Email
PrintPhotos from the day
www.flickr.com
|
National Close the Gap Day feedback
We invited some musicians around and had a big beautiful jam. It was great because no one really knew each other, but connected through the language of music, and then later on through discussion after watching the DVD. It put Close the Gap in the front minds of all musos who attended, and was a great experience for an important cause.
Top End Health Club from Charles Darwin University, Casuarina campus in Darwin set up an information display at CDU to raise community awareness … [Club] members operated an information stand … wore Close the Gap T-shirts to show their support, discussed the implications of equitable healthcare and gained 80 signatures … the club itself pledged another 98 signatures in support of Close the Gap.
A morning tea was held at WA Country Health Service, East Perth with around 45 people in attendance. After a Welcome to Country, there were a number of short talks introducing the Close the Gap campaign … followed by the screening of the very powerful DVD on the background to the campaign. I'm sure many would have been shocked by what they saw.
Staff contributed food and an entrance fee and raised $134 as a donation to Oxfam's Close the Gap campaign … everyone left more informed about Aboriginal health needs.
Carolyn Ngan and Rosalie Miles
The puzzling dichotomy of the Indigenous health crisis in Australia left some of us wondering - how did it get to this? How have we been so complacent, apathetic and spoilt in Australia that our wonderful indigenous culture and peoples has been vastly degraded, to the point where life expectancies of new Australians exceed them by 17 years?
It’s a shocking statistic! As a concerned bunch of students we felt compelled to do something about it, and no matter how small, it was something. We held a table and marquee at Monash University for Close the Gap Day, with the intention of gathering as many signatures as possible and letting people know about Australia’s crisis on our doorstep.
What was to be a day of awareness and signings turned into a day of hope and reconciliation, and the buzz in the air for change was almost tangible. The University itself and its representative were as one highly supportive, with the promise of more events, weeks and Indigenous cultural celebrations to come. We left the day feeling like SOMETHING is getting done. Not of course by us, but by Australia as a country!
Benji Miqueu
We had a student BBQ in our library courtyard. Students from across our campus' attended. We had a local Didge player from Kirrit Barreet Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre. Approx 150 students attended.
Benjamin Atkinson
Aboriginal Education Centre, University of Ballarat, SMB Campus
Galambila Aboriginal Health Service held a public event where a free BBQ lunch was provided to all who participated on the day … Mark Flanders, a local Gumbaingirr man, got the crowd’s attention with a bit of didj playing then Aunty Sue Gittins, a Gumbaingirr Elder, welcomed everyone to country whilst Andrew Fraser, Member for Coffs Harbour, stood solemnly beside her. With all the formalities over guests were invited into the campaign room to sign the Petition and the Organisational Pledge.
All in all it was a great day with about 100 or so people turning up to pledge their support to Closing the Gap in the life expectancy difference between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
Michelle Collins
With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders dying 17 years younger than other Australians and infant mortality three times higher, Radio Adelaide joined the voices of many other Australians in the call to the Australian Government to take action and close the gap.
Breakfast with Peter Godfrey kicked off Radio Adelaide's event with an interview with Oxfam campaign coordinator Kate Simpson. A group of staff and volunteers watched the 7 minute DVD and read the Organisational Pledge which was later read out on air during The Range.
A group of Indigenous Studies students from the University of Melbourne were inspired by an On Country learning experience to host a public event on campus. Our aim was to raise awareness about Indigenous health and justice issues, and to advise other students on actions they can take to make a difference.
We set up an information stall, circulated the pledge and our own petition demanding better funding for Aboriginal controlled health services, a greater focus on non-remote communities, and called for the establishment of an Indigenous representative body.
Clad in our fabulous Close the Gap T-shirts and with our personal tatooist we attracted the attention of many curious students who wanted to find out more about the issue. The event was a great success, bringing Indigenous health to the forefront of students' minds, and collecting around 150 signatures for the day.
[We held] our Kangaroo Sausage Sizzle [in] Berry Street Alexandra for Close the Gap Day. It was held outside our shop front on the main street of town. We had black and white balloons, and staff wore black and white … we were pleased that around 50 people passed by and had a sausage.
One thing I had not prepared for was the opportunity the event provided for people to raise their racist views on Aborigines. … As I hadn't anticipated this I had no approach in mind, and felt a little on the spot and awkward about how to respond to counter their racism. Anyway, there was positive interest from some community members, and some signed the petition, some took leaflets and info.
We are in a small rural community here, and I hope the BBQ raised thoughts and questions in people's minds about the terrible injustices in our country.
Cath Kesterton
Holding a Close the Gap event was great. I had some friends and family over for dinner. After watching the DVD, everyone was buzzing with comments and questions. It was a great time to come together in support, and also to develop greater awareness of the issues. We were
fortunate to have some of mum's work colleagues, whom are also Indigenous Australians, attend. Through discussions with them, we were able to broaden our knowledge and understanding of the local Indigenous community. Everyone left feeling like they had done something to help Close the Gap. Let's cross our fingers that the Government steps up to the challenge so many Australians are setting.
Kristy
Thank you from Parks Victoria for letting us take part in this special day … We had about 40 people turn up for the screening of Kanyini in our wetlands observatory building. They then had a lovely picnic in the grounds and it was a beautiful day. Let's hope that the message is spreading and we can all look forward to a brighter future.
Jenny Thomas, Coolart Wetlands & Homestead, Somers
Our names are Siobhan Kenna and Jacqualyn Bresnahan. We are year eight students at St Ursula's College Kingsgrove … We believe in Aboriginal rights, and to learn that Oxfam, (along with 40 other multi-racial organisations) is working to "Close the Gap" between life expectancy of a non-indigenous and indigenous Australians is a relief.
May we also add, having "National Close the Gap Day", on 22 April is an effective way to publicise the fact that a need for a change has been recognised and that support is urgently needed.
Jacqualyn Bresnahan and Siobhan Kenna
A successful event was held at Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre in Mareeba, far North Queensland. We had 36 people attend … they listened to a welcome to country from Muluridji elder, Tina Chong, and then a speech by our former CEO, Gordon Gertz. Gordon spoke about how improvements stem from having a focus on social justice, as well as looking outside the health sphere. His speech was followed by the current manager of Midin clinic in Atherton … Gail Wason. She talked about how with passion and passionate people we can all work towards closing the gap ... Finally, some representatives from the Kuku Djungan clan, Carmen Hunter and Patsy Walker, talked about the importance and the place of culture within health. The pledge was then read out, with agreement amongst many of those present with the details of the pledge and 24 of the attendees signing the petition ….
Dr Aaron Hollins, Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre, Mareeba
26 participants attended a “Close the Gap” morning tea event at Housing SA in Whyalla on Tuesday 22 April … Rosemary Hillman, esteemed Elder of the local Aboriginal community presented the Welcome to Country. A moving and inspiring orator, Rosemary transfixed the audience with her gentle voice and the melodic sounds of her native Welcome to Country.
Jo Bowie-Perry, Coordinator of the HACC program in Whyalla, attended with two clients. The Close the Gap event was of particular relevance to these local Indigenous ladies, who have in the past, or are still, facing ongoing medical interventions and procedures to address serious health issues …
The Close the Gap DVD was played … following Rosemary’s welcome. This DVD contained factual information on the health issues affecting the Indigenous population of Australia and reiterated the need to ‘close the gap’ on the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Sue Lock, DFC Housing SA Whyalla
I held an informal morning tea at my work place. All nine work colleagues participated in the event by bringing along a plate of food. A few people asked questions about the Close the Gap campaign to which I answered with information from the Oxfam website. The event was a success because it did raise more awareness in my small work group and everyone agreed it was a good cause to participate in. I also handed out the Close the Gap arm bands which were very popular.
Kellie Pridmore
We held a gathering in Haymarket of Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union employees, friends and others, to raise awareness and some money for the Lingiari Foundation. We showed the DVD, had a chat about the issues and all signed the pledge. We had Cara from Oxfam speak and NSW parliamentarian Ian West also come along and speak, with both being fantastic!
We then watched the amazing documentary Liyarn Ngarn which fitted in wonderfully with the theme of the night – showing the clear link between the true history of this country and the issues for Indigenous Australians today, like the gap in life expectancy. We managed to raise over $500 for the Lingiari Foundation which was a great achievement.
Joe Kennedy, Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU)
THE PLAN:
We decided to raise awareness for Closing the Gap at our child care centre by inviting staff, parents and children to dress in black and/or white for the day. In the foyer of the centre we set up an information desk a week in advance to illustrate what we were doing and why. Parents were invited to read information, sign the pledge and the letter to the treasurer, donate money or purchase wrist bands or stickers.
THE DAY:
Because our event was informal, we set up the DVD for viewing in the foyer alongside the campaign information and played it throughout the morning for parents to view as they arrived and left. Parents and children donated a gold coin as they arrived in their black and white. Our acknowledgment of the traditional owners- the Gubbi Gubbi people was written and displayed on the front door.
Each classroom incorporated close the gap themes as part of their program for the day and experiences for children included face and body painting, finger painting and hand prints, painting tubes for didgeridoos and discussing aspects of Aboriginal culture with children.
THE VERDICT:
We raised $90 and succeeded in gaining more signatures for the pledge and letter to the treasurer. Staff and parents in particular really embraced the day and made it lots of fun and raised the profile of the dire situation for Aboriginal health in this country. Children had a fantastic time getting involved in activities and being exposed to images and concepts to broaden their view of their culture. We continue in this education and interest by following up with relevant experiences, literature and visual aids for children.
Our centre has now signed the organisational pledge.
Kylie Mulcahy, Child Care Centre in Cotton Tree, Queensland
Members and supporters of Micah Projects Inc and St Mary's Community South Brisbane took part in events to raise awareness of Indigenous health issues on April 22, National Close the Gap Day.
Micah Projects Inc and St Mary's Community in partnership with Indigenous agencies have been providing a range of support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in poverty and at risk of homelessness on the southside of Brisbane.
On Close the Gap day of action Micah Projects Inc staff hosted a BBQ lunch and provided an opportunity for the viewing of a special DVD on Indigenous health issues. A feature of the gathering was an opportunity to be photographed under the "Close the Gap" banner which is displayed in St Mary's carpark.
During the afternoon, visiting students from St Peter Claver College in Riverview participating in a social justice education program also took the opportunity to show their support for the campaign by having their photo taken under the banner.
Seven local women met at my studio for Close the Gap Day. The activity chosen was painting the Indigenous totem symbols on to brightly coloured fabric squares. Although we started at 11am and didn’t finish ‘til almost 6pm there has been a second day set aside to complete this project. We paused for a shared lunch, and most of the day as we worked we exchanged stories of the Indigenous people, places, customs and dilemmas as we knew them. Unfortunately the DVD couldn’t be shown for technical reasons but I relayed the info absorbed from my preview and we will share it around to watch at each participant’s home. We contributed money as each was able and this will be sent in a combined cheque. The ‘elder’ in our group is not far off 100 and really enjoyed the day, too. Thanks for all your organisation's efforts to make this happen – we certainly grew from the experience.
Mal
The Mandurah Oxfam Group convened a Close the Gap Workshop at Winjan Aboriginal Community on Saturday 5 April as a lead up to the National Close the Gap Day. The workshop was attended by 25 people, both Nyungar and Wodjilla. Paddy Cullen introduced the Close the Gap Campaign and then facilitated a discussion about the health services for Aboriginal people in the Peel Region. Lorraine Morrison from the recently formed Waangkininy Health in Peel (WHIP) and Aboriginal Health Worker, Peter Woods, talked about their work and the problems they encounter particularly around the demands of administration and the lack of appropriate emergency facilities (for substance abuse in particular) and the need for culturally appropriate services.
The workshop was successful in bringing people together from a number of community organisations.
Anne Batt