‘Working Together for Healthy Homes’ - Barkly region workshop

In early April, Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation (Ayninginyi Health) hosted the Working Together for Healthy Homes workshop in Tennant Creek, supported by Minum Barreng: Indigenous Eye Health Unit (MB: IEHU), University of Melbourne. The two-day event brought together nearly 40 people, with strong and diverse representation from community members and organisations involved housing and health across the region. Some participants travelled from afar, including from the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Katherine West Health Board (KWHB), Central Australia Aboriginal Congress (CAAC) and the University of Melbourne crew .

Aunty Pat Brahim opened the workshop with a warm Welcome to Country. Karen Kairupan and the team at Anyinginyi Health created a welcoming, inclusive space where everyone could participate and contribute.

The aim of the workshop was to bring people together to build a shared action plan to improve housing and health outcomes in the Barkly region over the next 12 months to two years.

The agenda was full of strong voices and valuable insights, including:

  • Monica Barolits-McCabe (NACCHO) shared a national perspective on housing and health, highlighting the need for community led solutions.
  • Mitchell Anjou (MB: IEHU) spoke about successes and achievements in systems change in eye health, and the importance of collaboration and First Nations leadership
  • Bobbie Bayley (Healthabitat) discussed the Housing for Health project, using NT data to highlight how repairs and maintenance of health hardware can make a real difference.
  • A Q&A followed with healthy homes and housing officers, Michelle McMasters (CAAC) and Maxine Gallagher-Johns (KWHB), who shared their experience with healthy home audits and reporting.
  • Lesley Martin (MB: IEHU) spoke about the connection between healthy homes and prevention of health conditions like trachoma, later leading an interactive session where she shared her natural cleaning products and practical tips for keeping homes clean and safe.
  • Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation shared updates on their housing program.
  • Wilya Janta spoke about the importance of housing design for climate and cultural considerations.
  • There was also an interactive session with A Curious Tractor demonstrating ‘the Greate Bed’, a practical, washable and easy to construct bed which was very popular.

On day two, we were pleased to welcome Minister Steve Edgington, who came along to listen, answer questions, and show his support. Minister Edgington holds a number of key portfolios, including Health, Mental Health, Aboriginal Affairs, Housing, and Local Government.

The workshop wrapped up with developing a clear and practical action list for some next steps to take together to improve housing and health in the Barkly region.

A big thank you to all the presenters and participants for your energy, insights, and commitment. There’s strong momentum in the region, and we’re excited to keep the conversation, and the action going. A follow-up workshop is planned for June, in conjunction with Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation’s 40th anniversary celebrations. We look forward to coming together again.

For more information, please contact:
Karen Kairupan, Executive Manager – Public Health Section, Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation karen.kairupan@anyinginyi.com.au

Emma Stanford, Senior Research Fellow, Minum Barreng: Indigenous Eye Health Unit emma.stanford@unimelb.edu.au