Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Limited ANNUAL REPORT 2024/2025 61 Funded by: Federal Dept of Social Services – National Indigenous Australians Agency NSW Health – Rural Doctors Network – Western NSW Primary Health Network Celebrating over 39 years of Service since 1986 3 Throughout the period and particularly in 2024, all DEG teams and Yuwaya Ngarrali partners conducted workshops to induct the new Elders Councillors to the work of DEG. YN building advisor Samantha Rich visited Walgett August 2024 to discuss DEG’s work to design and advocate for Elders supported accommodation, supported accommodation for children and young people, workforce housing and Galumali facilities. YN’s Peta MacGillivray reviewed the Two River Pathway to Change model for Youth Wellbeing Service and the Walgett Wellbeing Collaboration in November 2024, and YN’s Youth Justice Advisor updated the Elders Council on the day to day work she does with the Wellbeing and Community Responses leads to establish the new Galumali services. At its meeting of 4 October 2024 the Elders Council resolved to re-affirm the Yuwaya Ngarrali partnership with UNSW and in a subsequent statement welcomed the two new DEG services to be delivered from Galuma-li – new premises DEG purchased in 2024. Leadership renewal In July 2024 the DEG Leadership Team was established. Below left: Zoe Sands, Loretta Weatherall, Vanessa Hickey and Wendy Spencer. In October 2024 the Elders Council renewed its commitment to the Yuwaya Ngarrali partnership with UNSW. Below right: Sandra Suey-Thorne (Speaker), Elizabeth Williams (Secretary) Ricky Townsend (Treasurer), Margaret Pallister and Norma Kennedy (Elders Councillors), with mascot Muttley. 4 Elders’ support Above: Elders Support activities include fishing, On Country excursions, hospital visits, regional centre shopping trips, arts & crafts, movies and State Library of NSW ancestor-tracing workshops. During the period we continued a review of our service user needs. Left: Bingo in March 2025 being called by Kim Sullivan. Right: WAMS Elders Health session in March 2025 included a session from WAMS dietician Devanshi Gala on healthy eating. An important Elders trip was undertaken to witness the sitting of the Federal Court in Cobar August 2024 to recognise the Native Title of Wayilwan and Ngayiimbaa nations. This occasion was historic and a rare opportunity for Wayilwan and Ngayiimbaa DEG Members to meet others in their nations and consider the implications of native title. The travellers stopped for lunch in Bourke on their return. Elders Trips are regularly programmed. Left: In August 2024 a group attended a Carp muster being organised in Collarenebri. Right: WAMS Lou-Anne Brown distributed donations of PPE, insect repellent and other public health items for Elders to Peter Wright Elders Support Officer in October 2024
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