Jackie Hanson

Metro North Health acknowledges Australia Day as a significant day that impacts heavily on our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Our nation’s story began more than 65,000 years ago. A continent that was home to over 250 individual, sovereign nations, inter-connected by trade, sharing knowledge, cultural values and spirituality. First Nations Australians are the foundation of our nation’s story and continue to maintain the world’s oldest living culture.

On Australia Day, our deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is infused into everything we undertake as part of our commemorations. But in doing so we acknowledge that 26 January is a date that, for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, is a reminder of the pain and suffering of their ancestors.

Australia Day 2022 is a time to recognise the resilience of our First Nations people and to focus on what we can achieve when we move forward as a community and a unified nation.

Sherry Holzapfel, Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Team.

To heal we must reflect and acknowledge what has happened in the past, move forward together in mutual respect of reconciling a new journey together. This will be one small component to achieve health equity for our community.

Today is a day for open dialogue with our Metro North Health community, to have discussions and learn from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues.

Metro North commits to engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Elders and peoples to build a true partnership towards reconciliation and respect for their profound culture.

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the countries and lands on which our services are located and pause for a minute’s silence to reflect on the past and look forward together.

Regards,
Jackie and Sherry