Residents in Aurukun will get the chance to focus on mind and body as part of the Aurukun Health Expo next week.
The expo will be held on Wednesday October 8 with a host of interactive, fun activities designed to promote positive health messages and help educate the community on health risks and the culturally safe care provided by Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.
This year’s message is “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Community” and the Expo is being supported by Aurukun Shire Council, Apunipima Cape York Health Council, AFL Cape York and the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA).
TCHHS Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Reece Griffin said the expo will include practical activities, health and wellness presentations by TCHHS staff and a cooking demonstration, while AFL and nutrition sessions will be delivered at the local school for students.
“We wanted to create an event that would really engage the community with hands-on experiences to share these important health messages,” he said.
“Improving health in our communities isn’t just about the delivery of clinical services, it is about helping educate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so they can make their own informed choices about their health and wellbeing.
“This event is designed to have something for people of all ages, from school students who can learn about the benefits of exercise and nutrition, through to our Elders.
“Unfortunately, we know there is a high burden of chronic disease in our communities, and we hope that events like these can be another way we can work towards our ultimate goal of Closing the Gap.
“We want to make this Expo a regular event on the calendar in Aurukun and would love to see as many of the community out there as possible.”
Aurukun Shire Council Deputy Mayor Craig Koomeeta has been a local champion of the Expo since its inception and said the event represented a great opportunity for residents to receive health advice in their own backyard.
“As a Council, we are proud to support this initiative,” he said.
“I really encourage the whole Aurukun community to get involved, because learning about our health and ways we can improve it is so important for our people.
“I congratulate TCHHS for putting this together, and I look forward to finding other opportunities to work together to improve health outcomes for the people of Aurukun.”
The Expo will run from 9am to 12pm outside the Island and Cape Supermarket with lunch served at 11am.
There will be opportunities to win prizes through a “passport system” where residents will receive stamps for each engagement activity, they take part in.