Guunu-maana

Guunu-maana Guunu-maana (Heal) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health program is part of the George Institute

A big welcome to the team, Tyra!Tyra is a Torres Strait Islander woman, and a Research Assistant for Guunu-maana(Heal).W...
16/02/2026

A big welcome to the team, Tyra!

Tyra is a Torres Strait Islander woman, and a Research Assistant for Guunu-maana(Heal).

We’re looking forward to the knowledge, passion and energy she will bring to the team.

Get to know Tyra a little better through her answers below:

📺 What’s your favourite tv show?

I don’t really have favourites but at the moment I am watching a Swedish TV show called “Barracuda Queens.”

🤍 What are your loves outside of work?

I love oil painting and riding my motorbike with friends on the weekend!

👀 What is one thing you are really good at and one thing you struggle with?

I would like to say I am really good at getting really passionate about things and advocating for what I believe in, and I tend to struggle with asking questions early on in a process.

🏆 What is your biggest achievement so far?

My biggest achievement so far would be finishing my degree even though there were plenty of times I felt like giving up!

💻 What made you want to join the Guunu-maana team?

I wanted to join the Guunu-maana team to work in a group of like-minded people and make a real difference within our community and for our mob. The Guunu-maana team are the most amazing and kind people who truly love what we do – and this feeds into the quality of work that is produced by us. Our passion and lived experience is what guides us to make a difference in the lives of others.

13th February marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. We honour Stolen Generations Surv...
13/02/2026

13th February marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.
 
We honour Stolen Generations Survivors and recognise the ongoing strength of children, families and communities. The impacts of past policies are not just historical, they continue to shape experiences today.

Through our work with children and families, we are committed to supporting culturally safe care, strong connections to community and better outcomes for the next generation.
 
Today is a time to acknowledge, reflect and recommit to walking alongside community.

A proud moment last week at the launch of the NSW Aboriginal Cancer Strategy. Intergenerational Care: “Caring for Kin an...
10/02/2026

A proud moment last week at the launch of the NSW Aboriginal Cancer Strategy. Intergenerational Care: “Caring for Kin and Country”, held last Wednesday the 6th of February to mark World Cancer Day.

The Strategy has been developed in partnership with the Cancer Institute NSW and AH&MRC of NSW and sets a strong roadmap for change across the cancer space. Led by Aboriginal voices, community needs and culturally safe care.

Associate Professor, Julieann Coombes and Research Associate, Melissa McDonnell were there to present our Culturally Safe Cancer Care Model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. It was deadly to see such strong interest in the ‘Building Cultural Safety and Capabilities’ training program and the role it can play in strengthening cultural safety across the health system.

We’re grateful to be part of this important work and to continue walking alongside partners and communities to improve cancer care for our mob.

We’d love for you to take a moment to have a read through the Strategy and see the important work happening across NSW: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/nsw-aboriginal-cancer-strategy


We can’t wait to see our Dance2Kinnect mob back! 🫶🏾 A space to dance, connect, make friends, share snacks and learn dead...
29/01/2026

We can’t wait to see our Dance2Kinnect mob back! 🫶🏾

A space to dance, connect, make friends, share snacks and learn deadly moves.

See you soon for a deadly time. 🖤

The Guunu-maana office will be taking a short break over the festive season. We’ll close from Wednesday 24 December, reo...
23/12/2025

The Guunu-maana office will be taking a short break over the festive season.

We’ll close from Wednesday 24 December, reopening on Monday 5 January 2026.

We want to wish all mob a safe, connected and joyful Christmas and New Year.

This time of year can bring up many feelings, so let’s remember to check in on one another, especially community members who may not have family or support around them.

Stay safe, stay kind, enjoy the time with loved ones and we’ll see you in the new year!

If you need support, you’re never alone. Free and confidential services are available 24/7:

13YARN: 13 92 76

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Emergency: 000

Thank you to our communities and partners for walking alongside us this year and all the work that you do keeping our communities safe and strong.

We’re looking forward to a deadly 2026 together.

22/12/2025

A full year of Dance2Kinnect, come and see what our Central Coast D2K mob have to say about it! ⭐️

🎉 We’re celebrating an incredible achievement! 🎉The Guunu-maana(Heal) team has received the Community Engagement Award f...
18/12/2025

🎉 We’re celebrating an incredible achievement! 🎉

The Guunu-maana(Heal) team has received the Community Engagement Award for our innovative and ethical approach to working alongside communities.

Our efforts, from championing food and water security in Walgett, to designing culturally safe care models, to delivering creative initiatives like Dance2Kinnect – reflect our commitment to genuine, impactful and engagement that strengthens and empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We also congratulate Associate Professor Julieann Coombes, who has been honoured with the Bridging the Gap Award for her outstanding work in reducing health inequities.

Her leadership in creating culturally safe models of care, including the Safe Pathways Model, and her pioneering education programs continue to reshape how cultural integrity and equity are embedded across health and academic systems.

We’re incredibly proud of the team and inspired by the communities we walk alongside.

A few weeks ago, members of the Guunu-maana attended the first Annual Learning & Reflection Forum for the RESist-NCD Pro...
17/12/2025

A few weeks ago, members of the Guunu-maana attended the first Annual Learning & Reflection Forum for the RESist-NCD Program – a comprehensive program of work which supports governments, civil society organisations and communities in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia to develop and evaluate initiatives for the prevention and management of diabetes and hypertension.

Starting with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Maxine Ryan from the La Perouse Aboriginal Community, members of the consortium from Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Australia had the privilege of gathering on Bidjigal Country to share learnings and reflections on their progress with the RESist-NCD Program to date.

It was also an amazing opportunity to get to know each other beyond the confines of virtual meetings, and to look ahead and plan as the Program heads into its second year.

The Guunu-maana team facilitated a session on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and community engagement which was focussed on moving from GEDSI principles to practice. We highlighted our GEDSI approach and achievements so far and each country-team reflected on their GEDSI Goals and Gaps over the next 12-months.

The session resulted in some clear next steps in how the Guunu-maana team can work together with our locally-based colleagues to meaningfully integrate GEDSI across all implementation settings and program workstreams.

Overall, it was a productive, energising, and fun week! 💛✨

The RESist-NCD Program is supported by the Australian Government Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Our very own Jacek Anderst has officially completed their PhD. 🎉 Throughout this journey Jacek has demonstrated deep com...
15/12/2025

Our very own Jacek Anderst has officially completed their PhD. 🎉

Throughout this journey Jacek has demonstrated deep commitment to ethical, community led research in improving housing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Jacek’s thesis is a testament to the way they have walked this research journey - grounded, ethical, purposeful and in deep partnership with community.

Congratulations Jacek, we are so very proud of you!

Read their thesis here: https://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/entities/publication/7b6a5b86-fbb7-4d12-be8d-266c876ac5b6

Pictured left to right: Tamara Mackean, Kate Hunter, Jacek Anderst and Julieann Coombes

We just wrapped up our 13th Community Coordinated Burn care (CCBC) training session with the team Tamworth Aboriginal Me...
13/11/2025

We just wrapped up our 13th Community Coordinated Burn care (CCBC) training session with the team Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Corporation

Tamworth had 1 deadly packed day of hands-on learning, covering everything from burn prevention, first aid, wound care and dressings.

Our CCBC project supports Aboriginal Medical Services across NSW to build confidence and skills in providing culturally safe burn care for mob.

Big thank you to everyone at Tamworth AMS for the warm welcome and deadly participation.

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