Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)

“March forward – for all women and girls.” That’s this year’s International Women’s Day theme. We asked some deadly Aboriginal women from across Victoria (and who work at VACCHO!) what “march forward” means to them. Here’s what Yani, Tyla and Karen have to say. Let’s acknowledge the staunch Aboriginal women who have marched before us – and who continue to keep our Culture alive. Today and always, we stand on the shoulders on giants. #Culture #VACCHO #InternationalWomensDay

The Beautiful Shawl Project is heading to Njernda Aboriginal Corporation next week! From 11 to 14 March, the Beautiful Shawl Project and the BreastScreen Victoria will be providing free breast screens on the mobile screening van in Echuca. Book your breast screen today by calling Njernda at 0408 996 309 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will receive a FREE beautiful shawl designed by the talented Yorta Yorta , Wemba Wemba, Mutti Mutti and Wiradjuri artist Alkina Edwards, to use during the screening that they can keep afterwards. Artwork: Dunguludja Mulana (Strong Spirit) “This artwork represents women empowerment, resilience and strong spirits. Within the background I have placed symbols that represent our beautiful countries and women gatherings. Showing the physical and spiritual connection we have with the land and each other. At the front of the design I have visual figures of women. This is to depict women supporting, empowering and leaning on each other through these experiences while creating cultural safe spaces for women to express themselves and share their stories." #BeautifulShawlProject #BreastScreening #VACCHO #HealthAwareness #HealthInformation #AboriginalHealth

At just 22 years old, Kayla Harrison, a proud Yorta Yorta and Gurnai-Kurnai woman, is already making a positive impact in her Community. A recent graduate of Yagilaith Djerring’s Certificate IV in Aboriginal Primary Healthcare Practice, she’s part of a small but growing number of AHPs in Victoria proving to young Mob that a meaningful career in healthcare is within reach. ‘I never thought I’d get to this point,’ she says. ‘I didn’t have it all planned out – things just kind of fell into place. But I kept pushing.’ We yarned with Kayla to learn about her journey so far – and how she advocates for young Mob, without burning out. Dive into Kayla’s story here → https://buff.ly/9CZ3xL8

VACCHO’s 2nd Medicare Workshop brought together 17 ACCOs from across Victoria to share knowledge and strategies around MBS Billing, Practice Incentive Payments (PIP), ACCHO Models of Care, NACCHO’s MBS eLearning Course, and more! As Justine Mathers (Ngemba/Barkindji) from Mallee District Aboriginal Services shared, "The clinician-led Medicare model can help maximise holistic patient care." By working together, we’re building stronger, sustainable revenue models that improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria. Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed! #VACCHO #VACCHOMembers #MedicareWorkshop

Protect yourself and your Mob – get the HPV vaccine! This International HPV Day, let's have a yarn about the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine is a simple, safe, and effective way to protect against cancers and illnesses caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). In Australia, it's free for Young Mob aged 12-25 under the National Immunisation Program and available through GPs and pharmacies. Where to get the vaccine? Ages 11-14: Are offered the vaccine free at school or can head to their local ACCO, GP or pharmacy. Ages 12-25: Are eligible for a free catch-up dose through your ACCO, GP or pharmacy. Older than 26: Chat with your GP about your options. More information about HPV and the HPV Vaccine > https://buff.ly/WYBrlgn #InternationalHPVAwareness #HealthAwareness #HealthInformation

Protect your hearing—know your noise! This World Hearing Day, take charge of your ear health! Take steps to protect your hearing by: ▪️ turning down the volume when you’re listening to music on your speakers or earphones ▪️ standing a further away from the speakers at your next live music gig ▪️ wearing earplugs or earmuffs in loud environments ▪️ taking the Know Your Noise survey Take the survey at your local ACCO or online today https://buff.ly/xXJs1dB #WorldHearingDay #HealthAwareness #HealthInformation

It was great to join Bridget Brennan and James Glenday on the couch at Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News Breakfast on Wednesday morning. Jenny Ockwell, CEO of Dandenong & District Aborigines Co-Operative (DDACL) and I, were there to highlight the crisis situation facing Jenny and the team at DDACL. Bridget visited DDACL last year to highlight the poor conditions and dire state of their facility. Structural failures and the threat of asbestos eventually led to staff being evacuated in August last year.   This has resulted in their services being severely fragmented, and so it's imperative that they find a solution - a new facility, now. One that enables them to have a one-stop-shop to ensure Community can receive a wide range of services all under the one roof. DDACL has been a lifeline for Aboriginal families across 9 Local Government Areas in Melbourne for fifty years and the amazing team at DDACL supports one of the fastest growing Aboriginal populations in the country. I hope Wednesday's yarn helps to create some much-needed action and investment from government.

📣 Mob, got questions for the politicians? We’re handing you the mic! 🎤 We’ve locked in Senator Lidia Thorpe and Senator Dorinda Cox (She/Her) alongside Ged Kearney Kearny from Labor to answer your burning election questions. 🔥 📍 Where? Aboriginal Advancement League 📅 When? March 18 | 7-8:30pm 💥 FREE event – your voice matters! Book your spot now > https://buff.ly/4jJ9Ran Clothing The Gaps Lowitja Institute Dr Jill Gallagher AO #FederalElection #VACCHO #PolicyAdvocacy

The VACCHO Healthy Communities team had a great time at Rumbalara's Health Festival in January, teaming up with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation to run a fun and interactive stall. Our hands-on food station gave everyone the chance to get creative—rolling their own vegetable sushi 🍣 and assembling colorful fruit kebab skewers 🍓🍉🍍 . Healthy, delicious, and packed with goodness, everyone had a blast getting involved! We had some great yarns about the importance of drinking water 💧 and eating a balanced diet, all while making sure the kids had a positive and enjoyable experience with nutritious food. Nourishing our bodies in ways that connect to Culture is key to creating strong and thriving Communities. 🌱🎉 A big thank you to everyone who stopped by and joined in on the fun - we can’t wait for the next one! 🖤💛❤️ 🤍💙🖤💚🌈 Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative #HealthyCommunities #HealthAwareness #VACCHO #StrongCommunites #VACCHOMembers

Get ready Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative —the Beautiful Shawl Project is coming your way next week! From 3 to 7 March, the Beautiful Shawl Project and the BreastScreen Victoria mobile van will be in Bendigo. Book your breast screen today by calling BDAC at 03 5442 4947 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will receive a FREE beautiful shawl designed by the talented Yorta Yorta/ Dja Dja Wurrung artist Marykia Males to use during the screening that they can keep afterwards. Artwork ‘Nurturing our health, healing our spirit’ “This artwork is a visual representation of the interconnectedness of health, community and culture.. the large meeting circle in the middle symbolises women surrounding and uplifting each-other through this journey and never letting anyone walk alone. The healing leaves represent one of our many healing medicines and how we connect to country through health. The butterflies symbolise the beauty and strength women have and that they flutter and bloom together through this journey. This piece shows beauty no matter what your body looks like, and that you are not alone through this.” #BeautifulShawlProject #BreastScreening #VACCHO #HealthAwareness #HealthInformation #AboriginalHealth