Forty Nursing Science and Midwifery students from USC have eagerly volunteered to work at the North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health’s annual Well Persons Health Check Day on Saturday 11 May.

The free event in Gympie is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages and is held by the NCACCH in conjunction with USC’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, and government and non-government organisations.

The aim of the event is to bring the Gympie and Sunshine Coast Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities together for a fun day with a major emphasis on health.

It will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm at the Jones Hill State School, Heilbronn Road, Gympie, and involve health care professionals from across the region.

The USC students will focus on health screening for children aged 4-15 years. They will be assisted by clinical facilitators to conduct basic eye tests and discuss the importance of nutrition and exercise, as well as immunisation and hand hygiene.

USC’s Indigenous Clinical Nursing Facilitator and Aboriginal Community Elder Aunty Leone Smith said around 1,200 community members were expected to attend the annual health event, held alternately in Gympie and on the Sunshine Coast.

“It’s a great opportunity to bring together the Gympie and Sunshine Coast Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and have our students work with them to focus on their health and wellbeing,” Aunty Leone said.

“It’s also wonderful for our students, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to get hands-on experience in the importance of health promotion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and learn more about the benefits of providing that information in a relaxed, respectful and culturally-appropriate way in the spirit of reconciliation.

“Adult community members can receive a general health check, talk with health service providers and allied health professionals as well as receive free influenza immunisations, pap smears and blood pressure checks.”