New partnerships support Indigenous health

Shayne Bellingham possesses an unrelenting commitment to the study of genetics and what his research means for brain diseases.

Since completing his PhD at the University of Melbourne in 2005, his research has continued to focus on genetics for diagnosis and understanding of Alzheimer’s and Prion diseases.

“My focus is on trying to capture genetic signatures and utilise this information from a diagnostic point of view, as early detection generally leads to better health outcomes,” he explains.

Earlier this year, Dr Bellingham, whose family are Wotjobaluk people now located in the Horsham region of Victoria, was appointed as the inaugural Bellberry Indigenous Health Research Fellow.

The fellowship – valued at $200,000 – is funded by a philanthropic donation from Bellberry Limited, a not for profit company that undertakes independent ethics reviews and monitoring of human research projects.

It has donated $2.375 million to Australian researchers since 2004.

Bellberry’s generous donation means Dr Bellingham can continue his research, which he hopes will translate into meaningful outcomes for Indigenous communities.

“I know within my community the conversation regarding Alzheimer’s has not really begun,” he says.

“I would like to be able to begin this conversation with my family, Wotjobaluk people, to then translate this into positive outcomes for Aboriginal people suffering from dementia in Australia. My ultimate goal is to incorporate a diagnostic approach within the Aboriginal community.”

Raelene Nixon, who is also an Indigenous researcher based at the University, shares a similar conviction towards improving Indigenous health.

A Gurngarri woman from Mitchell in South East Queensland, Ms Nixon was recently awarded a $20,000 capacity building grant from the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline to support her Masters of Health Social Sciences.

The funding will support her thesis, which has been developed out of a specific issue within Indigenous communities in Shepparton in country Victoria, that sees numerous youth disengaging from education and sport.

“The problem isn’t so much engaging them in sport, it’s keeping them engaged,” Ms Nixon explains.

“For example, the Rumbalara Football Club has always had a large number of Under-14 footballers, often enough for two teams, but consistently struggles to fill a single Under-17s team. This coincides with the period in which statistics show Aboriginal youth disengage from school.

“It is not clear whether the phenomenon of youth disengaging from Rumbalara Football and Netball Clubs reflect a broader disengagement from society more generally.”

Ms Nixon’s research will investigate the barriers and enablers for young Indigenous people engaging in sport and education. She says the support from GlaxoSmithKline is crucial to her research, which she hopes will be used to tailor programs to improve retention in these areas.

“It will be contributing to the construction of valuable knowledge that will assist the community to better support kids in sport, but also in education and life,” she says.

The University of Melbourne and the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) have implemented Reconciliation Action Plans that include goals to increase the number of Indigenous researchers at the University, such as Dr Bellingham and Ms Nixon.

The partnerships with Bellberry Limited and GlaxoSmithKline enhance the University’s investment in this area, and allow for a more significant role in closing the gap in health outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

Associate Dean (Indigenous Development) of MDHS, Associate Professor Shaun Ewen, says the University is thrilled to be partnering with external organisations to increase opportunities for Indigenous students to pursue rewarding careers in health research.

“The support will continue to generate new and important knowledge in Indigenous health and improve health outcomes for Indigenous Australians,” he says.

“The collaborations recognise our shared commitment to building the Indigenous health workforce, as detailed in each organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan.”

Professor Ewen notes that while much work has been done, much remains to do. 

“We need to leverage the experience and expertise of our Indigenous-specific programs to the breadth of enterprise undertaken by the Faculty. In doing so, we will not only be a great health precinct, but a uniquely Australian one.”

www.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au