Community care

Karen Hart
TO SAY Aboriginal elder Lyn McInnes is dedicated to helping Geelong’s indigenous community is an understatement.
The mother of three has spent nearly half her life ensuring the region’s 5500strong Aboriginal community receives “access and equality”.
Lyn, who describes herself as a “strong Aboriginal woman”, is Barwon Health’s Aboriginal liaison officer at Geelong Hospital.
She has embraced, expanded and cherished the role over 25 years.
“I love what I do,” she says earnestly.
“I’m passionate about working with my people to empower them, to make sure they receive appropriate care and help and, most importantly, equality.
“It has been a learning curve but we’ve achieved so much over the past 25 years.
“The hospital really cares about Aboriginal health and that is a wonderful thing for my people.”
When Lyn took up the role many indigenous people were afraid to enter a hospital.
“Many viewed a hospital as a place where people went and never returned,” she remembers.
“Now they have someone from their own mob to help them feel more comfortable, who they can trust to offer support, advocacy and education. I also help the patients’ families through the difficult times, too.”
Lyn’s role extends to the Aboriginal community beyond the hospital’s doors.
“I visit people in their homes, help with transport and their overall care,” she says.
“In our culture we take an holistic approach to health care.”
The 57yearold, who came to Geelong from Tasmania when she was just 16, has no plans to retire.
“I want to ensure things are put in place before I retire,” Lyn says.
“Barwon Health is very supportive of the programs we run and I want to ensure that when I do eventually retire things go from strength to strength.”
Lyn has been a champion for Aboriginal causes in Geelong for most of her life.
She takes pride in her cultural heritage, always eager to share it with the world.
Her involvement in Aboriginal affairs since the late 1970s included stints as the longest serving board member, vice chair and chairperson of Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative.
Lyn, who graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences from Deakin University, was initially involved in its Institute of Koori Education.
“I was involved in women’s studies to ensure the course would be culturally specific to our needs on a tertiary level,” she says.
“There’s no doubt that today there are far more opportunities for the Aboriginal community than say 10 years ago and that’s something I’m very proud of.
“More Aboriginal people are getting into nursing and health care and that’s very exciting for the future.”
Lyn regularly runs presentations and lectures on her people and rarely stops to take a breath when discussing Aboriginal issues.
“I really feel as if I’m making a difference and to be able to do that in a job is very rewarding and, yes, very busy,” she laughs.
So what would Lyn like to change or improve her current role at the hospital.
“I just need a bigger office,” she laughs.