Health

Yoorrrook First Peoples mental health hearing panel - Auntie Nellie Flagg, Associate Professor Graham Gee, Sheree Lowe
Yoorrrook First Peoples mental health hearing panel - Auntie Nellie Flagg, Associate Professor Graham Gee, Sheree Lowe
Professor Euan Wallace Secretary, Department of Health; Jodie Geissler Deputy Secretary, Commissioning and System Improvement, Department of Health; Dr Clare Looker Victorian Chief Health Officer
Professor Euan Wallace Secretary, Department of Health; Jodie Geissler Deputy Secretary, Commissioning and System Improvement, Department of Health; Dr Clare Looker Victorian Chief Health Officer

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About Yoorrook

What Yoorrook has heard about the health system

The Yoorrook Justice Commission is looking into the health system as part of the truth telling process in Victoria.

Yoorrook has heard extensive evidence of past and ongoing racism and discrimination within Victoria’s health services, both for individuals requiring health care and Aboriginal organisations providing care.

“We have among the best all-of-population health outcomes in the world. That those are not equally shared and enjoyed by the state’s First Peoples, is unacceptable. And for that I am both sorry and I am committed to the necessary change.“

Professor Euan Wallace, Secretary VICTORIAN Department of Health

On this page are some of the responses Yoorrook has received as part of its inquiry.

What you've told us about Health

Submission - Lisa Clancy

"I think to change things, I think a good start for that, would be healing centres instead of sending them off to juvie where they learn worse behaviour. And then get to and then go to, you know, the big boys prison or the big girls prison. Get them out onto healing centres, onto land, learn culture. Learn to go bush tucker and eat bush tucker and be healthy in the mind, body and spirit, and connecting to the land and their culture... Don't call them rehabs, because people don't want to go there because it's shame. Call them healing centres and have the culture and connection there to the land."

Submission - Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Group 1

"I think a lot of Aboriginal people end up going to hospitals feel nervous because we’re like - we don’t know if this is going to be a good situation or a positive situation"

Watch Aunty Jill Gallagher

“We know that Aboriginal people weren’t allowed into hospitals, being told to wait and be treated outside. Women gave birth on the verandahs, meaning the first experience an Aboriginal baby had was one of racism and exclusion. That’s our lives. That’s how our lives started and continued.”

Submission – Anonymous 908

"It was always out on country and unlike mainstream, get them in the room and then kind of just go straight into the Psychoeducational model. It was you know, let's check in, build safety. Let's find out who you are. And then, you know, let's recognise our wounds and then how our wounds have made us wound others and see that and feel that. And then, you know, start towards the journey of healing and, change."
View all Health submissions

What changes to the current health system would you like to see?

View more Shared Truths
I would like to see significant changes to the way Indigenous health and cultural awareness training is taught to mainstream health staff. I would like to see more hiring of Indigenous doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, liaison officers etc, to better support the health outcomes for First... continue reading at submission link below.

More from Professor Emma-Jaye Gavin

Colonisers stole land from the first nations people to develop and build into the city with devastating effects of the wellbeing of first nations people, still being felt today.

More from Anonymous 1147

My understanding is limited – but I am aware there was enormous dislocation and genocide of First Peoples in Victoria. That First Peoples were driven off their land and have not had the opportunity to receive the benefits of that land for many generations. I am aware that they were punished for tryi... continue reading at submission link below.

More from Anonymous 1242

More cultural awareness for staffing/carer’s & organisational education

Genuine insentives for first peoples lead staffing within the age care system.

More from Anonymous 605

There are no assessment for children born to parents that have used ice during pregnancy in Australia. This is a big issue facing our kids in care and the medical establishment needs to adopt an assessment similar to the one they have for FASD. Alot of our kids are falling through the cracks due to ... continue reading at submission link below.

More from Anonymous 1175

More ACCHO’s in the suberbs

More from Submission – Anonymous 603

Only as suggested above re: VAHS. No other issues for me.

More from Scott Campbell – Health

It was bad and still has ongoing negative impact on First Peoples lives

More from Irene

News, Stories and Videos

Discover the latest updates on Yoorrook's work, inspiring stories of strength and resistance from First Peoples, insightful opinion pieces from Commissioners, and engaging videos about truth-telling and history
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News & Stories
19 February 2025

What is Yoorrook up to in 2025?

Yoorrook represents Victoria’s commitment to understanding our shared history so we can build a better future together. The Commission has finalised its major hearing blocks and closed submissions. So, what is Yoorrook up to now?
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News & Stories
18 December 2024

A powerful year for Truth and Treaty

In 2024 the Yoorrook Justice Commission investigated the systemic injustices faced by First Peoples in land, sky and waters, education, health, and housing. From hearing evidence at the site of the first recorded massacre in Victoria to the premier’s historic visit to Coranderrk, it has been a year filled with powerful moments.
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News & Stories
31 July 2024

Yoorrook’s social justice hearings wrap up

Victoria’s truth telling commission has finished its social justice hearings, which looked into the systemic injustices faced by First Peoples in education, health, housing and the economy. Read on to find out more about key evidence and moments from the hearings.
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Videos
19 June 2024

Racism is not just an emotional violation

Dr Graham Gee from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute – MCRI presents evidence to Commissioners on the impact of racism on mental health outcomes.
Close up of Professor Raymond Lovett presenting the impact of racism and structural failings on First Peoples to the Commissioners at a Yoorrook public hearing.
Videos
31 May 2024

Professor Ray Lovett shares powerful truth

From birth, to childhood to parenting, watch Professor Ray Lovett share the powerful truth about the impact racism and structural failings have had on generations of First Peoples.
View more news and stories

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