Music Health - About Us

About Us

Music Health Australia is a professional service that assists communities to manage their own music heritage and culture.

Music Health Australia supports and enables communities to become more active in music making.

Music Health Australia is also a network of people who are interested in community music and health. The inter-professional community of discovery facilitates creative problem solving, innovation and development of services through the Music Health e-mail group (register online to join). Current registrants include representatives from Medical, Nursing, Allied Health, Ethnomusicology, Education, Music Therapy professions, community musicians and cultural advisers.

Music Health Australia provides regional support to community groups and people in rural/remote areas through various forms of communication (eg. phone, email, video) and education/training packages. Project development and consultancy may be provided on a fee-for-service basis.

The evidence-base for our service is growing through reports on participatory action research, community consultation and literature review (see research portfolio). Music Health Australia contributes to place-based planning and assists in the development of the Long-Term Community Plan for local government. A number of music projects have been conducted in Ipswich City with support from community members, local government and Arts Queensland. Partnerships are now extending interstate.

Mission Statement
1. The aim is for Music Health, a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being in relation to music, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

2. We explore and use music to make a difference in people’s lives, and consider the societal benefits of music experience, especially from a holistic perspective.

Service Provision
The primary role of Music Health Australia is to provide professional Music and Health Services that benefit communities. Rates vary according to the nature of the service required, and the ratio of facilitators to participants. Occupational Therapy is costed at $130 per hour. Rebates may be available through private health insurance, or Medicare. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

Collegiate Network
Music Health Australia supports a social network of music and health professionals around Australia. We draw on each others' knowledge and expertise to problem-solve issues. If you would like to join the Music Health e-mail group or community of practice, please register your interest (no charges apply).

Membership
Annual membership is available for $150. This includes design of an individualised or community-based Music Action Plan that is negotiated with stakeholders.

Direct debit to Sandra Kirkwood BSB 064417 Account 615199. Please leave your name in the transaction notes section.

This website provides details about Music Services and cultural heritage resources that have been supplied through national inter-disciplinary link-up. The quality of services is reviewed continuously through publishing news and information about the latest research and developments. We invite members to submit brief articles and news reports for possible inclusion on the website. The aim is to facilitate networking and sharing information between people who are interested in Music and Health.

Allegiances, Quality standards, Ethics and Privacy
Music Health Australia is a private music service. It is staffed by an Occupational Therapist/Ethnomusicologist who is registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and practices according to the OT Australia Code of Ethics.

Music Health Australia collects stores and uses personal information only for the purposes of providing music and/or health services and supporting collegiate networking. The information collected is confidential and will not be disclosed to 3rd parties without your consent, except to meet government, legal or other regulatory authority requirements.

Consumer Feedback
People who have used Music Health services are invited to send in feedback and stories about their experiences - positive and negative. This feedback is important for continuous quality improvement and service development.

Work Experience and Student Placements
Student placements may be possible in Ipswich and surrounding areas, or through remote technologies. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Music Health Australia is a registered business (BN20926406) and trademark registered in Australia (no. 1264592). Sandra Kirkwood, Occupational Therapist ABN 16 254 093 301.