ANU Rural Medical Society

‘Close the Gap’ ceremony

On 5 April 2014 the Australian National University Rural Medical Society (ARMS) held its annual ‘Close the Gap’ ceremony at the Leornard Huxely building at the ANU campus and was proudly sponsored by MIPS. 

ARMS Indigenous Officer Danielle Dries,  Aunty Agnes and dancer from the Wiradjuri Echoes

This was one of the largest ‘Close the Gap’ ceremonies held by ARMS to date and included 80 interstate medical and health students that were keen to learn more about the gap that exists in modern Australia between healthcare of indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Throughout the day, a number of signatures were collected for the Oxfam Pledge to Close the Gap, as part of a movement to achieve health care equity for Indigenous Australians by 2030.

The first speaker, Richard Jameson from Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Medal of the Order of Australia recipient discussed the need to move forward for the cultural support and motivation of Indigenous students and those in the workforce.

Dr Jill Bestic, then spoke of her experience as a health provider to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in remote Australia and highlighted societal deficits in respect for these peoples.

The third speaker Janine Milera, CEO of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives, emphasised the importance of a culturally competent health workforce and the need for sensitivity in the health profession to help close the gap in healthcare together.

This was followed by an overview of the history of the ‘Close the Gap’ campaign by Justin Mohamed, the chairman of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). 

Attendees were indeed impressed by a variety of anecdotal information particularly that NACCHO provides over 50% of Australia’s Indigenous healthcare which spans over more than 300 Indigenous communities around the nation.

Finally, a survivor of the stolen generation, Deborah Hocking, stressed the ‘need to address the trauma sustained by the Indigenous population to Close the Gap’.

The event was enthusiastically received by students and community members alike. Speakers were thanked by presentations of original artworks by Indigenous ANU Medical Students Danielle Dries and Amanda Steele. ARMS President Rebecca Irwin concluded the event by reading a letter on behalf of the Prime Minister and left the audience with a poignant quote from Blair Burke, ARMS Vice President that summarised the message of the ceremony:

‘Health inequality is never okay. Everyone deserves respect and everyone deserves access to healthcare.
You may not be responsible for creating the gap but we can all be a part of closing it’

The Northern Territory Photo exhibit

As part of the ‘Close the Gap’ ceremony, a student competition known as the Northern Territory Photo exhibit was held in the interval between afternoon speakers. The competition invited ANU Medical students to submit their finest photographs of rural health and rural Australia from their clinical or volunteer health program experiences. With over 30 entries this year, stunning photos effectively decorated the walls of the Leonard Huxely  building and gave ceremony attendees a snapshot of the real rural Australia. Photos were taken in a range of locations including north Queensland, the east coast of New South Wales as well as the Northern Territory. 

Voted for by attendees, joint first place went to Victoria Cheung, second to Jessica King and third to Deb Wong. All winning photos were taken at Yuendumu, a remote community in the Northern Territory. The students received prizes donated by MIPS. The exhibit was thoroughly enjoyed by all and served as a welcome reminder of the beauty of living in rural Australia as well as its challenges.

Share this on:

Also inside this issue of MIPS Matters...