Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA)

The countdown to our 2024 Conference is on! Plan your journey with Adelaide Metro, or if you’d prefer to drive, there are two designated undercover parking areas: the Riverbank car park or North Terrace. Arrive early to secure your spot! Adelaide Metro Journey Planner: https://lnkd.in/gmFwHycE Parking at Adelaide Convention Centre: https://lnkd.in/gpBCD2s8

Discover more about our 2024 IAHA National Conference Speaker, Vicki McKenna. Vicki McKenna, a proud Yawuru and Bunaba woman, is a devoted mother of five and grandmother of 18. Her commitment to family and community drives her work as a trained Counsellor and Child Psychotherapist with expertise in social and emotional well-being, cultural safety, and suicide prevention. As Head of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre, she leverages her lived experience to enhance Social and Emotional Wellbeing initiatives for First Nations peoples. Vicki is passionate about improving understanding within the mental health sector about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience expertise and effective consultation. She mobilises lived experiences from local to national levels. She amplifies their voices in discussions with Government and national and international decision-makers to promote culturally safe, effective suicide prevention and mental health strategies. A recognised cultural leader and advocate, Vicki excels in suicide prevention, serving her community in the Kimberley and beyond. Her dedication was honoured with the ‘National Innovation’ and ‘Priority Populations’ Excellence in Suicide Prevention LiFE Awards from Suicide Prevention Australia. Head to our website to learn more about Vicki and our other speakers: https://lnkd.in/gyusW6iV

Linda Turner Nabanunga is a Warlmanpa Elder, born in Renner Springs and growing up with rations and hardships of station life in the NT in the 1960s. She recognised the importance of education in fighting for her people and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Community Management and Development in 2003. Linda has had multiple high-level roles in Aboriginal organisations in the Barkly Region over the past three decades and now works in the field of domestic violence support and prevention. She is a founding member of Wilya Janta. Head to our website to learn more about Linda and our other speakers: https://lnkd.in/gyusW6iV

One of our 2024 IAHA National Conference Speakers: Deb Edwards is a proud Yankunytjatjara woman living and working on Kaurna Land. After a 38-year public relations career in the music industry, Deb now leads the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation for Lowitja Institute. She is the niece and appointed family representative of the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG, namesake and Co-Patron of the Institute. The Institute is Australia’s only community-controlled facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. Dr O’Donoghue endowed her name in 2010 and was the inaugural Chairperson of the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, established in 1997. The Foundation was launched on August 1, 2022, to honour Dr O’Donoghue’s 90th birthday and preserve her legacy of service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and education. Its vision is for these communities to drive change through self-determination, empowerment, and equality. Deb has contributed to various First Nations projects, including public relations for Reconciliation South Australia and Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. She also serves as a Board Director for Music SA and is on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Advisory Panel for the Department of Premier and Cabinet/Arts SA. Head to our website to learn more about Deb and our other speakers: https://lnkd.in/gyusW6iV

Meet Dr Emerald Muriwai! One of the keynote speakers at our IAHA National Conference 2024. Emerald is a Clinical Psychologist at Te Toka Tumai Te Whatu Ora, specialising in Adult Mental Health recovery. She has a background in kaupapa Maori research, previously worked at Te Ropu Whariki Massey University, and has experience as a personal trainer, powerlifting coach and Les Mills Fitness Instructor. Her research interests include hauora Maori, Maori mental health, exercise and sport psychology, trauma-informed care, cultural safety, wairuatanga, Indigenous healing and Indigenous data sovereignty. Since 2019, she has been on the Nga Pou Mana board, advocating for tauira and kaimahi Maori working in mental health and allied professions. Drawing from her experience as a Personal Trainer, Emerald maintains the kaupapa of exercising hauora, advocating for integrating physical activity across public and community services. She is passionate about delivering excellent quality clinical and cultural care to tangata whai i te ora and strengthening the workforce who provide this at the grassroots. Head to our website to learn more about Emerald and our other speakers: https://lnkd.in/gyusW6iV

For inspiring keynote speakers, all Indigenous markets supporting local communities, yarning circles for men and women, and a gala dinner you don't want to miss, celebrate our Allied Health Professionals Industry Awards. Register here by 25 November: https://lnkd.in/gd3k8Anu

It’s just a couple of weeks until the USLC! The Ultimate Student Leadership Challenge (USLC) is an exciting three-day program held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Our event fosters cultural and professional leadership among students and enhances essential skills in the health field. Students apply cultural and professional knowledge to develop a complex case study management plan. Our challenge fosters teamwork and enhances leadership skills among allied health students. We can’t wait! Thanks to our main sponsor Flinders University, and all our other sponsors and supporters for helping make this challenge happen!

Introducing keynote speaker, Simon Quilty! Simon is a long-term Northern Territory doctor who has turned to work with his community, facilitating a two-way process to enable Warumungu people to create homes that suit their culture and climate. WIlya Janta is a very innovative housing organisation that is putting First Nations people in charge of how a home might be, engaging deep cultural knowledge of how to live in hot climates with contemporary construction methods and technologies to resolve the wicked problem of housing that belies all the health and social inequities that confront remote communities. Register now for the 2024 IAHA National Conference to hear from Simon and our other speakers. Closing on 25 November: https://lnkd.in/gtcubCf2

Eddie Betts is a veteran AFL player with an impressive 350 games under his belt! He works in the AFL media with Fox Footy, serves as a part-time coach at Geelong Football Club, and is the author of two children’s books (with a kids’ TV series on the way) and an autobiography. In his keynote address, Eddie will share his journey of growing up Aboriginal in Australia and the challenges he faced in becoming an elite player for the Carlton and Adelaide Football Clubs - discussing the impact of racism and discrimination on his life, career, and family. Eddie will also share his valuable insights into leadership and team success. Register now for the 2024 IAHA National Conference to hear from Eddie and our other speakers. Closing on 25 November: https://lnkd.in/gtcubCf2

This week we continued our Academy Graduations in the NT Congratulations to our 2024 NT Health Academy Graduates! On Tuesday 12 November, held on beautiful Larrakia Country, we were welcomed by Larrakia Elder Lynette Fejo and The Garamilla Dancers. The night was a celebration of 23 deadly young people (our biggest cohort yet!) who have graduated from Year 12 and the Health Academy, having completed their Cert III in Allied Health Assistance. 🏆 A big thank you to all our students, their families, our host employers and others who have made this journey to graduation possible. We look forward to watching you all go on to do great and deadly things in the future! 2024 Graduates: Aneisha Bowie, Chad Bill, Harley Rasmussen, Jacob Dempsey, Jaia'Maree Ouwendijk-Reid, Jayde-Maree Rosas, Kaylani Cole, Lalisha Bush-Gordon, Marley Austin, Myah Kelly, Rhikali Nibbs, Samale Councillor, Saphirah Gilboy, Sarah Wees, Shakeam Hector, Tamika Tonson, Tanayah McDonald, Charlie Newman, Ciara Ransome, Caitlyn Mawson, Rahiri Bedggood, Ruby Holmes & Tully Cronin.