With a four-day break almost upon us, I hope everyone can use this time to relax and recharge. Please remember to take care on the roads, not only are they busy over Easter, but as someone who spends a lot of time driving around western Victoria, the roads are still in bad shape from all the rain we had late last year (and the wildlife is plentiful).
Eastern Maar
On Tuesday 28 March 2023, peoples of the Eastern Maar of western Victoria came together at a Federal Court Hearing in Warrnambool to settle part of their Native Title Claim for the Australian state to return some parts of their traditional lands taken since colonisation commenced in 1835. It was an event that moves toward greater respect for the health and human rights of the families involved.
The Eastern Maar peoples are Traditional Owners within south-western Victoria. They include peoples who identify as Maar, Eastern Gunditjmara, Djab Wurrung, Peek Wurrong, Kirrae Wurrung (amongst others) and claim ownership of lands extending as far north as Ararat and encompassing Warrnambool, Port Fairy and the Great Ocean Road areas, as well as the 100m of the water from the low tide mark on the coast (including the iconic Twelve Apostles).
The Eastern Maar claim, lodged in 2012, is the first Native Title determination within Victoria for more than 10 years. The court’s decision recognises the enduring Native Title rights of 14 Eastern Maar ancestors who survived the British invasion of the Eastern Maar lands leaving descendants whose Native Title is now recognised by the Commonwealth of Australia. The Court hearing included Eastern Maar families participating in cultural ceremonies involving traditional dancing and song.
The return of Native Title for part of the Eastern Maar lands in part goes some way to redress the intergenerational loss of wealth they have endured and will allow future generations to gain opportunities for ongoing economic benefits to now flow on these traditional lands again.
New Endometriosis Clinic
We are pleased to announce that Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) will be commissioning Kardinia Health to establish our region’s Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic. Kardinia Health was established as a GP Super Clinic and continues to operate as a not-for-profit multidisciplinary General Practice and Allied Health Medical Clinic.
Endometriosis affects approximately one in nine Australian women and can have an extensive, devastating impact on the daily lives of sufferers. On average, women suffering from pelvic pain usually wait at least seven years before diagnosis. General Practices are well placed to ensure early diagnosis and treatment for all those in need.
WVPHN will work with Kardinia Health to ensure that the new Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic will provide multidisciplinary care with a focus on improving diagnostic delay and promote early access to intervention, care and treatment options for endometriosis and pelvic pain.
Building on strong foundations and its current female GP workforce, Kardinia Health will establish this program to provide enhanced services and, ultimately, improve health outcomes. The funding we have provided can also be used for recruitment of specialised staff, some capital costs, equipment, resources, training and further development.
World Health Day 2023
This World Health Day, in two days’ time on 7 April, marks the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The theme of this year’s event is to look back at public health successes that have improved the quality of life of people around the globe for the last seven decades since WHO was founded in 1948. It’s also an opportunity for health organisations, including Western Victoria Primary Health Network, to reflect on our own successes and ever-evolving public health challenges.
Wimmera Grampians Networking Event in Horsham
Finally, on Tuesday, 2 May 2023, from 6pm to 8pm, I’d like to invite Wimmera Grampians health professionals to a networking event we’re holding at the Horsham Golf Club. The event is open to anyone, from GPs, registrars, practice nurses, practice managers to reception staff, allied health, specialists and more. Myself and other WVPHN staff will be there, and we’re looking forward to a relaxing night of networking and connecting with colleagues. Please RSVP by Friday 21 April here.
Rowena Clift, WVPHN CEO
5 April 2023