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"I was born in Cherbourg, [I`m the] third eldest of three brothers and have four sisters younger than me. After our mum passed the police came and grabbed us, and we were in the boys` dormitories for six years. We were never taught how to be good role models; discipline was the ruler of the day. The dormitory was designed to take the Aboriginality out of us kids, no connection to culture or language. I was at Queensland Health for 15 years delivering cultural training and now I`ve been at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health for 14 years as an Elders Respite Social Worker. You learn how the Elders tell their stories and it`s beautiful. I get asked `can you help find my daughter or my son that we lost years ago` and we help find their families through the Communities and Personal Histories program, that is the good part of my job. I think if you can help someone out then that`s great, if you don`t have an answer for them say `let me follow it up for you Aunty or Uncle`. Don`t just shrug your shoulders at them. To me, NAIDOC Week means sharing. Sharing history and family, sharing good times and sharing your story."

💭 Monday Mantra, Uncle Marshall, Respected Elder and STARS Ward 4B patient ...

NAIDOC Week starts today, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, culture and resilience. 🖤💛❤️

Dr Adam Scott, who is the Director of Cardiac Sciences at RBWH, has worked hard to make sure these voices are heard throughout the hospital with a school-based art initiative that now runs across five State High Schools.

The idea was born out of a team fundraiser that raised money to purchase art supplies and canvases for the Pine Rivers State High School First Nations Art Program, creating 30 works that are now hung across the RBWH Cardiology Department.

Dr Adam said the goal was to make Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients feel safe coming into the unit.

“There are still many opportunities for growth in the health space around models of care, especially in rural and remote areas. Art is a stepping stone to bring people in the cardio department on the journey, putting health equity front and centre, everywhere we walk," he said.

“I am incredibly passionate about finding innovative solutions to complex, long-standing health challenges. The people I work with every day, both here at the Royal and across our partner facilities, make my role truly enjoyable." ...

Since 1976, Dr Barry O`Loughlin has dedicated his service to RBWH, serving as a Staff Specialist General Surgeon, Director of Surgery and then as Executive Director of Surgery and Perioperative Services for the last 20 years.

In 2021, he was formally recognised for his outstanding service by being awarded an Order of Australia for his significant contribution to medicine and medical administration.

Throughout this time, Dr Barry has made an exceptional contribution to surgery, patient care, education, and leadership, this week farewelling RBWH and the Queensland Health community.

"What I really like about Royal Brisbane and Metro North is the people, the people that work here become like a second family and I`ve probably spent close to as much time at work as I have at home," Dr Barry said.

"Really I`m just a country boy who was lucky enough to get to medical school and then even luckier to train and become a surgeon.

"I`ve never forgotten the privilege that I`ve had and the opportunities that I`ve been given, not only by my parents but also by my employers including the Royal Brisbane, Metro North and Queensland Health."

👏A massive #ShoutoutSaturday to Dr Barry, we wish him all the best for his next chapter in retirement. ...