BULLINAH ABORIGINAL
HEALTH SERVICE
ABORIGINAL
CORPORATION
ANNUAL REPORT
2013
BULLINAH ABORIGINAL HEALTH SERVICE
ABORIGINAL CORPORATION
2012 / 2013 ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5
Organisational Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6
Chairperson’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7
Board of Director’s Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9
Chief Executive Officer Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12
Practice Manager Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15
Finance & Administration Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 23
Tackling Smoking & Healthy Lifestyle Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 25
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Attached
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BULLINAH ABORIGINAL
HEALTH SERVICE
About Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service
“Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service is an Aboriginal
community controlled primary health care service that has
been initiated by the local Aboriginal community to deliver
holistic and culturally appropriate health care to people
within the Ballina, Byron Bay, Evans Head, Cabbage Tree
Island, Wollongbar and surrounding region. The estimated
Aboriginal population in Ballina and the adjacent area is
2,500 people of which 40% would be 14 years or younger.
It is also estimated that for this region only 6% of the local
Aboriginal population are over 55 years old compared with
29% of the entire population.
Bullinah was incorporated on the 6th June 2010 and was
independently funded by OATSIH as from 1st October 2010.
Our target population
Bullinah provides a range of health services to:

 Aboriginal people in Ballina and surrounding communities.
Any non-Aboriginal partners of Aboriginal people, or parents of Aboriginal
children.
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VALUES
We acknowledge and respect our individual community members.
We value, recognise and acknowledge Board and staff as individuals and together as a
team. Bullinah operates as a community controlled organisation with respect, passion
and commitment; we achieve this through:
Cultural Recognition
We will promote flexible models of care that acknowledge the impact of culture and
relationships.
We will maintain a welcoming environment that recognises diversity.
Holistic
We will apply a holistic approach that recognises all the potential influences on
individual health and wellbeing.
Our communities
We value and work with our communities.
Partnership
We will develop partnerships, and work closely with other agencies to ensure the best
possible care and outcomes for communities.
Professional responsibility
We will deliver the highest possible standards of care with a commitment to:

Quality

Sustainability

Integrity

Ethics

Trust

Respect

Transparency

Accountability
Wellbeing through employment
We recognise that employment has a major influence on health and wellbeing and are
committed to creating opportunities for Aboriginal employment within Bullinah.
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VISION
Better Goori Health
PURPOSE STATEMENT
Working together with our communities for better
health and wellbeing.
GOAL
Bullinah, as a lead Aboriginal organisation will
deliver comprehensive health and wellbeing
services acknowledging cultural obligations and
relationships.
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Members
Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service
Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service
Board of Management
CEO
Coordinator
Tackling Smoking &
Healthy Lifestyle
Program
Tackling Smoking & Healthy
Lifestyle Program


Healthy Lifestyle
Workers
Tobacco Action
Workers
Practice Manager
Finance/HR
Clinical Branch
Administration Support
General Practice and
Outreach
Ballina and Cabbage Tree Island
New Directions—Child and
Maternal Health Program




Reception

GP’s

Nursing Staff


Aboriginal Health Workers

Counsellor




6
Reception
GP
Child and Maternal
Health Nurse
Aboriginal Health
Workers
Allied Health/Programs
Child Psychologist
Speech Therapist
Paediatrician
Allied
Health/programs:
Allied
Health/programs:




Podiatrist
Psychologists
Dietician
Eye testing
program
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Firstly I would like to acknowledge the ongoing dedication and commitment of the
Directors of 2013 who have given many voluntary hours to ensure Bullinah Aboriginal
Health Service continues on its pathway to an Aboriginal Health Service of excellence.
I appreciate that the work of the Board of Directors can be somewhat invisible in an
organisation, particularly to our members and community, so I take this opportunity to
highlight the key events and achievements that the Board has realised, with the ongoing
support and assistance of the CEO and staff.
Key achievements include:
Policy Development
The Board has successfully workshopped and developed a Board of Governance
Manual and Delegations of Authority Policy that will now strengthen governance
and the distribution of authority in the organisation. There have also been a few
other policies developed and approved by the Board through the year. This work is
critical to proper and effective governing and management and the need to continue
this will be ongoing.

Progress of the Organisational Health Check report
The Board has developed and endorsed an Action Plan to further this major piece of
work to enhance and improve the organisation’s culture. There have been some
actions undertaken at a Board level; however there are a number of actions that will
be key business for 2014 to progress.
Key events include:
Participation in the Partnership Agreement with Northern NSW Local Health
District, Bulgar Ngaru AMS, Casino AMS and North Coast Medicare Local.

Active involvement at the NSW Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council
meetings to ensure Bullinah is well networked and visible within the Aboriginal
Health peak network.

Sponsored by North Coast GP Training to attend the Aboriginal Educators and
Mentors Conference held by GP Education and Training.
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Not withstanding all of the great work achieved this year, there are still opportunities
for further improvement and in 2014 it is anticipated the Board will:
Consult broadly for a review of the Strategic Plan and our Vision to ensure it aligns
with the current position and direction ahead for Bullinah

Continue to improve communication to our staff, members and community on key
items that may occur in Bullinah.

Look at a suitable venue with the aim to have all our Ballina services together whilst
meeting our planned growth needs in the years to come.
Lastly I would like to acknowledge the ongoing dedication of the Bullinah Aboriginal
Health staff. Your delivery of services to our community is vitally important and valued.
I am also very proud of the increased presence of our young people working in the
organisation, which to me, shows a solid platform for the future of Bullinah.
Kylie Coldwell
Chairperson
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROFILE
Kylie Coldwell
Kylie is a Bundjalung woman. Kylie’s interests are Aboriginal community governance,
social and economic advancement for our people and ensuring our children and young
people are afforded the best opportunities for a fulfilling life.
Anthony Paden
I am a Bundjalung man who has been a Board of Director of Bullinah since November
2013. I am also a Board of Director at Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council. I have been
involved with the local Aboriginal Community all my life and I am a member of a well
know and respected family.
Nancy Walke
I am a Bundjalung woman who comes from the first group of people
to settle on Cabbage Tree Island. My grandfather was Benjamin Bolt. I have spent many
years working in “Health” areas of various kinds and I am passionate about Aboriginal
people being able to access as wide a range and type of health service as possible. We
have set the basis of a friendly and efficient health service that will grow.
Wendy Knight – Resigned April 2013
As a proud Gamilaroi woman who has lived on Bundjalung land for nearly 30 years, I
have strong ties with the local community and actively participate in community events
in both my capacity as a community member and Community Services employee. I am a
regional and state representative on a number of working/focus groups who work
towards improving the health, safety of children and young people improve housing,
education and health services for our families and community as a whole. Through the
Bullinah Board I am able to advocate for the promotion, development and expansion of
the provision of health and well being services through local ACCHSs/AMSs to better
service our community.
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Veronica Williams
I am a Bundjalung/Birri Gubba woman whose mother was raised on Cabbage Tree
Island. I am privileged to be involved in the local community. Aboriginal health has
always been an interest of mine and all other aspects of aboriginal affairs. I have a
strong sense of community values and it will be rewarding to be a part of the next phase
of the Bullinah Health Service.
Tammy Kapeen – Resigned April 2013
I am a proud Worimi woman from Karuah NSW. I have three children who I love dearly
and have been living in Bundjalung country since I was 11 years old so I am very lucky
to have two homes. I love working in the Aboriginal community and being part of
Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service so we can have a healthy community. “Don’t get too
busy making a living – you forget to have a life”.
Nita Roberts
I am a proud Bundjalung woman, born at the local hospital in Ballina and raised at
Cabbage Tree Island. I have a very rewarding and productive role of working for an
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and I am pro-active in education issues
for Aboriginal people via the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. This has
provided me with a solid foundation base that values our cultural identity,
responsibilities and obligations.
Denise Duroux
Bundjalung woman. Born in Ballina and raised on Cabbage Tree Island, Lismore and
Boundary Creek. I worked for over 20 years in the Commonwealth (Australian) Public
Service. I have 2 children and 8 grandchildren. I am currently raising 4 of these
grandchildren.
Healthy bodies, healthy minds make for a respectful and caring
Aboriginal Community and a positive future.
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Lenkunyar Hickling
I am Lenkunyar Roberts-Hickling I am a Bundjalung and Gumilaroi Women, I am a very
active member of the Cabbage Tree Island and Ballina Community. I am also
acknowledged by the community as an active member. I am heavily involved in our
local Aboriginal associations/community organisation.
Being apart of these organisations we are entrusted to deal with all matters respectfully
and I believe I conduct myself and the decisions I make with dignity. I strongly believe
whilst holding these positions my community see me as a trust worthy person and I am
privileged in gaining respect from my peers and the community as a whole.
Nathan Jacky
Nathan’s a Bundjalung and Dunghutti man, raised on Cabbage Tree Island. Nathan’s
interest lay in culture, environmental protection and conservation and men’s health and
wellbeing.
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation as an Aboriginal Community
Controlled Health Service operates under the following philosophy as identified in the
National Aboriginal Health Strategy 1989 “Aboriginal Health is not just the physical well being of an individual but is a social,
emotional and cultural well being of the whole community in which each individual is
able to achieve their full potential thereby bringing about the total well being of their
Community. It is a whole-of-life service and includes the cyclical concept of life-deathlife”
The definition of an Aboriginal Community Control Health Service is a primary health
care service initiated by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to
deliver holistic and culturally appropriate health care to people within their respective
community.
The 2012/2013 financial year was the second year that Bullinah Aboriginal Health
Service Aboriginal Corporation has operated as an Independent Aboriginal Community
Controlled Health Service. We provided primary health care services to the local and
surrounding Aboriginal communities through our base clinic in Ballina, our outreach
clinic at Cabbage Tree Island and for part of the year at Byron Bay. We also provided
Maternal and Child Health services through our part time Mum’s and Bub’s Program
delivered out of our 113 Tamar St premises.
Our Regional Tackling Smoking and Healthy Lifestyle Program became fully functional
throughout this year with all positions being filled and numerous regional activities
conducted across the Northern Rivers region.
From January 2013 we moved to an independent Patient database with our separation
from the previous arrangement with the Northern Rivers General Practice Network
(Medicare Local) which was in place since Bullinah Aboriginal health Service’s
inception. This will allow us to have more timely and precise data on all our clinical
service delivery.
In this financial year the Board of Director’s initiated action to engage an external
Management consultant to undertake an Organisation Health Check of the organisation.
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An Organisational Health Check gauges the ability of an organisation to achieve its
overall strategic objectives by enhancing organisational performance while supporting
employee health, satisfaction and overall well being. It is a means of assessing and
improving organisational performance and covers both the improvement of
organisation performance and employee satisfaction. Both the Board of Director’s and
staff were consulted as part of the process and a formal Organisational Health Check
Action Plan was developed from the Consultants recommendations for implementation
in the 2013/ 2014 financial year.
In relation to representation and advocacy, Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service
continues participates as an active member of both our Sector’s National peak body –
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the State
peak body – Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC). The major focus
of both these peak bodies has been is to assist the Sector in improving Governance
practices. Bullinah is also a member of the Many Rivers AMS Health Alliance which is a
regional forum comprising the eight Aboriginal Medical Services from Taree / Forster in
the South, Inverell to the West and to Casino / Ballina in the North. Through this
Alliance we also have an affiliation with the North Coast Medicare Local as the many
rivers AMS Health Alliance was one of the founding members of this new organisation.
Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service along with the other Aboriginal Medical Services in
the Northern Rivers was a signatory to an interim Partnership Agreement with the
Northern Rivers Local Health District.
Our Auditor has identified that Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal
Corporation has finished the 2012/2013 financial year in a very sound financial
position which is an acknowledgement for the good financial management practices
that we have implemented and maintained.
I would like to acknowledge the contribution and dedicated work of all our service
delivery staff. Working in primary health care filed can be very sensitive, stressful and
unforgiving but is always rewarding as we make gains in improving the health and well
being of our local Aboriginal community. The service delivery staff has been supported
well by the administrative arm of the organisation. This support is integral to ensuring
optimum outcomes are achieved for our clients.
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I would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication to our Health Service by all
our external service delivery contractors i.e. Doctors, Allied Health staff, Visiting
Medical Specialists, Counsellors etc. as without their support and contribution we
would not be able to operate as a comprehensive primary care service provider.
I would like to acknowledge the Bullinah Board of Directors for their ongoing support
throughout the year for all staff and for the direction and leadership that they have
given the organisation. I would also like to acknowledge the support and work of my
colleagues on the Bullinah Management Team.
In closing, again I would like to thank the local Aboriginal community members for their
support, tolerance and continued use of our services and facilities. Bullinah Aboriginal
health Service is fully aware that we must strive to improve the level of our service
delivery to ensure we are meeting the community’s health needs and that we also have
a role in empowering our community to take a more active role in addressing their own
health needs through health education and promotion.
Mark Moore
Chief Executive Officer
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PRACTICE MANAGER REPORT
This year saw a variety of changes within Bullinah AHS. Once again we were able to
witness a great team of staff dedicated to the health and wellbeing of this community.
Unfortunately though there were a lot of changes to our staffing and I congratulate the
remaining staff who stepped up and shared the work load. Everyone stepped into roles
outside their normal duties to keep Bullinah's doors open.
I congratulate the staff and see ‘each and everyone’ of you as champions. The roll on
effect of this staff shortage was that we were not able to attend as many functions
outside of Bullinah, however every attempt was made to connect to Community
wherever possible. We continue to foster a best practice model of care and our amazing
team of highly skilled professionals are striving to combat the many chronic health
conditions that still remain a concern with many of our clients.
The New Directions Project has floated along. Dr Jodie Stevenson left us and moved on
to Brisbane. Renee our Child and Family Nurse returned to New Zealand to have a new
baby and Dottie our Aboriginal Health Worker has moved to be with family. Our
wonderful receptionist in this program continued on with the Yoga and Mums group,
the Smiles not Tears program and continued to liaise with the AMIS staff around our
antenatal women and was able to respond to any concerns. Whitney has since
commenced her Certificate 3 to become a Health Worker and will graduate at the end
of this year. Our new year sees a team formed and we welcome these staff to continue
this valuable work with our families.
Once again Bullinah has been involved with many projects, as well as participated in
several heath promotion activities including the ‘ Chronic Care for Aboriginal People
Program’ that is funded through NSW Health. This program continues to run for 6
week blocks, four times a year and alternates between Cabbage Tree Island and Ballina.
We will continue to work in partnership with Community Health as it is vital for the
success of their program and maintaining health outcomes for some of our clients.
Other projects have included Mammogram days for at risk clients, Body Amour, Our
Men’s Group and Healthy Kids Check Days.
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Liam our Outreach Nurse, continues to go to Cabbage Tree School weekly to monitor the
children’s health . We continue to service Jail Health Post and have employed Lawraye
as our new receptionist.
Bullinah continually strives to make sure we have doctors attending on a Monday and
Thursday for the people of this community. I would like to thank Dr Francesca O’Neill
for her continued dedication to the Community. Our Outreach at Byron Bay has been
serviced by Dr Katie Haynes and Barry on a Wednesday morning and they work to
address the health needs of clients at Byron Bay and the surrounding areas. We were
fortunate to have Ben Hill from Wollongong University with us for his twelve month
medical placement. He thoroughly enjoyed his time with our service and we thank him
for his contributions to our Otitis Media project. We will continue to host students from
Wollongong University and Western Sydney University in 2013- 2014.
Our commitment to quality improvement in healthcare was evident with staff working
tirelessly towards our AGPAL Accreditation . An Accreditation is an essential
component for Medicare funding and ensures that we are committed to delivering
quality healthcare. During this year, staff worked hard to ensure that our policies and
procedures were in place, as well as defining roles to maintain best practice and quality
service. Our team will continue to enhance these policies and maintain a commitment
to ongoing Accreditation. Our work with the improvement foundation continued and
we were able to work with Medicare Local in the program ‘Ear Health and
Improvement’ . Bullinah had been chosen as one of four sites and we were able to assist
to roll out the ear health guidelines. We hope to continue this valuable work once we
are able to recruit staff in a chronic care role. Funding through the Qumax program
began and many of our clients now receive free Webster packing through their local
chemist.
One of the challenges this year have obviously been around staff retention, however the
new year will see appropriately qualified staff recruited and trained up to continue our
vital role in the community.
As we continue to grow we once again see the issue of space continue to cause some
concern however strict room allocations and rostering seem to be helping at this time.
The following graphs give us some indications of how we are going with our 715 health
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checks and GP Management Plans and identify areas that we can improve on. Moreover,
there is a clear indication from these statistics, that Bullinah indeed needs more Chronic
Care Positions to ensure that the health of the Community continues . In addition, the
number of children immunised within our service is indeed high in relation to the rest
of NSW and we continually get better at servicing our antenatal clients.
I wish to thank the community and the staff for allowing me the privilege to work in
such a wonderful community and within such an enthusiastic team , where we similarly
share the belief that together we can make a difference to the ‘ Health and Wellbeing’ of
this Community.
Marilyn Bailey
Practice Manager
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FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION REPORT
Finance Report
Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service received funding from two government bodies
being:1. Office of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
$681 676 for the Primary Health Care Project and $207 876 for the New
Directions - Child & Maternal Health Project, (know as Mums & Bubs (M&B)
within Bullinah)
2. Commonwealth Government
$821 066 for the Tackling Smoking and Healthy Lifestyle Project
The Primary Health Care (PHC) and New Directions (M&B) funding is recurrent under a
Multi Year Funding Agreement until June 2014. Both projects were delivered very close
to the annual budget with PHC fully expended and M&B underspent by $7 600.
The Tackling Smoking and Healthy Lifestyle Project had a large carry forward figure of
$427 800 to expend in addition to the 2012-13 funding. This project is funded until June
2014 and was underspent by $464 700.
The self generated funds increased considerably with a net profit of $114 300 for the
year. Some funds were allocated from the self generated budget to staff wages and for
specific programs and events to compliment the funded projects. A significant sum of
funds has been deposited into a high interest performing bank account.
Bullinah also received grants from the NSW Rural Doctors Network to provide medical
specialist’s services for outreach programs; these include a Social Worker, male nurse at
Cabbage Tree Island Health Post, Paediatrician and General Physician. This funding has
been allocated again for the 2013/14 years.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia provided Bullinah with a smaller grant of $16 000 to
fund medications for some patients.
Bullinah is continually growing financially with additional grants. These funds allow us
to employ highly skilled staff so delivery of the services to the community is a high
standard.
Human Resources Report
At 1 July 2012, Bullinah employed 13 staff + 1 casual nurse. At 30 June 2013, Bullinah
employed 21 staff + 5 casuals. The additional positions were created by the Tackling
Smoking and Healthy Lifestyle program, a receptionist at the Jali Health Post, a doctor
each at 120 and 113 Tamar St sites, additional casual receptionist, nurses and doctor.
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All the programs are now fully staffed. We are very fortunate to attract excellent
employees who are committed to making a contribution in Aboriginal Health and
promoting healthy choices to the Community.
Many employees have accessed training and mentoring. Employees are proactive and
forth coming with great ideas and suggestions which allow us to improve are processes.
The Bullinah team is co-operative and understanding and delivers high quality services.
Jill Campbell
Finance Officer
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TSHL TEAM – BULLINAH SOLID MOB
It has been a very busy year for the Tackling Smoking and Healthy Lifestyle Team, now
known as Bullinah SOLIDMOB, starting with the development of the team’s action plan
and carrying through tho the implementation of the plan.
The beginning of the year saw the team participate in a number of training activities,
including accredited training which prepared the team with up to date skills and
knowledge in tobacco cessation and healthy lifestyle activities. The team also grew and
is now a full team of three Tobacco Action workers, two Healthy Lifestyle Workers and a
Coordinator. The SOLIDMOB team really are a SOLID and committed team and have
been working well together to raise awareness across our communities and to begin to
support people on their quit smoking and healthy lifestyle journey.
The SOLIDMOB
team have such passion for the health and wellbeing of the communities and I have
been inspired by their dedication to contribute to Healthy Culture, Healthy Country, and
Healthy Community! A big thanks goes out to Shonnelle Post, Sasha Harrington, Michael
Roberts, Adrian (Mook) Harrington and Steven Davis.
A few highlights of the year for the SOLIDMOB team include delivering over 20
workshops about smoking and or healthy lifestyles in school and other organisation
with a reach of over 380 young people. Participating in more than 18 community
events including 12 NAIDOC events across the Northern Rivers with a reach of over
4500 people. Organising a Close the Gap Day event in the Clarence Valley which
included 3 high schools and attended by 90 young people and delivering a 4 week
tobacco awareness and healthy lifestyle awareness campaign with the Indigenous Hip
Hop project across the entire Northern Rivers with a total reach of around 7000 people.
There have been a number of other projects which the team have led and contributed to
(like the Talking about the Smokes national research project) and 2013 is shaping up to
be even bigger. As always we welcome any feedback the community would like to
provide to us. Please feel free to let us know what you have liked, what you have not
and what you would like to see happen for the community in order to support the quit
smoking and healthy lifestyle journey. We would like to thank the Bullinah Board and
Staff for their support and we look forward to working closely together in 2014 for good
health and strong happy futures. Best wishes from the Bullinah SOLIDMOB Team
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Gold Coast Titans at Clarence Valley Close the Gap DAY
Ballina NAIDOC Sports
Day
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Lismore NAIDOC Stalls
Day
Ballina High School – Hip Hop Campaign
Kids Caring for Country - Murwillumbah – Hip Hop Campaign
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Deadly Style Community Event - Hip Hop Campaign Tweed
South Tweed Primary Career Market Day
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NAIDOC 2012
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Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service
120 Tamar Street
Ballina NSW 2478
Ph: (02) 6681 5644
Fax: (02) 6681 5912
Email: ceo@bullinahahs.org.au
www.bullinahahs.org.au
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