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Djirruwang Program

Terms of Reference > National External Management Committee > Mentoring Program > Mentor Participants

The word Djirruwang was selected as part of the identity of the program. It is an Ngunnawal word that means light. There are many interesting parts that this word could make reference too. It could mean light as the essence of life, light as to find the way or light as opposed to darkness. We believe the program reflects many of these interpretations in the principles that underpin the program. It is also to pay respect to the many, many people who contributed to the programs success over the years including some of the local Aboriginal people from the area from which it originated.

The Djirruwang Mental Health Education & Training Program at Charles Sturt University ( CSU ) delivers a tertiary course in mental health via mixed mode. The program has restricted entry and is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to gain high quality knowledge, skills and attitudes in the field of mental health. This is achieved by building on people's knowledge and combining mental health theory with clinical practice. The program provides the opportunity for people to gain formal mental health qualifications at Certificate, Diploma and Degree levels.

The program has developed a Clinical Handbook and Course Competencies (Authors: Len Kanowski and Tom Brideson) document to assist students to gain meaningful and practical experience in the clinical environment. Workplace experience provides the opportunity to participate and consolidate theory and practice. The CSU competency document is underpinned by the National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce, 2002 . The program has taken this approach to encourage professional recognition and professional status in the mental health field. In consultation with the Commonwealth Mental Health Branch this course was the first in Australia to use the National Practice Standards in this way.

Terms of Reference

National External Management Committee

The objectives of the Djirruwang National External Management committee were revised in June and September 2007 and are to provide advice on:

  • Curriculum development and revision.
  • Methods to improve student support and supervision.
  • Marketing strategies.
  • Revision of clinical guidelines.
  • Evaluation of the program.
  • Mentoring arrangements.
  • Promote the recruitment and retention of undergraduate students.
  • Promote the recruitment and retention of qualified staff.
  • Advise on the opportunities for research development and collaboration.
  • Opportunities for expansion.

The NEMC is now comprised of fifteen (15) members, nine (9) of whom are of Aboriginal descent. Members of the Djirruwang National External Advisory Committee (NEAC) will be drawn from but not limited to the following persons:

  • Ms Verina Crawford, Ms Michelle Wilkes, Biripi Aboriginal Medical Services
  • Ms Faye McMillan
  • Mr Colin Locke
  • Ms. Kate Gilbert and Ms. Helen Stone
  • National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO): to be confirmed
  • Mr. Mick Gooda
  • Dr Russell Roberts - Area Mental Health Director GWAHS
  • Mr Tom Brideson - Statewide Coordinator NSW Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Program
  • Ms Robyn Menzie – Manager of  GSAHS
  • Mr Ray Eldridge
  • Professor Elaine Duffy
  • Mr Wayne Rigby
  • Professor Ross Chambers
  • Ms Jane Havelka

Mr. Mick Gooda, the Chief Executive Officer of the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health has agreed to be a national member representative on the NMEC. Mr Gooda's extensive work history, in the public and community sectors, has involved the delivery of policy and program development and advocacy in Indigenous affairs throughout Australia. He possesses a comprehensive experience of working and delivering results in remote, rural and urban environments, based on an extensive knowledge of the diversity of circumstance and cultural nuances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia.

Mentoring Program

During the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) course, it was acknowledged that there was a dire need for students to have the opportunity to form beneficial relationships with experienced individuals already in the field of mental health (mentors). The development of a formal Mentoring Program was considered beneficial for the University, other stakeholders, but most importantly for the students. Allowing them to build the skills and knowledge needed for them to become valued mental health workers, whilst at the same time guiding them and enhancing their career development opportunities. The student support program will be achieved through the provision of appropriate training and development opportunities particularly focused in the area of mental health.

The aim of the Mentoring Program is to provide a formal process for the provision of support, assisted learning and the potential identification of career development strategies for students undertaking the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) at CSU .

It is well recognised that informal or spontaneous mentoring occurs regularly within organisations. The aim of the CSU mentor program is to formalise this occurrence for the benefit and support of students. Establishing a formal mentoring program ensures consistency and continuity in mentoring relationships, whist at the same time as maintaining flexibility. With the support of the stakeholders it provides a framework for measuring outcomes of mentoring relationships, it overcomes the random nature of informal mentoring. The CSU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Mentoring Program is a formal program involving the:

Selection and matching of mentors and students

  • Training for potential mentors
  • Development strategies for ongoing support of the mentoring relationship
  • Building sustainable localised support arrangements

Mentor Participants

Rhonda Woodward
Jane Havelka
Tom Brideson
Len Kanowski
Faye McMillan
Bindi Bennett
Christine King
Bill Warner
Barbara Caine
Allison Thorne
Justin Files
Tania Malone
Verina Crawford
Donna Stanley
Amelia Pulver
Katrina Dart
Suzanne Lang
Robert Dow
Lee Simpson
Sandra Kelty
Alwyn Dukes
Rona Murray
Caroline Duncan
Doug James
Reta Latimore
Sharon Medway
Stacey Meredith
Barbara Caine

 

 

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