IMPORTANT NOTE:
Due to the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Australia and internationally, the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) has made the decision to cancel the upcoming WA Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector Conference – Healthy Country, Healthy Communities (25 & 26 March), Youth Conference (24 March) and Members Planning Day (24 March).
The health and safety of all our stakeholders is our highest priority, and with due consideration for all the relevant medical advice available, the risk of holding a large scale conference with participants from around the country now poses an unacceptable risk to all attendees, their families and the communities they come from.
AHCWA will be in contact with all attendees to arrange a full refund of all registration costs.
We recognise all the hard work that so many people have put into preparing for this conference and appreciate the logistical arrangements many stakeholders had already made in preparation for this conference.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this decision may cause and thank all of our stakeholders for their understanding, support and flexibility during this unforeseen public health situation.
We look forward to your support and involvement in AHCWA’s future conferences.
About AHCWA: AHCWA is the peak body for the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in Western Australia. We exist to support and act on behalf of our 23 Member ACCHS throughout WA, activvely responding to the individual and collective needs of our Members.
Governed by an Aboriginal Board of Directors who represent all regions in Western Australia, AHCWA aims to promote and strengthen the ACCHS' Model of Care. A Model that is built around the delivery of comprehensive, holistic and culturally secure primary health care services. We come together as one to respect; welcome and understand the social and cultural needs; to network; provide support; advocate; to influence policy; monitor performance; build work capacity; improve and strengthen the social and emotional well-being of Aboriginal people and their communities. Representing the needs of our Members, we act as a forum to lead and influence the development of health policies across WA. We advocate for the rights and entitlements of all Aboriginal people and ACCHS throughout W.A. at local, regional, state and national levels.
Our national body, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) defines Aboriginal health as ‘not just the physical well-being of an individual but refers to the social, emotional and cultural well-being of the whole Community in which each individual is able to achieve their full potential as a human being thereby bringing about the total well-being of their Community’.
The 2020 Conference Program will focus on the theme - Healthy Country, Healthy Communities
The Conference will highlight how a healthy country has such a major impact on the health and well-being of communities all over the world, but especially Aboriginal communities in the metropolitan area, regional, remote and very remote Western Australia.
The agenda is still a 'work in progress' but further information will be provided over the coming weeks.
Delegates will be provided with an opportunity for professional development, networking and capacity building whilst sharing the wisdom on Aboriginal ways of working and successful program outcomes.
The 2020 Conference will include a series of workshops and some truly inspiring presentations and panel discussions.
The artwork for the 2020 WA Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector Conference was designed by Tyrown Waigana, an artist and designer living in Perth, Western Australia who is of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. Tyrown’s cultural heritage can be traced to the Noongar people of the South-west of Western Australia and Saibai Island in the Torres Strait. Tyrown has been creative from an early age, with family members also being artistic. Many of his formative memories are of his Nan and parents decorating didgeridoo’s. Tyrown’s motivation to create gives him a sense of freedom and provides him with an escape from reality. This passion lead Tyrown to university where he completed a Bachelor of Art with a double major in graphic design/advertising and illustration/photography, validating his technical ability and providing him with the skillset he still uses today. Tyrown’s practice encompasses art production (painting, sculpture, illustration, animation) and design services (graphic design, publication, branding, advertising). Tyrown’s goal is to make a living being an artist/designer and to take on exciting new and creative projects, he would also love to learn new techniques and platforms he can create on.
Youth Conference
The Youth Conference is an exclusive event for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged between 16-29 years old.
DOH Funded
A DOH Funded Delegate is from an organisation that receives funding through the Commonwealth Dept. of Health (as per a list provided to AHCWA).
Register Now
General/Public Delegates
AHCWA Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector Conferences are always well attended by AHCWA Member Services, limited numbers of General/Public Delegates will be able to attend. Please register asap to ensure that you don’t miss out!
AHCWA would like to take this opportunity to thank the Australian Government Department of Health for providing grant funding to host the 2020 Healthy Country:Healthy Communities Conference. These valuable funds enable our Member Services, located throughout WA, the opportunity to travel to Perth to attend the conference to enhance their skills, share their knowledge and network with others working in the area of Aboriginal Health.
AHCWA thanks the WA Department of Health for their continued support to host this annual event. The Department of Health is responsible for facilitating a collaborative and coordinated approach within the WA public health system to improve health outcomes for all Aboriginal people living in Western Australia. AHCWA is committed to working with the Department to achieve the vision of Aboriginal people living long, well and healthy lives.
The 2020 conference will be held at The Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle.
AHCWA has negotiated a rate of $165 per night for rooms.
A buffet breakfast can be added to your reservation at $20 per person (this may appear as the full rate when booking, but will be adjusted to the discounted rate by the hotel).
Valet parking for hotel guests may also be added to your booking at $20 per day (this may appear as the full rate when booking, but will be adjusted to the discounted rate by the hotel).
Please book early to secure your particular choice of room and to avoid disappointment.
The link below will take you to the Hotel website.
Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia
450 Beaufort Street
HIGHGATE WA 6003 Australia