Footy fun for an important cause

Local indigenous families can enjoy footy fun, free food and coffee, giveaways and community connection during a health promotion in Drouin tomorrow.

West Gippsland Healthcare Group is running the community day from noon to 3pm at Drouin Recreation Reserve to chat about cancer screening.

Aboriginal community health nurse Tracey Stephens said the aim of the day was to promote and educate the community in cervical, bowel and breast cancer screenings.

“It is important for anyone to get cancer screening, but for our mob this is important because sometimes it is hard to talk to someone about men’s and women’s business,” Ms Stephens said.

“This will allow our Aboriginal health workers to get around community, promote and educate the importance, and how it is actually done.”

Specifically, Ms Stephens will be ensuring the community understand changes to cervical screenings as well as educating where cancer screenings can be done.

“We are here to help with bookings, follow up if needed and also a good opportunity to show that we now have a community health nurse,” she said.

Ms Stephens said the day promised a fun three hours and a chance to connect with community, with AFL Gippsland providing footy activities for kids in the school holidays and parents able to have a break with free food and coffee from a food truck.

In addition, meat and veggie packs can be won, kids giveaways will be conducted, and masks and RAT kits will be available.

The community day is funded by a grant through Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) to provide health promotion in cancer screening.

“Come along and enjoy the activities and connect with community,” Ms Stephens said.