In addition to recent civic events in Armidale and throughout the region, a special NAIDOC flag raising ceremony took place in front of the Armidale Rural Referral Hospital. Aboriginal community members, from the young to Elders, were joined by hospital management and civic leaders.
The event was an opportunity to promote the wide range of Aboriginal health programs offered through the Armidale Hospital and its Community Health arm. It also highlighted how the Aboriginal community represents a significant proportion of the workforce at the hospital, across many areas.
Aboriginal Health Education Officer, Mandy Cutmore, co-ordinated the event. She said that the programs for and employment of Aboriginal people through Hunter New England Health have improved considerably in recent years, yet funding for more Aboriginal health positions is still warranted.
Ms Cutmore said Aboriginal health programs cover such areas as “diabetes” and “Mums & Bubs”.