This week is NAIDOC Week! The 2024 theme is "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, loud and proud"
The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This NAIDOC week, we are proud to showcase our amazing First Nations team members, as we work to collectively improve reproductive and sexual health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities across NSW!
Meet our team from Dubbo, on the land of the Tubbagah people of the Wiradjuri nation.
Here's Bianca who joined us in 2023.
Hi Bianca, What's your role at Family Planning Australia?
Aboriginal Liaison Officer.
Who's your mob?
I am a part of the Muruwarri Tribe located in the northwest of NSW and lower parts of the QLD border.
Who is your favourite Blak singer or musical act we should all be listening to?
Castlereagh Connections, a family band from Coonamble.
Do you have any mob brands/apparel/services to shout out and to follow on socials?
Ngungilanha and Yapamali.
What's one way you're going to keep the fire burning this NAIDOC?
By passing on my knowledge of culture to my younger sibling's cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Say hello to Jean. She's been instrumental in helping educate and provide care across our locations since 2017.
Hi Jean, What's your role at Family Planning Australia?
Registered nurse and Health Promotion Officer.
Who's your mob?
Murrawarri Republic.
Is there anyone within your family or community that inspires you?
My sister-in-law because she has always cared for everyone else. She lost her niece and daughter in-law in tragic circumstances, then raised her two grandchildren who were left without a mother. She has always been active in the community and has helped so much with Elders over the years. She has had so much heartbreak but has always been so faithful to helping others.
What's one way you're going to keep the fire burning this NAIDOC?
By doing my job and encouraging Aboriginal Women to come and be screened for STIs, CST (Cervical Screening Test) training, and use of contraception.
And last but certainly not least, we have Courtney. Courtney has been working with us at Family Planning Australia since 2021.
Hey Courtney, so, first of all, what's your role at Family Planning Australia?
Administration Officer.
Who's your mob?
Kunja (Cullamulla).
Who is your favourite blak singer or musical act we should all be listening to?
KID LAROI.
Who are some mob brands/apparel/services to shout out and to follow on socials?
Maruma-lo Yurrun on Facebook.
One way you're going to keep the fire burning this NAIDOC?
Celebrating our culture with my children and attending local family friendly events and activities within the community.
Other NAIDOC WEEK Activities
We kicked off our NAIDOC week with a lunchtime seminar on the origins of NAIDOC and our involvement with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The event was attended by teams at our Newington, Fairfield, Penrith, Newcastle, and Dubbo sites, followed by a delicious Indigenous inspired lunch.
The event was organised by the wonderful Dayle, Bianca, and Ben in the Health Promotion team. It was a privilege to have them share NAIDOC's goals and history with us. Thanks for the interesting and informative presentation.
The team also reminded us about the importance of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. Supply Nation is a really useful website to help you find businesses that have been verified as being Indigenous owned. Check it out!
Our teams will be engaging in NAIDOC week related activities across New South Wales including, but not limited to, the NAIDOC community march in Dubbo and setting up a stall at Penrith's annual NAIDOC week event.
Thanks to our Aboriginal Consumer Advisory Group members and the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across NSW who have helped us to develop our health information resources. Check out our latest resources below.
- Yarning about Boy's Business
- Yarning about Girl's Business
- Yarning about Cervical Screening Tests
- Yarning about Contraception
- Yarning about STIs
To order physical copies, email healthpromotion@fpnsw.org.au
We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples working at FPA and thank them for their contribution to our vision and mission in delivering better reproductive and sexual health outcomes for communities.
