Aboriginal Health

Hey Mob

This COVID19 virus is pretty scary, but we want you to know that the Aboriginal Health Team is here to support you.

It does not matter your age - if you have symptoms such as signs of a cough, fever, runny nose, or sore throat - you need to stay home and take a test.

The test does not take that long and it could save your life.  It could save your family's life, our Elders, and others in the wider community.

We can help you in a culturally safe and confidential manner.

Please, if you need any help with the COVID19 process contact one of us (scroll down for details).

REMEMBER

To protect our loved ones and our Elders, the following precautions can help reduce the spread of COVID:

• wear a mask or a face covering
• wash your hands often with soap and water
• stay 1.5 meters away from others

STAY DEADLY- STAY SAFE!

The Aboriginal Health team provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing care at Grampians Health.

Our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers and Koori Mental Health Liaison Officer work with patients and their families, staff, volunteers, and local communities to provide culturally appropriate care for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

Hours

Monday to Friday

8.30am to 5.00pm

Meet the team

Aboriginal Team Leader

Emma Leehane

0448 046 956

emma.leehane@gh.org.au

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer

Renee Bosworth

0438 108 927

renee.bosworth@gh.org.au 

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer

Kevin Jameson

0484 939 693

kevin.jameson@gh.org.au 

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer

Darren Burns

0421 898 906

darren.burns@gh.org.au 

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer

Makala Rumler

0491 849 272

makala.rumler@gh.org.au

This service assists all patients and community members who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander who are:

• An inpatient at a Grampians Health Ballarat site or hospital, including the Mental Health units
• Any patient referred to the service by a Grampians Health Ballarat clinic or external provider
• Community members engaged with specialist programs (HARP, Integrated Family Services, and Specialist Clinics)
• Clients of Grampians Health Community Programs (Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Community Rehabilitation Clinic)

Our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers may assist with:

• Ensuring hospital services are culturally appropriate, safe, welcoming and meet the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
• Provide assistance with accessing information and referrals for community services and supports.
• Ensuring Aboriginal people have access to all Grampians Health services
• Identify and address barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that may prevent them from using Grampians Health 

This service can be accessed across all Grampians Health Ballarat sites and programs.

If you would like to speak with our Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer or the Koori Mental Health Liaison Officer about you or a family member's care, please ask the treating medical team, who can refer you.  

A region-wide Aboriginal art competition was held by Grampians Health in 2022. With the theme ‘Respect for all at Grampians Health’, the competition was run to help contribute to a safe and inclusive space for First Nations peoples, bringing local culture to Grampians Health sites and showing respect for Traditional Custodians and First Nations community members.  

Thank you to everyone who submitted their work. The winner was Darlene Rumler for her piece “Woven art”. Congratulations Darlene!

“Woven art” pays tribute to and acknowledges the Traditional Owners of South West Victoria, tied together and linked through history, kinship, Country, and connections, learning together and paying tribute to healing in modern, contemporary and traditional methods. The artwork acknowledges the spiritual belonging and belief of Bunjil, the creator watching over his lands. The coloured medicine leaves and seeds also visually symbolise inclusion.