Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (SHSAC) is a primary health care service which assists both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the Jawoyn and Roper River regions of the Northern Territory in Australia.
SHSAC plays a significant role in managing many of the health care clinics in both regions. Direction is taken from the SHSAC Board who are made up of representatives from all SHSAC communities.
Member communities include Badawarrka, Barunga, Bulman, Eva Valley, Jilkminggan, Mataranka, Kewulyi, Minyerri, Ngukkur, Urapunga, Weemoll, Werebun, Wubalawun and Wugularr.
In 1999, the local Jawoyn Association established SHSAC and involved The Foundation in discussions regarding the need to develop interconnected and practical programs, which tackled the underlying causes of ill health within Indigenous communities.
"We realised great potential for developing Sunrise and getting an holistic approach to health. We're not just looking at the immediate care of illness but the broader sustainable and preventative programs," says Irene Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of SHSAC.
Originally SHSAC was a Coordinated Care Trial funded by the Australian Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments. The Jawoyn Association competed nationally and was one of five successful proposals from a field of over 80 applicants.
SHSAC became a full fledged service in mid 2005 and the organisation has grown to employ more than 100 staff - of whom 40% are Indigenous. Funding continues to be provided by the Australian Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments.
SHSAC's programs address the varying needs of women, men and children, young people and the elderly. The key to these programs is the Community Development Unit within SHSAC, which works with the Community Health Committees and the Board to ensure that communities are well informed about the health issues in their communities and can become involved in their management.
"One of the main challenges for SHSAC is in raising awareness that Indigenous people can control their own health and that mainstream concepts of health need to encompass Indigenous concepts," says Irene.
Community Health Committees were established by SHSAC to identify issues at the 'grassroots' level to help ensure that programs are delivered in a culturally appropriate way and that they encourage local ownership.
Another important focus for SHSAC is in the implementation of governance training for both the Board and the Community Health Committees.
In its partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, SHSAC has been able to increase its capacity and develop a more comprehensive approach to health care. SHSAC finds that NGOs, such as The Foundation, have a 'user friendly' approach which allows development to occur at the pace of communities.
In September 2005, SHSAC was 'Highly Commended' in the inaugural Indigenous Governance Awards, which were established though a partnership between Reconciliation Australia and BHP Billiton.
The awards program has been designed to identify, celebrate and promote good practice in Indigenous governance. SHSAC competed against 57 other organisations who have all been established much longer than SHSAC.