News Archive

The Poche Centres for Indigenous Health held their annual National Network Meeting and Poche Key Thinkers Forum in Darwin from 9-11 July.  Funded by the generous donation of Greg Poche and Kay Poche, there are now Poche Centres at the University of Sydney, Flinders University (Adelaide and Alice Springs), the University of Western Australia and the University of Melbourne.

The Meeting brought together Kay Poche, Reg Richardson AM, Dr Tom Calma AM, the Poche Centre Directors, staff and students, as well as Medical Deans and senior University representatives. UWA delegates included the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health and Medical Research) Professor John Challis, Professor Dawn Bessarab, Director of CAMDH and Professor Jill Milroy, Dean School of Indigenous Studies and Acting Director of Poche UWA.  The meeting was a fantastic opportunity for delegates to share their work and ideas and discuss key strategies for improving Aboriginal health through the Poche Centres.

Following the Network meeting was The Poche Key Thinkers Forum, at Charles Darwin University on the topic: “Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and other substance use: what’s the evidence, what’s working, what’s not, what are the issues and opportunities for the future?”

Chaired by Dr Tom Calma AO, the forum featured a panel of experts in the field and attracted researchers, policy makers and practitioners from health, government, universities and community organisations. Professor Pat Dudgeon, representing the UWA Poche Centre spoke on Indigenous suicide prevention strategies and empowerment programs.

Media references

Professor Pat Dudgeon (UWA School of Indigenous Studies )

(+61 8)  6488 6927  /  (+61 4) 22 615 003