Improving and Integrating Urban Indigenous Health Services

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Yarnin’ Disability July 2025

In July, we celebrate the diversity, culture and rights of Mob with disabilities for Disability Pride Awareness Month.

This month aims to challenge stereotypes and shame. Instead, we want to spotlight identity within our Community and honour their contributions to society.

Disability Pride Month yellow tile

IUIH Disability Services was proud to celebrate with Community at many NAIDOC events around South East Queensland. It was an honour to connect with Mob and yarn about any support we can provide through the NDIS. We also brought along some fun and educational games that were a big hit with the crowd!

NAIDOC IUIH artwork

Are you on the NDIS? If YES – join us for a series of deadly yarns where we break things down, plain and simple.

The Education Team is officially up and running — and coming to a clinic near you!

Come along to one of our upcoming workshops to learn about your rights as a participant or carer under the NDIS.

Check out the list of education topics we will be covering over the next 3 months. We would love to see you there!

MONTHTOPIC
August

“NDIS in Propa Terms” – are you new to the NDIS and don’t understand their terminology?

“Carers & Family Support” – what are your rights and responsibilities as a carer or a parent under the NDIS?

September

“Carers & Family Support”

“No Shame in Disability” – deep dive into assessment terms and removing stigma associated to disability.

October

“No Shame in Disability”

“Choosing your service providers” – there are a million – how do I choose the right one for me?

Meet our deadly therapy assistants.

Our therapy assistants support our clinicians in many ways including making resources, supporting in therapy sessions, managing therapy assistant plans and supports directly with participants, booking and scheduling of appointments and many others!

Shout out to our deadly team, Julie, Shania, Brendan and Emily, pictured below.

Julie Nicholson
Julie Nicholson
Shania White
Brendan McLean
Brendan McLean
Emily Watson

If you need any allied health supports under your NDIS plan, remember we have supports available. You can self-refer by completing our form, or have a yarn with your clinic.

Allied Health timetable

Our dedicated Early Childhood Access (ECA) Team is proud to work in close partnership with The Benevolent Society, walking alongside our jarjums and their families to provide culturally safe and responsive support. Together, we assist our families to navigate and access Early Childhood Approach (ECA) funding, ensuring that children aged 0–9 with developmental delays or a disability receive the supports they need as early as possible.

Through this unique partnership, we provide comprehensive guidance throughout the NDIS access journey and offer meaningful linkages to local services, early supports, and culturally appropriate programs across the community. Our work spans the funded regions within The Benevolent Society’s catchment areas, covering MATSICHS in the northside of Brisbane, ATSICHS Brisbane on the southside and YBB in Redlands and Moreton Islands, ensuring no family walks alone on their journey to accessing the best outcomes for their children.

Meet our deadly team below: 

Leanda Strike
Leanda Strike

My name is Leanda Strike and I have recently stepped into the role as the IUIH’s NDIS Access ECA Manager. I have been with IUIH since 2018 being seconded from Yulu Burri Ba to join the NDIS Project team of National significance. This initiative funded by the NDIA, focused on breaking down barriers and creating a culturally safe pathway for Mob aged 0-65 to access the scheme. After the success of the Pilot Project, IUIH and The Benevolent Society commenced a unique partnership in 2020. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to join the team further strengthening the partnership. I am committed to expanding culturally safe pathways ensuring our families and their children receive the support they need, throughout their NDIS journey, the propa way – culturally safe, strong and respectful.

Emily Moore
Emily Moore

My name is Emily Moore, and I have been a dedicated member of the IUIH Disability Access Team for the past two years. I initially joined the team as the Administrative Officer, providing vital support across all functions and contributing to the team’s operational efficiency. In March 2024, I transitioned into the role of ECA (Early Childhood Approach) Access Officer, where I now focus on assisting families as they navigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). I find great purpose and fulfilment in supporting our families throughout their NDIS journey, ensuring they feel informed, empowered, and supported every step of the way.

Rye

Kia Ora, my name is Rianna, though most people know me as Rye. I’ve been with IUIH for five and a half years, beginning in the Access Team and, for the past eight months, working with the ECA team where my true passion lies in supporting families and their children. Before joining IUIH, I worked in the NGO sector, leading various teams that supported individuals living with disability. I feel truly honoured to now walk alongside Mob as they navigate the NDIS, ensuring we advocate for access in a way that is culturally safe and respectful. I feel privileged to continue this meaningful work and to continue making a positive difference in the lives of the families we support.

Nathan Milson

Hi, I’m Nathan Milson, I’m a proud Gamilarraay and Wiradjuri man, originally from Tingha, NSW. I have over nine years of experience in early childhood education. I’m Diploma-trained educator, passionate about supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to feel strong in their identity and empowered in their learning. I enjoy working closely with families and communities to create culturally safe, inclusive spaces where all children can grow learn and thrive.

Our IUIH Disability Access team were thrilled to be on DC Radio on 8 July 2025! Two of our dedicated Disability Access Officers, Emily Moore and Miria Kiddie, joined as guest speakers to have a yarn about all things disability access sharing how we support our Mob with disabilities to navigate the NDIS and access other support pathways as needed.

During the interview, Emily and Miria explained the role of our Disability Access Officers across both the 0–9 Early Childhood Approach (ECA) and 0–65 Aboriginal Disability Liaison spaces. They also shared insights into what a typical day might look like in their roles, who can access the IUIH Disability Access Pathway, and how our team supports Mob through NDIS, QCSS, and other services.

Some of the key topics covered included:

  • the types of supports offered under the NDIS for children in the ECA space
  • how we walk alongside Mob on their journey to accessing the right supports
  • what’s available through IUIH for Mob with disability
  • how to start the yarn with our team.

Both Emily and Miria did a fantastic job representing the team and sharing helpful, down-to-earth information to help Mob feel more confident in reaching out and accessing supports through the IUIH Disability Access Pathway.

Check out some great moments from the radio interview in the photos below!

If you would like to get started with the NDIS, or know someone who would, contact: 

  • Phone 1800 317 378
  • If you already access other health services through our clinics, ask your healthcare provider to refer to us. 
  • Email us directly at Disability.Access@iuih.org.au

Have you had your flu shot yet? The flu shot is safe and free for Mob and can prevent you from getting super crook. The flu shot helps stop the spread of flu in Community, especially to our Mob most likely to get crook, including our old people, jarjums under five, pregnant mums and anyone with a chronic condition.

Book in to get your flu shot today. You can do that at your local clinic, or most pharmacies.

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NAIDOC BBQ Brunch

On Thursday 17 July, we’re celebrating NAIDOC Week with a BBQ brunch.

We’ll be joined by our friends at BreastScreen Australia who will have a mobile screening van based in Goodna until September.  To find out more on breast screening, visit; https://www.iuih.org.au/breastscreen. To book a breast screen, contact us now for an appointment.

AND, you can grab your free 2025 flu shot!  To book a time, contact our clinic for an appointment.  Walk in spots will also be available on the day.

Details are:
Pamela Mam Health Centre BBQ Brunch
Date:  Thursday 17 July
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Pamela Mam Health Centre | 13 Church Street, Goodna

See you Mob there!

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Yarnin’ Disability: April 2025

The NDIS Education Team is officially up and running — and coming to a clinic near you!

Our team will be available during dedicated drop-in consultation days to answer any NDIS-related questions and support you every step of the way — stress free.

Check out the list of education topics we will be covering over the next three months. We would love to see you there!

May

  • Drop-in consultation days across MATSICHS, Kalwun and YBB clinics.

June

  • “Supporting children with additional needs”
  • Drop-in consultation days across MATSICHS, Kalwun and YBB clinics

July

  • “No Shame in Disability”
  • “Self-advocacy in the NDIS”
  • Drop-in consultation days

You can find out more information about these events on Yarn It Up.

The IUIH Disability Services team is a registered NDIS provider, offering a wide range of supports across several clinics and in the community.

We provide speech and occupational therapy services, along with other allied health supports including:

  • dietetics
  • podiatry
  • exercise physiology
  • physiotherapy
  • social work.

Have a yarn with our team to find out how we can support you through these services. You can also self-refer by visiting the Yarn It Up page and completing the expression of interest below.

Below is a table of when our speech pathology and occupational therapy services will be available. 

Our IUIH Disability Services team were delighted to meet with community members at Brisbane Disability Connect Expo on the 21 and 22 March 2025.

It was a fantastic two days of connecting with other deadly service providers, showcasing the work we do, and sharing our passion for supporting Mob through the NDIS. We also brought along some fun and educational games that were a big hit with the crowd!

Check out some great moments from the Expo in the photos below.

Our deadly Disability Access Team have supported Mob across South East Queensland since 2018. We support our community from the point of receiving a referral, to obtaining an NDIS-approved plan and facilitating linkage to service provision. Our team work collaboratively with your healthcare providers to gather appropriate evidence of disability to support an application to the NDIS. 

Due to recent staffing changes, we would like to re-introduce you to our Disability Access Team.

Jodie Austin is our Project Lead –  Aged Care and Disability Reforms. I am a proud Dunghatti woman dedicated to supporting my community. I have been with IUIH for the past 7 and a half years. Prior to this, I lived in New South Wales, where I worked with an organisation selected to be part of the pilot trial site in Newcastle for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2014. In this role, I had the privilege of rolling out NDIS plans from a service provision perspective. My experience also includes working with state model disability funding across various programs before the introduction of the NDIS.​ As an accredited Case Manager trained in Disability and Aged Care, I bring both personal and professional insights into the challenges and opportunities within the disability sector. As a single mother of three teenage boys and having grown up with a sibling living with a disability, I have a deep understanding of the importance of comprehensive support systems. At IUIH, I have worked within multiple facets of the NDIS, including access and service delivery. I initially led the team within IUIH’s Disability Service Delivery as the Team Leader of Support Coordination. The successes of the IUIH Disability Access Team have highlighted the growth and impact of our disability services for our community.

Nigel Jones – Disability Access Officer. I have recently returned to IUIH, bringing with me years of lived experience and over five years of dedicated work within the NDIS space. Throughout my career, I have been committed to supporting individuals in achieving their goals and improving their overall quality of life.Most recently, I worked as a Psychosocial Recovery Coach, where I had the privilege of walking alongside people on their mental health journeys providing guidance, encouragement, and practical support as they worked towards recovery and greater independence. Before that, I held the role of Support Coordinator, where I developed a deep understanding of the NDIS and the importance of building strong, person-centred plans tailored to each individual’s needs.

My passion lies in empowering people to make informed choices, access the right services, and feel confident in their ability to lead meaningful, self-directed lives. I am excited to be back at IUIH, where I can continue this work in a culturally safe and supportive environment.

Mikayla Bourke – Disability Access Officer. I grew up in the small town of Goondiwindi (Bigambul Country) on the border of Queensland and New South Wales. Seven years ago, I moved to Brisbane, where I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of industries, including hospitality, insurance, and auditing. During my time working for a certifying body, I gained valuable experience in quality auditing, focusing on standards such as the NDIS, HSQF, ISO, and other regulatory frameworks. This experience deepened my understanding of compliance and continuous improvement processes. While these roles helped me develop a diverse skill set, I soon realised that my true passion lies in making a positive impact within the community. To further my commitment, I am currently studying a Cert IV in Child, Youth, and Family Intervention to deepen my knowledge and expand my expertise in this field. Alongside my professional journey, I am a dedicated advocate for organ donation and actively volunteer at events for DonateLife, where I work to raise awareness and encourage others to register as donors. When I’m not working or studying, I love spending time outdoors, whether it’s playing tennis, snorkelling, or camping. I’m deeply passionate about continuing to grow both personally and professionally, and I’m excited about the opportunities to contribute meaningfully to my community through IUIH.

Miria Kiddie – Disability Access Officer. I am a proud Maori woman from New Zealand. I enjoy going to the gym and I have a career focus to be a qualified personal trainer with a vision of helping elders and youth with movement and mobility. I am passionate about directing young people into healthier habits, including fitness. My career background has been in working with Indigenous youth for 10 years in a range of different roles, most recently working in the youth justice system for the last five years. I am new to IUIH and new to the NDIS space.

If you would like to get started with the NDIS, or know someone who would, contact: 

  • Phone 1800 317 378
  • If you already access other health services through our clinics, ask your healthcare provider to refer to us. 
  • Email us directly at Disability.Access@iuih.org.au

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Pamela Mam Health Centre official opening

On Monday 31 March, we’re gathering to celebrate the official opening of our new clinic and its new name, the Pamela Mam Health Centre.

Join us from 9am to celebrate this deadly milestone for our Community.   

Time:  9:00am – midday
Location: Pamela Mam Health Centre | 13 Church Street, Goodna

See you Mob there!

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We’re changing our name!

Our clinic at Goodna has been going through some changes.  The renovations have recently been completed to provide you Mob with the best care possible.

We’re excited to announce that we’re changing our name!  From Monday 31 March, the Goodna Clinic will be called the Pamela Mam Health Centre.

A fearless and trailblazing leader, Aunty Pamela Mam dedicated her life to her family, community and improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We hold her teachings in the highest regard and take this opportunity to honour her legacy by name, and by everything we strive to achieve.

For more information on Aunty Pamela Mam, visit: https://iuih.org/3UWLc8r 

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After a flood: Safe water, food and medicine

After a flood, you should always check that the water, food and medicine you have is safe to consume. Here is general advice to keep you from getting crook.

Safe water

  • Do not drink untreated or contaminated water.
  • Even if water looks okay to drink, it may have bad bacteria or chemicals in it that can make you sick.
  • The best way to know if water is safe to drink is to listen to your local radio and TV station or check your local council’s website (if possible) for updates on the water supply.
  • If there is no other water available, boil and let cool before drinking.

Food safety

  1. Throw away any food that has had direct contact with flood waters.
  2. If you have lost power to your fridge or freezer or if the appliance(s) stops working
    1. Avoid opening the fridge or freezer as much as possible, to keep cold air in.
    2. Unopened fridges should be able to stay cool for up to 4 hours and freezers for up to 24 hours.
    3. In longer power outages, you can safely eat food that has been out of the fridge for 2 hours, but not longer than that. Frozen food that has thawed can be eaten if it is still cold. Do not re-freeze these foods.
  3. Contaminated surfaces and utensils
    1. Discard any flood-exposed wooden utensils and cutting boards or damaged items with cracks and chips, as it is not possible to remove germs from them.
    2. Wash utensils and surfaces in hot soapy water and allow to air-dry. Clean metal cutlery, pots and utensils by pouring boiling water over them for 10 minutes. Clean dishes and other crockery by immersing in a weak bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach to 2 litres of water) for 10 minutes and rinse.
    3. Clean cupboards and counters with hot soapy water and then rinse with diluted bleach before storing food.
  4. What to do with canned food and other food in air-tight containers that have been exposed to flood waters?
    1. Discard any cans that are dented, swollen or damaged.
    2. For tins with no damage, clean them thoroughly by removing the label, washing the cans in warm soapy water, sanitising with a weak bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach to 2 litres of water) for one minute and then rinsing with water. Re-label the cans using a permanent marker. Do a similar process for air-tight containers with food inside if the seal has not been broken.
    3. If you have a vegetable garden that has flooded, do not consumer leafy green produce – you need to throw it away. Do not pick other vegetables for consumption for one month after flooding. After a month, pick any vegetables that are ripe, wash and then sanitise with a weak bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach to 2 litres of water) before rinsing. Peel the vegetables and they can then be consumed.

Medication safety

Disasters can impact access to medications. Some tips for accessing medication during a disaster and ensuring your medicine is safe following one include:

  • Ensure you have all your medications, prescriptions, medical care plans and other important medical information in a safe and accessible location you can easily take with you in an emergency
  • If you don’t have your prescription, your usual pharmacy may be able to give you a small supply without a prescription as an emergency supply
  • If you are having trouble accessing money for medication, you can try and organise an emergency payment from Centrelink
  • You can contact Mob Link (1800 254 354), 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84), Medicines Line on 1300 633 424 (1300 MEDICINE), your doctor, pharmacist, hospital or health clinic for more information

Some medication may be damaged or unsafe after a disaster. You should always check that your medication has not been affected. If you need to dispose of your medication, please talk to your pharmacist about how to do this safely. Dispose of any medication if:

  • It has had any contact with contaminated floodwater
  • It has been exposed to heat or smoke from a fire
  • There is damage to the product or packaging from an impact (for example, the label is illegible or damaged, the container is punctured, a blister strip is damaged)
  • It has been exposed to temperatures, light or humidity outside of the manufacturer’s recommendations (such as if power is unavailable for medications that require refrigeration)

If you are unsure if your medicines are safe to use, you can contact Mob Link (1800 254 354), 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84), Medicines Line on 1300 633 424 (1300 MEDICINE), your doctor, pharmacist, hospital or health clinic for more information

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Safety tips after a flood

There are a few things to keep in mind the first time you leave the house:

  1. If your home is damaged or obstructed by debris that may dislodge and hurt you as you open the door, call the SES on 132 500 for assistance. For quick access to all emergency services contacts, download the Emergency Plus App.
  2. If flood waters are at your doorstep, stay inside until flood waters go down. Can you see any hazards outside your home? If it is safe to step outside, look out for anything that may cause serious injury or harm. This might include:
    1. Fallen powerlines or exposed wires. Report powerlines down on 13 19 62 and call 000 immediately for electric shocks.
    2. Fallen trees, call SES on 132 500 if it is an emergency.
    3. Debris that could fall, call SES on 132 500 for assistance.
    4. Wildlife including snakes. Be cautious when moving debris, lift it facing away from you to avoid being bitten.
    5. Puddles and muddy areas, especially if sewage has been moving through the floodwater
  3. If it is safe to step outside, keep an eye out for any dangers that might be impacting your neighbours and keep them informed or report the hazard to the appropriate service.

Staying safe from germs

During flooding, germs spread through the water and can stay on surfaces or in the ground. If you come in contact with germs, you can get sick and become really unwell. Ways to protect yourself after flooding and during clean up include:

  • Wear enclosed waterproof shoes
  • ash hands with soapy water and use protective gloves during clean up
  • Avoid flood water and muddy areas
  • Wash your body with clean soapy water after cleaning up
  • Follow food safety advice
  • Wear a mask during clean up
  • Drink safe water. Listen to your local radio and TV station or check your local council’s website (if possible) for updates on the water supply.
  • Check if you are up to date with your tetanus shot if you are assisting with clean up. Adults should receive a booster every 10 years, or if it is more than 5 years and you get a cut during clean up

If you’ve been exposed to flood water:

  • Wash your body with clean soapy water as soon as possible
  • Look out for any cuts, scrapes or wounds you have
  • If you have cuts, clean them well with an antiseptic
  • Remember, even small wounds can get infected from flood waters
  • If you get any cuts during clean up, talk to your GP (when you can). They can check the last time you had a tetanus shot and whether you need any other treatment for your cuts

Remember to always follow the advice of emergency services and official government sources to keep safe, and if it’s flooded – forget it.

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Cyclone Alfred clinic + service update

As of 1pm Wednesday 5 March, the Goodna Clinic is closed due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred until further notice.

At this stage, we’re hoping to reopen on Monday 10th March, but this may change.  We will keep you updated on Facebook and will reach out to affected clients directly.

If you don’t already, please follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with any changes to opening hours or services: https://www.facebook.com/IUIHGoodna

For health, wellbeing and social support needs, Mob Link is available 7 days a week, 7am-8pm on 1800 254 354. In the event of an emergency, please call 000.

Stay safe you Mob and take care of yourselves, your family and your community.

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Yarnin’ Disability: February 2025

We are excited to announce that IUIH Disability Services has expanded our allied health services across the region, ensuring that more participants can access the quality care and support they need, closer to home.

This expansion allows us to provide greater flexibility, more availability, and a wider range of services, including exercise physiology (EP), occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work and much more! We offer in-clinic and travel appointments which means we can come to your home, community and daycare/school.

Here are the updated service delivery days for each location:

Table of the new allied health availability.

You can refer into our service by completing an expression of interest on our Yarn It Up page.

Meet our deadly NDIS Education Team: Temika, Stuart, Medea and Jade. The team aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disabilities by increasing their knowledge and skills to exercise their rights within the NDIS framework and to educate the IUIH network in providing holistic health care services to Mob. The team will be out and about in the Moreton ATSICHS region within the next three months providing this education to Mob.

We will put up posters in the clinics with all the details, Moreton ATSICHS website updates, as well as social media posts and emails to our participants. Be sure to follow Moreton ATSICHS on Facebook and Instagram and check your emails. Watch this space!

We will also be coming to other regions in South East Queensland in the coming months.

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Dental update

To provide you Mob with the best care, we’re updating our dental space at the Goodna Clinic, which will include an additional chair!

From now until the end of March, our services will be limited.   Our deadly admin officer will book all appointments to ensure everything runs smoothly during this time.

We appreciate your understanding and patience while we do these works. 

Stay tuned for further updates!

To make an appointment, contact 0459 934 894.