The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families this Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

Aboriginal children, families and communities have unique cultural rights and needs. VACCHO continues to honour the cultural values of families and advocates for Aboriginal-led, culturally grounded, equitable, and empowering initiatives, urging both State and Federal Governments to prioritise these critical needs.

In 2023, VACCHO issued a Call for Action on Aboriginal Children’s Day, and since then, significant strides have been made. VACCHO were proud to announce the successful launch of the Centre for Excellence for Aboriginal Families Wellbeing, a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Victoria.

Over the past 12 months, VACCHO, along with its centres of excellence, Balit Durn Durn and the Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal Families Wellbeing, has worked diligently towards a unified vision: ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children grow up strong—physically, emotionally, spiritually, and culturally. Our goal is for these children to live in safe and nurturing environments within their families and communities, and to have equal opportunities to reach their full potential.

Key achievements from the past year include:
• Centre for Excellence for Aboriginal Families Wellbeing: This new centre is dedicated to advancing the rights and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families throughout Victoria. Our work focuses on Aboriginal families – not just children – acknowledging that Aboriginal families extend beyond the immediate nuclear unit to include extended family, clan and kinship networks, and the broader Community.
• Sponsored and was a key partner at the Victorian Aboriginal Early Years Summit: A summit that provided a platform for key stakeholders from diverse sectors to strategise and collaborate on a shared strength-based definition of ‘Aboriginal Early Years in Victoria.
• “The Nest” Aboriginal Family Wellbeing Service Model Framework: Established through the Balit Durn Durn Centre and the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, “The Nest” framework provides es sential guidance to health services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, consistent care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in need of intensive social and emotional support.

VACCHO remains committed to advocating for policies and practices that support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. We call on all levels of government to join us in this vital mission.

Featured image credit:
‘Empowering Generations: Celebrating the Strength of Aboriginal Families’ by Djab Wurrong and Kirrae Wurrong artist Tarni Jarvis.
The artwork brings to life Jill Gallagher’s vision of the strength of generations spanning 65,000 + years. Aboriginal families, their ancestors and future generations are represented in this inspiring piece where culture is honoured and celebrated.