Mr SETTER - 1995-08-23
I have heard on the grapevine that one of the Territory's Aboriginal health programs will be highlighted at a United Nations conference in the near future. What are the details of that particular program and what is to occur?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a program that all Territorians should be proud of. The program, which was developed by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people, is called Strong Women, Strong Babies, Strong Culture. It will feature at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women to be held in one week's time in Beijing. An Aboriginal lady whom I have known for many years, Lorna Fejo, herself a grandmother, is to be given the opportunity to highlight the program and its benefits to Territorians. That conference will see the participation of 10 000 or more women who are converging on Beijing now.
The program was initiated in 1993. It has been trialed in 3 separate communities with such enormous success that, not only will it be expanded immediately to more communities in the Northern Territory but the message about the program has gone out around the rest of the country. In fact, I believe Lorna Fejo was asked to brief the federal and state health ministers recently in Alice Springs.
Mr Reed: Yes, she was - and, indeed, did it very well.
Mr FINCH: Lorna was telling me the other day, when she was briefing me on the program, that she feels quite flattered by the international calls that she receives these days. Inquiries come, not only from right around Australia but also from overseas, for her to explain what the program is all about. Lorna Fejo is a very unassuming and modest lady, but one who is obviously very proud of her achievements. As she said to me, who would have thought, in the days when she was cleaning floors for a living, that one day she would be elevated to her present position. However, anyone who knows Lorna Fejo and her spirit would never have had any doubt.
The program is all about improving the health of babies, both before and after birth. The problem Aboriginal women identified was that many of their babies were being born too small and were failing to thrive after birth because of anaemia and all sorts of other problems. The program covers areas such as nutrition. It is all about self-support. In my view, the important ingredient in the program is the level of community ownership. The women involved in the program are very supportive of each other. This excellent program is culturally appropriate. It was generated by Territorians for Territorians. Now, through Lorna Fejo, the program will receive international exposure. Not only will this bring accolades to these Territorian women but, and more importantly, it will give people in other parts of the world the opportunity to participate in a very practical and very appropriate program that achieves results.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a program that all Territorians should be proud of. The program, which was developed by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people, is called Strong Women, Strong Babies, Strong Culture. It will feature at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women to be held in one week's time in Beijing. An Aboriginal lady whom I have known for many years, Lorna Fejo, herself a grandmother, is to be given the opportunity to highlight the program and its benefits to Territorians. That conference will see the participation of 10 000 or more women who are converging on Beijing now.
The program was initiated in 1993. It has been trialed in 3 separate communities with such enormous success that, not only will it be expanded immediately to more communities in the Northern Territory but the message about the program has gone out around the rest of the country. In fact, I believe Lorna Fejo was asked to brief the federal and state health ministers recently in Alice Springs.
Mr Reed: Yes, she was - and, indeed, did it very well.
Mr FINCH: Lorna was telling me the other day, when she was briefing me on the program, that she feels quite flattered by the international calls that she receives these days. Inquiries come, not only from right around Australia but also from overseas, for her to explain what the program is all about. Lorna Fejo is a very unassuming and modest lady, but one who is obviously very proud of her achievements. As she said to me, who would have thought, in the days when she was cleaning floors for a living, that one day she would be elevated to her present position. However, anyone who knows Lorna Fejo and her spirit would never have had any doubt.
The program is all about improving the health of babies, both before and after birth. The problem Aboriginal women identified was that many of their babies were being born too small and were failing to thrive after birth because of anaemia and all sorts of other problems. The program covers areas such as nutrition. It is all about self-support. In my view, the important ingredient in the program is the level of community ownership. The women involved in the program are very supportive of each other. This excellent program is culturally appropriate. It was generated by Territorians for Territorians. Now, through Lorna Fejo, the program will receive international exposure. Not only will this bring accolades to these Territorian women but, and more importantly, it will give people in other parts of the world the opportunity to participate in a very practical and very appropriate program that achieves results.
Page 767
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016