Metro North Hospital & Health Service: Family Fun Day to showcase culture and community

Thousands of people will participate in a celebration of Indigenous culture and community at the annual Metro North Caboolture NAIDOC family fun day.

Professional athlete and mental health advocate Joe Williams will join Caboolture Hospital staff, patients and members of the local community to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture as part of National NAIDOC Week Celebrations (7-14 July 2019).

A former rugby player and professional boxer, Joe will talk about his experience and deliver wellbeing education from his bestselling book ‘The Enemy Within’. In 2017, Joe was named as finalist in the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards for his work with suicide prevention and fighting for equality for Australia’s First Nations people.

Metro North Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit Director Paul Drahm said the event is fast becoming the biggest NAIDOC Week celebration on the north side of Brisbane.

The family fun day on Tuesday 9 July at St Columban’s College in Caboolture will feature a Welcome to Country from the Kabi Kabi group, traditional dancing, art and cultural workshops and information stalls from community organisations and government departments.

“Last year’s event attracted over 2,000 people and 70 stallholders. This year, the 2019 NAIDOC theme – VOICE, TREATY, TRUTH – invites you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future,” Mr Drahm said.

“Come and enjoy some food and fun at our family-friendly event and join together as one to celebrate our unique and diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Queensland.”

A ‘Conversations with Metro North’ workshop will be held allowing community members to provide direct feedback about their healthcare journey and inform service improvements.

Metro North Acting Chief Executive Jackie Hanson will also formally unveil the Better Together – MNHHS Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Outcomes Plan 2019-2022 and detail hospital program enhancements for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

A free BBQ lunch will be available, as well as plenty of activities for children including face painting, an animal farm, jumping castle, sports and rock climbing.

The Metro North Caboolture NAIDOC family fun day will be held from 9.30am–2.30pm on Tuesday 9 July at St Columban’s College, 100 McKean St Caboolture.

For further information contact the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit on (07) 3139 3231 or email A_TSIHU_MNHHS@health.qld.gov.au