Townsville Bulletin

Teaching health a headache

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ACCESSING resources to teach indigenous students about health issues has been described as an “uphill battle” by a Townsville high school support officer.

Oral Power, who is Ignatius Park College’s indigenous support officer, worked for Closing The Gap in Townsville for a year back in 2014.

Mr Power said there needed to be more education around health issues in schools.

“When I was working with Close The Gap, one of my jobs was to try and connect with the schools and getting Closing The Gap out there,” he said.

“But it was really hard for whatever reason.”

Mr Power said it was an uphill battle trying to obtain resources for education.

“My sons play a lot of football and when they play in the All Blacks Carnival or in Mur- ray Carnival, you can’t actually play unless you have had your 715 which is the indigenous health check,” he said.

“It’s really good. It would be a good idea to have it ( health education) rolled out.

“Time and money were the biggest issues for Closing The Gap and rolling it out across schools.”

Mr Power said many young indigenous people across Townsville were on dialysis.

“There is a shame factor because they don’t want to be different,” he said.

“Another thing is there’s a lot of different factions.

“If they had it in schools it would be a lot better.

“In primary school you would have to aim it at the parents whereas in high school you could aim it at the students.” DOMANII CAMERON

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 ?? Picture: SCOTT RADFORD- CHISHOLM ?? LEARNING: Ignatius Park students McKenzie Baker and Garrett Saylor.
Picture: SCOTT RADFORD- CHISHOLM LEARNING: Ignatius Park students McKenzie Baker and Garrett Saylor.

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