Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc

14/11/2025

Hey Mob in Collingwood! VACCHO is hosting a Mob yarns event at Harmsworth Street Reserve next Tuesday 18 November, 12-3pm.

Come down and have a yarn with all our local ACCOs, Community members and government stakeholders. Lets yarn about what we can do as a community to help make change.

We're here to lister and share your stories!

14/11/2025

Our Boorai belong in classrooms, on Country, and surrounded by Culture — not in adult courtrooms.

The Victorian Government’s ‘Adult Time for Violent Crime’ policy puts children at risk and ignores years of advocacy calling for real reform.

VACCHO is calling for genuine investment in early intervention and culturally safe, community-led solutions.

Read our statement: https://www.vaccho.org.au/2025/11/12/vaccho-strongly-condemns-governments-adult-time-for-violent-crime-policy/

13/11/2025

Breast/chest screening is for Trans Mob!

It is important the Trans Mob community feel supported in taking care of their health and wellbeing - and get their breast/chest screen.

Trans Mob assigned female at birth and aged 40+ are eligible for a free breast screen every two years. BreastScreen Victoria will invite you to screen from the ages 50-74, however screening is available from 40 years old.

Those who have had chest/top surgery and Trans Mob assigned male at birth taking gender-affirming hormones (like oestrogen) should yarn with their health worker or doctor about whether breast/chest screening is right for you.

BreastScreen Victoria run dedicated sessions for LGBTIQA+ people. These sessions allow you to access extra support, screen with other LGBTQIASB+ community members, and have extra time to ask questions and talk to their radiographers.

For more information visit > https://www.breastscreen.org.au/community-engagement/lgbtiq-people/

🏳️‍⚧️🌈🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍🖤🌈

12/11/2025

VACCHO is deeply disappointed and angered by the Victorian Government’s latest ‘Adult Time for Violent Crime’ announcement.

The new policy would allow children as young as 14 to be treated as adults in the court system, continuing a worrying trend from the Victorian Government, which has moved away from its previous commitment to raise the age of criminal responsibility.

The ‘Adult Time for Violent Crime’ approach means children as young as 14 can face adult courts and even life sentences, reflecting a shift toward punishment rather than the early intervention and support our children need.

VACCHO CEO, Dr Jill Gallagher AO says she strongly rejects this punitive approach calling for genuine investment in Community-led, culturally safe, early intervention and support services.

“If the Government truly wants safer communities, it starts with investing in our young people – not locking them away and doubling down on punishment.”

Read the full news story here > https://www.vaccho.org.au/2025/11/12/vaccho-strongly-condemns-governments-adult-time-for-violent-crime-policy/

07/11/2025

VACCHO is thrilled to announce esteemed chef as a guest speaker at the Food Connections Gathering on 25-26 November.

Nornie is an Island woman from the Komet Tribe of the Meriam people in the Torres Strait, with over 25 years of experience as a professional chef. Passionate about showcasing native ingredients, she is a leading figure in the Australian food scene, dedicated to bringing Indigenous flavours to the forefront of modern cuisine.

Her dynamic presence has been featured on prominent TV shows, including Zac Efron’s Down to Earth on Netflix, Adam Liaw’s The Cook Up on SBS, and as the host of her own show, Island Echoes, on SBS.

Through her media appearances, events, and ongoing work, Nornie is committed to educating others about the cultural significance and versatility of native Australian ingredients, while inspiring a new generation of chefs and food enthusiasts.

More speakers to be announced and full program to follow.

05/11/2025

AIDA is proud to stand together with Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and The Royal Australasian College of Physicians to make a stand for equity in healthcare.

We support St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Chief Executive Nicole Tweddle’s statement reaffirming the hospital’s commitment to prioritising triage for all First Nations patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).

Dr Olivia O’Donoghue, AIDA Acting President, echoed the response from St Vincent’s Hospital, reiterating that the policy is not about preferential treatment, it is about creating equity.

🗞️ Read the full article: https://aida.org.au/media-release/standing-together-for-equity-in-emergency-care/

05/11/2025

The new Aged Care reforms have come into effect.

These reforms will negatively affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and old people by increasing the financial burden on Elders and creating more barriers to Elders accessing essential care.

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

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

We welcome the Senate's decision to launch new inquiries into the effects these reforms will have on Elders. However, Elders need urgent change to ensure they can access equitable and culturally safe aged care.


Stand with our Elders and have your voices heard.

Sign VACCHO's petition calling on the demanding fair, equitable and culturally safe aged care.

For more information and to sign our petition head to > https://chng.it/RshCQTs5sq

Sam Rae Rebecca White Senator Malarndirri McCarthy - Northern Territory Senator Jana Stewart Senator Lidia Thorpe Senator Penny Allman-Payne Senator Dorinda Cox Mark Butler MP NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing & Aged Care Council

31/10/2025

TOO DEADLY VICTORIA!

30/10/2025

VACCHO applauds the passing of the landmark Statewide Treaty Bill in the Victorian Parliament.

Read the full story -

VACCHO CEO Dr Jill Gallagher AO says she is proud that Victoria has led the way, becoming Australia’s first state or territory to introduce a Treaty to its Parliament.

30/10/2025

VACCHO strongly rejects comments made by the Victorian Liberal Party’s Health Spokesperson Georgie Crozier about triage practices at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.

Opposition health spokesperson Georgie Crozier said, as reported by the media, "The triaging of patients should be done on medical need, not based on the colour of your skin. This sort of discrimination will only divide our society."

The comments are misleading and show complete ignorance about how emergency departments operate.

“Emergency physicians and triage nurses see the social determinants of health playing out every day – the health impacts of trauma, poverty, and the other system failures. All health services need to be safe and responsive to the lived experiences of people presenting for help.”
- Abe Ropitini, Executive Director Population Health, VACCHO

VACCHO would like all Victorians to understand these three facts:
1. Clinical urgency drives triage.
2. Emergency departments are hotspots for racism - and that must be addressed.
3. Action to improve cultural safety in emergency departments commenced under the last Liberal government.

Read the full news story - https://www.vaccho.org.au/2025/10/30/vaccho-condemns-misleading-comments-about-triage-practices-at-st-vincents-hospital-melbourne/

27/10/2025

The Victorian Aboriginal Elders Summit begins TODAY!

Check out the deadly lineup of performers and entertainment we have over the next two days.

Download the full program on our website > https://www.vaccho.org.au/vcaacd/

27/10/2025

The sold-out Victorian Aboriginal Elders Summit begins tomorrow!
Swipe to see some of the deadly speakers who’ll share their knowledge, Culture, and leadership.

See the full line up of speakers and the full program on our website > https://www.vaccho.org.au/vcaacd/