Cultural experiences, fun, music, food trucks and a sausage sizzle will mark a celebration of NAIDOC Week at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service on Tuesday, 4 July.
BRHS takes a leading role in health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in East Gippsland and supports NAIDOC Week’s aim to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“BRHS took a pioneering approach to connecting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 41 years ago when we appointed Auntie Helen Morgan as our first Aboriginal Liaison Officer,” CEO Vicki Farthing said.
“Now, our Aboriginal Health Unit is a team of five including Helen’s son Adrian ‘Ringo’ Morgan, and we are doing some really innovative work to ensure our health service is a safe and welcoming place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
Vicki said a key focus of the event is to give the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a chance to meet the Aboriginal Health Unit and members of the BRHS Aboriginal Resource Group, and to connect them to Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and other health services.
But she said this was also a community celebration for all East Gippsland people that will include:
- a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
- cultural activities and Aboriginal entertainers
- special gift bags for children including the Aboriginal Health Unit’s Aboriginal-themed colouring book, colouring pencils and other items, and
- lunch with food trucks and a free barbecue provided by the Lions Club.
“It’s a great reason to come down, engage with us and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture,” Vicki said.
“Our whole team is behind NAIDOC Week again this year. Our staff have decorated their areas across BRHS to reflect the NAIDOC Week theme, ‘For Our Elders’, and to show their support for closing the gap in health outcomes for first Australians.”
The NAIDOC Week community event will be held in the grassed area behind BRHS, at the corner of McKean and Victoria streets, from 12.30pm to 2pm on Tuesday, 4 July. Everyone is welcome to attend.
