Partnering with our local indigenous community

Australian Bureau of Statistics data indicates that there are between 324 and 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the City of Moonee Valley and between 200 and 400 living in the City of Melbourne.  Our service planning process indicated that there were limited numbers of people using our services who identified as indigenous despite the fact that many indigenous people have significant health issues.

In order to address this issue, Doutta Galla Community Health Service commenced a process of consultation with a Western Suburbs Indigenous Gathering Place (WSIGP) to identify local needs and ensure that our services are accessible to indigenous people. 

Doutta Galla Community Health Service is contributing to the WSIGP Health Plan and will be a signatory to the partnership agreement between a number of health providers and the Gathering Place.

Demonstrating a commitment to reconciliation between non-indigenous and indigenous Australians, the Reconciliation Working Group formed in 2008.  Members of staff from a range of program areas meet monthly to explore opportunities and potential to improve service delivery to members of the indigenous community within our catchment area.

Statement of Commitment

"This agreement commits Doutta Galla Community Health Service, providing integrated health services to people living, working or studying with the City of Melbourne or City of Moonee Valley, to developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) by 10 August 2010.

Development of this RAP will involve consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous staff across the organisation, as well as external consultation with Indigenous stakeholders.

Areas for action will include:

• Consolidating methods to acknowledge traditional owners of the land
• Development and implementation of a learning initiative pilot, the Indigenous (Virtual) Book Club
• Ongoing Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training for all staff
• Building and maintaining relationships and partnerships with Indigenous organisations
• Celebrating significant milestones and achievements with the Indigenous community

(Signed)

Caz Healy

CEO, Doutta Galla Community Health Service