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| Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service | |
|---|---|
| Name | Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service |
| Established | 1971 |
| Location | Redfern, New South Wales, Australia |
| Type | Community-controlled health service |
| Services | Primary health care, dental, mental health, social support |
Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service was established in 1971 as a community-controlled primary health organisation in Redfern, New South Wales. It emerged amid activism by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders associated with the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, the Black Power movement, and the Aboriginal Legal Service, responding to health disparities highlighted during the 1967 referendum and in the wake of urban displacement in Sydney's Inner City. Founders included activists linked to organisations such as the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs, the Aboriginal Medical Service in Moree, and figures associated with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
The service was founded in 1971 by Aboriginal activists who had connections to the Aboriginal Legal Service, the Aboriginal Housing Company, and the National Aboriginal Conference, and who were influenced by leaders from the Black Panther Party and by campaigns like the Wave Hill walk-off and the Gurindji campaign. Early supporters included community figures involved with the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs, the Aboriginal Medical Service in Moree, and physicians affiliated with the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney's medical school. Its formation aligned with policy shifts after the 1967 referendum and dialogue with the Whitlam government and senators from the Australian Labor Party, and it later interacted with agencies such as the Office of Aboriginal Affairs and the Department of Health. The organisation’s history features advocacy alongside the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, collaboration with trade unions including the Builders Labourers Federation, and engagement with media outlets such as the National Indigenous Times and SBS.
The organisation provides primary health care, dental services, mental health care, and social support through clinics modelled on community-controlled services like those at Moree and Alice Springs. Clinical teams have included general practitioners trained in hospitals such as Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital, allied health professionals with links to the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales, and specialists in collaboration with Liverpool Hospital and Blacktown Hospital. Programs address chronic disease management influenced by research at the Menzies School of Health Research and the Lowitja Institute, and incorporate culturally safe practices shaped by advice from elders associated with the Aboriginal Medical Service network and peak bodies like the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales.
The organisation operates under a community-controlled governance model with a board drawn from local Elders and community representatives, reflecting principles promoted by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and the Aboriginal Medical Service movement. Funding streams have included Australian Government Medicare payments, grants administered via the Department of Health, project funding from state agencies such as NSW Health, philanthropic support from organisations like the Myer Foundation and the Ian Potter Foundation, and contributions linked to campaigns involving unions and the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Governance has required compliance with regulatory bodies including the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission while engaging with policy developments debated in the Australian Parliament and by ministers from the Australian Labor Party and Liberal Party.
Community initiatives have included health promotion projects coordinated with organisations such as Redfern Legal Centre, the Aboriginal Legal Service, and Link-Up, and cultural programs run in partnership with institutions like the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Australia. Outreach has involved collaborations with education providers like TAFE NSW and the University of Sydney, youth programs linked to the Aboriginal Employment Strategy, and partnerships with Indigenous media such as Koori Radio and the National Indigenous Television network. The service has participated in land justice and housing campaigns alongside the Aboriginal Housing Company and community festivals that involve artists connected to Bangarra Dance Theatre and musicians associated with the NAIDOC Week program.
The organisation has been recognised for advancing Indigenous self-determination in health, cited in research by the Lowitja Institute, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and universities including the University of Melbourne and the University of New South Wales. Its model influenced national policy debates involving the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and parliamentary inquiries in the Australian Senate. Prominent Aboriginal leaders and health advocates associated with the service have been acknowledged by awards administered by institutions such as the Australia Council for the Arts and the Order of Australia, and its work has been featured in journalism from outlets including ABC, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Guardian Australia.
The organisation has faced challenges common to Indigenous community-controlled services, including funding volatility tied to federal budget decisions debated in the Australian Parliament, workforce recruitment pressures linked to metropolitan hospitals like Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and tensions over redevelopment and gentrification in Redfern involving the Aboriginal Housing Company and local councils. Controversies have at times involved public debates covered by media such as the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and community newspapers, and have intersected with legal matters heard in jurisdictions including the New South Wales Supreme Court and tribunals associated with the Australian Human Rights Commission. Ongoing challenges include sustaining culturally safe care in the context of policy shifts led by ministers and departments at state and federal levels.
Category:Aboriginal health in Australia Category:Medical services in New South Wales Category:Redfern, New South Wales