Domestic violence prevention group wins inaugural Healthier WA Award

June 17, 2008

A self-funded Busselton support group, which provides counselling services for men caught up in domestic violence, has won the inaugural Healthier WA Award.

The $10,000 award, jointly sponsored by the AMA (WA) and Healthway, was presented by Health Minister Jim McGinty at last night's AMA Awards Night and Charity Dinner held at Government House.

Since it started five years ago, the Busselton group – known as MATES - has successfully established anger management programs, a 24-hour crisis phone line, emergency counselling, a resource centre and a cooling-off house where men involved in domestic incidents can go for 'time out'.

"The program is very proactive and police say it's resulted in a 95 per reduction in domestic violence in the Busselton region," said AMA (WA) President Prof Geoff Dobb.

"MATES is a very worthy winner of the inaugural Healthier WA Award."

The award, which attracted 16 entries from across the State, was judged by a panel of prominent Western Australians including Wesfarmers' board Chairman, Trevor Eastwood, Channel 7 General Manager Chris Wharton, Chair of the WA Aged Care Advisory Council Dr Penny Flett and Indigenous advocate David Wirrpanda.

The panel was chaired by Professor D'Arcy Holman, Chair in Public Health at the University of WA, who said they had faced a difficult task due to the high quality of the entries.

"The calibre of nominations was outstanding and demonstrates the amazing creativity and innovation that exists among community groups striving to improve the health of West Australians," said Prof Holman.

"The $10,000 award will help the winning entry continue the good work already being done by MATES in the Busselton region."

Other award finalists included:

• Royal Perth Hospital's PARTY program, which enables high school students to see first hand the devastating impact on patients who are in hospital because of injuries caused by drink driving.
• The Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service Council's initiative to teach children how to identify risky situations through its Protective Behaviours Community Way Package.
• A program to establish a moratorium on the sale of take-away alcohol in Fitzroy Crossing which was initiated by the Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre.
• WA's Living Longer Stronger program submitted by the Council on the Aging.

Last night's annual awards also recognised the outstanding contribution to the medical profession by neurosurgeon, Prof Bryant Stoles, who was presented with the 2008 AMA Award.

Prof Stokes is recognised as one of the nation's leading neurosurgeons and has contributed significantly to the development of neurosurgery in WA and nationally.

The AMA (WA) President's Award went to Mr Peter Forbes, Managing Director of MDA National Group, who was recognised for the role he played during the international and interstate medical indemnity crisis in 2002-2003.

The awards dinner was attended by more than 250 people including Federal Opposition Deputy Leader Julie Bishop, Senator Chris Ellison, State Opposition Deputy Leader Dr Kim Hames, Darlington MLA John Day and Alfred Cove MLA Dr Janet Woollard.

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