NAIDOC Week event celebrates culture

Celebrating Culture. Patient and elder Billy Mann and wife Venita, joined Michele Gardner, TPCH Executive Director (far left); Henry Nona, TPCH Cultural Capability Officer (centre back), and Uncle Terry Williams, TPCH Consumer Advisory Group (far right) at the hospital’s annual NAIDOC Week event.

Staff and patients of The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) united for a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture at the hospital’s annual NAIDOC Week event on Wednesday.

Patient and elder Uncle Billy Mann and wife Venita joined hospital staff at the event for a special Welcome to Country and address from TPCH’s Executive Director Michele Gardner who spoke about the importance of creating a positive and culturally appropriate and respectful health care experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

Staff also had the opportunity to learn about the history of NAIDOC week, participate in a short quiz to test their knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and enjoy a light morning tea.

The Prince Charles Hospital’s commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities is highlighted through services and initiatives like the Indigenous Cardiac Outreach Program, Indigenous Respiratory Outreach Clinic and The Lighthouse Project which aims to transform the experience of healthcare for Indigenous patients by making their environments more culturally safe.