Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s First Peoples and the traditional owners and custodians of the land and water in which we live, work and play. January 26 marks the invasion of Australia that resulted in the genocide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and dispossession of their land and culture.
Since at least 1938, January 26 has been a formal day of mourning and protest against the historical and ongoing injustices committed against First Nations people since colonisation. In contrast, ‘Australia Day’ has only existed as a public holiday since 1994 and many community members are calling for a change of date given its place in our shared history.
The intersection of colonisation, intergenerational trauma, removal from family and community, racism, discrimination, and marginalisation continue to have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of First Nations people. We are proud and honoured to work alongside First Nations people as they continue to lead improvements in health and wellbeing for their communities.
In March 2024, we proudly published our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. We look forward to getting approval in 2025 on the next stage of our Reconciliation Action Plan – Innovate – where we will continue to implement change and strengthen our relationship with and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Below are some useful resources:
- Five ways to be an ally on January 26
- Reconciliation – how to take action
- First People’s Assembly of Victoria
- Yoorook Justice Commission
For more about our Aboriginal engagement work and our Reconciliation Action Plan, click here.
