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Close the gap highlights

Launching the campaign

Olympic gold medallist and Close the Gap campaign patron, Cathy Freeman, launches the campaign at Sydney’s Homebush Olympic Stadium in 2007. The Close the Gap campaign is now headed by a coalition of more than 30 Indigenous and non-Indigenous health, human rights and community organisations.

Cathy Freeman kicks off the Close the Gap campaign
Photo: Michael Myers/OxfamAUS

Building political support

The (then) Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP receives the Close the Gap pledge from Oxfam’s Close the Gap Campaign Lead Tom Widdup and NSW Community Campaigner, Cara Bevington in 2007.

Malcolm Turnbull supports the Close the Gap campaign with Oxfam staff members
Photo: Michael Myers/OxfamAUS

Power through partnership

“ [When] Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have a real say in the service that they’re getting [it] will be much more appropriate to their needs,” said David Kennedy, former Chief Executive Officer of the Galambila Aboriginal Medical Service.

Photo: Jason Malouin/OxfamAUS

Public support tops well over 250,000

Over 250,000 people have attended NCTGD events across Australia, more than 220,000 have signed online petitions and many more have taken other actions in support of Close the Gap.

Laidley High School students and Kambu Aboriginal Medical Service spell out Close the Gap at a community event in SE QLD. “We all want kids to be active citizens who can make a positive difference to the world and I think Close the Gap Day is an excellent opportunity for that,” said Matt Lucas, the Humanities Coordinator at Upwey High School in Victoria.

Schools throw their support behind Close the Gap
Photo: Jason Malouin/OxfamAUS

Support grows to close the gap

Many prominent Australians and organisations have lent their support to the Close the Gap campaign, including organisations like the National Rugby League (NRL). The NRL was the first sporting code to support the Close the Gap campaign.

The Close the Gap NRL round in 2013 highlight the issues of Aboriginal health
Photo: NRL

The evidence is fantastic

“ [The] evidence we’re now seeing is absolutely fantastic. Aboriginal people are … taking control of their health. We’ve empowered them,” said Deborah Woods, Chief Executive Officer of the Geraldton Aboriginal Medical Service.

Close the Gap
Photo: Jason Malouin/OxfamAUS