New health program officially launches in Cherbourg to boost First Nations outcomes

A new health program for young First Nations children – The Deadly Kindy program – has launched in the Queensland community of Cherbourg, being run in conjunction with the Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal & Islander Community Controlled Health Service (CRAICCHS) out of its clinic. 

A memorandum of understanding with CRAICCHS was signed last year, allowing the program to begin in 2024. 

The launch was an exciting day, with Deadly Choices Ambassadors Brenton Bowen (ex-NQ Cowboys) and Bo de la Cruz (a touch football international) on hand to promote the program, which aims to incentivise two key ingredients linked to “Closing the Gap”, early education and regular child health checks.

Cherbourg’s Elders were also invited along for the launch to help raise awareness of the program, and also to take part in the Elders Games where they were challenged by some special visitors from the Sunshine Coast. 

The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) has partnered with CRAICCHS to bring the Deadly Kindy program to the South Burnett.

Children enrolled in kindergarten at Cherbourg State School who had completed their annual health check at CRAICCHS received a special “kindy kit,” manager Milly Phillips shared.

As part of the launch Larissa Chambers, from the West Moreton Deadly Choices team, urged everyone – young and old – to have their annual “715” medical check, which is available to all First Nations people through all Aboriginal Medical Services and bulk-billing clinics.

Coverage of this story first appeared on southburnett.com.au – access the original here.