Clark Kim D, Oosthuizen Jacques, Beerenfels Susan, Rowell Anne-Marie C
Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Rural Remote Health. 2010 Jul-Sep;10(3):1407. Epub 2010 Jul 28.
Tambellup is a small rural town in the Great Southern region of Western Australia (WA), approximately 300 km south-east of state capital Perth. Tambellup has a much higher Aboriginal population than the national average and achieved very positive results for year one children in 2007 regional Australian Early Development Index testing. In 2009 the Great Southern GP Network (which has a facilitating role in providing early intervention strategies to families with young children at risk of disadvantage) requested that public health staff at Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA undertake an exploratory study to discover the factors protective of children's development in Tambellup. This article describes the subsequent research and its findings.
This 2009 qualitative study interviewed both adult members of the local Aboriginal community (Noongar people; n = 23), and non-Aboriginal leaders from a cross-section of organisations, services and the community (n = 14) to determine what made growing up in Tambellup a positive experience. Aboriginal participants were introduced to the researchers by a local cultural consultant. Non-Aboriginal participants were initially sourced from a list provided by the GSGPN and extended by asking those listed to identify other appropriate contacts. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with Aboriginal participants and telephone interviews were undertaken with non-Aboriginal participants. All interviews were conducted using a standard schedule of questions as a guide, supplemented by clarifying and broadening questions from research team members. Data were analysed in a multi-stage process of collation, extraction of common themes and verification of themes with study participants and other stakeholders. Findings were presented to local Aboriginal leaders at a community meeting and a final report was prepared and circulated to community members.
There was substantial evidence of widespread trust and positive relationships in this close-knit community, where adults looked out for and supported both their own and others' children. The primary school played a key role in supporting children's development even before children started school. Good relations generally existed between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents, contributing to the stability of the population and providing many role models in successful cross-cultural relationships.
Aboriginal people in Tambellup played significant but often under-recognised roles in promoting child and youth wellbeing in the community. The community had the capacity to respond to local needs and challenges. Communication channels were effective and there was a sense of belonging, pride and 'connectedness' in the community that promoted and supported a safe environment for children. High quality services and staff (eg school and community health centre) reinforced children's developmental opportunities. The results suggest that small rural communities offer significant and untapped resources for enhancing the health and wellbeing of children in the critical early years of life.
坦贝卢普是西澳大利亚州大南部地区的一个乡村小镇，位于州府珀斯东南约300公里处。坦贝卢普的原住民人口比例远高于全国平均水平，并且在2007年澳大利亚早期发展指数地区测试中，一年级儿童取得了非常积极的成绩。2009年，大南部全科医生网络（该网络在为面临不利处境风险的幼儿家庭提供早期干预策略方面发挥促进作用）要求西澳大利亚州珀斯伊迪丝·考恩大学的公共卫生工作人员进行一项探索性研究，以找出坦贝卢普地区保护儿童发展的因素。本文描述了后续研究及其结果。
这项2009年的定性研究采访了当地原住民社区的成年成员（努恩加尔人；n = 23）以及来自各组织、服务机构和社区的非原住民领袖（n = 14），以确定在坦贝卢普成长为何是一段积极的经历。原住民参与者由当地文化顾问介绍给研究人员。非原住民参与者最初来自大南部全科医生网络提供的一份名单，并通过请名单上的人推荐其他合适的联系人进行了扩充。对原住民参与者进行了面对面访谈，对非原住民参与者进行了电话访谈。所有访谈均以标准问题清单为指导进行，并辅以研究团队成员提出的用于澄清和拓展的问题。数据经过多阶段分析，包括整理、提取共同主题以及与研究参与者和其他利益相关者核实主题。研究结果在一次社区会议上向当地原住民领袖进行了汇报，并编写了一份最终报告分发给社区成员。
有大量证据表明，在这个紧密相连的社区中存在广泛的信任和积极的人际关系，成年人会照顾并支持自己和他人的孩子。小学甚至在儿童入学前就在支持儿童发展方面发挥了关键作用。原住民和非原住民居民之间总体关系良好，这有助于人口的稳定，并在成功的跨文化关系中提供了许多榜样。
坦贝卢普的原住民在促进社区儿童和青少年福祉方面发挥了重要但往往未得到充分认可的作用。该社区有能力应对当地的需求和挑战。沟通渠道有效，社区中存在一种归属感、自豪感和“联系感”，这促进并支持了为儿童营造一个安全的环境。高质量的服务和工作人员（如学校和社区卫生中心）增强了儿童的发展机会。结果表明，农村小社区为提升儿童生命关键早期阶段的健康和福祉提供了大量未被开发的资源。
