VACCHO launched the new holistic model of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO) on 16 October 2024.

The launch event was hosted by Sheena Watt MLC, who was joined by other government Ministers, Shadow Ministers and representatives across Parliament, to celebrate the groundbreaking work that has been undertaken by Victorian ACCOs for over 50 years. 

ACCOs are an Aboriginal-led response to the intergenerational impact of colonisation and the policies of dispossession and assimilation that have caused damage to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in Victoria. 

VACCHO CEO Dr. Jill Gallagher AO said it was a momentous occasion having senior government decision makers in the room, to draw their attention to the importance of the Aboriginal health and wellbeing sector. 

“Since the first Victorian ACCO was established in 1973, the ACCO sector has developed an operating and service model that meets the unique needs of our Communities.” 

“Our Communities have built ACCOs to rebuild our health, wellbeing, connectedness and prosperity.” 

Dr. Gallagher explained how ACCOs play a crucial role in advocating for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

“They provide a wide range of essential services including healthcare, social support, legal and financial assistance, housing education and aged care. They focus on all stages of life, from pre-conception to the dreaming.” 

“The launching of the ACCO model has enabled us to take a step further in addressing the significant gap in knowledge regarding the Community-Controlled sector across the Victorian government.” 

Throughout the day, ACCO CEOs and managers also met with their local Members of Parliament to discuss issues impacting them and their community.  

“This was a tremendous opportunity for our members and their local MPs to deep dive into the unique frameworks underpinning our Victorian Aboriginal health and wellbeing system,”  

“It is vital that Governments empower and invest in ACCOs, so that they can continue to champion Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing,” she said. 

You can learn more about the Victorian ACCO Model here.