Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association

26/02/2026

From 20–23 February, a group of proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students have gathered on Magnetic Island for the First Nations Cultural Connection and Mentorship Weekend. A powerful, student-led initiative brought together mob from James Cook University’s Townsville and Cairns campuses.

Over the weekend, students connected with Indigenous doctors, Elders and health professionals, strengthening culture, Community and their journeys through medicine.

In the video, check out the merch that AIDA sent to the student crew. Spaces like this matter, cultural connection and mentorship are vital in growing a strong, supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce.

25/02/2026

🗃️ The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, in partnership with Yarnnup, have developed a First Nations toolkit to provide culturally safe resources to help raise awareness about bowel screening in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.

We encourage you to pass this toolkit on to your Communities, local health workers, and anyone supporting Mob to stay strong and screened.

Inside you will find:
✔️ Instructional video
✔️ Email newsletter
✔️ Social media content
✔️ Flyer, Brochure & Poster

Download ➡️ aida.org.au/national-bowel-cancer-screening-program_first-nations-toolkit/

20/02/2026

Our strength at AIDA has always come from Community. 💚🤍💙🖤💛❤️

Join us on Friday 6 March on Awabakal Country for a relaxed gathering. Enjoy a feed, good yarns, laughs, and time to slow down and reconnect with mob. This is also a great opportunity to have a yarn with our new AIDA CEO, Dr Peter Malouf and Bianca (Bee) Field, AIDA Program Coordinator - Membership.

Families are welcome!
📍 Newcastle Train Sheds, Foreshore Park
⏰ 5:45pm – 8:00pm

We can’t wait to see you there!

Questions? membership@aida.org.au

Register here: https://my.aida.org.au/EventDetail?EventKey=2026NTL

18/02/2026

📸 AIDA is closing our photography submissions on Friday 27 February.

Don't miss the chance to be part of the picture and help us grow a member-shared image library of meaningful photographs of Country. 🌊 🌾 🌺

Learn more and contribute your photos here 👉🏾 https://aida.org.au/uncategorized/country-together/

17/02/2026

Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs) are a big issue at the moment, including for Mob.

Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has developed free STI resources for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community. From videos for events, clinic waiting rooms and education sessions, to posters, fact sheets and social media resources... there are many ways to get the message out.

Access the resources: 🖨️ https://www.health.gov.au/sti/first-nations

16/02/2026

There is still time to submit your EOI! AIDA is seeking up to five Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Fellows to join AIDA's Fellows Reference Group.

We have also updated our eligibility criteria, and the deadline to submit your EOI has been extended to 1 March 2026.

💻 Learn more: https://aida.org.au/uncategorized/eoi-fellows-reference-group/
✉️ Submit your EOI via email to: stsp@aida.org.au

16/02/2026

📣 Important reminder!

The cut-off date to renew your AIDA membership and remain eligible for a Stethoscope and/or an AIDA Award at the 2026 Conference is around the corner!

To be eligible, your membership must be renewed by 📅 11:59pm AEST, Wednesday 18 February 2026.

Check your membership status or renew now via the myAIDA Member Portal: my.aida.org.au

*2026 nominations aren’t open yet, stay tuned to our channels for updates.

12/02/2026

Today, on the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, AIDA pauses in respect and reflection.

We honour the Survivors. We honour your strength, your resilience, and your courage. We recognise the grief, loss and intergenerational trauma that continues to shape the lives of our Peoples.

As leaders in health policy advice, Cultural Safety, Indigenous medical education guidance and national advocacy, AIDA remains committed to enable ethical and safe health systems and drive optimal outcomes for all Peoples through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical leadership.

Today, and every day, we honour and stand with Community, walking alongside in the work of Truth-telling, Justice and Healing

If you, or someone you know, are struggling, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 📲 13 92 76 (24 hours / 7 days) and have a confidential one-on-one with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

Learn more about diverse support services available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here: 🌐 www.ncatsicyp.gov.au/resources

12/02/2026

How is it February already? 😅 Here’s your monthly round-up of current opportunities ...with some deadlines just around the corner!

🔹 ASM Travel Award | ACD
Applications open until 15/02/2026
https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/fellows/college-research-grants-awards/

🔹 EOI for Ministerial appointments | CRMEC
Applications open until 16/02/2026
http://crmec.net/

🔹 Advisory Group | The Young Deadly Free, UQ
Applications open until 20/02/2026
youngdeadlyfree@uq.edu.au for EOI

🔹 EOI Advisory Board members | RHRI, Charles Sturt University
Applications open until 28/02/2026
https://www.csu.edu.au/

🔹 Call for Abstracts | HCSS
Applications open until 02/03/2026
https://jhfmhn.eventsair.com/hcss-2026/call-for-abstracts

🔹 Hiring Senior Manager – Business Development | AIDA
Applications open until 03/03/2026
https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/aida/senior-manager-business-development?locations=15

🔹 Hiring Corporate Services Director | AIDA
Applications open until 03/03/2026
https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/aida/director-corporate-services?employer=Australian%20Indigenous%20Doctors%27%20Association%20Ltd

🔹 Free for AIDA Members 2026 Prep for SET | RACS
Applications open until 15/03/2026
https://events.surgeons.org/signin?ReturnUrl=/event/sessions?id=NSWPfP20260301

🔹 Aboriginal Trainee Doctors Forum | HETI
Applications open until 27/03/2026
https://www.heti.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/courses-and-programs/nsw-aboriginal-trainee-doctors-forum

🔹 Trauma Workshop | Health Workforce Queensland
Application end date: 29/03/2026
https://www.healthworkforce.com.au/events/trauma-workshop-1?source=aida.org.au

🔹 Call for Indigenous health papers | MJA
Applications open until 31/03/2026
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/instructions-authors-reviewers

🔹 Greenspace4Hospital Staff study | UniMelb
Applications open until 26/04/2026
https://safes.unimelb.edu.au/research/girg/research/greenspace-4-hospital-staff

Does your organisation have an opportunity to share with AIDA? 📩 Submit your details! aida.org.au/members/member-opportunities/

11/02/2026

Another one for the books!! ⭐ We are extremely proud of AIDA Student Members, Jaaron Davis, Arkayla McPhee and Daisy Alps who graduated this week with their Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery undergraduate degree at Curtin Medical School.

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne commended the graduates, saying that 💬 "Increasing the number of Aboriginal doctors is essential to closing the health gap, strengthening Culturally informed healthcare and inspiring the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals.”

👏🏾👏🏼👏🏿 Join us in congratulating the three newly graduated doctors who are starting their careers at a time of growing demand for skilled and Culturally aware practitioners.

From Country to clinic - Curtin University is celebrating a powerful milestone this week with the graduation of three Aboriginal doctors. Jaaron Davis, Daisy...

11/02/2026

On this day filled with pride for AIDA and our Community, we congratulate Dr Kelvin Kong’s on his address at Parliament House for the 2026 Wang Gungwu Lecture on Tuesday.

Australia’s first identified First Nations surgeon and AIDA Member, Dr Kong, who also has Malaysian Chinese heritage, was invited to speak at one of Australia's most significant public forums. The lecture explores Australia’s relationship with China and the Chinese diaspora, placing Dr Kong’s powerful story of identity, leadership and belonging on a national stage.

Dr Kong’s contribution reflects the strength of First Nations voices in shaping national and international conversations across Cultures and Communities.

📰 Read more about Dr Kelvin's powerful speech: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-11/kelvin-kong-s-growing-up-chinese-and-indigenous-australia/106326388?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

🔹 Note that the 2026 Wang Gungwu Lecture will soon premiere on ABC Australia, ABC TV and ABC iview. Stay tuned!

Australia's first identified First Nations surgeon, Dr Kelvin Kong spoke about his Malaysian Chinese heritage during the annual Wang Gungwu lecture at Parliament House.

11/02/2026

Huge congratulations to AIDA President Dr Jonathan Newchurch on graduating with a Master of Teaching (Primary and Early Childhood) from Deakin University. 🎓

Dr Newchurch began his degree in 2023 to strengthen his understanding of early childhood education as a deliberate step toward supporting Kaurna language revitalisation and the re-establishment of intergenerational language transmission.

We’re proud to celebrate this achievement with you, and the leadership, service and Community-led vision it represents. 👏🏾

On 9 February, I graduated from Deakin University with a Master of Teaching (Primary and Early Childhood). Although I completed the course requirements in 2025, I deferred the graduation ceremony while overseas on my Winston Churchill Trust (Australia) Fellowship, spending time with Indigenous langu...