On June 28, the North Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU) hosted the highly anticipated NEPHU Presents: Healthy Together North East Showcase at the Broadmeadows Town Hall.
The event aimed to celebrate and promote public health initiatives across the catchment area and was a resounding success, attracting over 120 individuals from diverse community organisations and partnering networks. The event was masterfully hosted by Joanne Kenny, whose engaging presence ensured the day ran smoothly.
Dr Todd Fernando, NEPHU Director and the first keynote speaker, opened the event with a powerful address. Dr Fernando, a central figure in advancing social justice and policy in Australia, is a descendant of the Kalarie Peoples of the Wiradjuri Nation and identifies as queer. Dr Fernando’s presentation, enriched by his unique perspective on the intersection of queer Indigenous identities and health, emphasised the importance of inclusive and equitable health practices. His insights set the stage for the day’s discussions and highlighted the critical role of community engagement and bringing your own authentic voice and journey to public health practice.
Following Dr Fernando, A/Prof Rachel Laws delivered the second keynote speech. An Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, A/Prof Laws’ research focuses on scalable approaches to promoting nutrition in the first 2,000 days of life.
Her presentation underscored the significant impact of early-life nutrition on long-term health outcomes and the importance of evidence-based interventions and health economics to show the value of programs
Dr Annaliese van Diemen, our third esteemed keynote speaker, focused on the critical importance of health equity and the need to address the social determinants of health and that in in the face of many global and local challenges we are stronger as working in partnership to achieve change. Her thought-provoking discussion underscored the necessity of creating inclusive health policies that cater to the diverse needs of the community, sparking lively discussions among attendees.
Breakout sessions
The showcase also featured an array of informative breakout sessions, providing a platform for attendees to delve deeper into specific public health projects and initiatives.
A total of 19 different organisations from across the state were given the opportunity to present their work and discuss their programs in a smaller group format – allowing the audience to ask questions and discuss issues in an intimate setting.
These sessions highlighted impactful projects from various organisations, each contributing to the overarching goal of improving community health.
Included in those presentations were Sexual Health Victoria discussing their innovative approaches to sexual health education and outreach. Your Community Health also shared their experiences and successes in delivering comprehensive health services to marginalised populations, as the Food for Health Alliance provided insights into the need for advocacy across the sector and region.
At the event, was the unveiling of an artwork by Rubii Red, a proud Lama Lama artist based in Melbourne. Titled The Gathering, the artwork visually represents NEPHU’s strong connection to the various communities it serves. The prominent larger circles symbolise the various communities linked together by intricate line work, both inside and outside the circles, indicating a dynamic and ever-growing network of connections.
Bringing ideas together
The event also included a networking segment, allowing attendees to connect, share ideas, and explore potential collaborations. This segment fostered a spirit of unity and collective action, reinforcing NEPHU’s commitment to building strong partnerships for better health outcomes.
Throughout the event, Graphic Recorder and Illustrator Debbie Wood was documenting every step of the way. As seen in the image below, Debbie’s artworks created a stunning visual representation of the event, the themes, and the key learnings throughout the event.
The “Healthy Together North East Showcase” underscored NEPHU’s role as a catalyst for positive change in the public health landscape. The event not only celebrated the achievements of existing programmes but also inspired new ideas and partnerships to further advance public health goals.
