Remote Australia Online

Early identification of vulnerable children to protect them from harm and support them in achieving their long-term potential is a community priority. This is particularly important in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, where Aboriginal children are about 40% of all children, and for whom the trauma and disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal Australians has ongoing intergenerational impacts. Given that shared social determinants influence child outcomes across the domains of health, education and welfare, there is growing interest in collaborative interventions that simultaneously respond to outcomes in all domains. There is increasing recognition that many children receive services from multiple NT government agencies, however there is limited understanding of the pattern and scale of overlap of these services. In this paper, NT health, education, child protection and perinatal datasets have been linked for the first time. The records of 8,267 children born in the NT in 2006–2009 were analysed using a person-centred analytic approach. Unsupervised machine learning techniques were used to discover clusters of NT children who experience different patterns of risk. Modelling revealed four or five distinct clusters including a cluster of children who are predominantly ill and experience some neglect, a cluster who predominantly experience abuse and a cluster who predominantly experience neglect. These three, high risk clusters all have low school attendance and together comprise 10–15% of the population. There is a large group of thriving children, with low health needs, high school attendance and low CPS contact. Finally, an unexpected cluster is a modestly sized group of non-attendees, mostly Aboriginal children, who have low school attendance but are otherwise thriving. The high risk groups experience vulnerability in all three domains of health, education and child protection, supporting the need for a flexible, rather than strictly differentiated response. Interagency cooperation would be valuable to provide a suitably collective and coordinated response for the most vulnerable children.

Specialist health services are often organised on a regionalised basis whereby clinical resources and expertise are concentrated in areas of high population. Through a high volume caseload, regionalised facilities may provide improved clinical outcomes for patients. In some cases, regionalisation may be the only economically viable way to organise specialist care. While regionalisation may have benefits, it may also disadvantage some population groups, particularly in circumstances where distance and time are impediments to access.

Introduction. The Kawa Model is a conceptual occupational therapy model of practice that uses the metaphor of a river as a medium to support the exploration of self, life events, and environment. In this study, the Kawa Model was used by occupational therapy students during a practice placement in a remote community setting as a tool to support learning, build self-awareness, and promote reflection on personal and professional development. Method. The study used an exploratory qualitative research design. Six student participants were purposively recruited and orientated to the use of the Kawa Model at the beginning and throughout their remote community practice placement. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data which were analysed thematically using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings. Analysis of the student transcripts revealed three overarching themes: self-awareness, the development of personal and professional skills, and working with metaphor. All students identified the model as a reflective tool that enhanced their understanding of their student selves in a remote setting. The students described the growth of various professional skills including communication, goal planning, and confidence. Whilst initially students found the metaphor challenging to fathom, throughout their placement, they found it impactful for comprehending their development of self. Conclusion. This study revealed that the students' self-awareness and personal and professional development were influenced by their engagement with and application of the Kawa Model. Repeated engagement with the Kawa Model enhanced the students' journey of personal and professional skill development.

At the Jobs and Skills Summit in September 2022 the Australian Government committed to reinvigorate Commonwealth foundation skills programs to improve access and outcomes for all Australians, including a particular focus on the design and delivery arrangements for remote Australia. Foundation skills give people confidence to take part in daily life, training and employment. They include listening and speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and digital literacy, as well as skills like initiative and innovation, planning and organising, problem solving and teamwork. Foundation skills are the skills needed for a secure job. This discussion paper seeks feedback on how foundation skills delivery in remote Australia could be strengthened to: (1) Recognise and build from the strengths of learners in remote Australia, including that many First Nations people in remote Australia are skilled communicators, speaking multiple languages; (2) Increase access for those who wish to improve their English language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills; (3) Ensure cultural safety, and support a variety of models that meet community and learner needs; (4) Address the range of training and non-training barriers to participation; and (5) Support Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and foundation skills training specialists, working in partnership, to deliver in remote Australia. Excerpts from publication.

Local governments are important players in road safety as road transport system designers, operators and managers. Local governments are well positioned to positively influence road safety outcomes as leaders and influencers in their local communities. Towards Zero, the WA road safety strategy 2008-2020, recognises the part local governments play in the shared responsibility approach to road safety. The Shire of Yalgoo is one of 141 local governments in Western Australia, located in the Mid-west region approximately 524 km north-east of Perth. The Shire of Yalgoo is a small remote local government covering an area of 33,528 km with a population of 242. The shire is responsible for design, operation and management of 115km of sealed roads and 1,126 km of unsealed roads.

BACKGROUND: The "golden hour" of trauma care is irrelevant in rural areas. We studied the effect of distance and remoteness on major trauma patients transferred by the Royal Flying Doctor Service from rural and remote Western Australia. METHODS: The Royal Flying Doctor Service retrieval and Trauma Registry databases were linked for the period of July 1, 1997, to June 30, 2006. Major trauma was defined as Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15. Remoteness was quantified using the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) classes: inner regional, outer regional, remote, and very remote. The primary outcome was death. RESULTS: Among 1328 major trauma transfers to Perth, mean age was 34.2 years ± 18.3 years (range, 0-87 years) and 979 (73.7%) were male. Over half were motor vehicle crashes. Mean transfer time was 11.6 hours (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.2-12.1). The median ISS was 25 (interquartile range [IQR], 18-29), and there were no differences within the ARIA classes for cause and injury patterns. After adjusting for ISS, age, and time, the risk of death increases as remoteness increases: outer regional odds ratio (OR), 2.25 (95% CI, 0.58-8.79); remote, 4.03 (95% CI 1.04-15.62); and very remote, 4.69 (95% CI, 1.23-17.84). Risk increases by 87% for each 1,000 km (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.007-3.48; p = 0.05) flown. Despite long retrieval times, there were no deaths in flight. CONCLUSION: There is an excess of a fourfold increase in the risk of major trauma death in patients transferred to Perth from remote and very remote Western Australia. Remoteness, as measured by the ARIA, is more important than distance, in the risk of death.

The growing national and international awareness of the increased representation of serious injuries and fatalities in rural and remote areas is the focus of this paper. Australia was one of the earliest countries to try to address this issue with a targeted national action plan in 1996. This was an important document but the most recent national plan fails to dedicate attention to developing countermeasures for the particular problems of improving road safety in these regions. The findings of a major program of research in Northern Queensland are discussed to stimulate interest and research into potential countermeasures. Specifically, the need to monitor clusters of crashes as a focus for intervention and local ownership is advocated. Taking action towards a national reduction of speed limits on rural roads and investment in proactive research based trials of drink driving countermeasures such as courtesy buses are strongly advocated.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in rural and remote areas access to transport may be limited and impede access to education, employment or health care, or lead to less safe travelling practices. To explore barriers and facilitators to driver licensing, prioritisation of road safety, and opportunities for research in Aboriginal Medical Service settings, we conducted three focus groups of clients attending the Bourke Aboriginal Health Service in May 2009, and conducted a survey with a small sample of clinic attendees (n=27). Focus groups highlighted difficulty in licensing, and feelings of shame around the issues, as well as high levels of concern relating to obtaining identification documents and literacy, particularly for young people. Surveys also highlighted low rates of restraint use, including child restraints and high levels of concern about road safety issues in the community. Participants reported high rates of unsafe behaviours including speeding and walking in the community while intoxicated. There was good awareness and knowledge of road safety measures, but participants highlighted a need for increased education and awareness in the community. Some suggested improvements in the road environment included better signage and roundabouts within the town. The study highlighted the increasing need for culturally appropriate support services around licensing for Aboriginal people especially young people, and improved education and infrastructure targeting road safety practices in the local community. The AMS staff and clients were supportive of road safety related research in their setting and a larger study will be rolled out in 2011.

Introduction: The low level of licenced drivers in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory (NT) Australia constitutes a risk factor for transport injury, high incarceration rates, and reduced ability to access employment and health services. The DriveSafe NT Remote program was implemented by the NT Government to increase driver licensing in remote communities. This evaluation reviews the program delivery, acceptability, implementation challenges and licensing outcomes. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating program observation and key informant perspectives (n=30). Program data (collected April 2012 to June 2014) and de-identified licensing data from the NT Motor Vehicle Registry were analysed for trends in service delivery and licensing rates pre and post-program. Results: Interviewees reported strong support for the program, and regarded the program as highly engaging and acceptable. There was a greater increase in new licences at intervention sites (Learner 24% and Open licence 18%) compared with other remote areas (Learner licence 13% and Open licence 8%). There appeared to be a dose response relationship with greater licence outcomes at communities that received higher levels of program delivery. Discussion: DriveSafe NT Remote is a Government delivered program providing licensing services to Aboriginal clients in remote Northern Territory communities, and is increasing driver licensing rates. The flexible delivery and culturally responsive approach should lead to further positive licensing outcomes. Addressing barriers to licence participation faced by Aboriginal people is an innovative approach to reducing transport disadvantage and positively impacting health and well-being in remote communities. This evaluation demonstrates a pragmatic approach to assessing program implementation of a multi-site community-based program in a vulnerable and underserviced population; it is anticipated this approach could be applied to other settings to ensure programs responsively address road safety in Aboriginal populations.

DriveSafe Northern Territory (NT) Remote was implemented by the NT government to increase driver licensing in underserviced remote communities. This process evaluation triangulates informant interviews, program observation, program data and de-identified licensing data. DriveSafe is accepted by remote NT communities, and impacting driver licensing rates in these settings. There was a greater increase in licences at intervention sites compared with other remote areas. A dose-response relationship showed greater licence outcomes at communities that received higher levels of program delivery. Interviewees regarded DriveSafe as highly engaging and flexible. DriveSafe’s culturally responsive and innovative approach should lead to further positive licensing outcomes.

Indigenous Australians are substantially more likely than the non-Indigenous population to be killed or seriously injured in a road crash and much more likely to receive a custodial sentence for unlicensed driving. A number of projects in Australia have been designed to address these issues. The “DriveSafe NT Remote” Project makes advances on previous projects by providing an ‘on-site’ opportunity for Indigenous people to obtain a licence, by bringing a driver trainer and full Motor Vehicle Registry services to remote communities. The two-year trial program provides help with proof of identity, training, and licence testing. This paper describes the program, its implementation, the logic behind the expectation of road safety gains, and early results. Process analysis shows that a large proportion of clients needed help with proof of identity, which is challenging for many Indigenous people. Interest within Indigenous communities has exceeded all expectations and 318 learner licences have been issued in less than a year of operation, passing the target of 280 licences that was set for the first two years of the program, while 67 drivers have moved from learner to provisional status or have advanced to public passenger vehicle licences. The DriveSafe NT Remote team has also issued another 125 licences outside of the project scope while in communities, including renewals and upgrades. They have also delivered training on Motor Vehicle Registry processes for many community members including local police officers, local government officers and teachers. The program has also generated flow-on benefits including increasing employment and social opportunities in remote communities.

‘On the Right Track Remote’ is a program conceived and delivered by the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) to improve licensing outcomes for Aboriginal people living in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) and Maralinga Tjarutja (MT) Lands. An independent qualitative evaluation of the program, including the capture of 'significant change' stories on film of clients, community members and other service providers, was undertaken in 2016 to complement the ongoing collection and monitoring of quantitative data. After only two years of delivery licensing rates have doubled and positive effects are being felt across communities.

Indigenous people in northern Australia are among the most incarcerated on the planet. I examine the impacts of this regime on the everyday lives of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory's Victoria River region. Based on long-term participant observation informed by the question, "what happens in families and communities when people are locked up all the time?", this thesis contributes empirically grounded material to the growing bodies of global scholarship on settler colonialism and hyperincarceration as projects concerned with the management and elimination of surplus populations. My ethnography elucidates local convictions that carcerality has little to do with justice and often perpetuates those social harms it purports to correct. A historical analysis grounded in the material and affective conditions of Aboriginal life demonstrates how hyperincarceration is only the latest iteration of strategies of containment and dehumanisation which have always characterised local settler-native relations. I attend to the role of the carceral settler state in structuring the experience of Aboriginal childhood, ways of relating amongst close kin, masculinities and father-son relations, and the impacts of this regime across and between generations, which further compound existing radical inequalities. These outcomes of hyperincarceration advance the state’s facilitation of extractive capital by erasing Aboriginal people from, and Aboriginal relations to, ancestral Country. I demonstrate that the carceral saturation of contemporary Aboriginal life renders the carceral state both pervasive and yet often seemingly not there at all, demonstrative of the haunting implications and the ‘unfinished business’ of ongoing settler colonial occupation. I propose a theory of carceral genocide, identifying the central role of the carceral settler state in the destruction of a way of life.

Objectives: To measure the impact of 4 weeks of daily swimming on rates of ear discharge among Aboriginal children with a tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) and on the microbiology of the nasopharynx and middle ear. Design, setting and participants: A randomised controlled trial involving 89 Aboriginal children (aged 5?12 years) with a TMP, conducted in two remote Northern Territory Aboriginal communities from August to December 2009. Intervention: 4 school weeks of daily swimming lessons (45 minutes) in a chlorinated pool. Main outcome measures: Proportions of children with ear discharge and respiratory and opportunistic bacteria in the nasopharynx and middle ear. Results: Of 89 children randomly assigned to the swimming or non-swimming groups, 58 (26/41 swimmers and 32/48 non-swimmers) had ear discharge at baseline. After 4 weeks, 24 of 41 swimmers had ear discharge compared with 32 of 48 non-swimmers (risk difference, ? 8% (95% CI, ? 28% to 12%). There were no statistically significant changes in the microbiology of the nasopharynx or middle ear in swimmers or non-swimmers. Streptococcus pneumoniae and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae were the dominant organisms cultured from the nasopharynx, and H. influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the dominant organisms in the middle ear. Conclusions: Swimming lessons for Aboriginal children in remote communities should be supported, but it is unlikely that they will substantially reduce rates of chronic suppurative otitis media and associated bacteria in the nasopharynx and middle ear. However, swimming was not associated with increased risk of ear discharge and we found no reason to discourage it. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613000634774.

In The Lancet Global Health, James Ward and colleagues report the findings of a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised trial undertaken across remote Aboriginal Australia, which aimed to reduce the prevalence of three endemic, fully curable, sexually transmissible infections (STIs): chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and trichomonas. Untreated, these infections can have long-term sequelae, including infertility, or adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as ectopic pregnancy and preterm birth. These last two conditions can result in the potentially preventable death of the mother or baby. Prevalence of STIs across remote Australia have changed little in 20 years, with women in these communities also having some of the poorest pregnancy outcomes in Australia. The study by Ward and colleagues has several strengths. It was led by a prominent Aboriginal researcher who is supported by a team with extensive expertise in Indigenous health and STI research. Aboriginal research leadership is important in ensuring the research approach is informed by Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing. This study should be commended for its large scale (probably the largest randomised controlled trial focusing on improving health of Aboriginal people in remote communities), especially in terms of geographical distance and number of health-care providers who modified their information systems and participated, and for the robustness of the study design.

This chapter explores islands as locations that have been shaped, but also created, through processes of human invasion. It considers the role of (neo-)colonial forces in moulding the spaces and places of islands, broadening previous theorizing of island spaces to incorporate islands situated on terra firma and bounded by desert. In respect of the latter, the chapter focuses primarily on the example of remote Indigenous communities scattered across Australia’s sparsely populated ‘outback’ as islands in the desert. These islands have been created and shaped under violent settler colonialism as carceral reserves, thereby producing distinct crime histories and patterns. This enables an exploration of how island spaces can be created and mobilized as part of a broader array of governing techniques for dealing with deviance, which are interlinked with racialized Othering, including bordering of spaces, places, and bodies. ‘Islanding’ is in this case co-opted as a socio-political technique to maintain and perpetuate the white settler state’s legitimacy and claims over stolen Indigenous lands: a sort of ‘islanding as erasure’. The chapter draws comparisons to settler colonies elsewhere and demonstrates the importance of weaving together socio-political and spatial histories to enable a fuller understanding of how islands can inform criminological theorizing.

Introduction: In Queensland between 2019 and 2020, there was an average of 187 children aged between 10 and 17 in custody each day, with the majority of these children being First Nations children.1 15% of the children in custody had a suspected or diagnosed cognitive disability, and 8% had diagnosed or suspected foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).2 Considering the high rate of imprisonment of children with cognitive disabilities, many of these children being First Nations people, it is important to consider how this number can be reduced. This paper will discuss the barriers faced by children with cognitive disabilities when accessing the NDIS to gain disability support, with a particular focus on the experiences of children and their families living in regional and remote areas of Queensland (RRAQ). As many of the children living in these areas are First Nations, there will also be consideration of the specific barriers faced by these children and their families. Suggestions will then be given relating to how these barriers can be addressed. These suggestions will be provided with the goal of ensuring children in RRAQ are able to enjoy their child rights as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and of reducing the likelihood of children with cognitive disabilities from coming into contact with the YJS. A brief overview of two organisations working to address the barriers experienced by children and families living in RRAQ will then be given as an example of how barriers can be successfully overcome.

We establish a framework to examine the feasibility of using local vegetation for bioenergy power systems in small-scale applications and remote settings. The framework has broad application, and we present a specific case here to demonstrate the process. Our case study is the Tiwi Islands in northern Australia, where a large Acacia mangium plantation is a potential source of biofuel feedstock. Two types of technology were considered: 1. Bio-oil from pyrolysis in diesel generators and 2. Direct combustion coupled with a steam turbine. The biomass was characterized and found to have adequate properties for an energy crop, with a lower heating value of about 18 MJ/kg and entire tree ash content of 2%. Measurements from trees that were damaged from wildfires had similar results, showing potential value recovery for a plantation after unplanned fire. In comparison to a petroleum diesel-based generator, the bio-oil system was 12% more expensive. The direct combustion system was found to be the most economical of those explored here, costing as low as 61% of the bio-oil system. Additional social and environmental benefits were identified, including local employment opportunities, improved energy security and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Our findings of high techno-economic potential of bioenergy systems, especially through direct combustion, are widely applicable to on-demand renewable energy supply in remote communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians suffer higher rates of cancer and poorer outcomes than the wider population. These disparities are exacerbated by rurality and remoteness due to reduced access and limited engagement with health services. This study explored the cancer journeys of Aboriginal patients and carers, and their views on the establishment of an Aboriginal Patient Navigator role within the Western Australian healthcare system to support cancer patients and their families. Sixteen Aboriginal participants were interviewed either face to face, by telephone, or via video conferencing platforms. The interviews were then recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed using standard qualitative techniques. Close consultation within the research team enhanced the rigour and robustness of the study findings. Patients and carers identified many gaps in cancer service delivery that made their experiences stressful and unnecessarily complex. Challenges included a lack of stable accommodation, financial burdens, constant travel, being 'off-Country', and miscommunication with health professionals. Key sources of support and strength were the centrality of family and ongoing cultural connectedness. All participants were supportive of an Aboriginal Patient Navigator role that could address shortfalls in cancer service delivery, especially for patients from rural and remote communities. A culturally safe model of support has the potential to increase access, reduce anxiety and improve health outcomes.

Yolngu, Aboriginal people from Arnhem Land, Australia are at risk of Machado-Joseph disease, with progressive loss of speech. Yolngu are interested in developing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems in their own languages. This research aimed to develop a culturally responsive process to explore and create a core vocabulary word list for Yolngu adults living with the disease for inclusion in AAC system prototypes. A list of 243 Yolngu words and morphemes was created. In this highly collaborative, mixed methods, participatory action research, Balanda (the Yolngu word for non-Aboriginal people) and Yolngu researchers conducted cycles of transcription and analysis of a language sample, with oral group discussions to identify which words to include, omit, or add, based on Yolngu perceptions of the structure and use of their languages. A Yolngu metaphor, Gulaka-buma ('Harvesting yams'), was identified by Yolngu researchers to represent and share the research process and findings. Three key themes were identified that summarize the main cultural and linguistic considerations related to changes made to the core vocabulary. Study findings emphasized the role of language as an expression of culture and identity for Indigenous peoples and the importance of considering cultural and linguistic factors in selecting vocabulary for AAC systems.

Membrane Capacitive Deionization (MCDI) is a promising electrochemical technique for water desalination. Previous studies have confirrmed the effectiveness of MCDI in removing contaminants from brackish groundwaters, especially in remote areas where electricity is scarce. However, as with other water treatment technologies, performance deterioration of the MCDI system still occurs, hindering the stability of long-term operation. Herein, a machine learning (ML) modelling framework and various ML models were developed to (i) investigate the performance deterioration due particularly to insufficient charging/discharging of the electrode caused by accumulation of ions and electrode scaling and (ii) optimise MCDI operating parameters such that the impacts of these deleterious effects on unit performance were minimized. The ML models developed in this work exhibited a prediction accuracy of cycle time with average mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values of 16.82% and 16.09% after 30-fold cross validation for Random Forest (RF) and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) models respectively. The pre-trained ML model predicted different declining trends of water production for two different operating conditions and provided corresponding recommendations on frequencies of chemical cleaning. A case study on the adjustment of operating parameters using the results suggested by the optimization ML model was conducted. The model validation results showed that the overall water production and water recovery of the system using the cycle-based optimized process control parameters (SCN 1) exceeds the MCDI system performance under three fixed parameter settings that were used at each stage of SCN 1 by 1.78% to 4.48% and 2.95% to 9.46%, respectively. Permutation-based and Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) coefficients were also employed for variable importance (VIMP) analysis to uncover the “black-box” nature of the ML models and to better understand the various features’ contributions to overall MCDI system performance.

The global COVID 19 pandemic highlighted that the delivery of online education inadvertently disadvantaged Indigenous Australian university students. This situation was particularly critical for Indigenous students from rural and remote locations. Australian universities increased the use of digital technologies to engage, support and teach due to students’ inability to access campuses. This presented universities with challenges in supporting Indigenous students living in and returning to non-urban settings. Often not recognised is the need for better strategies and plans for Indigenous students returning to their rural or remote community to continue their studies due to COVID. These communities often lack suitable infrastructure that would allow access to pedagogical and learning support opportunities. This paper explores how the business decision made by Australian universities to increase reliance on teaching online during COVID impacted the education of Indigenous students. This paper will then canvas ways this ongoing dilemma can be addressed by considering risks, measuring and monitoring performance to guide transformation, including universities’ more inclusive and respectful use of digital technologies involving First Nations people and cultures

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia have participated in Western research for decades. When done well, research has resulted in significant benefits and positive impacts on society. However, the primary benefactor of this research has and continues to be researchers, with limited or no research knowledge mobilized for uptake and beneficial use by end users, such as individuals and communities. In 2021, the Torres Strait Islanders Research to Policy and Practice Hub (the Hub) at James Cook University designed and implemented several strategies, including a games-based interactive workshop with representatives from nongovernment organizations (NGOs). Feedback suggests the workshop and associated activities were a success. Objective: We describe knowledge translation (KT) and implementation planning to design and implement strategies to increase awareness and understanding of NGOs in research governance. Methods: This descriptive study involved representatives from NGOs on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. We collected data from a literature review and informal discussions. We used several models and frameworks to guide our approach and underpin data collection and analysis. Results: Designing and implementing strategies to increase awareness and understanding of NGOs in the Torres Strait to govern research involved several key steps: (1) identifying and defining what needed to change and who needed to change, (2) identifying and mapping barriers and facilitators, (3) selecting the most appropriate strategies to support change, (4) implementing activities, and (5) monitoring and evaluating our approach. We developed a program logic to understand and communicate to others how we would implement activities and what resources would be required to support this process. We drew on several evidence-based KT and implementation models and frameworks to do this. First, a KT planning template was used to inform what evidence we wanted to mobilize, to whom, and for what purpose. Based on this step, we recognized we wanted to bring about change with the target audience, and as such, we drew on the previously mentioned implementation planning models and frameworks. We collated the outcomes from these initial steps. Conclusions: Our KT and implementation practice experience were successful. Encouraging researchers and end users to adopt similar practices requires investment in training and development of KT and implementation practice. This also entails modifying research standards and guidelines to include KT and implementation practice when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other vulnerable groups, creating incentives for researchers and end users to embed KT and implementation practice in research, and recognizing and rewarding the benefits and impact beyond publication and presentation.

The party on the ground has traditionally enabled linkage with the party in office along with providing candidates, selectorates, and campaign volunteers. While this still occurs in cities, we do not know how party organisation changes have affected remote areas. To investigate, we examine two remote Australian electorates: the Barkly in the Northern Territory and the Kimberley in Western Australia. Based on interviews with grassroots members, representatives and officials, we conclude that, although parties still exert their traditional functions in some remote areas, in others they have disengaged, rendering membership less meaningful and weakening the chain of democratic legitimacy.

New Media is an emerging field in education, and the use of immersive technologies for teaching and learning provides opportunities for students to learn digital and media literacies. Whilst it is an emerging field, there has been a dearth of studies on the integration of immersive virtual reality in combination with arts-based pedagogies conducted in remote Aboriginal schools. This chapter provides insights into two kinds of immersive virtual reality technologies that were used as part of a designed learning environment to engage students in a remote Aṉangu school community located in Central Australia. Media arts knowledge and skills were taught within a culturally responsive and community of practice framework that highlights the potential of this approach for all students.