Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)

This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week, make informed, culturally safe choices about health and harm reduction. Be confident in your knowledge of HIV, safer sex, safer injecting and where to get support. People living with HIV can live long, deadly, healthy lives with the right treatment. You can yarn with your GP or your local ACCO if you want support with testing, prevention or treatment. Strong choices protect your health, your Mob and your Community. Support is always available: → Find PrEP-prescribing doctors at pan.org.au/find-a-doctor → Find urgent PEP access in Victoria at https://lnkd.in/g4ZgmXgx → Living Positive Victoria for peer support at lpv.org.au → NAPWHA for the Positive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network at napwha.org.au → Thorne Harbour Health for HIV care and sexual health at thorneharbour.org → DirectLine for harm reduction and clean equipment at 1800 888 236 #VACCHO #HealthAwareness #HealthInformation #ATSIHAW #HIVAwarenessWeek #WorldAIDSDay #HIV #AIDS

Today, VACCHO honoured the accomplishments of 46 dedicated students at their Registered Training Organisation’s graduation ceremony. VACCHO CEO Dr. Jill Gallagher AO, addressed the graduates at a touching ceremony at the Aborigines Advancement League in Thornbury, commending them for their hard work, dedication and resilience. “Each and every one of you will walk away with qualifications that will hopefully lead to a long, successful career in the Aboriginal health sector. You now have valuable knowledge that will position you to be future leaders in our Community,” she said. The Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles shared his congratulations with the graduates. Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples Christine Couzens joined the celebrations and shared the honour of handing the graduates their certificates. Read the full story here > https://lnkd.in/gWq-Hjhq RTO No: 20739 #VACCHO #YagilaithDjerring #ETU #StudyWithUs #Graduation #LatestNews

A deadly opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students!

Last week, VACCHO hosted the first Chronicles of Collingwood event at the Collingwood flats. The afternoon created a great platform for Community to yarn with government and stakeholders. Homes Victoria, City of Yarra, Department of Premier & Cabinet, Dardi Munwurro,Victoiran Aboriginal Health Services, Ngwala Willumbog Aboriginal Corporation, Djirra and Drummond Street Youth Services were all present to share updates and information that directly impacted local Mob and Community. Uncle Charles Pakana from Victorian Aboriginal News joined us too, interviewing Community and capturing stories in real time. It was a deadly afternoon, full of conversations that were powerful and raw, and of course lots of laughs, some drawing and a good feed. VACCHO CEO, Jill Gallagher said she has received positive feedback from Community about the event and says VACCHO will continue to offer these important events, giving a much needed voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. #VACCHO #CollingwoodFlats #Collingwood

Different choices for different people! We want Mob to feel empowered and make informed choices on contraception. Let's have safe, open and respectful conversations about our options. VACCHO's new resource, Our Bodies Our Choices, is a brief guide on contraceptive methods, their effectiveness and things you should consider when yarning with your GP about contraception. Have a yarn with your local ACCO Health Worker or GP about what contraceptive method may be right for you. Check out the Our Bodies, Our Choices resource > link in bio Artwork by Sandra Kropinyeri #VACCHO #OurBodiesOurChoices #HealthInformation #Contraception

“Our Culture is built upon the Lore, and that meant we listened to our Elders… They were the building blocks of our Culture. It’s so important today to remember where we came from and that… we have to respect our Elders. And when Elders speak, we should listen.” – Aunty Thelma Chilly, Victorian Aboriginal Elders Summit guest speaker. Elders from across Victoria gathered on Wurundjeri Country in Naarm for the second Victorian Aboriginal Elders Summit in late October. The Summit’s theme ‘Dreaming of our past to shape our future’ celebrated the long and enduring wisdom of Elders past and present, and how their strength and legacy will define the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the deadly speakers, performers, Elders and attendees who helped make this gathering so powerful. We also thank the Summit’s gold sponsors Commonwealth Bank and Law Squared, and our partner exhibitors. Read more about the Victorian Aboriginal Elders Summit - https://lnkd.in/gxjfnaQs

VACCHO extends its congratulations to Jess Wilson on her historic election as the first woman to lead the Victorian Liberal party. VACCHO CEO, Dr Jill Gallagher AO says VACCHO is pleased to work with anyone willing to listen to Aboriginal Communities and invest in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. VACCHO reaffirms its commitment to working with all political Leaders to improve the lives of Aboriginal people. Dr Gallagher is, however, deeply disappointed to hear Ms Wilson say that she would repeal Treaty if the Coalition were to form government at next year’s state election. Read the full news story here > https://lnkd.in/gbbPxahk #VACCHO #LatestNews

Trans Mob: Your health – your words. Make a health service check right for you by sharing what language and personal details you want used. If you want, you can ask your health provider to write a letter to Medicare confirming your affirmed gender and updating these details. Remember, access to culturally safe health care is your right as Trans Mob. Sign up to VACCHOs Rainbow Mob lived experience network for more Trans Mob resources and opportunities > https://lnkd.in/gUvBdxwy 🏳️⚧️🌈🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍🖤🌈 #TransMob #RainbowMobHealth #TransAwarenessWeek #YourHealth #YourWords #HealthInformation #HealthAwareness

If you’re a woman or person with a cervix and haven’t screened in the past 5 years, now’s the time to book in for your Cervical Screening Test. Screening helps you keep your health in check, so you can keep doing the things you love. It’s one small step that can make a big difference. Cervical cancer often has no symptoms, but testing regularly can find it early, when it’s easiest to treat. Screening is quick, safe and can even be done yourself using a self-collection swab at your local ACCO or health clinic. This Cervical Screening Awareness Week, book your test – for you, your family and your Mob. #VACCHO #AboriginalHealth #CervicalCancerAwarenessWeek