With Naidoc week celebrating aboriginal and Torres Strait islander history, culture and achievements, it is timely to highlight a program at Armadale Kelmscott Memorial hospital for expectant mothers. Editor Robyn Molloy speaks to Christine Parry about the Boodjari Yorgas program.
Christine Parry has been making a difference to pregnant indigenous women throughout the area in her role as Aboriginal health officer (maternity).
She provides counselling and support to Aboriginal mothers at the Armadale Kelmscott memorial hospital as part of the Aboriginal maternity program Boodjari Yorgas.
A combination of her gentle nature, background as an early learning teacher and Aboriginal heritage were the perfect combination to perform her role of encouraging expectant women to attend appointments.
“My roles as an Aboriginal health officer is to liaise with the hospital, community and the patients that come through,” she said.
“We are not just dealing with the mum but with the whole family.”
What makes her job even easier is that Ms Parry said she is related to more than half her patients as she grew up in the Armadale area.
Her father Horrie Hill, who died in a car accident with her 17-year-old son and nephew in 1992, was a mentor and role model for all youth whether or not they were indigenous.
The Horrie Hill reserve in Townley Street was named in his honour.
Mr Hill was involved in many sports and one of the first indigenous families to move to the area in 1962 from Pingelly.
Ms Parry, who has a background in teaching, said growing up in the area meant she had a strong connection to the area and being indigenous she understood the cultural barriers for attending hospital and appointments.
“With myself I see them after hours and on the weekend. I don’t just see them in work hours because I am related to them,” she said.
“If they have a familiar face they find it easier to have someone to talk to, if I know some of their issues, then I can talk to he midwife so the midwife can have a bit on an understanding of those issues.
“A lot of our people don’t like coming to hospitals for anything, they may have had bad experiences in the past.
“If they know there is an Aboriginal person they can connect with they will be more willing to talk about their issues.
“I am just that liaison person and it makes it easier for them to seek health care.
“They might have a sister or cousin that is pregnant that they will recommend come to our program so a lot of it is word of mouth.”
Ms Parry, who has been in the role four years, said they were able also able to provide information about where women could seek help with any issues they may face.
The program also offers two ‘grandmothers’ who will drive women to and from their appointments.
“They will talk about issues and ask what they can do to get extra support,” she said.
“Issues that arise include education, jobs, some of the women might not have everything they need for the baby so we will look at where they can get that support like prams, some clothes.
“I think that is why our program successful too because we actually provide transport but then also to have really close access to the hospital.”
Ms Parry said she found much enjoyment in her job and seeing students she taught a Gwynne Park primary school.
“They just like to hear funny stories about what they were like when they were at school,” she said.
“I get a lot of enjoyment out of it because of the connection with them and meeting them and getting them to come in and making them aware of what is involved.”
