Indigenous health evening looks at wellbeing
Dr Tim Spelman of the Burnet Institute introduces the evening.
The 20th annual Matthew Campbell Memorial Evening on 2 May 2014 adopted the theme “Indigenous Wellbeing Solutions and Success” and featured stories of achievement in different fields.
The first event was organised in 1994 by then Year 2 medical student Matthew Campbell to promote awareness of Indigenous health and look at strategies that can be used to improve it. A few days after the event, Matthew was tragically killed in a car accident. Monash’s rural health club WILDFIRE continues to organise the event each year in Matthew’s memory.
Dr Tim Spelman introduced the evening this year. A public health specialist currently working with the Burnet Institute, Dr Spelman was also a classmate and close friend of Matthew Campbell and helped organise the original event. Four speakers followed Dr Spelman.
Inala Cooper, Senior Advisor of the Yulendj Indigenous Engagement Unit, discussed the University’s Indigenous Action Plan and the processes which were taken to develop it.
Ngaree Blow, the 2013 AMA Indigenous Peoples Award Winner, discussed her experience as an Indigenous medical student and work with the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association.
Dr Rob Roseby, a paediatric respiratory physician with substantial experience working in central Australia, detailed some of the tragedies and successes of his time in Alice Springs along with providing useful advice for the future practice of those attending.
Bianca Graham, the first Indigenous woman to complete the New York marathon, spoke of her experience training with the Indigenous marathon project and then completing the marathon and the effect it had on her home community in upper north Queensland. (WILDFIRE announced their involvement with the Indigenous Marathon Project.)
Speakers for the evening included (L-R) Robert Roseby, Bianca Graham, Ngaree Blow
Tom Nice from AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience) attended the evening. He talked about the possible involvement of students in the program.
Each year the Paddle Prize is also awarded for an essay on that year’s theme. Alannah McLaughlin was this year’s winner for her illustrated essay on the topic.