Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝   Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people could become the first Indigenous peoples in the world to virtually eliminate HIV transmission - and it's thanks to the tireless work of our ACCHOs.    The ACCHO sector is vital in maintaining low HIV rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and achieving virtual elimination.    Today, we would like to acknowledge the critical and highly skilled ACCHO sexual health and blood borne virus workforce who hold a safe space for community to talk openly, get tested and treated, without shame.   NACCHO continues to advocate for expanded access to culturally safe health promotion, testing and treatment pathways for all blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections.      #WorldAIDSDay #WorldAIDSDay2025 #NoOneLeftBehind #OurHealthInOurHands #NACCHO #ACCHOs #AboriginalHealth #IndigenousHealth Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services AH&MRC of NSW Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia AMSANT Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week is recognised from 1 to 7 December. HIV diagnosis remains much higher among Aboriginal people. AHCWA’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Program aim to create policies and strategies to reduce rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Aboriginal Communities across Western Australia. If you’re an Aboriginal health worker or working in Aboriginal communities, follow the QR codes to find out more.

A new partnership between the Indigenous-led Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service and Community First Responders Australia - supported by the Heart Foundation - will deliver vital emergency response training to Aboriginal communities across six towns in Western Australia's Great Southern region. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gRarKzTy

AHCWA hosted a community stall at Perth Pride Fairday at the Supreme Court Gardens. This flagship event of PrideFEST brought together thousands of community members in an inclusive celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, culture, and connection. Throughout the day, AHCWA engaged with a diverse range of attendees, offering information, resources, and interactive activities to promote Aboriginal health and wellbeing. AHCWA’s presence contributed to the spirit of inclusivity and celebration that defines Fairday, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ Aboriginal people and communities. To find out more about the work our Sexual Health team does, head to https://lnkd.in/gFFha2HV

"It is time to get angry about WA’s unacceptably high rates of rheumatic heart disease in Aboriginal children, the head of the National Heart Foundation said on Tuesday as Perth was announced as the host of a major global conference next year. While the disease has been all but wiped out in urban Australia, rates are disproportionately high among the Aboriginal population. More than 90 per cent of RHD cases occur in Aboriginal people, mostly children aged between five and 14." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gcBz4kaD

The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia is proud to celebrate Receptionist Grace Caine’s 15 years with the organisation—a decade and a half of ensuring every person who steps through the front door is greeted with a smile. Read more about Grace’s contributions to our organisation here: https://lnkd.in/gPXPgUhg

Globally, almost one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their life. Aboriginal women are more likely to be hospitalised because of violence than non-Aboriginal women. Promoting gender equality, fostering respectful relationships, celebrating women's personal autonomy and driving change in attitudes will lead to less violence in our mob. This 16 Days in WA and every day, #playyourpart #aboriginalhealth #stopgenderviolence #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #aboriginal #genderequality

Stay strong, stay connected, stay screened. Early detection could save your life and keep you healthy for the people you love. If you haven’t received your kit, yarn with your doctor, nurse, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker. You can also take part through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program – search “Free Bowel Test” to find out more: ww.health.gov.au/nbcsp

Celebrating Inspiring First Nations Doctors Making a Real Difference Four outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors and medical students have been honoured at The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) annual conference in Brisbane, recognised for their leadership, community impact and commitment to culturally informed healthcare. RACGP President - Michael Wright praised the award recipients as “truly inspirational”, highlighting their tireless contribution to improving health outcomes for First Nations communities. Dr Liza Robertson received the Aunty Val Dahlstrom Award for her exceptional work in Far North Queensland, while Dr Ai Lee Heng was recognised with the Standing Strong Together Award for her trusted care at First People’s Health and Wellbeing in Victoria. Quandamooka GP trainee Dr Myora Stone earned the Growing Strong Award for her dedication to community-led care and health literacy, and medical student Keisha Calyun was honoured with the Rising Strong Award for her early advocacy and leadership in Aboriginal health. Together, these awardees embody the gold standard of culturally grounded general practice. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gWyxVawT #RACGP #FirstNationsHealth #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #GPExcellence #GrowingStrong #StandingStrongTogether #AuntyValDahlstromAward #CulturallyInformedCare #HealthLeadership Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia

The 2026 WA Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector Conference artwork was created by artist Ashley Spratt, a Whadjuk and Yuet Noongar man. His work was inspired by this year’s theme, "Growing in Strength Starts With Us". "I incorporated into this piece all things that are koorliny (moving). The sky and stars to the rivers and waterways, people and communities, nature, and the earth. The piece invites one’s own interpretation. One could see that the trees, green leaves, river or waterway, and green earth underneath grow and move beyond the structure and formality of the rigid boundaries. Another person could view the artwork as representing the human body with its veins and nerves, arteries, cells, and the muscle like fibres beneath showing strength as one grows with time. One could simply see our communities and song lines connected through the land. No matter what you see or feel, it comes from you. From people, the land, our communities, the sky and space — all of itis powerful, growing and koorliny."