JCU Students Lend a Hand at Deadly Day Out

Some of the JCU students who assisted on the day: L-R: Helen, Patricia, Tammy, Harro, Romilda & Nicole

Some of the JCU students who assisted on the day: L-R: Helen, Patricia, Tammy, Harro, Romilda & Nicole

Tablelands Regional Council’s (TRC) ‘Wellbeing Tablelands’ was launched on the 6th July at the DEADLY DAY OUT in Mareeba. The ‘Wellbeing Tablelands’ will run for two years to introduce fitness and nutrition programs aimed at reducing the levels of chronic disease across the community. JCU will be evaluating the project and is collecting information on perceptions of the health issues in their community, expectations are of ‘Wellbeing Tablelands’ and what they hope will be achieved over the period of the program.

Bernadette Rogerson, from the school of Public Health is leading the evaluation, assisted by Sarah Gayton (PhD candidate). Bernadette is a full time researcher and wanted to offer students an opportunity to experience being a researcher for the day. Nursing students, Tammy Lauitsen, Helen Carmiggelt, Patricia Riley and Romilda Rodrigues supervised by clinical nurses from Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre ran a ‘pit stop’ style mini-health check and health survey. Sport & Recreation students, Lucy Keast and Harro Groenewegen assisted TRC’s Sport and Rec officer Matt Smith to deliver Yulunga – traditional Aboriginal games. Children participated in games such as Gorri, Thepan (pictured), Kolap and Kai. Education student, Nicole Whelan assisted the evaluation team conducting community surveys.

Overall it was a highly successful day. TRC and project partners organised a delicious healthy food BBQ, cooking sessions, live music, traditional dancing, market stalls and more. Thank you to TRC for hosting us, Brett Walsh and to all students for your time, hard work and enthusiasm. Also, to Tanya Park and Kim Usher from Nursing, and Kelly Sinclair from Sport & Rec - for advertising the opportunity to their students. Should anyone be interested in volunteering to participate in future for events associated with ‘Wellbeing Tablelands’ please register your interest bernadette.rogerson1@jcu.edu.au.

Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre offer Nursing and other Medical student placements and TRC Sport & Recreational department are interested in offering Sport & Rec student placements in 2013. Should you be interested, your school’s student placement officer should be able to assist.