Dear Readers,

Dear Readers, Hello and welcome to the First Quarter, Vol 36 – No 1 issue of the Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal.

Wow! 36 years of continuous publishing by our people for our people. Let me tell you, the road hasn't always been easy but we are determined to survive, just as our people have.

For those who don't know, the Journal has not been funded by the Department of Health and Ageing for many years now. But this has not been a deterrent to our ongoing production of the only Aboriginal-run health publication anywhere in the world. Something that is recognised by many as an incredible feat. As the editor, I have worked to continue publishing on a voluntary basis because I believe in what we do and the need that is out there to support those working in health.

One change that has been made this year is the fact that the Journal cannot afford to continue to publish on a bi-monthly basis. Therefore, the Journal will now appear on a Quarterly basis. Any subscribers who have paid for their 2012 Journal subscription based on the expectation of six issues per year will be reimbursed if they do not like the new arrangement. If you have any queries on this matter please send an email to journal@aihwj.com.au or I will be happy to talk personally with you. My mobile number is 0402 043 395.

We have looked at many ways to continue our survival as an independent Aboriginal and Islander health publisher. The Quarterly option was certainly the one that seemed most acceptable to many subscribers, rather than to not exist at all. If you have any other suggestions regarding the continuation of the Journal we would love to hear them.

The second quarter issue will now be mailed out by the end of June – and I can tell you that it's one not to be missed. Two standout articles to look forward to are Dr Reuben Bolt's "Identity Questions", and "The development of culturally safe and relevant health promotion resources for effective trachoma elimination in remote Aboriginal communities" by the Katherine West Health Board and the University of Melbourne.

I would like to thank Clarke Scott, the CEO of NATSIHWA, and the Board for their support of the Journal. I want to take the time to give special thanks to Dr Mick Adams who remembered the Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal's role in leading to the creation of NATSIHWA, when many didn't acknowledge it. It is important when history is written, it is written properly. The Journal has a long history of advocating and recommending that a professional organisation for Aboriginal and Islander health workers be established for the benefit of the entire community. The Journal looks forward to a long, productive and successful partnership with NATSIHWA.

Two weeks ago my Aunty Lizzy passed away from renal failure, after many amputations and complications from diabetes. She is at peace now, and buried back in her home country of the NSW north coast. I loved my aunt, and in her 60s she died way too soon. Susan Jack's article, "Closing the Gap on Diabetes – A Social Determinants of Health Perspective" on page 27 of this Journal certainly made me feel the personal toll our people are suffering with this disease and many other chronic illnesses.

My Aunty Rhonda, Lizzy's younger sister, is now in intensive care with serious respiratory problems. We are hurting and continually grieving – this has to change. I'm sure my family isn't the only family that is living proof of the disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Message Sticks Festival 2012 at the Sydney Opera House featured The Icons show in the studio with Shane Howard, Neil Murray and Archie Roach, three songwriting legends, threedecades of music, three classic songs that rocked the Australian music scene – Solid Rock, My Island Home and Took The Children Away. All three men took us on a journey to the stories behind these iconic songs. It was truly a night to remember. I'm so proud of my cousin Archie. He really is a true living legend.

Keeping the Faith – Kathy Malera Bandjalan