National Condom Day On Valentines Day (14 February) GRAMS hosted a successful National Condom Day event, promoting sexual health awareness and safe practices within the community. The event featured visiting providers Desert Blue Connect, Headspace, and WACHS Public Health, each with their own stalls and informational leaflets. GRAMS also had its own stall, providing information on safe sex, blood-borne viruses (BBVs), syphilis, and other STIs. A morning tea was provided by GRAMS and WACHS, creating a welcoming space for attendees to engage in discussions about sexual health. Many interested patients and clients collected free condoms and information leaflets, showing strong community engagement. A total of 21 surveys were completed, offering valuable insights into local sexual health awareness and needs. To encourage participation, a prize draw was held for survey participants. The event was well-received, reinforcing the importance of accessible sexual health education within our community. Staff First Aid Training It’s important to us at GRAMS that our staff participate in regular training and development. In February, all GRAMS’ staff attended St John of God First Aid training as part of their mandatory skills development every 3 years. Training was run over a number of days to ensure clinics continued to run. Everyone had a lot of fun this year and learnt necessary first aid skills to keep everyone at GRAMS happy and healthy. Events & Updates Stroke Focus Group In March, the GRAMS Community was invited to a morning tea and chat about the risks and signs of strokes. This session helped to empower our community in recognising the signs and symptoms of a stroke quickly, and to access culturally appropriate treatment. Around 10 people attended - thank you for joining us and we hope you learnt some useful information! Diabetes Yarning Session This session was held on two different days – Thursday, 27th of March and Friday, 28th of March – to accommodate more friends and family. Diabetes Yarning is a safe space where we yarn about diabetes, shared experiences, and learn together how to live well with diabetes. The sessions were held for anyone living with diabetes, their families, carers, and community members who want to learn more. Thanks to everyone who joined us over the two days. GRAMS2025 Quarter 1 Newsletter January – April Wrap Up
Child Health Day GRAMS Child Health Day took place on Tuesday 25 March and it was a wonderful event! From health checks to haircuts, our young guests enjoyed a variety of activities. Congratulations to those who won raffles and received gifts! We hope everyone who attended had as much fun as we did. Events & Updates Jordan Calvin – Youth Officer Where and what land group are you from? Born in Kalgoorlie, moved to Geraldton in 2006. Mum is Yamatji, Dad is Wongi. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I enjoy cooking. Favourite Food? Anything spicy Nickname? Fridge Danielle Riley – Youth Coordinator Where and what land group are you from? I am a Martu woman. What are your hobbies or interests outside of work? Spending time with my family and travel. What motivated you to join our team? The youth space is a good opportunity to make positive changes. Favourite food? Chicken curry Nickname? D Kaitland Kelly – Trainee Youth Offi cer Where and what land group are you from? Born in Midland, moved to Geraldton in 2018. What are your hobbies or interests outside of work? I like to paint. Why did you apply for youth officer? Have been volunteering for a while and it had gained my interest to join the team. Favourite food? Toast with vegemite and jam Nickname? Katwalk Below: Kaitland, Denielle, Jordan Youth Team New Staff
Cleaning Crew Mount Magnet Reception Jody Narrier - Cleaner Where and what land group are you from? From Geraldton, I am Yamatji/Wajarri woman. What are your hobbies or interest outside of work? Enjoy gardening and reading. What motivated you to join the team? Have been attending GRAMS for years, wanted to become a part of the team. April Walsh - Receptionist at Mt Magnet Clinic What are your hobbies or interests outside of work? I like to go out bush with the family and like to just relax and chill at home. I like to listen to Country music. What do you like most about working at GRAMS? I like working here at GRAMS in Mount Magnet because it’s really good. It’s always good to see smiling faces every day. It’s also good to have a yarn with the patients or just anyone who steps through the door. The staff here are amazing. No matter what, everyone here leaves with a smile and that is very rewarding to see. Lesley Dann – Cleaner Where and what land group are you from? From Geraldton, Yamatji/Wajarri woman. What are your hobbies and interest outside of work? Gardening, spending time with family. What motivated you to join our team? Wanted to get back into the workforce. Nickname? Tosha. Dental Health Team Aimee Paholski – Dental Assistant Where are you from? Originally from Queensland, Australia. What are your hobbies or interests outside of work? I like running and hanging with my soon to be 3-year-old son. What motivated you to join our team? A new adventure and new set of challenges for myself. Favourite food? Lasagne. New Staff Tackling Indigenous Smoking Team Leonie Grimm – TIS Educator Where and what land group are you from? Spend 19 years in the northwest (16 living in Wickham) before moving to Walkaway. This is my grandma/ mother’s country nee Callow. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I have 15 chickens, 3 dogs, 3 cats and 1 Axolotl. We grow our own fruit and vegetables. My son still lives in Karratha with my 2 grannies. Why did you apply for Youth Officer? I worked in the TIS team in Roebourne for 2 years before moving here. I enjoyed getting out and meeting our community. Favourite Food? I love most foods, but pasta is my favourite Below: Jody, Lesley
Save-the-dates! As we celebrate 50 incredible years of NAIDOC Week, we are excited to release our event calendar for 2025. We have some exciting events planned so keep an eye out for more information over the next month. Monday, 7th July Big Breakfast/Cake Cutting Thursday, 10th July NAIDOC Awards Dinner Saturday, 12th July NAIDOC Community Concert Community Recognition Award Do you know someone in your community who deserves to be recognised for one of these awards? Well now you can nominate! Nominees will be invites to attend the Geraldton NAIDOC Awards on Thursday 10th July 2025. Visit www.grams.asn.auto nominate and for more information! (Nominations close Friday, 23rd May 2025) For more information on any of our upcoming events or to book a spot, please call GRAMS on (08) 9956 6555. Nominate for the NAIDOC Awards! • Sportsperson of the year • Youth of the year • Scholar of the year • Elder of the year • GRAMS Board of Directors World Health Day is on the 7th of April. This day celebrates global health awareness to focus your attention on a specific health area each year. This year’s focus in on maternal and new-born health with the theme: Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures. Let’s support healthy pregnancies and births! For more information scan the QR code or visit: https://www.grams.asn.au/geraldton/services/ geraldton-maternal-health-care.aspx World Health Day NAIDOC Week THE NEXT GENERATION: STRENGTH, VISION, LEGACY David Batty – Previous Health Promotions Officer David was first employed as our Health Promotions Officer back in 2019, since then he has become a part of the family, not only within the organisation but apart of the Geraldton and surrounding community. Thanks to David’s endless efforts many of GRAMS events have come to live including: NAIDOC events, Elders Day, Men’s Health Day, FDV Training & awareness and many more. David thrives on a challenge and has done an amazing job with the development, implementation, and delivery of the We Can Together Men’s Brief Intervention Program that has excelled not just locally but all over Australia. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the dedication and hard work you have brought to GRAMS. You have made a significant impact, and your positive spirit will be greatly missed. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Thank you for everything David! Thank You & Farewell
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