Indigenous Health Promotion

John
Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion 2012

This course is absolutely amazing!! I would recommend it to anyone who is Aboriginal and wants to reach their full potential.
I’m a Sexual Health Project Officer and my role involves annual STI testing in our member services across South Australia and supporting Aboriginal health workers who have the interest in sexual health. The course has already contributed to my current role. It has made me want to have a go at higher positions from a mainstream environment with interests in Aboriginal health. I have more confidence and evidence to back me up when trying to better the lifestyles of my people, and when others challenge ideas and cultural protocols around Aboriginal health. It has made me open my mind up to greater ideas and it has given me guidance throughout my journey in life.
I want every Aboriginal man to be proud and talk about our issues and take more ownership of our health.
If you’re thinking about this course, I would say ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ because once you start doing it you will feel like Malcolm X.

Robert
Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion 2012

"I’m currently employed as an Indigenous Programs Development Officer, working with youth who came from the criminal justice system to develop and source programs that try to address the underlying issues that may be causing criminal behaviour.
I think the course is excellent. The teachers and lecturers do a wonderful job in delivering the content in a culturally appropriate manner. They are also very patient and understanding. Meeting all the brothers and sisters who were a part of this course was the highlight for me. We shared our stories and our culture with one another and the support and friendships have been formed. This course has given me a great deal of confidence. I now know that you are never too old to study. My goal is to use the skills I’ve obtained to seek employment in the health field and assist in closing the gap.
For others thinking about doing this course - don’t doubt yourself and go for it!"

Ella
Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion 2010

"I live on Thursday Island where I was born and raised. My life journey has taken me all over Australia but at the end of it all I have always returned to Thursday Island (TI). I guess you can take a girl from the island but you can't take the island out of the girl!
I’ve worked for Queensland Health for the past 12 years. I’m currently a Senior Project Officer - Capital Work Projects - This position involves infrastructure project management.
This is my first time in a course like this. I found the course content well developed and structured. Suzanne and the rest of the staff are excellent and are always available and ready to assist.
I’ve always been interested in health promotion however when you come from a small community you don't chose your career your career chooses you. So when the course was advertised I did not hesitate. I have always been a mover within my local community and know that I’m a person who can make changes to the health of local indigenous people, with the qualification from this course and my personal and professional life/work experience."

David
Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion 2010

"I am a Larrakia man from up north in Darwin and have lived here most of my life.
I'm working in the area of Alcohol and other drugs program as a Community Support and Research officer. I have worked in the area of Health Promotion, Tobacco Action and Alcohol and other drugs for 13years.
In my current role I go out to remote communities and support the local community alcohol and other drugs officer in working towards community management plans for Alcohol and other drugs, running education sessions, intervention and diversionary programs, gaining funding and just assisting in whatever the community is trying or wanting to do. Our program works in a health promotion and community development approach. I really enjoy my job and love working with my people.
The course has been fantastic, the lecturer is very approachable and understanding and makes the learning interesting. The content has assisted me in learning more about my communities as well as learning more about the approaches and methods of health promotion that will assist me when working with my communities.
Most enjoyable is going away on study block, meeting the new students (which are also from other parts of Australia) for the first time and building a friendship with them over the year. As well as listening and learning about their communities and issues they are having."

Geoffrey
Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion 2010

"I live in Darwin, Northern Territory – Crocodile Country!
I am Gurindji & Kungarakan and my adopted clan is Rirritjingu. I can speak Gupapuyngu and Djampurrpingu (north-east Arnhemland language).
I’m an Aboriginal Male Health Coordinator (NT Top End region), working in and assisting with male health programs. This involves travelling long distances; making myself available to assist Aboriginal communities in wanting to set up health programs or other associated well-being activities.
The Koori Centre and their staff are so helpful and welcoming. Course lecturer (Suzanne) is fantastic! Jonathan is great too. Having an assortment and variety of other lecturers can be enjoyable too. Meeting other Indigenous mob and their stories is good and so interesting. Accommodation is perfect! A choice of many things! Close proximity – walking distance.
For anyone considering this course - sign up now! Tell others – we need more of our mob involved in health design, application and decision-making. As more and more go through, a network and pool of mentors, tutors, advisors and support people are then created – which can subsequently manifest into ‘our own, teaching our own, for our own’ (people)."

Jason
Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion 2008

"I have completed the Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Health Promotion; a course that has empowered me, a course that has made my spirit stronger, a course that makes me ‘walk tall and stand proud’.
The course is very well coordinated, structured and organised. The support from all staff at the school of public health is fantastic.
I have worked in Aboriginal Health promotion remotely in the NT for over 8 years. Yet there were no opportunities to get the relevant qualifications or recognition of the work I do, here in the NT. So travelling from Darwin to Sydney was at first challenging, but I soon got over that by making some new friends (fellow countrymen and women) who are friends for life I say.
To have the opportunity to not only share my stories and experiences of my work, but to listen to other students tell theirs has been the most rewarding experience. I have also learnt many new ideas, I’ve learnt other ways to think and plan activities. I also realised how important evaluation is to the successful of programs/projects etc.
The benefits of the course have had an immediate effect on my working career as I am in the process of a promotion, facing new challenges and I am encouraged to think about taking on other studies involving mainstream and Aboriginal health.
I encourage others to have go at this course. The rewards are there for those who commit and it opens up a whole lot of new career opportunities."