The Easter Show Returns Suicide Prevention and Postvention Peer Support from a Magpie With a Disability! - NDIS PROVIDER
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People share their stories of mental health recovery in work and life
Monthly Issue April 2021 #80A
The Easter Show Returns
Suicide Prevention
and Postvention
Peer Support from a
Magpie With a Disability! NDIS PROVIDER
SINCE 2013
Contents
COVER: The Easter Show is back after COVID! L-R standing Michael Terrasin,
a werewolf (hmm don’t see many of those about these days!) Sarah Adams,
Georgia Ongley. Bottom Ariel Boyle and Gypsy-Lee Cummins
PHOTO COURTESY PENRITH/SEVEN HILLS YOUTH TEAMS
About us 4
Inspiring Words from Sam Bloom at Flourish Australia’s
Flourish Australia is committed to walking High Tea
beside people with a lived experience of
mental health issues as they progress along 6 A Call for Change That Even a Pandemic Can’t Silence
their recovery journeys. We passionately
believe in mental health recovery, and are 8 After Suicide: The Importance of Postvention
committed to providing the best possible
support and encouragement to people so 8 Veteran Suicide
they can achieve their recovery goals. We
offer this help across all 70+ of our services 10 World Health Day
in New South Wales, Southern Queensland,
Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.
11 The Easter Show Returns
Contact Flourish Australia!
12 Your Kidney Health
1300 779 270 or
flourishaustralia.org.au 14 Job Vacancy Rebound
Chair: Prof Elizabeth More AM
CEO: Mark Orr AM
15 Dylan Gets The Start He Needed
Chief Development Officer: Peter Neilson
About Panorama Contributors
Founded in 1996 in one of Flourish
Australia’s predecessor organisations Eva Maraz took some on-the-spot pics of the 2021 Mardi Gras exclusively for
(PRA), Panorama has grown to become a Panorama.
lifestyle magazine dedicated to informing
and encouraging the recovery journey of Ruby Golding is Manager at Flourish Australia’s Penrith service, which
readers. Panorama is written, designed and includes the Penrith Youth Teams.
produced almost entirely by people with a
lived experience of mental health issues. Oscar Lehman is Team Coordinator at Flourish Australia’s Newcastle service.
Subscriptions, questions, Dylan formerly accessed Flourish Australia’s Disability Employment Service.
feedback, praise, curses?
You can ALWAYS email us at...
panorama@flourishaustralia.org.au
Warren.Heggarty@flourishaustralia.org.au
Grant.Everett@flourishaustralia.org.au
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
Prefer snail mail?
Publications Officers, 5 Figtree Drive,
Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127
We’re
All Ears!
Disclaimer
Panorama’s content is not intended
as a substitute for the advice of any
specialised or qualified professional.
The views expressed herein are those of
the authors, not necessarily of Flourish
Australia, or any associated enterprises, You don’t need to be a writer to
their staff, management, employees, or share your story with Panorama’s
service recipients readers: we can help you to write
your story and inspire others!
Publications People We especially like recovery stories
from people with a lived experience
Grant J Everett writing of mental health issues.
Kylie Bolton graphic design
Warren Heggarty writing
Tina Irving story editor
Fay Jackson General Manager,
Inclusion To share your story contact
Rachel Tee Marketing and
Communications Manager Panorama@flourishaustralia.org.au
Page 2 | Panorama April 2021 Flourish Australia
Family
& Carers
At Flourish Australia, we OTHER ORGANISATIONS
understand the important Sometimes familes and carers want
more information and other contacts.
role many families and There are a range of organisations
that provide specialist supports and
carers play in supporting information for carers. A list with contact
someone with a lived details can be found on our website at:
https://www.flourishaustralia.org.au/
experience of a mental family-and-carers
health issue to stay well
Mental Health Carers NSW
and part of their local Ph: 1300 554 660
community. Arafmi Queensland
Ph: (07) 3254 1881
When someone comes to us and asks for Private Mental Health
support we discuss with them the involvement Consumer Carer Network
of their family and other important people in Ph: 1300 620 042
their lives, and what supports they provide. If
Mental Health Carers Australia
we are able to obtain that information we will
Ph: 1300 554 660
record it so our staff know who is important
to the person and their recovery. We will Kids Helpline
also make contact with you to check what Ph: 1800 551 800
supports you may need to undertake your COPMI – Children of Parents
important role and discuss your involvement with Mental Illness
and communication preferences. www.copmi.net.au
Flourish Australia Panorama April 2021 | Page 3
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EVENT
Inspiring Words From Sam Bloom at
Flourish Australia’s High Tea
By Grant J Everett
Following a catastrophic accident never let me wallow in sadness. go wrong and she would drown.
that left her paralysed, Sam Bloom I didn’t realise it at the time, but as However, not only did Sam find
was falling into a deep depression... we cared for one another, we were that she was good at kayaking,
until she found an unexpected little keeping each other alive. Penguin’s she ended up competing with the
helper who kept her going: a broken ability to bring happiness into our Australian Paralympic team in the
baby magpie called Penguin. lives is something I will always be Italy World Championships.
grateful for. Sometimes, when
Sam shared her life story, equal It took longer for Sam to get back
things seemed too much to bear,
parts tragic and uplifting, as part of on a surfboard. Only after an
Penguin would sit with me outside
Flourish Australia’s virtual high tea, encouraging letter from somebody
and we’d look up at the sky, hoping
celebrating International Women’s with a spinal injury did she find
for better days.”
Day 2021. the courage to try. Sam went on
As she was an avid surfer before her to be selected for the Australian
“When my children were at school accident, Sam really missed being team at the World Adaptive Surfing
and my husband Cameron was in the water. A friend suggested Championship, and reached the
working, Penguin was my constant kayaking, as it only requires your finals undefeated. It wasn’t until
companion,” Sam told us. “She arms. Sam found the idea terrifying Sam caught her last wave in that her
would chatter and sing, and she’d at first, convinced something would teammates told her she’d won!
ABOVE: Sam Bloom with her best bud, Penguin the Magpie. PHOTO: SAM BLOOM
Page 4 | Panorama April 2021 Flourish Australia
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EVENT
“Sam explained how the power of animals, sport, nature and family play key
roles in giving her the motivation to get out of bed each day, and suggested
these things to anybody who is struggling.”
Sam published a book about her Professor Elizabeth Moore AM spoke on her, even when she pushed
experiences called “Penguin Bloom: about how International Women’s them away. That’s an important
The Odd Little Bird Who Saved A Day is particularly important to message, too.”
Family.” Actress Naomi Watts and Flourish Australia because 51% of the
her kids fell in love with the story, people who access our services, and “Finally, Cameron Bloom’s
and Naomi decided that Sam’s 70% of our employees, are women. photography is beautiful. He has
journey would make an inspiring masterfully captured his wife’s
movie. The Bloom family have “Sadly, the rights of women still fall journey, especially her friendship
been involved throughout the film’s far, far below those of men in many with Penguin, with great empathy.
production to ensure accuracy, corners of the world,” Professor Penguin is an amazing little Magpie!”
and the film was even shot in their Moore said. “We need to celebrate
the achievements made by women, Gwen Challenger-Scotsman has
home! Sam spent a lot of time on
and this can be as simple as learning been saddened and angered by
set, as Naomi would invite her to
to say “thank you” when it’s due. recent acts of violence towards
check that her representation of
Together, we can create a safe and women reported in the media,
Sam’s experience was authentic;
inclusive world for women, and and feels that Australia is moving
such as the effort involved in getting
that includes those who identify as backwards in some ways.
out of bed.
transgender and gender diverse.” “I have a tee shirt I wear once a
“Penguin Bloom” is currently playing
Fiona, Enquires Officer for Flourish year on International Women’s Day.
at Australian cinemas and has had
Australia, told us what she got It says ‘Reclaim The Night.’ Sadly,
many positive reviews.
out of our International Women’s some 20 years on from when I first
Sam answered a number of Day event. started wearing it,now we have to
audience questions. She explained reclaim the day as well as the night.”
how the power of animals, sport, “I’d actually just seen the Penguin
nature and family play key roles in Bloom movie. My friends and Comments from the watch
giving her the motivation to get out I were a little teary afterwards, party at New Outlook
of bed each day, and suggested but we felt much warmer inside
and out! I greatly appreciated Members from Flourish Australia’s
these things to anybody who is New Outlook centre at Wollongong
struggling. Sam also said that when Sam’s raw honesty about her
thoughts and feelings since her held a live watch party for Sam
we suffer, we often feel alone, and Bloom’s presentation. The viewers
she finds it valuable to speak to accident. Sometimes she feels
okay, sometimes she doesn’t. Sam shared how powerful they found
other people who have spinal cord Sam’s story.
injuries and can empathise. Using is a person who sets challenging
our difficult experiences to support personal goals and is determined “It made me cry. I was thinking, what
each other on a deeper level is what to fulfil them. Despite this, one if that happened to me?” wondered
peer work is all about. insensitive comment from a Doctor Christine Chamberlain. “I’m so
almost led her to give up hope. Sam’s happy the bird didn’t fly away.
“I can be deeply unhappy about true self has won through, though.” I related to this because I have a cat
my disability, but life is a mixture who has stayed with me, he hasn’t
of good and bad for everyone. “Sam provided some very helpful
quotes,” Fiona continued. “The run away.”
Everything can be taken away
when you least expect it, through main one, ‘Never give up,’ especially “It hit close to home, as my Dad
no fault of your own. Despite our resonates with this International was in a wheelchair. What people
challenges, even when life seems Women’s Day theme of ‘Choose to don’t realise is that it doesn’t only
unbearable, leave yourself open to Challenge.’ Her message was that affect the person involved, but has
hope and love… even if it’s only from we are stronger than we think we a flow on effect to everyone around
a scruffy little magpie!” are, that we can’t let the misery of them, really changing everyone’s
the bad outshine the good, and to lives, too,” said Harley Quinn.
Notable quotables from the have the courage to ask for help. It “Inspirational.”
audience was especially encouraging to hear
that Sam’s beliefs resonate with our “I found it to be very moving and
Paula Hanlon, a peer worker who values at Flourish Australia, such as very heartfelt,” said Totsi Todorovska,
serves on Flourish Australia’s Board, offering people a ray of hope. This Team Coordinator. “Heartbreaking
confirmed the positive role that pets demonstrates empathy and can be how a life can be changed in a split
play in our lives. exactly what somebody needs to moment.”
“Having a cat has greatly helped with muster the motivation to believe in
my recovery and literally changed a better future. It’s clear that Sam’s
my life,” Paula said. family and friends never gave up
Flourish Australia Panorama April 2021 | Page 5
THE SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS 2021
A Call for Change Even a
Pandemic Can’t Silence
By Grant J Everett
Proving that not even COVID-19 tracks. There was also a reveal of Peter
can put a stop to the pride and the upcoming STAN series “RuPaul’s
the passion of the Sydney Gay Drag Race Down Under,” which will “COVID-19 restrictions did impact
and Lesbian Mardi Gras, on the be a competition between some the festival, but many events still
6th of March tens of thousands of of Australia’s most fabulous drag occurred, albeit in a revised and
spectators filled the Sydney Cricket queens, and the latest iteration of the COVID-safe format, like having a
Ground to cheer on more than 120 popular RuPaul’s Drag Race series. limited crowd, a reduced number
floats and a horde of marchers. of floats and a limited number of
Partnership people per float,” said Peter Farrugia,
Mardi Gras has grown to become
Manager Peer Work. “The floats
one of the world’s most iconic Flourish Australia has always
paraded around the perimeter of
LGBTI cultural festivals, and been vocal in its support of the
the SCG grounds, and there was
this year’s theme was RISE: this LGBTI community. All of our
was a call to action to share offices, businesses and services entertainment in the centre.”
love, compassion, respect and declared to be safe spaces, and our
John
understanding with one another. representatives have taken part in
Everyone was urged to sign a the Mardi Gras parade on a number “As my family haven’t really been
personal pledge to take action on of occasions. Here’s what a few of anywhere in ages, the opportunity to
calling for laws that protect all of them said about the 2021 event! go out and have a fun evening at the
us equally, irrelevant of our gender Mardi Gras was much appreciated
identity or sexuality. Mark after such a difficult year,” said
Live entertainment included “For Mardi Gras, I usually celebrate John Maraz, Senior Workforce
electronic duo Electric Fields, ARIA by dining out by myself and buying Development Coordinator. “The
Award-winner Montaigne and indie something nice,” said Mark, who’s kids were interested in attending
popstar G Flip. UK singer Rita Ora worked at Flourish Australia’s something entertaining, but I don’t
closed the festivities with a headline Figtree Conference Centre. “It’s like think they were thinking too much
performance of many of her hit Christmas for me!” about what this event represents.
ABOVE: A shot from the stands of tens of thousands of people having a great time.
RIGHT, TOP OF PAGE: The famous Dykes on Bikes revving it up! PHOTOS BY EVA MARAZ
Page 6 | Panorama April 2021 Flourish Australia
THE SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS 2021
“When we met at the SCG at dusk
there was already a huge crowd
of people, and many of them
were dressed up in different and
exciting ways. The atmosphere was
electrifying, and there was a real
sense that something special was
about to happen, as well as a feeling
of togetherness and happiness. It
was a little unusual to be having fun
with 41,000 other people with the
pandemic still hovering, but plenty of
precautions had been put in place.
“We watched the parade unfold
as the evening progressed into a
coloured sunset. First, the self-
proclaimed “Dykes On Bikes” filled
the stadium with smoke and revving,
and a stream of performers came
on stage with flurries of strobe
lighting and dramatic spurts of fire.
The diversity of floats and marchers
seemed to come alive in a different
way compared to going down
Oxford Street: as everything was far
more contained, you could really
see all the different elements of the
LGBTI community at once.
“My son Max is nearly 16, and he told
me matter-of-factly that his school
friend and the friend’s boyfriend
were just over on another stand. My
daughter Eva, who is 13, was most
intrigued by all the colourful groups
parading about the stadium, finding
it interesting and different. She
took photos of her favourite outfits
Although he acknowledged Australia trans person without first requiring
(many thanks to Eva for her great
has experienced many societal invasive surgery. We see it when
photography skills! – Ed).
strides, Mr Kruger highlighted ways people born with intersex variations
“Fortunately we brought our own the LGBTI community haven’t have no say in surgery that seeks to
snacks and drinks, because the lines achieved equality. conform their bodies to someone
for everything were huge!” else’s vision for them. We see it
“Today, faith-based service
providers, including schools, can when LGBTIQ people are made to
The legacy change or suppress who they are in
lawfully turn us away, even when
According to Sydney Gay and they receive public funding to harmful conversion practices, which
Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Albert deliver their essential services. Trans are still illegal in most states. These
Kruger: “The parade has gone Australians are vilified, struggle to are some of the pressing issues for
ahead every year since 1978, no access critical healthcare and face our communities today. But like we
matter what, so we’re very happy insurmountable hurdles to updating saw when Equality Australia helped
we could continue to honour this their ID documents to reflect who lead the YES campaign for marriage
commitment and deliver a safe they are.” equality, we can achieve great things
event for our community during when we rise for equality, together.”
these times. We look forward to And if any organisation knows a
thing or two about the state of Still a long way from ideal
returning to our home on Oxford
equality in Australia, then it would
Street as soon as we can, but if Sadly, following Mardi Gras, a
have to be Equality Australia! Their
the last 12 months has taught us number of assaults took place. Mr
CEO, Anna Brown, said:
anything, it’s that our community
Kruger shared his sadness on the
is resilient. We have faced many “…we see the demand for equality Mardi Gras website, and his full
challenges throughout history and every day. We see it when a private
statement is available from this link.
we have always found a way to school can lawfully fire a teacher
celebrate, to express ourselves and because she’s a lesbian. We see it www.mardigras.org.au/news/
have our voices heard. Last night when Service NSW will not issue everyone-deserves-to-feel-safe-
was proof of this.” a corrected ID document to a walking-down-the-street
Flourish Australia Panorama April 2021 | Page 7
SUICIDE PREVENTION
facilitated by a health professional.
Then there is a further distinction
between open groups and closed
(private) groups.
Postvention Australia also provides
resources and training. See their
web site for details.
Indigenous: NIPS
The National Indigenous
Postvention Service provides
emotional and practical support to
families impacted by a loss from
suicide or other traumatic events.
This service is provided by the
Thirrili organisation http://thirrili.
com.au which supports Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people to
After Suicide:
address social disadvantage. NIPS is
an Australian Government initiative.
According to the NIPS brochure,
The Importance
advocates are experienced in
listening and providing culturally
responsive support. ‘We work
to ensure people access the
of Postvention supports they need. We provide
throughcare and continue linking
people to supports as needs change
By Warren Heggarty over time.’
To contact the National Indigenous
Postvention Service, call 1800 805
The number of Australians who itself. The tragic chain of negative 801, open 24 hours a day, seven
take their own lives is now around effects in the aftermath of this days a week. Calls are responded
the 3,000 mark each year. The loss suicide illustrates how widespread to by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait
to our community goes far beyond the effects can be and how Islander Advocate.
what that figure might suggest. important postvention is.
School Support
When a person takes their own A number of organisations specialise
life there are many challenges for in postvention or have special
When a student takes their own
those left behind. There is grief, but postvention programs.
life, it can increase the risk for
there can also be blame, anger and
Postvention Australia other vulnerable students and
misunderstanding. Self blame is
people. Headspace, the youth
common (“if only I had realised…”). Postvention Australia https:// mental health organisation with
Without support, families can be postventionaustralia.org is a not- which Flourish Australia works in
torn apart and lives can be ruined. for-profit organisation which “aims partnership, publishes a school
‘Postvention’ to support people to promote life by supporting and support postvention kit which can
after someone has taken their representing those bereaved by be found here https://headspace.
own life is very important. suicide and all those impacted in org.au/assets/School-Support/
Ultimately, POSTvention is a form of the community by suicide loss. They Compressed-Postvention-Toolkit-
PREvention. envision ‘an Australian community May-2012-FA2-LR.pdf
that compassionately responds
If you read the personal story and empowers those bereaved If you or someone you know is
by Yvonne about the effect by suicide.’ suicidal, please call one of the
her husband’s suicide had on following national helplines:
her and her family (https:// Postvention Australia can put people
in touch with four types of support • Lifeline Counselling Service:
postventionaustralia.org/yvonnes-
groups: There are peer groups 13 11 14
story/ ) you will see what we mean.
We should warn you that Yvonne’s (where everyone has experienced • Suicide Call Back Service:
story mentions details of the suicide a loss through suicide), or groups 1300 659 467 (cost of a local call)
ABOVE: Suicide has profound effects. Postvention can be a form of prevention. PHOTO BY ‘MARKZFILTER’ ON PIXABAY
Page 8 | Panorama April 2021 Flourish Australia
SUICIDE PREVENTION
• EX-SERVING males who were
discharged on medical grounds
have a higher suicide rate.
• EX-SERVING males who were
discharged on other non-voluntary
grounds have a higher suicide rate.
(AIHW, 2020)
Details for Females have sometimes
not been published because the
small numbers involved could
identify them and breach their
privacy. However a figure of ‘127
per cent’ higher than the Australian
population is shown for EX-SERVING
female personnel. The AIHW says
that, statistically speaking, this figure
has a high degree of unreliability, but
it is obviously high.
In a 2018 report, AIHW had already
identified the ‘reason for discharge
Veteran Suicide from the ADF as a significant
predictor of suicide among ex-
serving ADF personnel, with medical
discharge found to be associated
By Warren Heggarty
with an increased risk of suicide.’
(AIHW, 2020)
Last November, 2020, the A number of things complicate Why is it that medically discharged
government appointed magistrate measuring this rate. Firstly we need people in particular have this
and reservist Dr Bernadette Boss to take into account the fact that increased risk? Knowing the actual
CSE as ‘National Commissioner we are including the deaths of EX reason will allow us to look at ways
for Defence and Veteran Suicide service people, most of whom are of saving lives. There are a number
still alive. Secondly, suicide rates of theories of course, but many
Prevention.’
for the general population can unanswered questions. However it
Her job is ‘to examine deaths be measured for all age groups is looking increasingly likely that a
by suicide of serving and ex- simultaneously, but not all ages are full enquiry is about to be launched
serving Australian Defence Force represented in CURRENT service which would hopefully settle the
members, [and] to support the people. So for comparison, of matter, at least from an official
prevention of these deaths in the current and ex- figures needs to be perspective.
future.’ (NCDVSP, 2020) However statistically ‘adjusted for age.’ Anyone who may be feeling
the full legislation empowering distressed can contact the following
According to the Australian institute
the Commissioner had not been organisations for support: SANE
of Health and Welfare, the suicide
passed [at the time of writing] and Helpline 1800 18 72 63 Lifeline 131
rate among service and ex-
her status is acknowledged to be 114 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
service personnel differs markedly
‘interim.’ In the meantime there have
depending on a number of factors.
been increasing calls to establish a
Royal Commission to look into this Compared to the general Australian WORKS CITED
same matter. The push followed population: NCDVSP. (2020). About Us. Retrieved
revelations the suicide rate among from National Commissioner into deaths
• CURRENT SERVICE personnel have of veteran and service personnel: https://
Australian Defence Force personnel, a LOWER suicide rate. It is 37 per www.nationalcommissionerdvsp.gov.au
once returning from service, was cent lower, or 47 per cent lower AIHW. (2020). Veterans National Suicide
“more than double that of the adjusted for age (because only a Monitoring Report. Retrieved from
general population.” (Sky News, 2021) limited band of ages are found in Australian Institite of Health and Wellbeing
current military service) Sky News. (2021, March 19). Pressure
So how does the veterans’ and on PM to launch royal commission into
services’ suicide rate compare to • EX-SERVICE males who discharged veteran suicide. Retrieved from Sky
the rate in the general Australian voluntarily have a similar rate of News: https://www.skynews.com.au/
population? suicide to the general population. details/_6241709854001
ABOVE: Understanding veteran suicide will help us to prevent it in future.. PHOTO BY BEC TOWNSEND/PIXABAY
Flourish Australia Panorama April 2021 | Page 9
PHYSICAL HEALTH
vaccines. In some countries (for
example Australia), common diseases
like tetanus, diphtheria, whooping
cough and polio are rare. Smallpox
has practically been eradicated
Tetanus is one example of a disease,
related to injuries or childbirth,
which until the 1980s caused over
a million deaths each year in poor
countries, chiefly among children
and women in childbirth. Without
treatment it is usually fatal, and
treatment is not readily available in
many of the poor areas where it is
found. According to WHO Neonatal
and maternal tetanus was reduced
from 787,000 deaths a year in 1988,
to being almost eliminated by 2021.
Good Health is for (WHO, 2021) This was achieved in
two ways. Firstly, by training birth
attendants in better hygiene, and
Everybody
secondly, by vaccinating people.
Since the introduction of
vaccination to Australia, in 1953,
the chance of contracting Tetanus
World Health Day 7th April in the first place has been reduced
enormously. With access to hospital
By Warren Heggarty care, the likelihood of dying is
significantly reduced, even if you
DO get it. In Australia, deaths from
Tetanus were reduced from about
April 7th was the World Health WHO also mentions gender
120 per year in 1910, to less than
Organisation’s designated World inequality as a reason for inequality one per year by 2010. (AIHW, 2018)
Health Day and the theme this year in health care. These issues tend
was “Building a fairer, healthier to be particularly acute in poorer In poorer countries where there
world.” countries, however, even in Australia is better adult employment and
we experience some of them. For business opportunities, children
www.who.int/campaigns/world- are less likely to have to do the
example, people living in isolated and
health-day/2021 garbage-foraging work, which often
remote indigenous communities,
The WHO points out that access to and people living in rural areas, often exposes them to Tetanus infection.
health care is unequal throughout have problems of access. Adults who are employed to do this
the world. ‘As COVID-19 has dirty work should have the benefit of
highlighted,’ the WHO says, ‘some The WHO says that governments working to safety procedures and be
people are able to live healthier lives need to take a ‘whole of government’ provided with access to protective
and have better access to health approach in tackling health clothing and first aid.
services than others – entirely due inequities. This means that it is not
This shows that good health care
to the conditions in which they are just a job for the Health Department is intertwined with everything we
born, grow, live, work and age.’ to follow up. Public infrastructure do and is not just the responsibility
such as sewerage, drainage and of doctors and nurses. Nor is
Some of the factors that lead to clean, running water supply are it simply a matter of access to
this world inequality in health care crucial to reducing health problems. vaccines. The work needed to make
include:
a healthy world must be done by
• Low income or unemployment, We all have a role to play shopkeepers, mothers and fathers,
being unable to afford to pay for The problem of affordability of tradespeople, drivers, teachers,
health care health care may involve generating labourers, and every one of us!
• Poor housing, unhealthy or employment, or introducing SOURCES
dangerous living conditions, lack affordable insurance schemes, if not AIHW. (2018). Tetanus in Australia fact sheet.
of sewerage publicly funded health care. Schools Retrieved from Australian Institute of Health
• Poor education, lack of play a role because children can and Wellbeing: www.aihw.gov.au/
knowledge about hygiene, how be taught basic ideas about staying WHO. (2021). India achieves the goal of
disease spreads etc. healthy, such as washing your hands, maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT)
covering coughs and sneezes, elimination. Retrieved from World Health
• Lack of access to clean water, lack Organisation India: www.who.int/india/
of running water in homes cleaning and covering injuries.
• Lack of access to health services One topic that has been highlighted ABOVE: Plumbers have an important role
in some places recently is the availability of to play in health. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Page 10 | Panorama April 2021 Flourish AustraliaYOUNG PEOPLE
The
Easter
Show
Returns
Reported by Ruby Golding
(Penrith), Oscar Lehman
(Newcastle)
FLOURISH AUSTRALIA
This time last year we ALL missed
out when the uncancellable Sydney Newcastle, Penrith and
Royal Easter Show was... well, Seven Hills Youth Teams
cancelled.
1300 779 270
Much of NSW goes to the show,
especially young people. Missing out
is just not on! It is something fun to
look back on later in life.
Fortunately, the show went ahead
as usual in 2021 and to celebrate,
people From Flourish Australia’s
various youth teams headed to
Sydney Olympic Park to see the
livestock and produce in all its
countrified glory!!
Georgia M who accesses Flourish
Australia’s Newcastle service said
“the crew had an amazing time at
the Easter Show. We spent the day
collectively viewing art, enjoying
rides and trying tasty food. We had
to go outside our comfort zone as it
was a long day with lots of travelling.’
Staff member Georgia Ongley (no
relation to the other three Georgias
in attendance!) agreed that one
of the things that made their
outing special was how a number The Challenge
of the young people challenged
themselves. of Fun!
Young people in these photos
For example, the anxiety of being in
include... NEWCASTLE:
large crowds can be excruciating for Ness Brown, Georgia Dagger,
some of us. Oscar Lehman (staff), Georgia
McColl, Jujuan Dela Cruz, Lisa
This is why there were a number Nguyen. PENRITH & 7 HILLS:
of breaks during the day to allow Sarah Adams, Ariel Boyle,
people to gather their thoughts and Gypsy-Lee Cummins, Michael
utilise strategies for being outside Terrasin, Georgia Ongley (staff)
their comfort zones. TOP: Smiles all round from
the Newcastle crew! MIDDLE:
So it was a big experience for all! Showbags! RIGHT: Sideshow
Alley is still popular. Some of the
We should also give a massive thank rides are ideal for people who
you to Tyler Smith of Seven Hills would like to become astronauts
YCLSS) for securing the free tickets or stunt daredevils. PHOTOS BY
for all the Youth Teams across THE YOUTH TEAMS
Flourish Australia.
Flourish Australia Panorama April 2021 | Page 11PHYSICAL HEALTH
Your Kidney Health
By Warren Heggarty
There are a lot of things that most causes a ‘reduction of quality disease ‘ocurrs at a younger age and
of us can do to help keep our of life on tip of increased risk of progresses faster than [in] non-
Kidneys in good order until old age. complications, hospitalisatons and indigenous individuals.’
Kidney health is an important issue death.’ (Kidney Health Australia,
for everyone, not in the least for 2021) One of the recipients of the 2020
people who live with mental health Shine awards, Lauwana Blackley
issues and for Aboriginal and Torres Indigenous Australians is a dialysis nurse on the largely
Strait Islander people. You might be able to recall a indigenous Palm Island Qld.
number of Indigenous Australians The main part of the township,
According to Kidney Health Bwgcolman (Great Palm Island), is
Australia, ‘psychological factors’ who were taken from us at a young
age by kidney disease. I am thinking 57km North of Townsville, Qld and
such as depression, having a has a population of 2,455 of whom
poor quality of life and impaired of a prominent public servant/
footballer, a well known NT teacher 94.1% are indigenous.
thinking have associations with
chronic kidney disease, as well as and singer (remember the song Dialysis keeps people alive whose
diabetes and cardiovascular disease. ‘Treaty’?) and more recently another kidney function is fatally poor.
‘Depression is highly prevalent in world famous singer who was blind. Dialysis is a gruelling treatment
persons with [these diseases]. Along Kidney Health Australia tells us involving being hooked up to a
with other ‘metabolic syndrome’ that in Aboriginal and Torres Strait blood filtration machine for five
diseases, Chronic Kidney Disease Islander People, chronic kidney hours three times a week.
ABOVE: Kidneys remove excess fluids from the body, but not having enough fluid hinders their work. PHOTO BY WARREN HEGGARTY.
OPPOSITE: Cross section of a kidney. The kidney is a filter for your blood, extracting toxins, waste products and flushing them out of
your system. If kidneys don’t work well, these impurities build up. IMAGE BY BALIK/PIXABAY
Page 12 | Panorama April 2021 Flourish AustraliaPHYSICAL HEALTH
One of the contributing factors to Life expectancy issues. It reduces the life expectancy
kidney failure is Type 2 Diabetes, of people (of any race) with serious
According to Wikipedia, as recently
a preventable condition which is mental health diagnoses by 20 or
as 28 September 2006, Former
four times as prevalent among 25 years. Yet there are many things
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie
indigenous people than the we can all do to help reverse this.
claimed in an interview on Stateline
general Australian population. A few of these things are listed in
with Chris O’Brien from ABC
Lauwana Blackley’s 12 patients (in this article!
Brisbane, that the average life
a population if 2,455) range in age
expectancy on Palm Island was “50 What do kidneys do?
from 30 to 70-something. Her main
years, 30 less than the Australian
focus though is to help people avoid • They get rid of any excess fluid in
Average.” (Wikipedia, n.d.)
this kind of debilitating disease in your body
the first place. (Smith, 2020) According to the Palm Island Health
Action Plan 2010 to 2015, ‘life • T
hey filter out waste and toxins
Kidney Transplant expectancy and mortality data is from your blood
People who have end stage kidney unavailable for small communities • They help regulate your blood
disease who require a transplant to such as Palm Island.’ However if you pressure
recover. Currently there is only one look at some of the health statistics
in the same report you will see that • They activate vitamin D
kidney transplant unit in Queensland
but the government has promised a the health statistics on Palm Island • They help produce red blood cells
second unit for North Queensland. compare very poorly to the general
population. • They make sure you have the right
It has been reported that there amount of minerals in your blood.
has been some controversy over The Plan shows that the rate of
whether to locate the unit near Endocrine disease (includes Type 1
to Cape York Peninsula at Cairns and Type 2 diabetes) was 50.9 per
or further south in Townsville. 1,000 population. Compare this to
According to The Australian the figure of 5.7 per 1,000 for non-
newspaper, the Mayor of Cairns indigenous people in the State of
says that his city is easier to access Queensland. (Palm Island Aboriginal
for remote Aboriginal and Torres Shire Council, 2011)
Strait Islander people. The mayor For many years now, Panorama
of Townsville points out that her has often reported that metabolic
city hosts a university hospital. The syndrome (which can include
difference is not trivial. Both are in diabetes, obesity, kidney and heart
North Queensland, but it takes four failure) disproportionately affects
hours to to drive from one to the people who live with mental health
other! (Peel, 2021)
What you can do to save your kidneys!
1. Take the test: I decided to ‘road test’ the Kidney Health Australia
Kidney Risk Test, found on its web site. Surprisingly, my result was that
I was ‘at risk’ because of family history, being overweight and being
a former smoker (twenty years ago!). However my doctor recently
tested me and found no actual kidney problem. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beattie, P. (2006, September 28). (C.
2. Ask Your Doctor: The reason it is a good idea to get tested by a O’Brien, Interviewer)
doctor even if you feel OK is that you can lose 90 per cent of your
Kidney Health Australia. (2021). Make the
kidney function before the symptoms appear! That’s how people link: Kidneys Diabetes and Heart. Kidney
get caught. Health Australia Evidence Report 2021.
Retrieved from Kidney Health Australia :
3. Do regular exercise https://kidney.org.au
4. Avoid putting on excess weight Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council.
(2011). Palm Island Health Action PLan
5. Eat a balanced variety of foods 2010 - 2015. Palm Island Aboriginal Shire
Council, Queensland Health.
6. If you smoke, quit smoking Peel, C. (2021, April 14). Kidney Unit
7. Don’t drink a lot of alcohol location row. The Australian.
Smith, C. (2020). Lifeblood of Her Island:
8. Drink plenty of water, don’t let yourself get dehydrated Shine Awards 2020 supplement . The
Herald and Weekly Times, pp. 16- 17.
9. Have a regular check up with your doctor
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Great Palm Island.
10. Know your family medical history and tell your doctor Retrieved January 2021, from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Palm_
Island#cite_note-statelineSep06-7
Flourish Australia Panorama April 2021 | Page 13EMPLOYMENT PANORAMA
Job Vacancy Rebound
By Warren Heggarty
If you take a walk down the main Catering Industry Association, in professional services. The field of
street of your town, you might be February 2021 there were 200,000 residential construction is facing
surprised at how many signs you fewer people in Australia who had delays because of shortages of key
will see in the windows asking for student, working holiday or skilled trades peoples. Both skilled and
staff to fill vacancies. These are worker visas, than in previous years. unskilled labour is needed.
likely to be very popular, quality ‘Short term workers play a vital According to Lambert, restaurants
suburban restaurants, yet before role in sectors such as hospitality.’ and catering companies are calling
you even make it to viewing the (Lambert 2021) for a new, short-term visa class
menu, you are confronted by a job to be created, called the COVID
advertisement! As one door shuts, another door
Recovery Workforce Visa, for pre-
opens vaccinated foreign workers.
According to a report by Patrick
Commins in The Australian, As a result of the COVID-19 Whether that happens remains to be
national job vacancies from the lockdowns, 100,000 jobs were lost seen. However, now is a good time
National Skills Commission are at in hospitality and related fields, to update your resume and head
a twelve year high as at April 2021. Australia-wide. down to the shops, if you are willing
Meanwhile, hospitality businesses to work in hospitality.
One of the consequences of
have said they were struggling to fill
lockdown and subsequent This surge in demand for labour
job vacancies. (Commins, 2021)
restrictions for Flourish Australia is likely to be a temporary one,
Commins gives the example of was that our social enterprise, because it appears to be linked to
Merrivale which now receives half Figtree Conference Centre was the ‘COVID Recession’ last year,
as many job applications as they did forced to shut down. Figtree had for when many people were laid-off.
prior to the pandemic, for advertised many years provided training and Nevertheless, it does demonstrate
hospitality positions. This business work opportunities for people with that opportunities can emerge as
is struggling to fill 200 vacancies, mental health issues who wanted hard times pass.
raising serious concerns about to work in hospitality. This closure
how they will manage to resume was a great blow to everyone Thanks to Sue O’Rourke for
normal operations as restrictions involved, but all of the supported assistance with this story
are lifted. One complicating factor employees who worked at Figtree
for the hospitality industry is that, were redeployed to other roles, in WORKS CITED
because international borders have our other community businesses. Commins, P. (2021, April 13). Job vacancies
been closed, they are cut off from a Two have now moved into open hit 12-year record. The Australian
major source of casual employees; employment! Newspaper.
backpackers and overseas students! Lambert, Wes (2021, April 21) Our Cafes
Surging demand for labour is are open but are you being served? The
According to Wes Lambert, chief being experienced in hospitality, Australian Newspaper
executive of the Restaurant and residential construction and
ABOVE: The entrance to this restaurant in Sydney tells a story. PHOTO BY WARREN HEGGARTY
Page 14 | Panorama April 2021 Flourish AustraliaEMPLOYMENT PANORAMA
Work experience with Ultra Tune gave Dylan
The Start he Needed
By Dylan and Flourish Australia’s Online Editors
Connecting with Flourish Australia Although the manager, Karen wasn’t Our mechanics all appreciated
was the best thing I’ve ever done in a position to offer me a job, she Dylan’s positive attitude. He was
for my job prospects. wrote a wonderful reference. I used super keen to learn as much as he
this to secure a trial with another could from them and his dedication
For a long time, my lived experience company which I hope will turn into earned him a glowing reference.
made it challenging for me to get a full time position. I can see he’s serious about
a start in employment. Thanks to succeeding.
Flourish Australia’s support over the Having a job I’m passionate about
past four years, I feel ready to find is so important to me. I was raised Dylan tells me he’s now on trial with
with a strong work ethic and want another business. I really hope he
work and have set my sights on
to achieve financial independence gets the job.
finding an apprenticeship.
for myself and my partner.
Talk to Flourish Australia today on
When my Job Placement
Ultra Tune Manager Karen says; 1300 779 270
Manager at Flourish Australia’s
Disability Employment Services I would absolutely love to have Our approach to supporting you is
approached Ultra Tune Car Service Dylan on our team but due to the different because more than 50%
in Newcastle about offering me pandemic, we’re not in a position of the people we employ have had
an apprenticeship, they agreed to to put on another person. We were their own lived experience of mental
a work experience opportunity as introduced by his Job Placement health challenges and many of them
a start point. I grew up working Manager, Holly, who took the make up our peer workforce. They
on cars with my Dad so working initiative to walk in and ask me about get it, because they have been there,
an apprenticeship. Flourish Australia so they’re able to come alongside
alongside qualified mechanics really
is very professional. They organised you with genuine understanding
appealed to me.
the insurance needed for us to offer and insight.
I loved being part of a professional Dylan work experience and followed-
team and picked up a lot of valuable up to ensure everyone was happy
knowledge. with the way things were going.
ABOVE: ‘[I] want to achieve financial independence for myself and my partner,’ says Dylan.
PHOTO BY FLOURISH AUSTRALIA’S ONLINE EDITORS
Flourish Australia Panorama April 2021 | Page 15You can also read
