NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD
NAIDOC celebrations at NSLHD
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GENEROUS DONATION TO AYAH Page 6
NSLHD SUPPORTS DIGNITY WINTER WARMER CAMPAIGN Page 7
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Message from the board chair Trevor Danos AM
Dear colleagues, I would like to highlight our NSLHD Board Honour Roll, which recognises individuals who have made an outstanding and lasting contribution to our district. Nominations for the 2025 Honour Roll are now open. Established in 2022, this initiative celebrates staff, consumers, patients, volunteers, and stakeholders who have been significantly involved with NSLHD - typically for five years or more. In 2024, we were proud to honour Ms Jacqueline Hextall and Dr Russell Vandenberg for their extraordinary service and impact. If you know someone deserving of this recognition, I encourage you to nominate them. Up to five recipients are selected each year, with awards presented at our Annual Public Meeting and featured on the NSLHD website. Nominations close on 30 September 2025, and more information is available online here: https://bit.ly/4lsXEXS. For assistance, please email: NSLHD-BoardSecretariat@health.nsw.gov. au . I have also been thoroughly enjoying listening to the Tomorrow’s Medicine Today podcasts. With more than five episodes released, it offers fascinating insights into current and future innovations in healthcare. The latest episode features Professor Lyn March AM discussing musculoskeletal conditions. Listen to all of the podcasts here: https://bit.ly/ nslhd-tmt or on Spotify: https://bit.ly/448P755 Another event I am looking forward to is the next Advancing Women in Medical Leadership Masterclass on Monday 18 August at 12:00pm featuring Associate Professor Sarah Glastras and Dr Chloe Flutter.
This hybrid event - held in person at the Kolling Building and online - will explore the theme ‘How to Get Things Done’. Register your attendance here: https://bit.ly/40s274T. Finally, I am pleased to share an update on the Sydney North HealthCARE Innovation Precinct, a collaborative initiative on the Royal North Shore Hospital campus. This Precinct is a bold step towards a more integrated health, research, academic, and industry ecosystem, with a vision to accelerate value-based healthcare and embed research into everyday clinical care. A comprehensive strategy is currently in development and expected to be finalised in September/October 2025. I was very sad to hear of the recent passing of Clinical Associate Professor John Vandervord. His extraordinary contributions to Royal North Shore Hospital and the wider community leave a lasting legacy. He was deeply respected and will be missed by many. We send the district’s condolences to his family and to those who benefitted from his remarkable surgical skills. Moments like this remind us of the depth of dedication across our district. Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence at NSLHD.
Warm regards,
Trevor Danos AM Board Chair Northern Sydney Local Health District
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NSLHD graduates of the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentoring program
NSLHD holds inaugural initiative with TAFE NSW to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce
An inaugural mentoring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people program has been held by the district in collaboration with TAFE NSW. The pilot initiative was a first for the district which saw 13 participants complete a formal cultural mentoring program. It was established in response to feedback received through the NSLHD Muru Dali Gili Gili Employee Network, to better support workforce development. Kuibuz Adidi, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce manager said the program aimed to build mentoring capabilities across the organisation by increasing the number of mentors with cross-cultural competence. “Thirteen participants — including four First Nations and nine Non-First Nations staff — have now graduated, each receiving a Statement of Attainment in Mentoring
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People,” she said. “These graduates are now equipped to become mentors who will help foster cultural safety, support career growth, and offer guidance in problem-solving and decision- making. “We know that when our workforce reflects the communities we serve and truly values cultural difference, we create stronger, more inclusive health services. Increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation, particularly in leadership roles, enhances decision-making and ensures our services are more culturally responsive and aligned to the needs of First Nations communities.”
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS Share your news and achievements. Contact the Media and Communications team on 9463 1722 or email NSLHD-media@health.nsw.gov.au to submit your news.
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Celebrating NAIDOC Week across the district The strength of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community was honoured in ceremonies held across the district as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations.
culturally safe. At Ryde Hospital, a smoking ceremony was held in conjunction with a Adopt-a-Seedling initiative for the local community to plant native seedlings in the adjacent Blue Gum High Forest. Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital hosted NAIDOC week smoking ceremony at its yarning circle, while Mona Vale and Macquarie hospitals also held cultural ceremonies. The NatureFix app, which connects listeners to nature’s surroundings, at five hospitals in our district - Royal North Shore, Adolescent and Young Adults Hospice, Manly, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai, Mona Vale and Macquarie – now features narration from local Aboriginal elder Uncle Laurie Bimson.
All sites held cultural ceremonies, including performances from First Nations’ groups and smoking ceremonies. At Royal North Shore Hospital, the district held its first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander awards to recognise staff and their valuable contributions. The NSLHD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Excellence Award was presented to Teahne Lyons, who is a senior Aboriginal mental health care navigator. Teahne was recognised for her empathetic and compassionate support to her clients and families, working to ensure the services are
Ryde hospital’s NAIDOC celebrations
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Celebrations at Macquarie Hospital
Kiris An Taran Torres Strait Island Dance Troupe at RNSH
Ryde Hospital’s celebrations Smoking ceremony at Hornsby Hospital’s yarning circle
Cultural ceremony at Macquarie Hospital
Smoking ceremony at RNSH
Smoking ceremony at Mona Vale Hospital
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Community Bank Freshwater Donates $50,000 to AYAH The Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) has received a generous $50,000 donation from Community Bank Freshwater. Tayia Yeates, service manager at AYAH said the donation is deeply appreciated and will make a meaningful difference to the service’s
profound and lasting impact on the young people and families we serve,” Tayia said. Since the hospice opened in 2023, Community Bank Freshwater has donated over $110,000 to AYAH.
capacity to support young people. “The donation will be used for the redevelopment of Parkhill Cottage which is a heritage-listed building on the hospice site that will become a much needed additional facility space,” she said. The redevelopment will include a new function room, enabling families to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, graduations and weddings. The expanded space will also provide additional counselling rooms, office space, and a tranquil outdoor garden with accessible pathways. “Their generosity exemplifies the bank’s core mission: reinvesting community profits into initiatives that truly matter. On behalf of everyone at AYAH, we extend our sincerest thanks for your continued support and incredible generosity which will have a
James Griffin MP, Member for Manly, Tayia Yates, AYAH Service Manager, Trevor Sargeant, Chairman, Board of Directors Community Bank Freshwater, Bendigo Bank, Laura Grant, AYAH Community Partnerships Manger and Sue Heins, Mayor of the Northern Beaches Council.
Combining medication and exercise could greatly reduce osteoporosis risk
Researchers from the Kolling Institute and Royal North Shore Hospital are inviting women aged 50-80 to join a study to assess the effectiveness of combining exercise with medication for better bone and muscle health in postmenopausal women. Endocrinologist and researcher Dr Shejil Kumar said researcheers know that exercise has benefits for bone and muscle health, and there are effective treatments available to strengthen bones. “However, what we don’t know is whether combining exercise plus medication at the same time can lead to even greater improvements in bone and muscle health than either approach on its own,” he said. The study will use a medication which is registered and approved in Australia and has been shown to increase bone density and reduce fracture risk in large international studies. The research team will aim to assess how different combinations of treatment improve bone density, muscle strength, body composition, physical function and risk of falls. Participants will be randomly assigned to different treatment groups, including a supervised group class focusing on
weightbearing exercises and a home-based exercise program concentrating on mobility and balance. “We believe this combination will be more effective and could dramatically change the way we treat and prevent osteoporosis going forward,” Dr Shejil said. Researchers have recruited 45 women into the study and are hoping to reach a target of 75. For further information email Shejil.Kumar@ health.nsw.gov.au
Clinical trial for bone health
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NSLHD Staff Rally for Dignity’s Winter Warmer campaign In May, staff from Royal North Shore, Ryde, Hornsby and Macquarie hospitals, along with the NSLHD Executive Unit, took part in a month-long drive, donating nearly half a tonne of warm items to Dignity’s Winter Warmer Campaign. hug, and sometimes on those tough days that’s all you need.”
Dignity empowers people experiencing homelessness by providing food, shelter, clothing, advocacy and education to help them regain control of their lives. Find out more about Dignity here: https:// dignity.org.au/
Associate Professor John Vandervord, who died unexpectedly while in France with his wife Robyn. John retired in 2023 after nearly 40 years of service as a Plastic reconstructive and maxillofacial surgeon at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH). He was widely respected – a leader, mentor and clinician whose contributions were far-reaching. He held numerous senior roles, including head of the department of burns, plastic reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery, director of the severe burn service for NSW, and clinical head of surgery and anaesthesia at RNSH for more than a decade. These essential goods—brand-new blankets, woolly socks, pyjamas, and winter clothing for men, women and children—were generously given to support those in need. Sherin Fishwick from Dignity, one of NSLHD’s official workplace giving partners, expressed gratitude to the district for its donations. “On behalf of our whole team and the individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness we support, thank you to the NSLHD community for being part of our 2025 Winter Warmer Campaign. We were absolutely blown away by the generosity,” she said. Sherin shared the impact these donations make for those experiencing homelessness. “When people are in trauma, there is nothing better than having a hot shower, putting on a brand-new pair of flannel pyjamas, some warm fluffy socks and wrapping yourself up in a woolly blanket.’ ‘It feels like someone is giving me a big warm
NSLHD Executive unit staff with their donations
Vale Clinical Associate Professor John Vandervord It is with great sadness that NSLHD acknowledges the passing of Clinical
renamed the “John Vandervord Burns Unit” in recognition of his extraordinary service. The district extends its deepest condolences and best wishes are with John’s loved ones during this difficult time.
A pioneer in ear reconstruction, he trained in Paris and helped establish Australia’s Microtia Clinic. His legacy is defined by surgical excellence, compassion, and dedication to training the next generation. In 2023, the RNSH burns unit was
Clinical Associate Professor John Vandervord
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