News

On Tuesday 4 November, I visited the Tobacco Action team at Bega Garnbirringu (Puyu Wantikatinhi) Health Service in Kalgoorlie. It was great to be back in the Goldfields, especially as the team has grown since my last visit in May. The purpose of the trip was to deliver training and spend time supporting the staff in their ongoing Tackling Indigenous Smoking work.

I facilitated a full day of training covering all elements of the TIS program, while also creating space for the team to explore new ideas and adapt their approaches to the changing smoking and vaping landscape in their region. We began with a workforce check-in that encouraged everyone to reflect on their strengths, achievements and the role they play as TIS educators. It set a strong, culturally grounded tone for the day and opened the door to honest conversation and shared learning.

I then provided an update on what’s happening across NBPU TIS, including new staff, emerging research and recently released resources. From there, we moved into a series of practical activities — developing a call to action, refining an elevator pitch and reviewing recent TIS activities to identify opportunities for improvement. Bega also put on a delicious lunch, which gave us all a moment to catch our breath and keep the energy high for the afternoon session.

The Tobacco Action team at Bega continue to impress me. They’re knowledgeable, enthusiastic and deeply committed to their community. Their focus on addressing the rise in youth vaping is strong and thoughtful, and I’m looking forward to seeing the innovative activities they bring to life in 2026.

Thank you again to Bega Garnbirringu for hosting me and for the work you do every day to support your community.