with support from Alcoa.
 
We would like to extend our thanks to the following organisations for their participation and support:
-Department of Communities (Mandurah)
-GP down south(Assertive Outreach Team)
-City of Mandurah Youth
-Allambee (StreetNet)
-Western Australia Police Force WA Police Force Recruitment
-Australian Defence Force
-Newmont Boddington Gold Mine
-Alcoa
-Nanga Bush Camp
-Pavilion Media
-Mayakeniny Dance Group
-Treetops Adventure Dwellingup
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In the heart of the Peel Region, a remarkable chapter has come to a close as Dr. Willie Walker, a beloved figure at Nidjalla Waangan Mia (NWM), bids farewell to a practice he helped establish and build. For 15 years, Dr. Walker has been an unwavering pillar of support and a guiding light for both the Aboriginal community and his colleagues at NWM and Peel Youth Medical Services (PYMS).

From the very beginning, Dr. Walker played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of NWM. As one of the founding members, he tirelessly advocated for an Aboriginal-specific Medical Centre in the Peel Region. His efforts as the first Chair of the Board of GP down south (GPDS) were instrumental in realising this dream. His dedication and passion for improving healthcare for the Aboriginal community were evident in every step he took.

Dr. Walker's impact extended far beyond his administrative responsibilities. He led the way in clinical services, spearheading a nurse-led clinic that empowered the Aboriginal community with complex chronic diseases to develop self-managing skills. His expertise and guidance were invaluable, and he happily supervised medical student doctors during their placements at NWM, nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Beyond his exceptional medical abilities, Dr. Walker possessed a magnetic personality that endeared him to everyone he encountered. A great storyteller with a fabulous sense of humor and quick wit, he could light up any room and bring smiles to the faces of his patients and colleagues alike. Dr. Walker had a remarkable knack for making each person he engaged with feel important and an integral part of the team.

It was evident that Dr. Walker was born for his profession. His unwavering dedication to supporting others and his exceptional medical work set him apart. Throughout his 13-year tenure at NWM, he played a pivotal role in establishing Aboriginal Health services in the Peel region. Alongside Peter Wallace, he was the driving force behind a comprehensive Health Needs Analysis that ultimately led to the establishment of NWM in July 2010, after overcoming various obstacles.

Dr. Walker's commitment to NWM and its mission was unwavering. When the centre faced the challenge of losing GP hours, he stepped up without hesitation, increasing his workload to ensure continuity of care. He played a crucial role in securing the services of Dr. Foss, without whom NWM would have struggled to deliver clinical services. He postponed his retirement until he knew NWM had the necessary GP coverage, a testament to his unwavering dedication.
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As Dr. Walker embarks on the next chapter of his life, both clients and staff alike will keenly feel his absence. His warm smile, compassionate nature, and exceptional skills as a physician will be sorely missed. Dr. Willie Walker has left an indelible mark on Nidjalla Waangan Mia, PYMS, and the Peel Region, forever influencing the lives of countless individuals. We wish him well in his retirement and extend our heartfelt gratitude for his years of dedicated service.

In Australia, diabetes continues to pose a significant health challenge, particularly among Aboriginal people. The rates of diabetes in this population are alarmingly high, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and educational programs.

Maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases are crucial aspects of leading a fulfilling life. In Aboriginal communities, the rates of diabetes have been a growing concern, making it vital to address the importance of exercise, healthy eating, and diabetes management.

Down South Aboriginal Health initiated a 6-week program aimed at addressing this pressing issue. By focusing on the utilization of air fryers to create nutritious and flavoursome meals on any budget, the program empowered participants with valuable knowledge and skills to manage diabetes effectively.

We would like to express our gratitude to the generous donation of air fryers from Retravision and to our funder, Aurizon for making this program possible. The program not only educated participants about diabetes prevention but also provided practical tools and resources to promote healthier lifestyles.  Here is some of what we covered.
 
The Role of Exercise in Good Health:
Exercise has long been recognized as a cornerstone of good health, and its significance in preventing heart disease and managing diabetes cannot be overstated. The program emphasized the importance of regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or participating in community activities. Engaging in exercise helps control weight, improves cardiovascular health, and enhances overall well-being.
 
Good Fats vs. Bad Fats:
Understanding the distinction between good fats and bad fats is essential for maintaining a healthy diet. The program shed light on the benefits of incorporating good fats, such as those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, which promote heart health and overall well-being. Conversely, participants learned about the detrimental effects of bad fats on arterial health and were encouraged to minimize their consumption of trans fats and saturated fats.
 
Diabetes and its Impact on the Body:
The Feltman tool served as a valuable resource for explaining the intricacies of diabetes. Participants gained insight into how diabetes affects the body, its potential complications, and the significance of actively managing the condition. Armed with this knowledge, individuals were empowered to make informed decisions regarding their lifestyle choices and seek appropriate medical support.
 
Decoding Carbs: High GI vs. Low GI:
Carbohydrates play a significant role in managing blood sugar levels. The program educated participants on the differences between high glycemic index (GI) and low GI foods. While high GI foods, such as white bread and sugary drinks, cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, low GI foods, including whole grains and legumes, have a more gradual impact. By choosing low GI options, individuals can better manage their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetes complications.
 
Budgeting for Healthy Eating:
One common concern raised by participants was the ability to maintain a healthy diet on a limited budget. The program addressed this issue by providing valuable insights on budgeting for healthy meals. Participants learned practical tips on how to stretch their food dollars, shop smartly, and make nutritious choices. Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive, and the program empowered participants with the knowledge to make cost-effective yet nutritious food choices.

The success of the Deadly Food, Deadly You Program was evident through the positive feedback received from participants. They expressed their gratitude for the engaging and informative sessions and particularly appreciated the expertise of the guest speakers who addressed topics related to their qualifications. One aspect that participants wished to explore further was hands-on training in using air fryers. Their feedback will help shape future programs and enhance the learning experience.

The program culminated in participants receiving a brand new a Air Fryer, Air Fryer Accessory Pack, Cookbook, and a Certificate of Participation, ensuring they have the tools and motivation to continue their journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

If you missed out this time around, keep an eye on the Down South Aboriginal Health Facebook page for the next installment.