Victoria backs Aboriginal kinship to close health gaps
The Victorian Government is to invest $6.3 million to strengthen Aboriginal health and wellbeing through culturally strong, community-led initiatives right across the State.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced that 15 Aboriginal organisations will share funding to continue and expand locally led Culture + Kinship initiatives.
“We’re working hard to close health gaps by strengthening culture, connection and community for Aboriginal Victorians,” she said.
“If we want the best health outcomes, we must back Aboriginal-led care, our ACCHOs and VACCHO.”
Better health outcomes
The Culture + Kinship initiatives include an Elders Choir, Cultural Memory and Return to Country Project, Youth Cultural and Diversionary Camps, Transferring Elders Knowledge and Early Years Connection to Country.
That means enabling more Aboriginal-led care because we know it delivers better health outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.
The best healthcare is not a one size fits all – it’s care that suits you, reflects your culture and is shaped by your community.
Better healthcare
A successful 2022 pilot demonstrated measurable improvements in social and emotional wellbeing, highlighting the power of Aboriginal-led solutions.
The evidence was clear: when care is culturally safe and community-controlled, health outcomes improve and lives change.
The government said this was another step towards closing health gaps by backing Aboriginal leadership and building a healthcare system that truly works for everyone.
