20 November 2009 Welcome to country
Last Friday a ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony was held at College House in South Melbourne. The ceremony, conducted by Ms Caroline Briggs, Boon Wurrung Elder, formally acknowledged the Boon Wurrung as the traditional owners of the land on which the national office is sited.
The college has had a long standing commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The college encourages all GPs to develop an understanding of Aboriginal culture, history and health, and to incorporate this into their own professional practice and work. The National Standing Committee for Aboriginal Health oversees the college’s work in this area.
We are keen to share knowledge and build networks with Aboriginal communities, many of whom are already delivering real wins in health care and making a positive impact on health outcomes.
The ceremony was a small but important step in that process – showing proper respect and honouring the people in whose country we carry out our work is an important part of building those relationships.
Visitors to College House will now find a plaque acknowledging the Boon Wurrung people at the entrance to the building. In the foyer we now proudly display a map of Aboriginal Australia, a photograph of a ceremonial dance and another of Aboriginal health workers in action.
For more information on the college’s work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, visit www.racgp.org.au/aboriginalhealthunit. Photos of the ceremony can be found at www.racgp.org.au/aboriginalhealthunit/news/34996.
M5 Project - RACGP men's health initiative helping men to help themselves
M5 encourages men and those who care about them to recognise the importance of men forming an ongoing relationship with a GP.
