Scholarship for Aboriginal Health workers

The Rio Tinto Aboriginal Health Partnership offers a Scholarship for Aboriginal Health workers to further their studies.

• In 2009 Rio Tinto, in partnership with Kulunga Research Network at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research will offer scholarships to Aboriginal Health Workers in the Pilbara region.  
  
• Up to $5000 will be granted to give a Health worker the opportunity for further study at the Marr Mooditj Aboriginal Health College in Perth or the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council (KAMSC Inc) School of Health Studies in Broome to undertake the Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice). 
  
• This will cover course fees, uniforms, study expenses and some employment costs.
  
• The Partnership has committed at least one of the eight scholarships to be awarded in the Pilbara.
  
• Please contact Don at Gumala for more info and an application form.
  

Health and Wellbeing: Can we go to any supplier?

Well, Yes and No. Your request will be processed more quickly if you use our preferred suppliers. If Gumala has an account with the shop we can just fax them a Purchase Order, otherwise we need to negotiate with the shop to pay by credit card or open an account and this can take quite some time.

Can I get cash assistance?

No. GAC is required assist members through a Third Party and this is why we use suppliers and pay for your goods or utilities.

• Members receiving their Christmas Bonus through the Pensioner Support Program will receive a sum of money and this will be deposited directly into their bank accounts.  

• This is the ONLY time this form of payment can be made,

What can I use my Health & Wellbeing funds for?

Health & Wellbeing Benefit is intended for the purchase of white goods; the payment of utilities, i.e. phone, power bills, water bills etc; motor vehicle repairs and fines (prior to the 14th April 2008), or monthly food vouchers.

I have just applied for membership, when will I know if it is approved?

Membership applications need to be approved at the monthly Governing Committee Meetings. Depending on when you submit your application and when the next meeting will be, it could take up to 6 weeks before you are formally notified. You will receive a letter within 10 days of the Committee’s decision. 

To apply for benefits through Health and Wellbeing you need to be registered as a Gumala Traditional Owner before 31 December, 2008. GAC will receive Health and Wellbeing  applications for 2 weeks into 2009 to give latecomers an opportunity to apply for these benefits.

Health and Well Being Benefit

A ONE OFF benefit made to Members who are not receiving the Pensioner Health & Wellbeing or listed as Elderly and Infirmed. 

• Anyone who is over the age of 18 and a Registered Gumala Traditional Owner is eligible for Health and Wellbeing, one-off payment that will conclude on 31 December, 2008.

• Health and Wellbeing Benefit is intended for the purchase of white goods; the payment of utilities, i.e. phone, power bills, water bills etc; motor vehicle repairs and fines (prior to the 14th April 2008), and/or monthly food vouchers.

• Food voucher requests are generally faxed to the store around 4pm daily. Late requests received after 2pm may not be processed the same day, though urgent requests get special consideration.

• If your application is for other items within the guidelines and we have an account set up with your supplier requests for electrical items, kitchen appliances, fridges and washing machines etc can be processed within 7 days.

• When orders are ready they will be faxed to the store and we will give you a call to let you know they are complete.

• You will be informed if a version of this program is to be run in 2009. Currently there are no plans to repeat Health and Wellbeing.

What is available from the Member Services Unit?

The Member Services Unit at Gumala was established in May this year as a service to support our Gumala Traditional Owners and to assist in coping with the growing demand for our ever increasing number of programs available to our Members.

This is just a brief list of what Gumala can offer its Registered Members-
• Health and Wellbeing Benefit
• Pensioner Health & Wellbeing
• Dental Program
• Ancillary Health Program (Optometry, Physio etc)
• Funeral Program
• Critically Ill Patient Support
• Computer Support
• Education Support and Gumala Scholarship Programs
• Gumala Home Loan Scheme
• Sport and Recreation Program

To receive any of these benefits it is important that the right application forms are completed and the information needed to support your application is received at the time of your application.