04 July 2008

SESIH celebrates Aboriginal commitment to bettering health

This year NAIDOC Week will be celebrated at multiple hospital sites across South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health, recognising the contribution Aboriginal people make to the NSW Health service.

Gail Daylight, Area Manager Aboriginal Health, said it was exciting that so many hospitals across the area were getting involved in the NAIDOC celebrations.

“NAIDOC Week is an important event on the calendar as it officially makes time for everyone to show their appreciation for their Aboriginal colleagues,” Ms Daylight said.

“This year we are delighted that so many hospital sites have decided to join in the celebrations.”

Staff are busily preparing to mark the week at both the Randwick and Sydney Hospital campuses on Wednesday, 9 July.

Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospitals will host Aboriginal dancers and set up traditional food stalls, while Randwick will give talks on the roles of Aboriginal staff members and roll-out the annual barbecue, with entertainment from the local Aboriginal preschool Gajaga, La Perouse.

Wollongong Hospital will celebrate NAIDOC for the first time on Tuesday, 8 July with a morning tea, followed by a screening of Aboriginal movies including a documentary about The Apology and the well-known film Lousy Little Sixpence.

Staff at Shoalhaven Hospital will take time out on Thursday, 10 July to bring everyone together for lunchtime fare.

Ms Daylight said this year’s NAIDOC Week will take on a whole new meaning following Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s formal apology, which meets with the NSW Government’s firm stance on reconciliation.


Media Enquiries: Melissa Chain, 02 9382 8398