Strategic Engagement - August 2025

This week, the staff of Country SA PHN joined communities across Australia in celebrating National NAIDOC Week 2025. As noted on the NAIDOC website, the week is a time to “to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”.

NAIDOC Week is not only a celebration but also an opportunity for reflection. It invites all Australians to learn from the strength, wisdom, and resilience of First Nations communities and to deepen our understanding of the rich and diverse cultures that have cared for this land for tens of thousands of years.

To mark the occasion, our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group hosted a morning tea for staff - a small but meaningful moment to come together in the spirit of respect, learning, and connection. The event featured a selection of teas, coffees and cookies made from Australian native ingredients, all from First Nations-owned businesses, offering everyone the chance to connect with culture through the simple act of sharing food.

The morning also included a NAIDOC Week quiz, designed to be light-hearted yet thought-provoking. Inspired by this year’s theme, “The Next Generation – Strength, Vision & Legacy,” the quiz celebrated remarkable First Nations Australians whose leadership, creativity, and determination continue to inspire future generations.

Reflecting on the event, staff member Helen Morley – care finder Program Lead shared, “I really liked today’s approach,” and noted that the event provided both meaning and learning.

While the quiz highlighted only a handful of these changemakers, we acknowledge the contributions of the countless Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who shape our communities, our industries, and our national identity. We encourage everyone to continue exploring and learning, not just during National NAIDOC Week—but all year round.

Country SA PHN’s Community Advisory Committees continue to meet regularly, discussing important ideas and initiatives across the region. Find out the latest from our Community Advisory Committees in the updates below.

Lower Eyre Local Health Cluster

In Port Lincoln, the Lower Eyre Local Health Cluster met on 23 June 2025, discussing local activities aligned to school-based wellbeing programs, dementia seminars, and the recently released Health Promotion Grant 2025-2026.

In exciting leadership development news, several Lower Eyre Local Health Cluster committee members recently participated in a governance course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mid North Local Health Cluster

Across in Orroroo, two University of South Australia Participatory Community Practice students (supported by the Mid North Local Health Cluster) engaged with the cluster in June 2025. The students presented on the work they had been involved in at Orroroo Area School in creating a student sensory space.

Barossa Local Health Cluster

Local community activities were on the agenda for the Barossa Local Health Cluster. Barossa Village CEO, Ben Hall, and Head of Marketing Bec Normington discussed these activities, as well as current and future planning.

For any enquiries around Country SA PHN’s Community Advisory Committees, please reach out to Country SA PHN’s Manager Community Collaborations on [email protected].

As we soon approach the announcement of Grant Round 3 recipients, the RHIF has retired our Facebook group, and transitioned across to our new RHIF Facebook page.

We’re excited to use this page to expand the engagement among the RHIF community, providing a platform on which groups and individuals, including RHIF Grant recipients, can share their successes.

In one of our recent posts on the RHIF Facebook page, we’re asking our followers: ‘What’s one thing your town does that boosts your wellbeing?’

We know that health and wellbeing is not just physical, it’s holistic, encompassing connection, purpose, and belonging. That’s why here at the RHIF we’re keen to celebrate the small things that make a big difference, and get our community talking about these successes, so we can all learn and grow together!

Let us know your thoughts and join in the conversation.

How are we promoting Innovation? We are reframing it with everyone’s input

RHIF can explore redefining innovation to reflect rural realities i.e.:

• Locally relevant and culturally safe solutions
• Adaptation of existing models to rural contexts
• Resourceful, relationship-based approaches. This inclusive lens ensures RHIF supports ideas that may not appear traditionally innovative but are transformational for the regional, local communities they serve.

How do you know that we are committed to improving? Round 3 Applicants have already assisted to support with such wonderful feedback

“We were really impressed by the detailed guidelines provided. It felt as though RHIF genuinely wanted to give every applicant the best chance to be successful. The clarity and comprehensiveness of the documentation were amongst the best we’ve encountered.

We found the grant toolkit to be helpful in guiding our responses and aligning them with what assessors may be looking for. The toolkit helped us structure our answers as effectively as possible.” Rural Doctors Foundation Ltd; and

 “The overall process was great. ...

The process this year was better than the previous round, where it felt like I was repeating myself in a couple of questions. The guidelines were very clear, and there was also the option to call and speak to a person for clarification” Kim Blenkiron (EO); WoTL Women Together Learning

Our successful Round 3 Recipients will be notified shortly. We look forward to supporting, sharing and collaborating with you to ensure your activities create positive health and wellbeing outcomes for country South Australian communities. We also thank all those who thought of ways to support their communities and took the time to apply for a RHIF Grant.

Contact [email protected], and jump on board. The future becomes brighter each time we welcome such committed and driven contributors to health and wellbeing outcomes.