Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

A better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody is possible – and we’re building it together.

To every organisation that has stood behind our Transforming Care in Custody campaign: thank you.

Almost 30 organisations have now signed onto our position statement. Your support, solidarity and commitment are helping turn a clear vision for change into a call that can’t be ignored.

This work is about creating a future where care is self-determined, culturally safe and led by the people and organisations who know what works.

Here's who's helping make change happen →

Aboriginal organisations:

Sisters Inside, Djirra, Treaty for Victoria, Gamarada Universal Indigenous Resources (GUIR), Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - VALS, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative, Moogji Aboriginal Council East, Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-Operative, Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA), Mallee District Aboriginal Services - MDAS, Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-Op, and Victorian Aboriginal Health Service -VAHS.

Mainstream organisations:

Burnet Institute, Jesuit Social Services, Human Rights Law Centre, Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria, FIGJAM, Fitzroy Legal Service, Law & Advocacy Centre for Women, ANTAR, Knowmore Legal Service, Young People's Legal Rights Centre, Alternative First Responders, Vacro, National Justice Project, Justice Reform Initiative, and Justice Health Group.

And we’re not done yet. Watch this space – there’s more work to come → vaccho.org.au/transforming-care-in-custody

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

The Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum (AHWPF) officially launched the Partnership’s 2026-28 Action Plan on Tuesday.

VACCHO’s Acting CEO Jim O’Shea and the AHWPF Co-Chair, the Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt, launched the plan together – the second plan to be delivered under the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing 10-year Agreement.

Like the first Action Plan delivered by the Partnership in 2023-26, this new plan provides a clear guide for reform across the health and wellbeing sector, with a strong focus on Community-led care, mainstream healthcare that is culturally safe, transparent and accessible data and funding reform.

Read more here - https://www.vaccho.org.au/2026/09/03/victorian-aboriginal-health-and-wellbeing-partnership-unveils-new-action-plan/

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a type of influenza virus that mostly affects birds, including wild and farmed birds. It has been detected in wild birds in parts of Australia, including Victoria. The risk of spread to people is low. Still, there are some important steps you can take to keep yourself and your community safe.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife:

⚫️ Hands off – Don’t touch them. Keep your pets and children away.
⚫️Eyes on – Record where and when you saw them. Take a photo from a distance.
⚫️Sing out – Call the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Wash your hands with soap and water after any contact with wildlife or their surrounding environments, droppings, feathers and eggs. If you work closely with birds or other wildlife, use appropriate personal protective equipment. Getting a flu vaccination is recommended for all people over 6 months old and reduces the risk of you becoming very sick if you get both seasonal flu and bird flu at the same time.

You can’t catch bird flu from eating chicken or eggs when handled and cooked properly.

If you get sick with flu-like symptoms within 10 days of contact with sick or dead birds or other animals, seek medical advice. Let your ACCO (or other health service) know before visiting and wear a face mask to any appointments.

Bird flu is an important reminder of the close connection between human health, animal health and the health of Country. Many birds are closely connected to Country, Culture and Community, and it can be distressing to see sick and dead wildlife.

If you need support, talk to your GP or Aboriginal Health Practitioner, or call 13YARN (13 92 76) or Yarning SafeNStrong (1800 959 563).

01/09/2026

New resources to help employers and Aboriginal job seekers navigate criminal record checks

We were proud to join project partners, Community and stakeholders this week to celebrate the launch of the Rethinking Criminal Record Checks Project and its new community-informed resources.

Led by RMIT University in partnership with Woor-Dungin, VACCHO and Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation, and funded by the Victorian Legal Services Board, the Project brought together research expertise, Aboriginal knowledge and lived experience to explore fairer employment pathways for people with criminal records.

Aboriginal people were at the heart of the Project as collaborators, co-designers and trusted guides, with Uncle Michael “Mookeye” Bell playing a key role throughout.

VACCHO was proud to contribute as a case study and to continue supporting the Project by establishing its new website — creating a lasting home for its research, resources and learnings.

A big thank you and congratulations to everyone who contributed to this important work!

Explore the resources: https://rethinkrecordchecks.org.au/

01/09/2026

Congratulations Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation! 🖤💛❤️

26/08/2026

Why does Peeneyt Bubup exist, and how do Kinship carers keep our kids connected to Culture, Country, Community and Kin?

Host Uncle Charles Pakana sits down with Sheree Lowe, Executive Director of VACCHO's Balit Durn Durn Centre, to talk about the work Kinship carers do – and how often it goes unseen.

Your first taste of the series premiered last Friday.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube– just search the title.

25/08/2026

Two thousand days on: VACCHO calls for Healing Centres as solution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives lost

In the 2,000 days since the Royal Commission final report, 121 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have lost their lives to su***de.

VACCHO CEO Dr Jill Gallagher AO said, "Behind every number is a loved one, a family, a Community and a future that should never have been lost – a seat at the family table that should still be occupied.”

VACCHO says one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle remains missing, and that is dedicated Aboriginal-led on Country healing centres.

Director of VACCHO’s Balit Durn Durn Centre, Nicola Perry-Peters said that for far too long now, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria have fallen through the cracks of a fragmented and culturally unsafe mental health system.

Read the full news story in our bio.

Ingrid Stitt
Sarah Mansfield
Emma Kealy MP