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The Graniators support group program

Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW, Emily.Sullivan{at}unsw.edu.au

Ilse Blignault

Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW

Aunt Shirley Duncan

Mental Health Team, Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service, Moree, NSW, Australia

Lisa Jackson Pulver

Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW

Aboriginal grandmothers (grannies) in many communities throughout Australia are considered the backbone of the social structure. This is the case for the Murri Granies in a town in regional eastern Australia. Many of these women are also their grandchildren's primary caregivers and disciplinarians, and sometimes this role is detrimental to their own care and well-being. As a response to this stress, the local Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), which includes a comprehensive primary health care facility, began promoting the program `Relax to the Max' to the Grannies as part of the holistic care they offer. Since these humble beginnings some three years ago, the group has grown to become the Graniators support group. In addition to their initial work of supporting each other, the group extended their field of action to the entire community to address social issues, particularly those around youth and children. To complement and strengthen their initiative, the Graniators partnered with other organizations in the community including the police, the municipal council, the state government's department of housing, the local primary school and a special youth service group. The program's evaluation has proved to be extremely positive in providing others in the community a clear and positive formula for driving change at a grass roots level. ( Promotion & Education, 2007, (2): pp 80-81)

Key Words: Aboriginal grandmothers • youth • partnership

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