Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc VACCHO is the peak body for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Victoria.

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) was established in 1996. VACCHO is the peak Aboriginal health body representing 32 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) in Victoria. This page may contain images of deceased Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people.

New Oxfam data confirms what we already know. There’s a hugely unfair, growing wealth divide in Australia.These 178 bill...
04/06/2026

New Oxfam data confirms what we already know. There’s a hugely unfair, growing wealth divide in Australia.

These 178 billionaires made $25 billion extra last year alone. That could have funded our whole state budget submission – 187 times over. The remainder could have closed the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and provided financial wellbeing initiatives for all Australians.

Our government must reform tax now – and create fairer, more equitable solutions for all Australians. Because when wealth sits equally across communities, our people will thrive.

Read the Oxfam analysis here > https://www.oxfam.org.au/media-releases/australian-billionaires-wealth-grows-by-50000-per-minute/

04/06/2026

This Pride month and every month, VACCHO celebrate Rainbow Mob.

We encourage everyone to stand proud and support Rainbow Mob inclusion.

Read the Best Practice Model for Rainbow Mob Inclusion in ACCOs here > www.vaccho.org.au/rainbowmob/

🌈🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍🖤🌈

Kitty Obsidian Peter Waples-Crowe Carolyn Briggs

Today, 3 June, we celebrate Mabo Day. 💙💚🤍🖤 This day honours Uncle Eddie Koiki Mabo, a proud Meriam man from the island o...
02/06/2026

Today, 3 June, we celebrate Mabo Day. 💙💚🤍🖤

This day honours Uncle Eddie Koiki Mabo, a proud Meriam man from the island of Mer, whose relentless pursuit of justice led to the landmark decision that ended the two-century-long lie of Australia belonging to no one (terra nullius).

In 1982, Mabo, alongside a group of Eastern Torres Strait Islander people, challenged the idea that his family’s traditional land was owned by the Crown.

After 10 long years, on 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia ruled that the country was not 'terra nullius'.

This historic ruling acknowledged the unique and ongoing relationship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with their Country and paved the way for Native Title.

Although the struggle for Native Title continues, Mabo’s victory was a monumental step forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Sadly, Uncle Eddie Mabo did not live to see this triumph - he passed away five months prior to the ruling.

Throughout his life, he was an activist and a unionist, significantly contributing to the 1967 referendum campaign as well.

Mabo Day is about truth and recognition.
It’s a reminder that this land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

Image courtesy Jim McEwan.

From 15-19 June, The Beautiful Shawl Project is coming to First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing/Nairm Marr Djambana in Fra...
01/06/2026

From 15-19 June, The Beautiful Shawl Project is coming to First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing/Nairm Marr Djambana in Frankston – offering free, culturally safe breast screens to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 40+.

Each person who screens with The Beautiful Shawl Project will receive a shawl to wear during the screening and take home afterwards as a gift. The Dunguludja Mulana (Strong Spirit) shawl was designed by Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Mutti Mutti and Wiradjuri artist Alkina Edwards.

Describing her artwork, Alkina says: “This artwork represents women empowerment, resilience and strong spirits. Within the background, I have placed symbols that represent our beautiful countries and women gatherings showing the physical and spiritual connection we have with the land and each other.

At the front of the design, I have visual figures of women. This is to depict women supporting, empowering and leaning on each other through these experiences, while creating culturally safe spaces for women to express themselves and share their stories.”

If you’re aged 40+, book your free breast screen today by calling First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing at 03 9070 8181.

VACCHO is advocating for strengths-based approaches to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strai...
27/05/2026

VACCHO is advocating for strengths-based approaches to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the upcoming Victorian election.

VACCHO CEO, Dr Jill Gallagher AO, said many of the initiatives are designed by Community, for Community and will contribute to closing the gap in health outcomes and deliver on Victoria’s obligations under the National Agreement.

Read the recommendations here > https://www.vaccho.org.au/2026/05/27/vacchos-2026-state-election-platform-calls-for-strength-based-approaches/

Today, on National Sorry Day, we come together to reflect, remember, and honour the strength, resilience, and survival o...
26/05/2026

Today, on National Sorry Day, we come together to reflect, remember, and honour the strength, resilience, and survival of the Stolen Generations.

Each year on 26 May, we acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families, Communities, cultures, and Countries under past government policies.

National Sorry Day is not only a time to remember the pain and trauma caused by these policies, but also to honour the Survivors, families, and Communities who continue to carry this truth and lead healing for future generations.

We also acknowledge the many ACCOs, Elders, advocates, and frontline workers who tirelessly support Survivors, reconnect families and Communities, strengthen culture, and help lead healing from these ongoing traumas.

While we reflect on the past, we must also recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be removed from their families at disproportionately high rates today.

National Sorry Day reminds us that the legacy of these government policies is not confined to the past, and that real change requires governments to invest in Aboriginal-led solutions that keep children safe, connected, and thriving in Community.

Today, we stand with Stolen Generations Survivors and all those still healing.

Mob, if you need to talk to someone, call Yarning Safe N Strong 24/7 for free, confidential, and Culturally-safe support. - 1800 959 563

Hey you Mob – You may have heard about the diphtheria outbreak affecting communities in the Northern Territory, Western ...
25/05/2026

Hey you Mob – You may have heard about the diphtheria outbreak affecting communities in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia. Currently there are no cases in Victoria, but here’s what you need to know about this infection.

Diphtheria is a bacteria that can infect your skin and throat. It can make you very sick and lead to a long stay in hospital.

It spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing, contact with infected skin sores or from contaminated objects such as towels or bedsheets.

If not treated quickly, diphtheria can cause damage to other parts of the body like your heart and nerves.

All children are vaccinated against diphtheria as part of the usual immunisation schedule. However, adults need a booster every 5 to 10 years to increase their protection and prevent them from getting very sick.

If you want to know more or are travelling to an affected region, have a yarn with your GP or ACCO about diphtheria.

From 9-11 June, The Beautiful Shawl Project is coming to Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA) – offering...
25/05/2026

From 9-11 June, The Beautiful Shawl Project is coming to Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA) – offering free, culturally safe breast screens to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 40+.

Each person who screens with The Beautiful Shawl Project will receive a shawl to wear during the screening and take home afterwards as a gift. The Dunguludja Mulana (Strong Spirit) shawl was designed by Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Mutti Mutti and Wiradjuri artist Alkina Edwards.

Describing her artwork, Alkina says: “This artwork represents women empowerment, resilience and strong spirits. Within the background, I have placed symbols that represent our beautiful countries and women gatherings showing the physical and spiritual connection we have with the land and each other.

At the front of the design, I have visual figures of women. This is to depict women supporting, empowering and leaning on each other through these experiences, while creating culturally safe spaces for women to express themselves and share their stories.”

If you’re aged 40+, book your free breast screen today by LEAHA at 03 5155 8465.

From 1-5 June, The Beautiful Shawl Project is coming to GEGAC in Bairnsdale – offering free, culturally safe breast scre...
22/05/2026

From 1-5 June, The Beautiful Shawl Project is coming to GEGAC in Bairnsdale – offering free, culturally safe breast screens to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 40+.

Each person who screens with The Beautiful Shawl Project will receive a shawl to wear during the screening and take home afterwards as a gift. The GEGAC shawl was designed by Gunai and Yorta Yorta artist Cadesia Egan.

Describing her artwork, Cadesia says: “The central breast represents a woman who has completed her breast screening. The symbols around show other women who are waiting their turn. These women represent the many who are on their own journey through breast screening – each with a different outcome, but all showing strength, courage and support for one another.

If you’re aged 40+, book your free breast screen today by calling GEGAC at 03 5150 0760.

Address

17-23 Sackville Street Collingwood, Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
3066

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+61394119411

Website

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