Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc

29/04/2026

The Beautiful Shawl Project is coming to Ramahyuck in Sale.

From 7-11 May, The Beautiful Shawl Project will be stationed at Ramahyuck in Sale – offering free, culturally safe breast screens to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 40+.

Each person who screens with The Beautiful Shawl Project will receive a shawl to wear during the screening and take home afterwards as a gift. The Ramahyuck Sale shawl was designed by Kurnai artist, Sally Hood.

Describing her artwork, Sally says “This artwork is about women from different areas coming together to encourage and support each other to attend breast screening clinics in their area […]. The yarning circles, waterholes and the lines within the background allow the women to remain connected to each other regardless of where they are from [...]. The boomerangs are a reminder to return and have a breast screen and to call out when you need some support when times are hard.”

If you’re aged 40+, book your free breast screen today by calling Ramahyuck, Sale at (03) 5144 6511

28/04/2026

The Beautiful Shawl Project is coming to Ramahyuck, Morwell next week.

From 4-6 May, The Beautiful Shawl Project will be stationed at Ramahyuck in Morwell – offering free, culturally safe breast screens to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 40+.

Each person who screens with The Beautiful Shawl Project will receive a shawl to wear during the screening and take home afterwards as a gift. The Ramahyuck Morwell shawl was designed by Kurnai artist, Julie Griffiths.

Describing her artwork, Julie says “’Watched Over’ reflects the pathways of care that surround women. The gentle presence of wrens represents the quiet strength [that this] support provides. [The woman’s] body is adorned with flowing patterns and symbols that [depict] strength carried through generations.”

If you’re aged 40+, book your free breast screen today by calling Ramahyuck Morwell at (03) 5136 5100

28/04/2026

VACCHO extends its congratulations to all Elected Members of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

Meet the Traditional Owners of Country who have been chosen by their Communities to represent their hopes, needs and ideas on the journey to Treaty.

27/04/2026

VACCHO strongly condemns the booing witnessed at Melbourne, Sydney and Perth ANZAC Day dawn services on Saturday.

ANZAC Day ceremonies are moments of deep collective reflection and remembrance, honouring the service and sacrifice of our service men and women both past and present, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ANZACs.

Similarly, Welcome to Country ceremonies are also an act of respect that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s deep and continuing connection to Country. A Welcome to Country is a gift to all Australians - an ancient Cultural practice that like our connection to Country, is 65,000 years old.

Disrupting these ceremonies goes against the very essence of ANZAC Day and the spirit it represents.

Read our full statement here > https://www.vaccho.org.au/2026/04/27/vaccho-rejects-anzac-day-disruptions-as-undermining-respect-sacrifice-and-unity/

24/04/2026

Currently, only three ACCOs in Victoria are resourced to provide oral and dental care.
You read that right, Victorian Government News only three!

ACCOs want to service all aspects of their Community’s health and wellbeing.
Including oral and dental health.

What should be done? Fund our ACCOs!

Funding ACCO’s to provide culturally safe oral care will:
→ increase Community’s access to preventative treatments and early detection services
→ reduce preventable hospitalisations
→ reduced reliance on emergency and hospital-based dental service
→ address key practical barriers (such as transport),
→ ensuring sustainability of the ACCO workforce, including training and employment opportunities.

The Consumers Health Forum of Australia found that 8 in 10 people in the country reported financial strain from their last dental payment. Expanding ACCO dental care services will help reduce the financial burden of dental care on Community.

This not only will improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, but this program is estimated is reach $16.2 million of avoided costs over ten years.

Learn more about VACCHO’s State budget submission here > https://cdn.intelligencebank.com/au/share/NJA21J/JYbpl/naekd/original/Investing+in+Healing+-+VACCHO+State+Budget+Submission+2026-27

Harriet Shing MP Jaclyn Symes Georgie Crozier MP

23/04/2026

Is your workplace offering Telehealth services? You could be the person who makes it run smoothly.

Yagilaith Djerring's Telehealth Administration Skill Set is a short, nationally accredited course that gives you the practical skills to coordinate and support Telehealth services in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and you can apply them straight away.

Speak to your manager about enrolling, or find out more and register today → https://www.vaccho.org.au/study/courses-aboriginal-health/telehealth-admin-skill-set/

23/04/2026

We all have a responsibility to stop racism in its tracks.

Right now, the federal parliamentary inquiry into racism, hate and violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is underway.

It’s your chance to submit evidence and help tell a true story of racism in Australia.

If you’re an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, Call It Out can help you share your story. They’ll support you throughout the submission process without much fuss.

This opportunity closes tomorrow – Friday 24 April. But submissions are open until 1 May, if you’re submitting independently.

Ready to get started? Head to callitout.com.au/racisminquiry

21/04/2026

From May 15, Mob aged 60 and over will be able to receive a free RSV vaccination through a GP, immunisation clinic, Aboriginal health service and at participating pharmacies.

Good news for people aged 75 and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over.

From May 15, you will be able to receive a free RSV vaccination through a GP, immunisation clinic, community or Aboriginal health service and at participating pharmacies.

This lifesaving vaccine used to cost $300, but from May 15, it won't cost you a cent.

20/04/2026

VACCHO extends its congratulations to Harriet Shing MP on her new appointments as the Minister for Health, Ambulance Services and Water.

VACCHO CEO, Dr Jill Gallagher AO says she welcomes the wealth of experience Minister Shing brings from her previous portfolios and especially looks forward to working with her as the new co-Chair of the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum.

“I hope that Ms Shing and the Victorian Labor party’s renewed leadership brings with it a fresh and genuine energy to engaging with and listening to Aboriginal communities across Victoria,” she said.

Read full news story here > https://www.vaccho.org.au/2026/04/20/vaccho-welcomes-new-minster-for-health-harriet-shing/

Photograph courtesy Gippsland Water, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

20/04/2026

This is unacceptable. Our Elders deserve better. These reforms contradict the Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap in health and life expectancy.

Under the new aged care reforms, Elders could have to pay up to $150 per week for essential services like meals, cleaning, transport, and personal care. Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) do not want to charge their Community these fees.

Stand with our Elders and have your voices heard.

Sign VACCHO's petition calling on the demanding fair, equitable and culturally safe aged care > https://c.org/DY8Kjm9mdg

Sam Rae Rebecca White Senator Malarndirri McCarthy - Northern Territory Senator Lidia Thorpe Senator Penny Allman-Payne Senator Dorinda Cox Mark Butler MP NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia

17/04/2026

Hey Sam Rae it’s time to make the First Nations Aged Care Commissioner role permanent, independent and statutory.

The Interim Commissioner’s role was established in line with the Royal Commission’s recommendations. But progress has stalled on establishing the permanent, statutory role despite the overwhelming Community and sector support.

The permanent role was meant to be established by 2024.

Community needs the Commissioner to be a provide a frank and fearless voice back to Government. With the role being within the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, it is hard for the Commissioner to fully advocate for the Government for equitable and culturally safe aged care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.

The Government must honour its commitment to self-determination and enshrine a permanent and independent office and position of First Nations Aged Care Commissioner.

Our Elders and older people have waited long enough. They cannot, and should not, be asked to wait another decade for meaningful change.

Sign the petition to support our campaign for equitable aged care for Elders > https://c.org/DY8Kjm9mdg

16/04/2026

VACCHO is deeply saddened by the passing of Uncle Graham “Bootsie” Thorpe. A proud and respected Gunai Elder, and a tireless advocate for Aboriginal health, wellbeing, and justice.

Uncle Bootsie dedicated his life to supporting Community across Victoria, always leading with compassion, strength, and deep Cultural knowledge. His work was grounded in the belief that care extends beyond service delivery - treating people as family, not clients, and walking alongside them with respect and understanding.

Beginning his journey with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in 1977, Uncle Bootsie gave more than two decades of service, supporting Mob particularly in social and emotional wellbeing. He was known for going above and beyond: mentoring the next generation of Aboriginal health workers, offering support well beyond working hours, and never turning his back on those doing it tough.

In recognition of his lifelong contribution, Uncle Bootsie was awarded the Victorian NAIDOC Aboriginal Person of the Year Award in 1996 and was later inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2018 which is a testament to the impact of his work and the respect he held across Community.

VACCHO extends our deepest condolences to Uncle Bootsie’s family, loved ones, and all those whose lives he touched. We honour his legacy - one of strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment to Community.

Rest peacefully in the Dreaming Uncle Bootsie 🖤💛❤️