About Us
Where we are
The Nunyara Wellbeing Centre is located in Whyalla, where the outback meets the sea, on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, 410 kms from Adelaide. Whyalla is known for its red earth, seafood, University of SA campus, sunshine and sport as well as its iron and steel production.
The population of Whyalla is approximately 23,000; of that 690 are Aboriginal, making the proportion of Aboriginal people higher, per head of population, than Adelaide.
As well as the Bungala people, other South Australian family groups reside here including Nungas, Barngarla, Adnyamatharna and Kokatha; in addition to Western Australian groups such as Nyoongars, Yamitji, Wongatha; and groups from the top of South Australia/Northern Territory APY Lands (Anungu, Luritja), NSW, QLD, and Victoria.
History
Before Nunyara was established, there were only two Aboriginal Health Workers in Whyalla. The Centre was established in 2004 in response to access and equity issues raised in 1996 about Aboriginal health care in Whyalla and the overall appalling state of health in the broader Aboriginal community.
The National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
“Within the health system, the crucial mechanism for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is the availability of comprehensive primary health care services. Effective and appropriate primary health care services must be available to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These services must be adequately funded, have a skilled and appropriate workforce, be seen as a key element for the broader health system and maximise community ownership and control”
Other factors contributing to the need for the Nunyara Wellbeing Centre was the lack of Aboriginal Elders in Whyalla. 54% of the Aboriginal community in Whyalla are under 19 years of age and only 3% are aged over 60. This leaves few Elders to pass down cultural wisdom or to participate in community and health services as volunteers.
The Nunyara Wellbeing Centre was also established to integrate Indigenous holistic models of health care with western models, so that the benefits of both may assist the community.
Indigenous holistic models of health care are based on Indigenous understandings of health as the social, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing of the whole community in which each individual is able to achieve their full potential. It is a whole-of-life view and includes the cyclical concept of life-death-life.
Nunyara recognises the wide range of factors that impact on wellbeing including poverty, relationships and the environment, and we are working to strengthen the community’s capacity to manage their health and wellbeing more effectively.
Staff
CEO– Cindy Zbierski
Quality Programs Co-ordinator - Brenda Carter
Administration Co-ordinator - Kerry King
Clinical Support Officer - Rebecca Nielsen
Aboriginal Health Worker - Tineale Colson
Trainee Clinical Health Worker - Reginald Betts
AMIC workers– Sonia Beattie and Terry Brady
Transport Officer - Peter Griffin
Casual Worker - Devinia Binell
Board
Chairperson - Anita Taylor
Treasurer - Les Taylor
Secretary - Wilhemine Lieberwith
Staff Representative - Devinia Binell
Board Members
Jenny Dunn
Vivien Durkay
Sonia Champion
Nicole Carter
Rosemary Hillman
Anthony Hirschausen
Affiliations
AHCSA – Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia
The Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc is the peak body representing Aboriginal community controlled health and substance misuse services in South Australia and at a state and national level. The primary role of AHCSA is to be the health voice for all Aboriginal people in South Australia. AHCSA works with communities to ensure that governments and government departments clearly hear community needs, and act as an advocate over the provision of mainstream health services to ensure these are delivered in ways that are appropriate and accessible to Aboriginal people.
Telephone (08) 8132 6700
AHAC – Aboriginal Health Advisory Committee
The role of the Aboriginal Health Advisory Committee is to understand the health and well being needs of the Aboriginal communities within the Northern areas of South Australia, Country Health SA and to work closely with relevant service providers in identifying the highest health priorities and developing strategies for delivery in a culturally appropriate manner.
The Committee consists of Aboriginal representatives from Aboriginal communities situated in the Northern areas and these representatives meet regularly to share their collective knowledge and experiences to advise on matters relating to the improvement of Aboriginal health. In particular the members will:
- Provide strategic advice to ensure that Aboriginal health improvements are consistent with the priorities identified in the National, State, Country Health SA and local Health Service Plans
- Develop a joint understanding of the cultural issues facing Aboriginal health from a consumer and service provider perspective;
- Provide advice in relation to improving Aboriginal health outcomes;
- Identify issues that the Country Health SA and other agencies need to take into account in implementing health reform.
- To build understanding of the health and wellbeing needs of the Aboriginal communities within the Northern Areas.
- To advocate for the collective responses/solutions to issues raised at the local and regional level.
NACCHO – National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
NACCHO is Australia’s national peak body in Aboriginal health. It represents over 130 Aboriginal community controlled health services around Australia. The development of these services represent the most significant advance in Aboriginal health policy development over this last century.
Telephone (02) 6248 0644