Remote Australia Online

I have called this contribution ‘people and policy in the development and destruction of Yagga Yagga outstation’ because it seems to me that the relationship between people was more significant than that between policy and people in the social experience of residents at Yagga Yagga. Yagga Yagga was an outstation of Balgo Mission in the Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia (see Map 13.1). My exposure to the story of Yagga Yagga situates the primacy of the community’s experience in an amorphous middle ground, across the interstice of policy development and policy delivery that begs exemplification if the successes and failures of Yagga Yagga are to be understood and learnt from. The consideration here is less about the nature of policy and its consequences for people and more about the interdependent relationship between government policy, its agents of administration and the people who are affected by that policy and its administrators.

Mumeka is the name of a place; it was once the location of a seasonal camp. Since the late 1960s it has been called an outstation or homeland. The name first appears in the archive in the late 1960s, but the immediate precursor to its establishment was the blazing of a vehicular track from Oenpelli to Maningrida in the Northern Territory in 1963 that crossed the Mann River adjacent to this wet season camp (see Figure 14.1). That place was inhabited by members of a community that speak what we now refer to as the Kuninjku dialect of the pan-dialectical Bining Gunwok language (Evans 2003). In this chapter, I want to say something about the lives of Kuninjku people over the 50 years since 1963 through the locational lens of Mumeka and their engagements with the Australian state and capitalism, including during a policy period termed self-determination. I then want to say something about current Kuninjku circumstances and the indeterminacy of their future, even as the future of Mumeka, the place, seems reasonably assured.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Australia has long been associated with the concept of social justice, however, a clear understanding of what it looks like across diverse services and communities is not available. This article reports the process of inquiry, as well as the outcomes, of a small-scale study designed to uncover the perceptions of ECEC educators working in rural and remote communities in the state of Queensland. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with five educators from rural and remote settings identified as areas experiencing significant growth in population diversity. An initial thematic analysis of the data revealed three key themes. A secondary analysis using a place and space conceptual framework uncovered deeper, more sophisticated meanings of the educator experience of social justice. The research is important in bringing pedagogical conversations to the forefront regarding ECEC educator perceptions of their role in creating a socially just learning environment. In addition to identifying future research possibilities, implications from the findings indicate opportunities for re-examining and rethinking initial teacher education and ongoing professional learning.

The green plum (Buchanania obovata), red bush apple (Syzygium suborbiculare) and wild peach (Terminalia carpentariae) all grow in remote East Arnhem Land, Australia and are eaten by the Yolŋu Aboriginal people who live there. These three fruits have had very little study at present by western food science and there is interest in their use as foods or food products to create sustainable Indigenous agribusinesses. The purpose of this study was to create a nutritional and sensory profile of each fruit. Results show that wild peach is a very good source of vitamin C with 2041 ± 192 mg/100g FW (fresh weight) and green plum is a very good source of folate, containing 118 ± 8 µg/100g FW as folic acid equivalents. All three fruit are good sources of dietary fibre, (green plum 9.5 ± 1.4, red bush apple 6.5 ± 1.0 and wild peach 8.6 ± 1.3 g/100g FW) and minerals and the green plum is a particularly valuable source of potassium (511 ± 22 mg/100g FW). Descriptive analysis of the fruit as whole or pieces of fruit, as a puree and as an ingredient (freeze-dried powder) in semolina and yoghurt describe the green plums flavour as sweet, tart and stewed apple and red bush apple as sour, raspberry, citrus, apple, sweet, floral, herbaceous and spiced tea. The unique sensory profiles and high nutrient levels indicate they could be used as future smart foods for diet diversity and future flavours in novel food products.

Objectives. To report on differences in Indigenous women’s expectations of clinical care during treatment for a gynaecological cancer in rural and remote regions.Design. Qualitative interviews were conducted in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory in 2008 with 37 clinicians working in gynaecological cancer and 24 women with a gynaecological cancer. Three of the participants were Indigenous women living in large rural towns (others were non-Indigenous), whereas six of the 37 clinicians interviewed worked closely with Indigenous women in remote settings. Indigenous women were contacted through an Indigenous researcher. Interviews were analysed for emerging themes, then compared with each other and with the research literature for similarities and differences.Results. There is considerable variation between clinician observations of the expectations of Indigenous women in remote regions, and the views of Aboriginal women in rural settings.Conclusion. Indigenous women in rural settings have specific views about quality medical care. These include expectations of timely and culturally appropriate care, and strong ties to family and kin, but do not accord with other research findings that suggest Aboriginal women must receive care from same sex clinicians or that care is often delayed. The paper alerts practitioners to the fact that culturally appropriate care will vary from group to group, particularly between remote, rural and urban populations.What is known about this topic? Cross-cultural health care research recognises that health professionals need to be attuned to the cultural preferences and needs of Indigenous patients.What does this paper add? This study warns against assuming all Indigenous people are the same, or have the same expectations about quality health care. It notes that little guidance is offered to clinicians on how Indigenous responses to Western bio-medical care might differ across the country. The paper identifies some differences and proposes strategies for understanding local preferences.What are the implications for practitioners? This paper alerts practitioners to the fact that although Indigenous patients share many cultural similarities, clinicians should not make assumptions about what is appropriate culturally safe care. Culturally appropriate care will vary from group to group, particularly between remote, rural and urban populations in terms of timely access, culturally appropriate care and educational materials, the role of family and Aboriginal Health Workers, and sex preferences.

The broad role that remote art centres play in community life and the benefits that brings was highlighted in ‘The art & craft centre story’ (Wright & Morphy 2000 see for example p.41 of Volume Two, Volume Three). This research involved on a survey of 39 Aboriginal community art centres in remote Australia. It found that special projects, including artist development projects, health and education projects and cultural support activities, generate sociocultural benefits to the artists, the community and other stakeholders. However, these special projects require subsidy and may adversely affect the economic viability of the art centres. The Art Economies Value Chain project commissioned by the CRC for Remote Economic Participation undertook a broadly based survey of remote art centres to clarify the value chain and primary art market for these centres (Acker & Woodhead 2014; Woodhead 2014; Woodhead & Acker 2014a, 2014b, 2014c). While recognising that many remote art centres provide social and welfare services, that project focused on their role in the commercial art market. The most recent parliamentary inquiry explored issues related to authenticity of First Nations arts and crafts and the impact of inauthentic products (HORSCIA (House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs) 2018). The first recommendation in this report, that ‘the Productivity Commission conducts a comprehensive inquiry into the value and structure of the current market for First Nations art and crafts’, reflects the long-recognised limitations of data available related to this sector. While the terms of reference for this current Productivity Commission study focus on the markets, it is important to consider the value, or worth, of the art and craft sector outside the market, particularly to First Nations people. This submission will focus on these aspects and flag possible approaches to quantifying these non-market values so that they can be incorporated in a more comprehensive assessment of the value of the First Nations arts and craft sector.

This chapter provides an autoethnographic description and analysis by Kate Senior and her colleagues Richard Chenhall and Fran Edmonds about isolation and longing for the field and how people have negotiated and mitigated these. It describes the restrictions on people’s movements in Australia as a response to COVID-19, and how specifically the closure of state borders has affected not only our ability to undertake fieldwork, but also to maintain contact with people within the field and even to plan for a period where such movement may again be possible. Ngukurr is a remote Indigenous community of around 1,000 people in Southeast Arnhem Land. It was formerly the Roper River Mission and was established in 1908 as the Christian Missionary Society responded to the devastation of the tribes in the region, due to the rapidly expanding cattle industry there. In Melbourne, a visit to Museums Victoria before COVID-19 uncovered a set of flowers made from feathers.

In this chapter engages with the life narrative of a young man from very remote Australia who transitioned to boarding school, to university and back home again. His account highlights the long-term implications of the transition process.

While most of the Australian population now has access to high-speed broadband internet and is making increasing use of the opportunities it creates for education, remote work, telehealth, and social networks, people who live in remote parts of the country often find themselves digitally excluded. The reasons for exclusion are in part related to the lack of digital infrastructures in some locations. However, issues of affordability, digital literacies, and systemic priorities, which favor white, financially and educationally well-off people, create inequalities that serve to discriminate against First Nations people living in remote communities. In an attempt to ameliorate these digital inequalities, First Nations Media Australia (FNMA), a peak body that advocates for the digital needs of people in remote communities, has since 2016 developed a program called inDigiMOB, which aims to improve digital inclusion. Funded by the Australian telecommunications organization, Telstra, the program partners with media-related and other organizations in communities to build digital literacies, support improved access, advocate for infrastructure improvements, and build on local community aspirations. This chapter, based on evaluations and research commissioned by FNMA explores the issues associated with remote digital exclusion and how inDigiMOB has worked to address the concerns. It concludes by offering potential solutions to a problem that resonates with remote and isolated indigenous communities around the world.

Objective To investigate students' perceptions of the impact of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 on rural and remote placements facilitated by 16 University Departments of Rural Health in Australia in 2020. Design A mixed-method design comprising an online survey and semi-structured interviews. Setting Australia. Participants Allied health, nursing and medical students with a planned University Departments of Rural Health-facilitated rural or remote placement between February and October 2020. Intervention A planned rural or remote placement in 2020 facilitated by a University Departments of Rural Health, regardless of placement outcome. Main outcome measures Questionnaire included placement outcome (completed or not), discipline of study (nursing, allied health, medicine), and Likert measures of impact to placement (including supervision, placement tasks, location, accommodation, client contact and student learning) and placement experience (overall, support, supervision, university support). Semi-structured interviews asked about placement planning, outcome, decisions, experience and student perceptions. Results While coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 reportedly impacted on the majority of planned placements, most students (80%) were able to complete their University Departments of Rural Health-facilitated placement in some form and were satisfied with their placement experience. Common placement changes included changes to tasks, setting, supervisors and location. Allied health students were significantly more likely to indicate that their placement had been impacted and also felt more supported by supervisors and universities than nursing students. Interview participants expressed concerns regarding the potential impact of cancelled and adapted placements on graduation and future employment. Conclusions The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was reported to impact the majority of University Departments of Rural Health-facilitated rural and remote placements in 2020. Fortunately, most students were able to continue to undertake a rural or remote placement in some form and were largely satisfied with their placement experience. Students were concerned about their lack of clinical learning and graduating on time with adequate clinical competence.

Summary Background Understanding cultural differences between geographical regions is essential in delivering culturally appropriate healthcare. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of diverse clients using the Far North Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (FNS) and the Central West Health and Wellbeing Service (CWS). Methods We conducted a cohort study within Queensland, Australia, on all clients who received a mental health therapy session at either the FNS or the CWS. Patient data was prospective data collected form July 2019 to December 2020. Findings There were1202 clients, with a median number of individual contacts per-client of 3.0 (IQR 2.0-6.0). There was 428 (35.6% 95% CI 32.90-38.39) males and 772 (64.2% 95% CI 61.44-66.94) females with a median age across the genders of 38.0 (IQR 28.0-51.0). There was 505 (42.0% 95% CI 39.20-44.86) identifying as Indigenous and 697 (58.0% 95% CI 55.14-60.80) as non-Indigenous Australians. The FNS had a significantly higher proportion of Indigenous clients (n=484; 54.8% 95% CI 51.46-58.13) as compared to the CWS (n=21; 6.6% 95% CI 4.12-9.89). Of the 1202 clients, 946 (78.7% 95% CI 76.28-80.99) had a socio-economic classification of ‘most disadvantaged’, consisting of 740 (83.8%) clients from the FNS and 206 (64.6%) clients from the CWS. The majority of presentations were for neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (n=568; 47.3%), followed by mood affective disorders (n=310; 25.8%). The overall number of treatments strategies employed was 10798, equalling a median of 6.0 (IQR 4.0-9.0) strategies per-client, with the leading strategies being counselling/psychosocial (n=1394; 12.9%), reflective listening (n=1191; 11.0%), and strengths based reasoning (n=1116; 10.3%). There were 511 (42.5%) clients who completed the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10/K5), with 493 (41.0%) clients not offered as deemed not culturally appropriate by the treating team. The mean initial K10/K5 score was 23.7 (SD 9.4) which significantly decreased (p<0.001) to 18.0 (SD 10.0) at final consultation. Interpretation This study highlighted client socioeconomic differences between two geographically remote mental health services. It is essential that services are regionally co-designed to ensure cultural appropriateness. Funding No funding to declare.

In this article we examine displays of epistemic status and stance among long-term Anglo-Australian residents of remote communities through a case study of a 2-h interaction by four men who have demonstrated sophisticated knowledge of locations in their region. We show how equal access to knowledge of places is oriented to, as well as how differences in rights to authoritatively claim knowledge emerge in disputes over details of locations which are resolved when it is established that one member can provide more specific or up-to-date knowledge. This study not only contributes to understanding epistemic management practices in contexts where there is a high degree of shared knowledge, but also grounds the exploration of new insights into the ways in which the epistemics of referring to places appear to diverge from what has been described for referring to persons.

Building on earlier Conversation Analytic work on turn-taking and response mobilization, we use video-recorded multiparty conversations to consider in detail how Australian Aboriginal participants in conversation select a next speaker in turns that are grammatically designed as questions. We focus in particular on the role of a range of embodied behaviors, such as gaze direction, body orientation, and pointing, to select?or avoid selecting?a next speaker. We use data from four remote Aboriginal communities to also explore the claims from ethnographic research that Aboriginal conversations typically occur in nonfocused participation frames. Data are in Murrinhpatha, Garrwa, Gija, and Jaru with English translations.

We know that the effects of a pandemic are as much social, economic and cultural as they are health-related and clinical. Documenting the societal impact in a region such as the Kimberley, and with a focus on Aboriginal people, requires a different kind of lens from a medical one, and needs to account for a socio-economic and political landscape that is radically different from much of Australia. Our research focus, driven as it was by early conversations and meetings with Aboriginal people across the region in September and October 2020, was to look for, and document, the extent of Aboriginal action, the ways in which Aboriginal families, communities and organisations were able to respond to the first wave of COVID-19, and how these responses were supported by, or hampered by, government interventions. The findings below do not summarise the research detail; rather they summarise high level policy-relevant insights that the team gained through the process of pulling together the detail contained in the case studies. Some of our insights go beyond the events of 2020, and draw on longer term trends in the region, trends which impacted on the effectiveness of government interventions to the first wave of COVID-19. Others reinforce what Aboriginal people have been saying in the Kimberley since the 1980s about the need for serious and considered investment of time and resources into a regional governance structure to enable proper and respectful articulation between government agencies, and the interests and values of the Aboriginal people of the region.

In the midst of the [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19 pandemic, teaching staff at universities across the world are being told they must shift courses from face-to-face to online delivery - not next year, not next semester, but next week. Some colleagues have been teaching online for many years, but for many of us it is a daunting change. In this time of physical distancing, the preliminary findings of my [National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education] NCSEHE Equity Fellowship research on supporting the mental wellbeing of mature-aged students in regional and remote Australia may be helpful. Why? The majority (53 per cent) of the students surveyed (n=2,401) and interviewed (n=51) study fully online. Their experience is quickly becoming the 'new normal'; with almost all tertiary study suddenly online, no longer is it a tyranny of distance for the few, on the periphery and out of sight. The survey and interview findings highlight the importance of teaching practices and the learning environment on student wellbeing. What can we learn from these regional and remote students to support students' mental health, wellbeing and success, in the context of learning and teaching online? Excerpt from publication.

The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of people diagnosed with cancer from rural and remote areas of Western Australia, who utilise supported accommodation services whilst undergoing treatment in the capital city (Perth). Methods A qualitative phenomenological approach was used in this study. Ten participants were recruited using purposive sampling, who were aged between 35–65 years, were diagnosed with cancer within the previous three months and used accommodation services within the past 12 months. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with a duration of approximately 45-60 min via Zoom, FaceTime or phone call. Interview data was transcribed, thematically analysed and coded into relevant themes. Results: Three overarching themes were derived from the interviews - "It's harder to have cancer when you have to relocate for treatment," "The paradoxical experience of staying at the accommodation," and "Feeling grateful for the support offered". Conclusions: People diagnosed with cancer who have to relocate during treatment require emotional, logistical, and social supports. Cancer accommodation services are essential in enabling individuals to continue engaging in meaningful occupations and maintain their quality of life. Our study highlights the need for cancer accommodation services to consider the complex needs of individuals completing treatment for cancer in locations away from their usual homes.

INTRODUCTION: The financial and psychological impacts of cancer treatment on patients can be severe. Practical issues, such as childcare, medical supplies and obtaining 'home help' can impose financial strain on patients and their families, and this is often exacerbated by a simultaneous loss of income if a patient is unable to continue employment during treatment, or if family members become full-time carers. These financial difficulties are often more severe for patients from rural regions because cancer services tend to be concentrated in metropolitan areas, requiring rural patients to relocate or undertake lengthy, frequent commutes to access treatment. The needs of rural cancer patients may differ from and exceed those of metropolitan cancer patients. Because of this, it is important to assess the needs of rural and metropolitan populations to develop appropriate, tailored supportive-care interventions. This article compares the unmet supportive-care needs of rural/remote with metropolitan cancer patients in Western Australia (WA), a large and sparsely populated Australian state with a substantial rural and remote population. This article is part of a larger program of research assessing the supportive-care needs of WA cancer patients. METHODS: Participants were identified through the Western Australian Cancer Registry (WACR) and considered eligible if diagnosed with any type of cancer between 6 months and 2 years previously. A random sample of 2079 potential participants was generated, structured to include all cancer types and geographical areas, and with both sexes randomised within these groups. Following confirmation and exclusion of deceased patients and those patients excluded at the treating doctor's request, 1770 patients were contacted. Participants were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and the Supportive Care Needs Survey Long Form (SCNS-59). Data from participants who completed and returned both questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics and χ(2) tests; and any missing data were addressed through imputation. RESULTS: Eight hundred and twenty-nine participants (47% response) completed the SCNS-LF59 and 786 (94.8%) completed both questionnaires. Of the 786 respondents, 234 (30%) were from rural areas and 169 (22%) were from remote areas. Among the 15 items with the highest frequency for 'some needs' on the survey, participant needs did not vary by geographical location, with no significant differences found for any of the 15 items. The item for which the greatest, albeit non-significant (p = 0.12) difference was seen, was 'concern about financial situation'. The differences among all other items were not significant (p-values from 0.28 to 0.96). Furthermore, the proportion of participants reporting 'moderate to high need' on these items also did not differ significantly across geographical populations (p-values from 0.13 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of discrepancy between rural, remote and metropolitan cancer patients' unmet needs provides a positive message regarding the state of WA cancer services and the level of support provided to rural and remote WA residents. Future research should also assess the unmet needs of rural and remote carers and families in comparison with metropolitan carers and families, to ensure that services are well-equipped to meet the needs of all individuals involved in a patient's cancer journey.

The purpose of this study was to assess the needs of rural women travelling to the city for breast cancer treatment. Participants included 80 women aged between 34 and 80 years living in rural NSW and South Australia who travelled for breast cancer treatment. After completing treatment, participants completed a brief telephone survey on the needs of rural women travelling for treatment. Findings revealed that more than 90% of women travelled for treatment due to the lack of available treatment centres closer to home and on average they spent 6.79 weeks (SD=4.73) away from their home and family. Findings also showed that 89% identified specific problems for rural women, with social and practical support being primary concerns. Although the majority of women were provided with some type of social support, only 39% of women received financial assistance and 19% of these women had trouble claiming money for which they were eligible. Recommendations of appropriate interventions to ensure equity in the availability and access to breast cancer treatment for all women are discussed.

The findings presented in this paper are part of a research project designed to provide a preliminary indication of the support needs of postdiagnosis women with breast cancer in remote and isolated areas in Queensland. This discussion will present data that focuses on the women’s expressed personal concerns. For participants in this research a diagnosis of breast cancer involves a confrontation with their own mortality and the possibility of a reduced life span. This is a definite life crisis, creating shock and needing considerable adjustment. Along with these generic issues the participants also articulated significant issues in relation to their experience as women in a rural setting. These concerns centred around worries about how their partner and families cope during their absences for treatment, the additional burden on the family of having to cope with running the property or farm during the participant’s absence or illness, added financial strain brought about by the cost of travel for treatment, maintenance of properties during absences, and problems created by time off from properties or self-employment. These findings accord with other reports of health and welfare services for rural Australian and the generic literature on psycho-oncology studies of breast cancer.

The purpose of this paper is to identify, track and discuss the pedagogical processes involved in an integrated teaching and research project to design and build a Cultural Knowledge Centre on Olkola Country in remote Cape York, Australia. The paper provides an empirical enquiry into the foundational principles and key design, theoretical and practical processes of the collaborative partnership between the Olkola Aboriginal Corporation (OAC), Monash University (and now The University of Melbourne) that has been operating since 2018. This paper focuses on a pedagogical stage in 2019 that saw 320 final year structural, mechanical, transport, environmental and water engineering students team up with 15 masters of architecture student mentors with input from Indigenous Olkola Traditional Owners (TOs) to progress the engineering design concepts and assist with development application preparations. The research provides significant contributions to practical and theoretical understandings of interdisciplinary design education and research that combine traditional cultural and scientific knowledge to support TO needs and aspirations. These lessons have implications for: 1) improved interdisciplinary communication and understanding; 2) the sharing and transfer of technical expertise with TOs; and 3) effective community engagement through architectural science education.

Purpose: To explore the experiences of people caring for someone with cancer, while living in rural Australia, and the impact of the cancer-caring role on their well-being. Method: Eighteen adults in regional or remote (‘rural’) Australia who cared for a person with cancer took part in semi-structured telephone interviews. Participants were aged 32–77 years and mainly female (66%). Data were analysed using thematic analysis and an essentialist approach. Results: Eight themes were identified: (1) travel is hard, but supports are available; (2) frustration with systems that do not demonstrate understanding of the rural context; (3) the importance of lay and peer support; (4) the impact of access to trusted, local health care services; (5) the importance of access to rurally relevant information (particularly on relevant services and what to expect); (6) living with uncertainty and balancing loss with hope; (7) reluctance to seek or accept psychological support; and (8) the gendered nature of care. Conclusion: Rural cancer carers’ roles can be made easier by improving health systems and coordination to ease the burden of travel, providing information about available support and what to expect throughout cancer treatment that is relevant to the rural context, and increasing access to quality health, community, and support services, including palliative care, in rural areas. More training on the specific needs of rural patients and their carers is needed for urban health care professionals. Peer support groups may have particular value for cancer carers in rural settings, where there are known to be multiple barriers to accessing professional sources of psychosocial support.

This chapter looks at racism. Most participants in this study reported that awareness of their distinct identity as a First Nations person, and tension engendered by the dissonance between their own worldview and that normalised within the school, was a constant at boarding school. For them, ethnic and racial stereotypes, internalised or externally imposed, meant that they felt ‘different’ at school. In many instances, this intersected with awareness that their background was materi-ally disadvantaged relative to their affluent middle-class peers. For many, implicit in their descriptions of difference was an assumption of inferiority that challenged their sense of self, and was a burden which in many cases became more onerous over time. This chapter begins by defining what is meant by racism and the notion of ‘culture’ before going on to present findings on how participants described encountering racism at three different levels: interpersonal, internalised, and institutional.

Summary Globally, the role of women in conservation is gaining attention with increasing initiatives to support gender equity in environmental management and decision-making. In Australia, the role of Aboriginal women in natural and cultural resource management employed as rangers is also gaining recognition; however, female employment in this field remains underrepresented. This paper reflects on a cross-cultural partnership aimed at empowering young Aboriginal women in natural and cultural resource management, locally known as caring for Country, in Arnhem Land, a remote Aboriginal owned region of northern Australia. The project was led by local Ngukurr community Ngandi Elder and lead author, Mrs Daniels, and Macquarie University researchers who co-designed and co-delivered activities according to five project aims: (i) Community involvement; (ii) Biocultural research / learning on Country; (iii) Leadership and confidence building; (iv) Knowledge maintenance; and (v) Capacity building. Over three years of the project, over 60 youth participated in a range of on-Country and cultural learning, leadership and capacity building activities including cross-cultural biodiversity surveys, wetland monitoring, traditional language and knowledge recording and culture camps. Participant feedback and a biocultural learning assessment task noted growth in confidence, biocultural knowledge and desire for continuation of youth empowerment programs in conservation. To facilitate gender equity in Aboriginal natural and cultural resource management, structural and sustained support of women?s empowerment and leadership, driven by local women with support of local communities, is required.

Introduction: Indigenous populations are amongst the most marginalised worldwide, which affects their health and well-being. Well-intentioned researchers from non-Indigenous backgrounds often approach communities to conduct research with the intent to help improve health opportunities and outcomes, however there are few publications reflecting on or evaluating the consent process for research with Indigenous communities (1). If community engagement and consent-seeking is not done in a culturally respectful, empowering way, it may do the community a disservice. Recruitment rates may be affected, results may be biased, and the research will be unlikely to achieve the intended positive, long lasting benefits for the community. Methods: The Picture Talk Project was invited by Aboriginal leaders of the Fitzroy Valley in the Kimberley, Australia. Non-Aboriginal researchers worked in collaboration with local Aboriginal leaders to evaluate the preference and understanding of the consent process for research, discuss past experiences, and make recommendations for the future. Local Aboriginal Community Navigators interpreted language and culture throughout the research process. Leaders were interviewed and Aboriginal community members participated in focus groups. Transcripts were analysed through NVivo10 qualitative software using grounded theory through inductive and deductive coding and themes are synthesised with supportive quotes highlighted. A detailed description of The Picture Talk Project research protocol has been published (2). Findings from interviews with community leaders have been reported (3). Results from the focus groups and final conclusions are now reported. Results: A total of 6 focus groups were formed, each comprising 3 to 8 participants. Participants were from all 4 main major language groups of the Fitzroy Valley, male and female, and from a variety of age groups, educational backgrounds social standing, and communities (with variable remoteness from Fitzroy Crossing). The six key themes identified for research in Aboriginal communities were: Reputation and trust is essential; The Community Navigator is Key; Pictures give words meaning (Milli milli vs Pictures); Consensus is achieved in circles through sharing stories; Signing consent; Research is needed in the Valley. We will present practical advice about how to conduct respectful research in remote Aboriginal communities. Conclusion: Culturally appropriate research is needed in Aboriginal communities and must be guided by Aboriginal people to enable researchers to navigate through another world view of knowledge.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol is the most commonly used drug within Australia. Recently, there have been indications that there is a greater incidence of high-risk drinking within rural populations as compared with their urban counterparts. High-risk drinking is associated with numerous conditions, such as diabetes, heart attack and cancer, as well as acute harms such as assault, suicide and road accidents. The objective of this article is to review the current research and relevant data pertaining to alcohol use and alcohol-related harms within rural Australia. METHODS: This paper is a systematic review of 16 databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Overall, 18 studies describing alcohol consumption or alcohol-related harms were found. Approximately half of these studies were large-scale national population surveys, which were therefore limited in their representativeness of specific regional and rural towns. Most studies examining alcohol consumption used self-report data collection, meaning that interpretation of results needs to be tentative. There is a consistent pattern of higher rates of alcohol consumption and consequent harm within regional and rural Australia than in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: There is emerging research examining alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms within regional and rural Australia. All studies show that these populations experience disproportionate harm because of alcohol consumption. The causes and mechanism for this have not been investigated, and a program of research is required to understand how and why rural populations experience disproportionate levels of alcohol-related harm and ultimately, what interventions will be most effective in reducing alcohol-related harms.