‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’: Western Sydney Local Health District celebrates NAIDOC across three huge vibrant events

Western Sydney Local Health District’s (WSLHD) Centre for Population Health (CPH) celebrated NAIDOC with the community at three recent events in Emerton, Riverstone and Kimberwalli (Whalan).

At each of the events, the theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ was on full display as the celebrations recognised the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

CPH team members representing Health Promotion, Environmental Health, Immunisation and Infectious Diseases spent time with the community; answering questions, playing fun games to raise awareness of good health behaviours, and chatting to everyone about the work CPH does – including free programs and services available.

The Immunisation team was also on hand to provide free flu vaccinations, and parents were able to check the immunisation status of their children.

CPH Director, Dr Shopna Bag, reported the CPH stalls were buzzing with lots of people stopping to chat.

“When we spend time with the community, our team learns so much. NAIDOC is a great opportunity to yarn with people, share stories and hear what is important to them,” Shopna said.

“Seeing people get involved, especially the kids, is the best. They were keen to try our Go4Fun games, including bean bag tossing and a vegetable guessing game.

Mr Germ was also a hit with a UV light revealing before and after handwashing success. Some kids came back two, three and four times and brought their friends to see the ‘magic’.”

Dr Shopna Bag

CPH Aboriginal Cultural Engagement Officer, Vickie Mason said “It was great to celebrate my culture with my team and my community in western Sydney on such a special day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

Tristan Davison, local Aboriginal community member and social media influencer, shared the day with the CPH team at Kimberwalli. Tristan chatted with members of the community and was a strong advocate for the services available through CPH.

Thank you to Catholic Care Services Emerton, Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre and Kimberwalli for hosting the CPH teams at these NAIDOC celebrations.

Further information on programs and services highlighted at NAIDOC events

• Aboriginal Go4Fun is a family healthy lifestyle program running at Kimberwalli this term. For more details or to register for an upcoming program, contact Jennifer Plaskett or Vickie Mason from the Centre for Population Health on (02) 9840 3603
• Information about e-cigarettes and vaping prevention for young people is available through the hyperlinks, or call the Aboriginal Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT)