A Taylors Lakes medical centre and the University of Melbourne have joined forces with a Wurundjeri elder to help Brimbank’s indigenous families.
With an important Closing the Gap event coming up at Wyperfeld Clinic this week, the centre wants to highlight the high rate of diabetes and other specific health issues of indigenous Australians, with Aunty Diane Kerr speaking up as a “cultural mentor”.
It’s a small trial, part of a wider intervention project called Ways of Thinking and Ways of Doing, which is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Star Weekly reported earlier this year that putting healthy food on the table is one of the biggest issues for Aboriginal families living in Brimbank, the Closing the Gap in North Western Melbourne information paper 2015 identified.
University of Melbourne senior research fellow Phyllis Min-Yu Lau said the 2011 census identified more than 700 local Aboriginals living locally, but said this seemed “very low” .
“That figure is very under represented,” she said.
“We would like people to know that Wyperfeld Clinic is open and available to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.”
The Closing the Gap event is on Friday, April 8, 9-11am. There will be a healthy brunch, information from Diabetes Australia Victoria and nutritional advice. Details: 9390 2400.
