Our Story

history

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Weenthunga Health Network created on Wurundjeri Country (2010)

2

Weenthunga begin welcome Members (2010)

3

Weenthunga host Indigenous Health Leadership Dinner (2016)

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Aunty Steff Armstrong joins Weenthunga (2012)

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Girls Resilience Program is established on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Bendigo (2012)

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Aunty Steff gathers young womxn and together they journey to Broome (20XX)

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Inaugural Women’s Talk Health Day held on Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne (20XX)

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Girls Resilience Program established on Wurundjeri Country, Melbourne (July 2018) and Wadawurrung Country Geelong (November 2018)

9

Inaugural Yarning Up Strong Camp, backed by Elders, is held on Tayngurung Country in Seymour (2019)

10

Girls Resilience Program renamed as Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie (2019)

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Weenthunga staff and Alumni present at IAHA Conference on Larrakia Country in Darwin (2019)

12

Weenthunga and St John of God Bendigo collaborate on webinar “Identity and Culture: Are we ready for the conversation?” (2020)

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Weenthunga becomes a member of VACCHO (20XX)

14

Victorian Aboriginal Education Summit Held with VACCHO (2017)

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VAHENonline created (2019)

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VAHENonline webinar “Racism in the Classroom, How Do I Respond?” (2019)

17

WAHENonline commence monthly reflective sessions (2021)

18

March 2020: Weenthunga responds to the COVID-19 global pandemic by releasing our ‘How to be an ally to First Nations mob’ during the COVID-19 pandemic series. We adapt our programs and services to online spaces. We advocate for and support the wellbeing of the health workforce, particularly First Nations health professionals Network Community Project (NCP) (2021)

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Network Community Project (NCP) (2021)

20

New co-leaders Sam Paxton (Waywurru) and Erin McKinnon, (Durrong Ngulu) ‘join voices’ in Woi Wurrung (2018)

21

AGMs: Decolonising Solidarity and White Privledge (2017)

22

Six year collaboration recognised with a 2020 HART Award for ‘Acknowledgment of work driving systemic change’

23

Weenthunga develops and delivers its first Cultural Safety and Critical Consciousness Workshop

Weenthunga (meaning ‘hear/understand’ in Woi wurrung) grew out of a First Nations community need for health equity. Inspired by the work of National Indigenous Health Associations, Weenthunga’s contribution to progress this need was to convene a network which connected First Nations health professionals and Settler Australian health professionals who were demonstrating allyship in the space. In 2010, following yarns with local Elders and community consultations, Weenthunga was established under the leadership of Kelli McIntosh, a proud Muruwari and Kooma woman, and the backing of Lin Oke. Kelli and Lin,both Occupational Therapists, formed Weenthunga’s first two-way team, with Kelli as President and Lin as Public Officer and Secretary. Two-way teams are an integral component of how we do business today.

In 2012, Aunty Steff Armstrong, a proud Gamilaraay and Bigambul woman, joined Weenthunga, forming a new two-way leadership team with Lin. Aunty Steff had an extensive background in education and established our Girls Resilience Program (now Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie spaces). Now at Weenthunga, we centre First Nations young women and women across all of our work. Aunty Steff also embedded the 4Rs at Weenthunga: Relationships, Reciprocity, Responsibility, and Respect, which guide us in everything we do.

Weenthunga’s history is extensive and we are working towards telling this story. There are many moments we wish to share. Country and people have held spaces we’ve created. Within these spaces, knowledge and stories have been shared and passed on. People come to these spaces with a lifetime of memories, experiences and connections. Because of relationships, each space has grown. Because of obligation, each space and its impact continue.

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vision

Weenthunga Health Network advances wellbeing, healing and health justice for First Nations people in Victoria by:
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Growing and nourishing the Aboriginal health workforce
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Leading transformational change in health and health education systems by advocating for First Nations-led spaces, anti-racism work, and embedding and valuing First Nations’ knowledge and practice
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Ensuring better understanding and practice of health professionals and organisations to improve experiences, care and outcomes for First Nations people and communities
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Valuing and practising two-way working
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WEENTHUNGA’S 4R’S

Aunty Steff shares the significance of...
Relationships, Reciprocity, Responsibility & Respect

our values

Our work is guided by our values of the 4Rs + Resistance. 

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Relationships: Genuine and lasting connections with, and interconnections between, people, communities and Country. We gift ourselves and each other space to honour, nurture, and deepen our relationships. 

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Reciprocity: A balanced, cyclical exchange shared between the act of giving and the act of receiving, by people, communities and Country. Enacted in our work, relationships, and the roles we hold teacher/learner, speaker/listener, thinker/doer, and so on – in reciprocity, we continue to show-up.

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Responsibility: In acknowledging our obligations to people, communities and Country, we hold ourselves and each other accountable for our words, actions and inactions. We have a collective responsibility to backing health sovereignty and progressing health justice for First Nations people in so-called Victoria.

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Respect: Listening to people, communities and Country with the intent to understand, and thoughtfully responding when appropriate. We move through spaces purposefully and with cultural humility, centring our intentions to respectfully be and grow, individually and together.

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Resistance: As First Nations people, we stand strong in our ways of knowing, being, doing, continuing the legacy and fight of generations before us. Working two-way, we protest and act against ongoing assimilationist agendas, disrupting oppressive systems, structures, and minds.

governance

Weenthunga is First Nations-led.

Our Committee of Management and Membership comprises First Nations Peoples only.

Weenthunga's Committee of Management is elected by and from Full Members of the Association.

  • Full Members are First Nations people qualified for, or working in, a health or related role in Victoria.
  • Associate Members - Individual are First Nations people living or working in Victoria who share a commitment to the purposes of the Association.
  • Associate Members - Health Student are First Nations people living or studying in Victoria enrolled in a health course who share a commitment to the purposes of the Association.
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MEET OUR PRESIDENT

Tya Fry, Gunditjmara and Wotjobaluk
Occupational Therapist

Our People

Committee

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LILLY BACKSHELL

President

First Nations: 
Bunurong

Occupational Therapist
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Georgia Radford

Vice President

First Nations: Pitjantjatjara

Registered Nurse
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Glenn Milliken

Treasurer

First Nations: Kamilaroi
Physiotherapist
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Kevan Horder

Committee Member
First Nations: Kooma and Guamu descendant SW Queensland
Manager of Chronic Care Unit, Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative
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DAN CARTER

Committee Member

Ngarrindjeri and
Wergaia

Public Health

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MICHELLE CRILLY

Committee Member

Yorta Yorta


Paramedic

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THAEDRA FRANGOS

Committee Member

Dhudhuroa and
Wemba Wemba

Warrawi (Healer)

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RUBY WARBER

Committee Member

Noongar

Clinical Psychologist

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MARISSA MULCAHY

Committee Member

Gomeroi/Kamilaroi

Aboriginal Health Practitioner

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BONNY RAWSON

Committee Member

Ballardong Noongar

Food Science and Technology

Our People

Committee

Staff

SAM PAXTON

First Nations: Waywurru

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

ERIN MCKINNON

Settler Australian: Scottish, Irish and English heritage

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

ASHLEY PAXTON

First Nations: Waywurru

SEWB and VAHENonline Spaces Lead

GEORGIA RADFORD

First Nations: Ngarrindjeri

Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie Spaces Lead

TRACEY PAXTON

First Nations: Waywurru

Membership Project Officer

DANIELLE AMIET

Settler Australian: Filipino, UK and Swiss heritage

VAHENonline Collaborator

SARAH STOLLER

Settler Australian: English and Russian heritage

Operations

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Samantha Paxton

First Nations: Waywurru


Durrong Ngulu

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Erin McKinnon

Settler Australian: Scottish, Irish and English heritage
Durrong Ngulu
Arkeria Armstrong

Arkeria Armstrong

First Nations: Gamilaraay


Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie Spaces Lead

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Sarah Stoller

Settler Australian: English and Russian heritage
Operations Manager
Ashley Paxton

Ashley Paxton

First Nations: Waywurru



Clinical Psychologist, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Spaces Lead and VAHENonline Project Lead

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CANISHA CLEMMET-KENNEDY

First Nations: Trawlwoolway


Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie Spaces

Aileen Traynor

AILEEN TRAYNOR

Settler Australian: Uruguayan and American heritage

Nyarrn-gagko mangkie Spaces Collaborator

Danielle Amiet

Danielle Amiet

Settler Australian: Filipino, UK and Swiss heritage
VAHENonline Collaborator
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Sarah Stoller

Settler Australian: English and Russian heritage
Operations Manager

Staff

Annual Reports


Equality in health for First Nations people and Australians
Weenthunga Health Network Inc, is a collegial Victorian network for all health professionals, practitioners and workers with a desire to see improved health of First Australians.

WEENTHUNGA HEALTH NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023

Honors and Awards


Weenthunga's network is lucky to include many wonderful individuals with fantastic visions and achievements. We would like to acknowledge and celebrate their successes.

2010: Kelli McIntosh (President) - Rowan Nicks Russell Drysdale Fellowship in Indigenous Health


The Rowan Nicks Russell Drysdale Fellowship was established in 2004 to support the development of workers and future leaders in Australian Indigenous health and welfare. Kelli's project aimed to inspire Indigenous students to continue through secondary schooling, undertaking science subjects and achieving entry into tertiary allied health courses especially occupational therapy.

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2012: Steff Armstrong (Health and Education Consultant) - Rowan Nicks Russell Drysdale Fellowship in Indigenous Health


The fellowship assisted Steff implement a project: Young women follow their paths: health & welfare which will assist in building strong, healthy young First Australian women, whilst linking them in with First Australian health professionals – show casing great career opportunities. The project focuses on First Australian girls in Years 11 and 12, partnering with organisations and individuals who understand the “two-way” model of working with First Australians. Steff will draw on the relationships that she has with education and health professionals and various related organisations to progress this project in 2013.

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2013: Steff Armstrong (Health and Education Consultant) - Fellowship in Indigenous Leadership


When presenting Steff Armstrong with her Rowan Nicks Russell Drysdale Fellowship for 2013, her Excellency Governor Bashir commended Steff on her important work, using her Fellowship, to engage with senior secondary First Australian school girls and link them in with health role models and mentors.

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2014: Rebecca Crawford (President) - Fellowship in Indigenous Leadership


Rebecca Crawford was acknowledged as an Emerging Leader for 2015-2016 by the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership. Rebecca was awarded the Fellowship to support her work contributing to the health of First Australians in Victoria through raising awareness to the importance of good oral health.

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2014: Rani Lawler (President) - Young Indigenous Allied Health Professional Award IAHA


The purpose of the Indigenous Allied Health Awards is to recognise the contribution of IAHA members to improving the health and well being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Rani Lawler’s award acknowledged her commitment to supporting communities through her work as a young Podiatrist.

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2016: Terori Hareko-Samios (Vice President) - Fellowship in Indigenous Leadership


Terori Hareko-Samios was acknowledged as an Emerging Leader for 2015-2016 by the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership. The Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership fosters leadership, providing exceptional people with the support they need to achieve their vision for their communities.

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2016: Lin Oke (Executive Officer) - IAHA Award Leadership


Lin Oke received a Commitment to Indigenous Health Award at the Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) Conference 2015. This was awarded to an individual who has demonstrated commitment and contribution to improving the health and well being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through allied health.

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2016: Steff Armstrong (Health and Education Consultant) - NAIDOC Award


In July 2016, Weenthunga’s Health and Education Consultant Stephanie Armstrong won the Bendigo NAIDOC Aboriginal Recognition Award and Skye Anderson, one of our Bendigo girls, won the Youth Award Steff was recognised for a range of valuable contributions to the Bendigo community. She has initiated a number of projects relating to connecting with and supporting First Australian senior secondary school girls, showcasing to them a range of health careers. She has spent a lot of time building relationships with key community members, families, local teachers and tertiary educators, fostering networking and collaboration in their work supporting the girls. Steff is a very strong advocate for working two ways - First Australians and Australians collaborating and sharing, learning from each other and together being more effective than on their own.

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2017: Steff Armstrong (Health and Education Consultant) & Weenthunga Health Network – LAN Award


Each year Aboriginal Victoria Department of Premier and Cabinet bring together local people who partcipate in their local network groups. The Local Aboriginal Networks (LAN) connect with many local groups to support development in 6 priority areas. At the state LAN (Local Aboriginal Networks) Forum held on the 22nd and 23rd November the “Weenthunga Girls Resilience Program” was recognised for their efforts to “support young people”. The award was a proud achievement to be recognised at a local and state level.

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