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Thriving Kids

On 20 August, the Prime Minister announced a new Thriving Kids program in response to growing numbers of autistic children with developmental delay using NDIS funding. The press release  of the speech from Minister Butler outlines the need for changes to the way that services are delivered. It is unknown how the Thriving Kids program will operate. It is important for therapists, participants, parents/guardians and the early childhood sector to monitor these developments. Occupational Therapy Australia have posted an OTA response online . This contains further information about reforms within the early childhood sector and provision of health services and other supports. Australian Financial Review discuss concerns . Further information: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/speech-from-minister-butler-national-press-club-20-august-2025?language=en https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-20/ndis-growth-thriving-kids-autism-mark-butler/105675484  https://w...

Future of Occupational Therapy -- Past, Present Ideas

The Drumley Walk: Promoting Health through Poems and Songs that Remember Yugambeh Aboriginal Leaders and Languages

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  Title:            The Drumley Walk: Promoting Health through Poems and Songs that Remember Yugambeh Aboriginal Leaders and Languages  (Presented at Gold Coast Health and Medical Research Conference, 2013)   Author:         Sandra Kirkwood B.Occ.Thy, B.Music, M.Phil. Director, Music Health Australia. Email: kirkwood13@bigpond.com   Key Words: Applied Ethnomusicology, Primary healthcare, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, cultural heritage, community development.   Abstract: The Drumley Walk is an annual three-day walking pilgrimage from Beaudesert, south of Brisbane, to Southport on the Gold Coast. The 65 kilometre journey follows the footsteps of Beaudesert Aboriginal identity Billy Drumley. In the early 1900s he trekked through farmland and bush to visit his sister Jenny Graham who lived at Southport with her many children and grandchildren. Rory O’Connor...