Nidjalla Waangan Mia staff are closing the gap

NWM was established by GP down south in 2010 to help meet the needs of the local Aboriginal community.

“It is about closing the gap of health, life expectancy and health outcomes for Aboriginal people, because Aboriginal people’s life expectancy is a lot lower than non-Aboriginal,” said NWM staff member Kerry Beake.

Oxfam Australia reports that Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people are expected to live 10-17 fewer years than non-Aboriginals.

NWM does a lot of work, through its different programs, on reducing this gap and improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Peel region.

GP Down South chief Amanda Poller stressed the important work NWM does for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people of the Peel region.  

“NWM delivers a range of programs including health awareness to assist the community in its health (both physical and mental) needs,” she said. 

“As part of Close the Gap Day, we focus on the importance of our services and the long term health of every community member”. 

“We invited people from Peel Health Campus and community, and we had kangaroo sausages,” said Ms Beake.

Community members toured the facilities, met the team who supports them, and got a feel for the work the team does.

Afterwards, community and staff from NWM and Peel Health Campus joined local elders, including Franklin Nannup, George Walley and Peter Humes, for a barbecue.

NWM has a range of services including a nurse-lead clinic, a maternity group practice program, care coordination and supplementary services program and an outreach worker.

The centre also offers podiatry clinics, diabetes education and visiting specialists. 

Through its weekly art program, this provides members of the community with emotional support that is essential to their mental health. 

NWM is available to any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in the Peel Region. 

For further information visit gpdownsouth.com.au or call 9586 4580.