GEGAC CEO Kenton Winsley and Executive Director Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Awhiora Nia Nia speak with Secretary of the Department of Health, Professor Euan Wallace (centre) at GEGAC last week.
Secretary of the Department of Health, Professor Euan Wallace, visited GEGAC last Thursday to take a tour of our Dalmahoy Street campus and hear from senior leadership about the challenges and opportunities facing our organisation and the community.
GEGAC CEO Kenton Winsley and Executive Director Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Awhiora Nia Nia showed Professor Wallace through our busy Brabuwooloong Primary Healthcare Service, which provides culturally appropriate primary health and dental care services.
“We spoke with Secretary Wallace about the fact that we are seeing more people present with mental health needs,” Kenton said.
“Spiritual wellbeing is becoming more important in helping the community heal during continued sorry business periods.”
The link between mental health and alcohol and other drugs was discussed, and that as a service we are challenged in trying to deal with this problem in the community.
“The workload on our alcohol and drug support team is also increasing,” Kenton said.
“If communities like ours are to cope with this growing mental health crisis and help local people thrive, we need investments from state and federal governments to provide sufficient mental health resources.”
Winsley said he was eager to use the opportunity of the Secretary’s visit to highlight the wide range of services that GEGAC provides.
“I think that’s something that a lot of people don’t realise – just how many different areas that Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations like GEGAC are required to address, and the pressure by community and government to deliver on the needs is greater now than ever,” he said.
“It’s quite remarkable that one organisation has the bandwidth to provide such a diverse range of services – from primary health care services all the way to early years education, crisis accommodation, support for children, families and Elders, local justice services, and even cultural education.”
“We were very grateful that the Secretary was able to visit GEGAC last week, so we could give him a firsthand look at just how all these fit together, and press our case for the support that is required to maintain the services this community needs.”