Incite Conflict Management have been awarded the WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) funded Mr Des Thompson Murchison Health Leadership Grant.
The grant aims to improve health and wellbeing of Murchison communities and support Murchison health leaders.
Focusing on the early intervention of conflict management, the Incite Conflict Management culturally-inclusive 'My Way' Program will run over 2 days with teenagers at local high schools in the Murchison region.
Associate Mediation Practitioner Rayleen Councillor of Incite Conflict Management is a proud Naaguja/ Karrajarri/Wadjarri woman now located in the Midwest of Western Australia.
Rayleen says ‘We are grateful to receive this grant and the opportunity to share our passion for conflict education within the community.’
‘We will be running workshops with teenagers in the Murchison to provide them with tools and strategies to empower them to make a difference in their lives’.
Regional Director Midwest Gascoyne Department of Communities Jamie Strickland, a member of the grant selection panel and close family for Des, commented that ‘The topic of the ‘My Way’ program addresses an important issue in Murchison communities that is currently under-addressed, around community healing.’
‘Pop Des spent much of his life working with community to address key issues and make things better, especially in the Murchison, meaning that funding for the My Way program is part of his mark and legacy, just as future grants in his name will be.’
WA Centre for Rural Health Director Professor Sandra Thompson says ‘Our organisation is proud to honour Mr Des Thompson’s memory with this grant. Mr Thompson was very well respected in his role working for WACRH.‘
The grant honours the memory of Mr Des Thompson who was a highly respected Badimia Elder and leader for the Murchison region and beyond. Des was known for his commitment to improving health and wellbeing, his diplomacy, his humble approach, humour, and reputation as a gentle and honourable man. Des passed away on 17 August 2018.
Photo caption: Des Thompson Murchison Health Leadership Grant recipient Rayleen Councillor of Incite Conflict Management.
Media contact: Mia Jeffrey, Marketing and Communications Officer - (08) 9956 0225 - Mia.Jeffrey@uwa.edu.au