Kaya wandju. Hello and welcome to our

third edition of SWAMS News.The feedback so far has been really positive. SWAMS is proud to produce this free publication for our community.We want to showcase what makes our com-munity special and cel-ebrate the many people and events throughout the South West.There has been so much happening in our SWAMS family these past few months.We were fortunate to have national dance

company Indigenous Hip Hop Projects back in Bunbury last month.A big thanks to the SWAMS Health Promo-tion team for organising

hip hop community and school workshops, which saw more than 1500 people participate. I also attended a special event called Yokai “heal-

ing our spirit”, which saw more than 100 people hear from key-note speakers, including Aboriginal leader and advocate Jim Morrison. This was a special event.As we enter a new Noongar season, Kam-barang, we hope you enjoy our quandong jam recipe. It’s a favourite for this season, which was renowned for Noongar families to head back to the coast as the weather became warmer.Here’s hoping we ex-perience some warmer weather fast.

- Lesley Nelson

Community feedback

South West Aboriginal Medical Service CEO Lesley Nelson.

National dance company

Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) knows how to draw a crowd.More than 1500 people of all ages participated in the crew’s motivational workshops, united by hip hop and inspiring messages.Hosted by the South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS), the crew loved every minute of their recent visit, and will be back. SWAMS Health Pro-

motion Officer Nat Jetta said this year’s workshops were all about motivating people to be inspired, dance, discover ways to look after their mental health, to feel good and be there for their mates.“We were over-whelmed by the attendance of the dance crew’s work-shops,” Ms Jetta said.“People of all ages participated, not just the school students. We had teachers, parents, grandparents, everyone.

“The feedback was so positive and we loved how well the crew interacted with every participant.“One teacher said it was brilliant to see children that are withdrawn get up and dance and engage with their peers.”Thank you to the sponsors for their support: Fleet Partners, Dalyellup Primary, Tuart Forest Primary, Headspace and Totally Sound. To see more photos from the event go to pages 4-5.

United by hip hopIndigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) dancer Rayson Santana leads a group of Tuart Forest Prima-ry School students in a dance routine, as part of the national dance company’s visit to Bunbury in September. COVER PHOTO: Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School students (from left) Jasmine Nannup, Khia-Lee Nannup, Shenika Garlett (front) and Ezabella Martella with IHHP’s Kat Marshall.

IHHP dancers (from left) Kat Marhsall, Rayson Santana (front), Michael Naawi and Julie Nguyen.

Ingredients:• 2 1/2 cups or 250g dried quandong fruit• 4 cups water• 2 1/2 kg castor sugar

Method:1. Soften dried fruit overnight in a bowl with a litre of water.

2. Place softened quandong fruit, water and sugar into a large saucepan. Put on high heat and stir constantly until sugar is dissolved and then bring to boil.

3. Lower to medium heat allowing jam to come to a simmer. Cook for a further 40 minutes or until the

jam reaches setting point.

4. Place some jam onto a cold plate, it should wrinkle when touched, meaning it’s set. If too loose, cook a little longer, but be careful not to overcook it.

5. When jam is ready, pour into sterilised jars and seal. Un-opened jars can last a year. Refrigerate jam once opened.Enjoy your jam.

Quandong jam recipe

Calendar of eventsOctober 1-31

SWAMS’ Nutrition and cancer awareness month. Informative display at our clinic. Pop in and have a look.

Rural Health West Annual Photography Competition open from October 1-31. Visit www.ruralhealthwest.com.au/photocomp

October 16South Regional TAFE Bunbury Campus, Robertson Drive. Open Day from 12-3pm. Contact (08) 9780 7000.

October 22Girls Night In, hosted by Dreambuilders Church at 7-9.30pm. Tickets $40, all proceeds to Cancer Council. Contact (08) 9726 4201.

Brunswick Agricultur-al Show, 9am-6pm. Visit www.brunswickshow.com.au

Mary G’s state tour, featuring John Albert, Yatangal and John Bennet at the BREC.Awesome Festival 16 Roadshow at BREC from 10am-3pm. Free fun stuff for kids. Con-tact1300 661 272.

October 25Methamphetamine Addiction awareness event from 7pm at The Pavilion, Leisure Drive, Australind. RSVP to 0411 358 137.

October 29Farewell to Bardimia at the old Bardimia camp-site. Contact Rachelle on 0437 782 840.

November 5, 19Bunbury Markets at Queens Gardens from 8am-1pm.

November 5Relay for Life at Payne Park. Contact relaybun-bury@gmail.com.

November 6Spring Music Sessions at Barton Jones Wines in Donnybrook, from 12-4pm.

November 7-8Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Workshop at St John of Good Hospital from 8.30-4.30pm. RSVP to (08) 97221600.

December 11Christmas in the City at Bicentennial Square from 3-8.30pm.

For more info please call (08) 9791 1166.

Bunbury author Josh Langley reads his book Being You Is Enough to children at a SWAMS Playgroup Role Model event as part of Father’s Day celebrations.

Checking out the kids play area at the SWAMS’ Kids in the Park event are Pearl Kopp and SWAMS’ Playgroup Co-ordinator Tammy McGrath.

Taking part in the Indigenous Hip Hop Projects workshop are (from left) Riley Dunham, Toby Robertson, Ashton Paget (front), Isaiah Bell, Tim Gutterson and Kobi Paget (front).

Manning the barbecue at the Family Fun Day are SWAMS’s staff (from left) Wade Garwood, Amanda Wallam and Peter Mitchell.

At the Reconnect Prison Expo in Bunbury are (from left) Wayne Smith (prison), Nat Jetta (SWAMS), Kim Brown (prison), Julie Knipping (SWAMS), Andy Pierre (prison), Jessica Watts (SWAMS) Kerri Bishop (prison), Roslyn Maroochi (prison) and Terry Garlett (SWAMS).

At the Family Fun Day Jobs Expo are Indigenous Youth Mobility Pathways Programme staff (from left) Neil Sarmardin and Susanna and Belinda Schindler.

SWAMS’ purpose-built clinic has been a

hive of activity since it opened its doors in August last year.The new building is designed to improve culturally appropriate health care delivery for the Noongar community.SWAMS Clinic Director Terry Kneale said the additional room to service clients, together with highly dedicated staff, enabled SWAMS to provide holistic care to almost 3000 patients and their families.“In February, SWAMS also introduced the evening clinic where we are opened till 8pm on a Thursday night, improving accessibility for those who may be unable to seek medical care during normal business hours,” Mr

Kneale said.“SWAMS offers outreach clinics in Manjimup, Brunswick and Collie one day a week trying to reach as many clients as possible outside of the Bunbury area.”SWAMS recently re-leased it’s new subsidies and benefits brochure (pictured right), which outlines the criteria and assitance available for clients requiring support. The brochure is available online at www.swams.com.au/services/ or contact SWAMS on (08) 9726 6000. Please note from 12th October 2016, the SWAMS clinic and admin office will be closed from 2pm-5pm every Wednesday for staff training and meetings.Visit our website for more information.

Culturally focussed careSWAMS’ purpose-built clinic on Forrest Avenue has been servicing the Noongar community since last August. Below (right): SWAMS’ new subsidies and benefits brochure is now available online or you can collect a copy from the clinic and find out if you’re eligible.

MORE than 100 people heard

from well-known Aboriginal leader and advocate Jim Morrison at the Yokai event held in Bunbury recently.Hosted by ECU, the event’s aim “healing our spirit” featured speakers including, ECU Elder in Resi-dence Lera Bennell, SWAMS CEO Lesley Nelson, ECU Pro-fessor Kathy Boxhall and Roelands Village CEO Les Wallam.

Yokai: healing our spirit

At the Yokai: Healing our Spirit event held at the BREC are (from left) ECU Elder in Residence Lera Bennell, ECU Noongar Student Support Officer Dellas Bennell, SWAMS CEO Lesley Nelson, Yokai Leader Jim Morrison, ECU Professor Kathy Boxhall and Roelands Village CEO Les Wallam.

Attending the Yokai: Healing our Spirit event at the BREC are (from left) Annette Garlett, Syd Jackson, Rhona Wallam and Dawn Alone.

Also at the Yokai: Healing our Spirit event are (from left) Natasha Kickett, Karen McDavitt, Rebecca Burns and Rebecca Dickson.