Healthy you, healthy Mob

Tash: Hey, Karina, it's so lovely to have you. Thank you for your time today.

Karina: Yeah, thanks, Tash.

Tash: Hey, it's a pleasure. So Karina, just a little quick introduction. Can you tell the people where you're from and what you do, please?

Karina: Yeah, hey, so I'm Karina. I'm Acting Clinical Services Manager. at the  LHD here in South East Sydney, but Barkindji mob, living off country and yeah, loving it here.

Tash: Amazing, amazing. And how long have you been doing the work that you're doing? I know it's been a while, but could you just share that number?

Karina: Yes, I've been a nurse for some time and have grown up in a family of nurses as well. And obviously they've also got their own health issues too. So, you know, me being able to manage 3 Aboriginal health programs at the minute, which I've been doing for about 18 months. You know, it's really, I guess, there's challenges, but it's really rewarding to actually see some of those changes in the outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Tash: Yeah, it's very important what you do. I've been very moved by what I'm hearing about this Challenge to Change. Would you be so kind to tell us about it? How important is a program like this in the community?

Karina: Look, I think it's really important. I think sometimes we know what we need to do, but hearing those messages several times, you know, before something finally sinks in and gives us the kick in the bum to actually do something as well. But also it's just that connection to other mob in the area as well and people being able to continue on with that. And I know certainly for me, not coming from Sydney, that it was a great way for me to be able to make new friends and connect with different services and stakeholders as well.

Tash: And is all the community involved or is it just a few, like is it just elders, there's young people, what's the age demographic?

Karina: Definitely the Challenge to Change, you know, all age groups can be a part of that depending on how different groups want to set that up, I guess.

Tash: And benefits, have they benefited from the program? Have you seen change?

Karina: Definitely seen change, for those people to access those services that they might not have otherwise, but then also, yeah, they're meeting new mob in community and the benefits of exercise and the physical activity groups that we've had.

Tash: It's really important, eh, because our bodies aren't meant to rest. Not yet.

Karina: Well sometimes it feels like we don't rest, yes.

Tash: You know, we've got to keep moving, you know, you've got to keep the blood flowing, you know, can't sit too long. It's so important, I believe that. I wholeheartedly believe it. And what message would you like to give to people out there that are interested in trying this? You know, what will convince me?

Karina: Yeah, definitely. have a crack. Prevention, I think, is better than cure in some places as well. As I sort of mentioned, my mum has number of chronic conditions, and it’s like, I don't want to be like that. When you're looking at someone who's early 70s and they talk about all the different appointments they have to go to, the medications and the cost of those, and it's just, I don't want to be like that. And, you know, want to, I guess, improve the health outcomes for mob for futures to come. So, yeah, get out there and for more information, like it's there, Healthy Mob New South Wales, there's heaps to find resources there too for supports.

Tash: And you heard that you fellas, go and search up Healthy Mob New South Wales. Karina, thank you so much for your time.

Karina: No worries, thanks Tash.

Tash: Well, Anthony, it's so great to have you. Thank you for tuning in with me this morning on this beautiful day.

Anthony: Yeah, no, it's good to join you, and I appreciate the time. Yeah, so thank you.

Tash: No problem, Anthony. Just tell us a little quick yarn, where you come from and what Country you're on. 'Cause I'm down here in Sydney on Gadigal Country. Where are you, mate?

Anthony: I'm on Bundjalung Widjabal Wiabal Country, and I've been here for a good 30 years. I'm a Gamilaroi man and I moved off Country back in the early 80s, so yeah, moved around a bit.

Tash: Yeah, you're in beautiful Country. I know, I've got an idea where you are up there in Bundjalung country. Yeah, beautiful, God's country, eh?

Anthony: Well, it is.

Tash: Anthony, would you be so kind to tell us about these amazing programs that you're on? I'm seeing that you're in health and you do some amazing challenges, would you be so kind to tell us what you're up to?

Anthony: Yeah, I've worked in health for a good 26 years. And over those years, I've been involved with a number of programs, but in particular, the Get Healthy service, which is a phone service, which now they've got Aboriginal workers working in there. So if you get referred to that or choose to be part of the program, they'll call you and they'll support you through what health challenges, what health changes you would like to make over that period, and that could be every week or every fortnight or every three weeks. So you make the program to suit yourself.

Tash: Yes, it sounds really rewarding. So tell us about the benefits this program has to the community and the youth. And elders too.

Anthony: Yeah, first of all, I like to test out programs. So when this program came out a number of years ago, I thought, oh, I'm gonna test this out before I actually refer our mob to the program. So I tested it out and I found it very beneficial. It helped me to stay on track with my goals, my health goals. And also, you know, that gave me direction into some other healthy choices because we don't know it all. And so I was able to learn different techniques and different ways of doing, whether it be cooking or food choices or setting goals. And they were very helpful. And you pick the time of day that you want them to call you. So they're flexible. And they're very supportive and they, you know, work with our youth, they work with the elders, they work with everyone in our mob.

Tash: You've got Get Healthy Service so you can talk to someone online and anywhere just to help you like them cravings, you know, and to try and get active. Also, it almost feels like they want to help you get motivated to take better care of yourself. So you did it on yourself first, just to make sure that that you can be like, all right, you fellas, this is legit. You can, if I can do it, you can do it.

Anthony: Yeah, I certainly did. And I found that it was very beneficial to myself and I, you know, I refer clients to it even, you know, I'm semi-retired and I'm still involved with healthy lifestyle programs and, you know, still refer people to the program itself. So you're not doing it by yourself and you're not in isolation. So I find the social and emotional wellbeing component of that program. You see a lot of, you know, our mob, they get together and they just wanna laugh.

Tash: It's healing.

Anthony: It's very healing, you know?

Tash: Yeah, and that's the beautiful thing. We have to start lifting each other up.

Anthony: Yeah, exactly. With the Get Healthy program, just say you finished, then you go a month and you think, Oh, I'm slipping back into my old habits again. Either get a professional to refer you to that program or you can refer yourself to the program and do another block where they can maybe instead of calling you more frequently they can span the calls out to maybe once a month just to keep you on track. So that's a good service.

Tash: Some tips and tricks before go. Google Healthy Mob New South Wales. I reckon they'll be able to find it because I went Googling earlier and it came up. It was amazing.

Anthony: They'll find those services that are available there and they'll find other services also.

Tash: Google Healthy Mob New South Wales. Thanks, Anthony, for your time.

Anthony: No, I appreciate that.

Tash: Look, my name's Tash. It's lovely to meet you. Could you just tell us who you are and where you come from and just let the people know?

Katrina: I'm a proud Gamilaroi woman from Walgett, New South Wales.

Tash: Awesome, awesome. I understand that you fellas up there are getting a bit of a healthier lifestyle, hey? I'm loving what I'm hearing. Can you share some stories about how important it is to be healthy?

Katrina: Yeah, I believe it's really important to be healthy. You know, I've been working with the youth up here in Bathurst and also with our Elders and getting them to come together to, you know, talk about, the Elders talk about their lifestyles, their health issues, and then try and get the youth on track to be able to change their lifestyle. That could be, you know, healthy eating. We've got a lot of kids out here who are mad on sport, rugby league especially, and hockey, so they want to keep fit and healthy and so we've just introduced a program to be able to get them to change their way of living a healthier lifestyle.

Tash: And what inspired you to get into community health programs?

Katrina: We were first originally nominating teams into a Knockout carnival. And I thought, you know what, there's more we could do with our mob, more we could do in our community. So I ended up applying for grants to be able to work with youth, Elders, anybody in my community who was Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, just to change their way of living and eating healthy.

Tash: Nice. I like that. Eating healthy is so important, isn't it? It's what you put in your gut, eh? Yeah, you don't realise it. I got a, there's a little yarn me and my best friend do and we like to, like, one thing I know about us is we love sugar. Sugar's a nasty part of the diet, the sweet tooth, you know. Being women, it's important to look after ourselves as well, you know. And do you have many, many younger women doing these kind of courses as well?

Katrina: Our age group is, we've got, the youngest is 1, and then our oldest is 70. So yeah, it's changed my way of thinking because I've lost, you know, my father to diabetes. My sister was, you know, struggling with her weight loss, with her weight. So we ended up getting onto this health challenge and being mentored by people in the community that was near us. But now I'll tell you how that's changed because my sister has lost so much weight. My sister didn't really go to the doctors and I said, Come on, let's get in to do some exercise. So I just spoke to them about the activities that they'd like to do. She loves aquarobics, so we go and do that at the pool. And we are still continuing that after our challenge has finished. So she's lost a lot of weight. She's been looking after her health.  

We hate cooking, so we take in turns and we go to each other's house to prepare meals. I just find that easier because we're all working and I'll say, right, you cook tonight, I'll cook tomorrow night. Yeah, we got to do heaps of things like we got to do walking, bootcamp, gym, aqua aerobics. We had people come in that have never walked in a gym, wouldn't know how to use the equipment. And now, even though they're complaining, we still rock up for each other every week. So it's been an amazing journey. But yeah, I think it's just the, you know, watching your family members pass away due to these health issues, you want to make a difference. And it has to start from our younger ones. And that's why I've chosen to work with youth in my community. We learn a different way. That's what we do. Yeah. And it's a different journey for us. So, you know, seeing the little rewards, the changes, and I mean, they just, the kids love fitness. And they're like, Aunty, that hurt me this week. But guess what? They still go back the following week. I just think it's a game changer and it's keeping kids engaged in school. 'Cause we want our kids to also finish their education, but we also want them to make changes because we know that when we grow up, the eldest sibling is always looking after the younger ones. So we're all there to help each other. And it's really nice because I got to do most of this with my children. So I got to spend time with them and one of the mothers actually said to me, she said, do you know what I like about your, I'll say health challenge, but yes, you know what I like about yours best is because I get to spend time with my daughter.

Tash: That's right. And confidence too is a big must. How's their wellbeing and confidence now?

Katrina: So it's been a really good experience for them as well. They've, engaged in school. They love it. They keep engaging.

Tash: And how important is it to stay active?

Katrina: Very. It's hard and it's a struggle, but you've got to stick to it. And while you're working with the youth, it's good to keep them at it and get it in their mindset to keep going.

Tash: That's so good. And discipline and consistency.

Katrina: Yes, definitely.

Tash: I bet you they're learning that, eh? And how have people been able to access other health services by participating in the programs?

Katrina: We've got Elders coming in, we've got health professionals coming in to talk to the girls about like, you know, the smoking, the vaping, the healthy eating, exercise.

Tash: Yeah, and we should be lifting, we should be helping each other out, lifting each other up as mob. Oh, thank you for your story. It was so beautiful. And everyone else out there, if you're interested also, Healthy Mob New South Wales, go and search it, Google it, Healthy Mob New South Wales, that'll lead you down the right track as well. Fabulous. Thank you for your time, Katrina.

Katrina: Thank you.