The “Good Tucker-Good Health” National Nutrition Networks Conference ’08 aimed to:
Provide an environment that enabled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share thoughts, knowledge and experiences in food and nutrition.
Inspire people working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander food, nutrition and health area to support, share, network and learn together.
Advocate for nutrition to be at the forefront of the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health agenda.
Conference Objectives
To encourage self-confidence and self-reliance amongst people who work in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition, and to provide strategies to support and deliver nutrition initiatives that foster self-determination and sustainability.
To showcase programs and projects initiated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition/Health Workers.
To provide a forum that enables fostering of partnerships between individuals, communities and agencies (including those beyond the scope of the health system) to address and prioritise issues surrounding food, nutrition and health.
To raise awareness of relevant communication networks that support quality nutrition work for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and advocate for further development, expansion and maintenance of those networks.
To review progress and make recommendations for the future of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan (NATSINSAP).
To consider how the National Nutrition Networks Conference can be retained as a core component of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan (NATSINSAP).
To promote the newly expanded ‘nutrition’ section on the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet (internet based knowledge resource), and its email communication.
Conference Themes
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition workforce*
Developing the capacity (and numbers) of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition workforce to support food and nutrition initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Food supply in rural and remote communities*
Improving access to a variety of affordable and nutritious foods for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in rural or remote communities.
Nutrition issues in urban areas*
Initiatives and networks that impact on making healthy choices ‘easy choices’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in urban areas.
Communicating and disseminating 'good practice' Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition initiatives*
Contributing to increasing the uptake of ‘good practice’ and evidence based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition promotion programs in urban, rural and remote settings across Australia.
Family focused maternal and child nutrition (prenatal, postnatal, infants, toddlers)*
Promoting healthy birth weight, improved nutrition in early life and healthy childhood growth among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in urban, rural and remote settings across Australia.
Good Tucker, Good Health
Focusing on prevention of nutrition related health problems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and promotion of healthy eating for healthy weight.
Other topics
Other issues related to improving nutrition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be considered (e.g. state and national policy, oral health etc).
The National Nutrition Networks Conference appreciates the support of Dairy Australia who were Gold sponsors providing the sponsorship of the conference dinner.
The National Nutrition Networks Conference appreciates the support of Unilever who were Silver sponsors providing the sponsorship of the conference satchels.
The National Nutrition Networks Conference appreciates the support of HJ Heinz Co Australia.
The National Nutrition Networks Conference 2008 received funding from the Australian Government.
Who attended
Key regional/community health/public health Aboriginal Health Workers and Nutritionists/Nutrition Workers
Health professionals working in Government and non-Government organisations
Researchers (especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander researchers) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and nutrition related area
People working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families where nutrition is a factor/issue.
Anybody engaged with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and individuals e.g. Carers, teachers, HACC providers, crèches.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community people with an interest in food and nutrition.
People working in the area of food supply for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
People working in the area of oral health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Venue
The 2008 National Nutrition Networks Conference was held at Alice Springs Convention Centre located in Barrett Drive, Alice Springs.
