THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Member for Lingiari, Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health, & Regional Service Delivery
8 June 2010
Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, today welcomed an federally funded program that will see a number of Indigenous media organisations deliver tailored public information campaigns to their communities on the issue of sexually transmissible infections (STI).
Mr Snowdon announced the Rudd Government is supporting eight Indigenous media organisations to design and share culturally appropriate messages in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Northern Queensland. (see details attached)
“The Indigenous Communities Sexual Health Communications Program (ICSHCP) aims to raise awareness of sexually transmissible infections and to encourage safe sexual practices among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people aged 15 to 29, to prevent the spread of STIs,” Mr Snowdon said.
Mr Snowdon made the announcement at CAAMA Radio in Alice Springs, which is receiving funding to conduct two outside radio broadcasts on sexual health issues in Barunga and Alice Springs this month.
“Research has shown that rural and remote communities need specially-tailored communication activities and access to reliable information and resources on Sexually Transmitted Infections.
“This new program will provide the opportunity for specially-tailored campaign messages to be delivered to this audience and provide appropriate information on some of the issues around sexual health,” Mr Snowdon said.
“In Australia, both non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians need to be aware of the dangers of contracting STIs such as Chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea,” he said.
During this month, Indigenous media organisations will undertake a variety of activities, including the production of short content pieces for radio, television and online applications, radio programs with health professional guests discussing different sexual health topics, and outside broadcasts conducted in local language where possible.
The Indigenous Communities Sexual Health Communications Program is fundedas part of $9.8 million national prevention program, designed to deliver the goals of the National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2008.
This initiative builds on an Australia-wide social marketing campaign run as part of the national prevention program, which the Government has already invested heavily in to raise sexual health issues.
“This includes young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, many of whom would have been reached through the national campaign via popular Indigenous magazine titles and radio stations.
Details of the recipient organisations and the campaign activities are attached.
Media contact: Alice Plate 0400 045 999.
National Sexually Transmissible Infections Prevention Program: Sexual Health Campaign
Indigenous Communities Sexual Health Communications Program
The Indigenous Communities Sexual Health Communications Program (ICSHCP) is currently underway to support Indigenous people to deliver culturally appropriate and tailored communication messages to their communities on the issue of sexually transmissible infections (STI). The ICSHCP will ensure that links are made between Aboriginal health service providers, counsellors and stakeholders, and appropriate resources within or closest to that community.
I&G Pty Ltd were appointed as Executive Producers on 17 March 2010 to coordinate the program with Indigenous media partners and their communities. A range of activities are currently underway with eight Indigenous media organisations involved in community and media projects that will be delivered by 30 June 2010.
|
Indigenous media organisation |
Location of Office (Town and State) – Phone contact |
Coverage Area |
Funding Provided (GST exc)* |
Timing** |
Community Project |
Health Professional and community leaders involvement |
|
Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Media Association (4K1G) |
Townsville QLD |
Townsville, Cape York |
$4691.00 |
June-July 2010 |
Radio documentary interviewing young people and radio promos “Don’t be Shame”. |
Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service, North Ward Health Campus. Sound grabs from Sean Choolburra, comedian and entertainer. |
|
Torres Strait Islands Media Association (4MW) |
Thursday Island QLD |
Thursday Island, Torres Strait |
$13,500.00 |
June 2010 and subsequent events post June |
Island of Origin Leagues Game 11-14 June 2010 – Preventative messages in the lead up on radio (in Kriol), Outside Broadcast and giveaways, Theme Song and vox pops from the weekend. |
Several professionals from the Men and Women’s Health Unit of Primary Health. Song written and performed by Aven Noah |
|
Goolarri Media Enterprises |
Broome WA |
Broome, and communities in Kimberley and Pallara via the Pakam network |
$12,272.73 |
June 2010 broadcast, Internet materials available post |
Production of short content pieces for radio, television and online applications. |
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, and Burdekin Youth in Action Group. |
|
Puranyangu Rangka Kerrem (6PRK) |
Halls Creek WA |
Halls Creek, Kimberley |
$10,350.00 |
May-June 2010 |
Twice-weekly one hour radio program on different sexual health topics with health professional guests interviewed and available for phone in. Show interspersed with music and relevant sexual health “drama” pieces. |
Several professionals from Yura Yungi Medical Services and from “Better Life” project. |
|
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA Radio 8KIN) |
Alice Springs NT |
Alice Springs, Central Desert, NT, remote WA, SA, QLD, NSW, Tiwi |
$11,845.00 |
June 2010 |
Two Outside Broadcasts including in language where possible. 11-14 June at the Barunga Festival, second OB to be in Alice Springs. |
Clinic 31 health professionals and Aboriginal health workers from Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc. |
|
Pintubi Anmatjere Warlpiri (8PAW) |
Yuendumu Via Alice Springs NT |
Yuendumu via Alice Springs, 14 Communities in the Central/Northern Desert |
$13,500.00 |
June-July 2010 |
A radio information campaign in Warlpiri. |
WYN Health, Yuendumu and Mount Theo youth workers and senior Aboriginal Health Workers. |
|
Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS) Yolngu Radio 8YOL |
Nhulunbuy, NT |
Nhulunbuy, Northeast Arnhem, Darwin |
$12,180.00 |
June 2010 with broadcast materials available online thereafter |
Three 10 minute audio education programs relating to STI broadcast in Yolngu Matha and uploaded to website for public access. |
ARDS senior health educator and practising doctor. Also elders, traditional owners and parents in the community. |
|
Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media Corporation (QRAM) |
Cairns, QLD |
Remote communities of Cape York and the Gulf |
$8,900.00 |
June-July 2010 |
Development and broadcast of four two-minute radio programs localised to individual communities |
Community health workers in Bamaga, Wujal Wujal, Aurukun + Wuchopperen Aboriginal Medical Service + Royal Flying Doctor Service + Far North Qld Rural Division of General Practice. |
* The funding amount may vary depending on the delivery of each program. The remaining funds from the total $200,000 total expenditure will go to I&G for services provided.
** All content will be produced by the end of June 2010, but may run after this time.