Finishing up... an experience of a life-time

The past weeks have been very busy, with meetings and writing up my recommendations and final report. So busy that I haven't taken the time to write any posts to keep you updated.

Last week I got to sit in on a meeting of the Central Australian Academic Health Science Centre. This MRFF funded Centre is a partnership between health services, health/medical research organisations and educational institutions in Central Australia. They're set to fund collaborative work to benefit the health of Central Australians, and the NPY Women's Council recently became a full partner to the Centre. During the meeting funding applications were assessed and discussed, and a good number of projects were funded for the next two years. Although the Women's Council wasn't a party to any of the current applications, we got a very good sense of what is required to successfully obtain funding for some very relevant projects in the next round. 

It also gave me a stronger understanding of the environment the Women's Council operates in, and where the challenges and opportunities lie.

Over the past days I finalised my recommendations that the Council can use to strengthen their knowledge and hence confidence around partnering in research projects. The Council is truly very strongly placed to harness research for the benefit of its members, and with its strong reputation and great trust of its members, they're an ideal end-user partner for academic researchers. It will be great to see them take a more leading role in future projects. Most researchers unfortunately don't know how to plan and perform their research in a manner that fits in with the needs of the NPY Womens' Council and the participants of a study, unless time is invested to bring them on boar with this. Taking the initiative will be the best way to make sure that study outcomes will eventually result in positive and transformative change, and not just research papers.

Yesterday was not only my birthday, but also our day of final presentations. The Domestic and Family Violence team, who hosted me over the past weeks, took me to breakfast. The rest of the day was a roller-coaster of dotting i's and crossing t's, morning tea with the Womens' Council, and an afternoon of  talks. Each secondee (eleven of us) presented about their project and their professional and personal learnings. It was great to hear about all of our experiences and journeys, and to see how everyone has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. It is hard to find the words to underpin the value of immersing yourself in new world far from normal life. While our projects and host organisations were each very different, we have all delivered outcomes of real use. 

  

In the induction week we learned about the concept of Ngapartji-Ngapartji, meaning reciprocity; you give me something and I give you something. I think all secondees feel like we took away more than we would ever leave behind. In the form of a deeper, better understanding, learnings, culture, friendships, and in many cases a renewed view on life, our careers, and our role in the world. We talked about how we could make sure that the impact of our secondments would last longer than just the six weeks we spent here, in beautiful Central Australia. 

  

 

Andrea Mason, the CEO of the NPY Women's Council, joined us for all our presentations. She had provided me with some valuable input for my project just the day before, so it was great to be able to confirm to her that I had indeed incorporated that in the final report. Andrea was awarded an Order of Australia medal in recognition of her services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of the Northern Territory just last week. Her sharp insight and strong drive and influence, to accomplish agency and self-determination for Anangu, in their own land, make a big difference to many people. 

Andrea Mason OAM, CEO NPY Womens' Council

We finished the day, and our secondment, in style, with a lovely dinner, some extensive reminiscing and extensive promises to keep in touch. I have come out of this experience with more knowledge and understanding, a strong motivation to continue to support traditional owners of this beautiful land, and with a group of new friends across Australia. Alice Springs, this has been a superb journey, and I'll be back! 

 

Thanks (well, deep gratitude) are owed to so many people!

The Faculty and University of Melbourne, for offering me this opportunity, and manager Nicola for encouraging and supporting my application,

Jawun, for offering this amazing program, and Fran for being the best Regional Director I've ever met!

NPY Women's Council, endless thanks for hosting me, and for having such a great project that is so close to my heart for me! I have learnt so much, that I don't know where to begin. To use the cliche that you are all inspirational people doesn't begin to describe the respect and admiration we all have for you. I am honoured to have been part of it! Melissa thank you for your encouragement throughout the project.

To all my fellow secondees... none of this would have been the same without you. Each of you is remarkable in your own way. Let's keep in touch!