Early intervention is changing lives in the North Burnett, where two teams of Indigenous health workers from Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) are delivering essential health screenings to children at rural schools across the region.
Assigned to schools in Eidsvold, Childers, Biggenden and Gin Gin as one of the teams are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advanced Health Worker David Blucher and Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Oriel Chambers. They conduct hearing screening for students from Prep to Year 3 and any child up to Year 6 that the school identifies as having a concern about their hearing.
A typical visit includes recording results after examining the ear and doing audiometry testing to check frequencies that the child can hear. Any abnormalities are recorded for a review or for a referral to a GP or specialist.
Testing day also includes teaching children about nose blowing and hand washing techniques for personal hygiene.
As a proud descendant of the Wulli Wulli Nation from the Dawson area and the Wakka Wakka Nation from the South and Central Burnett, David draws on his strong cultural connections to build trust and engage meaningfully with rural and remote communities.
“I am from a well-known Aboriginal family in the local area with connections in most of the communities throughout the district,” David said.
“First Nation families know me for my professionalism and non-biased approach to my work and the people that I care for, regardless of age and cultural affiliation.
“I love my job and the locations. I enjoy the challenges and the rewards of a ‘thank you’ when I’ve helped someone, whether it’s a work colleague, patient, client or community member.”
Oriel is a proud Wakka Wakka woman. Born in Eidsvold, she grew up in Mundubbera and said this helps her in her work.
“Being a local Aboriginal lady, people already know me,” she said.
“I built that trust and relationship when I was working as a health worker before transferring to become an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner.”
Oriel describes her motivation for the job as supporting local communities, reducing health inequities, and ensuring that Mob feels culturally safe when interacting with the healthcare system.
Building trust, providing advocacy, and making a lasting difference in people’s health journey drives her passion.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school students experience some of the highest rates of ear disease globally which is primarily driven by chronic middle ear infections,” Oriel said.
“Early hearing detection programs make a profound difference across several key areas including the prevention of learning gaps, minimising classroom disengagement, boosting speech milestones, and fast-tracking referrals to specialists.
“The successes are rewarding and are measured when we see an improvement in a child’s recovery and learning.”
Photo: Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Oriel performs a hearing check