Our Programs

 Ray Kelly is a proud Gomeroi man and one of Australia’s leading health professionals, with over 31 years’ experience in the health and sports industries. He has a degree in Human Movement, a Master of Teaching (PDHPE) and a Bachelor of Research where he focused on the reversal of type 2 diabetes in the Indigenous community. He is currently completing his Doctor of Philosophy in Analysis of the factors contributing to successful reversal of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle change by Indigenous people in Australia at the University of Melbourne. 

Mr Kelly was awarded ESSA Exercise Physiologist of the Year  in 2019. He holds several advisory positions including the Australian Diabetes Educators Association Expert Reference Group, NSW Health's Agency for Clinical Innovation's Diabetes in Community for Aboriginal People Project, Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovation, the Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease Indigenous Advisory Group, ESSA NSW State Chapter, and the ESSA Exercise Physiology Advisory Group.  

'Too Deadly for Diabetes' is a lifestyle program designed by Ray and provided primarily through Aboriginal medical services in rural and remote NSW. Ray Kelly engages with the local Indigenous community and health care providers to identify obstacles and design strategies. This have proven effective with each location witnessing a major improvement in clinical outcomes. An independent study was completed on the program in Western Sydney where participants achieved an average weight loss of 7.5kg and a reduction in HbA1c of 1.7%.  In particular, the Too Deadly for Diabetes program is provided in many areas where the management of type 2 diabetes is often poor. This leads to an increasing number of patients suffering from complications with their feet, kidneys, eyes and cardiovascular system. As participants often improve their food intake, increase physical activity and reduce HbA1c, the previous issues around the co-morbidities are significantly reduced.  

In Ray’s experience, Indigenous communities have unique obstacles to health. By guiding discussions, Ray assists local health staff and community in identifying obstacles and then designing localised strategies. This has led to programs which have resulted in substantial improvements in HbA1c and reductions in medication use within short periods of time.  

Currently, Ray provides research-based training and education to GPs, nurses, and other health professionals working in primary care. He then provides support as they embed these changes within their current treatments. This had led to decreases in blood pressure, HbA1c and the co-morbidities associated with these conditions. Often, patients also see a reduction in medications. He also recently co-hosted the 3-part series on remission of type 2 diabetes alongside Dr Michael Mosley for SBS.