Our commitment to Reconciliation

Access Health and Community is committed to reconciliation

At AccessHC, we work to play our part in collectively building relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and futures. 

Acknowledging NAIDOC Week 

We encourage everyone to celebrate NAIDOC Week this year from 2 July to 9 July. 

It is a time for us to acknowledge the 65,000-year history and the valuable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made to our country. 

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to participate in a range of culturally-rich activities and events to support and amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

It provides us with an opportunity to get together and appreciate the history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet. 

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, which, over time, has gone from being a day to becoming a week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The theme: “For our Elders”

The theme highlights the generational and important role that Elders play in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ communities. Elders help make changes and highlight issues of importance to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples’ including their health, education, arts, politics and more.  

Elders are important advocates and conduits of change, and we acknowledge they help to work towards more equitable health outcomes for everyone. 

What can we do?

There are many community events available to: 

• learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 
• explore how we can contribute to achieving better and more equitable outcomes together. 

To find out more or get involved in local NAIDOC Week events around you, visit the  official NAIDOC website. 

What is the history of NAIDOC Week?

The origins of NAIDOC Week stem back to 1938, and the inaugural Day of Mourning.  

The Day of Mourning was held on the day before Australia Day and was a protest marking the 150th anniversary of the arrival of settlers to Australia. It was organised to highlight the plight of Indigenous Australians and to open a political dialogue. The Day of Mourning was a success and raised public awareness. 

In 1957, the day was moved from January to July and became a celebration as well as a memorial. Since 1991, NAIDOC has been a week-long celebration and expanded to include Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 

AccessHC supports the Voice to Parliament 

Access Health and Community’s position on the Voice to Parliament is one of support. Read our position statement here. 

We’re developing our Reconciliation Action Plan

Access Health and Community is committing to reconciliation by creating our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP is an exciting project that marks our contribution to an Australia that values, recognises, respects and celebrates diversity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.