Victorian Aboriginal Health Service -VAHS

12/12/2025

TREATY YEAH, TREATY NOW ✊🏿

Today is the day generations have advocated for, Treaty: It's Here🖤💛❤️

Treaty means that we will have a new relationship with the Victorian Government and have responsibility for our own lives, including our health, housing and education 🦅

From today, the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 has established a new entity, Gellung Warl (from Gullung-Warl, Gunaikurnai Language), evolving from the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, which will consist of three key parts:

🪃 The First Peoples' Assembly: Democratically elected members who will inform Parliament and the Victorian Government on matters that affect First Nations Peoples.

🪃 Nginma Ngainga Wara (from Wadi Wadi Language): An independent accountability mechanism led by members appointed by the First Peoples' Assembly, that will evaluate and monitor how the government achieves better outcomes for First Peoples.

🪃 Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna (a Wamba Wemba word): A continuation of the truth-telling and healing journey started by the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which will establish truth-telling in local Communities about history, supporting ongoing education, healing, and reconciliation.

The mood at the celebration at the Aborigines Advancement League Inc. Vic today were a collective feeling of uplifting, hope, and opportunity for a new direction 🥳

10/12/2025

Tis the season for a feed 🎄

Community are invited to join us for Christmas lunch on Thursday 18 December at VAHS Fitzroy 🍽

Come along from 11.30am to enjoy our new outdoor area at Fitzroy for a roast lunch and good yarns to celebrate the festive season 🎅

10/12/2025

Driving through the eucalyptus trees to Bunjilwarra, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula you already start to feel more at peace 🌿

Designed by Community for Community, Bunjilwarra is a purpose-built, holistic rehabilitation and healing service for young Aboriginal peopled aged 16-25 🖤💛❤️

Bunjilwarra started as a joint venture with Youth Support + Advocacy Service, but this week marked a special occasion of the site being formally handed over to VAHS as the sole operator, in line with our values of self-determined, Community Controlled health 🩺

Together, VAHS and YSAS, with special guest Christine Couzens MP Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples and current Bunjilwarra residents celebrated this milestone with a smoking ceremony, formal handover and a tour of the facility.

This exciting next step for Bunjilwarra puts Aboriginal health firmly in Aboriginal hands to allow young people recovering from addiction to heal physically, emotionally, spiritually, and Culturally, turning past hurt into strength 💪

09/12/2025

📢 VAHS Statement regarding the Victorian Government's Apology to First Peoples 📢

❗This topic may bring up complicated emotions for readers. We encourage you to take care of yourself and your Mob, and reach out to Yarning Safe N Strong on 1800 959 563 if you need to talk to someone.

07/12/2025

Our next Type 2 Diabetes Yarning Group session is next Thursday 18 December 🥗

Come along to VAHS Fitzroy to yarn with a dietician and diabetes educator, and enjoy a diabetes friendly morning tea ☕

This will be our last session for 2025, so come and seek some friendly advice about navigating the festive season and beyond while living with type 2 diabetes 🎄

04/12/2025

Get your health check at VAHS to snag a FREE Deadly Choices Australian Open 2026 tee and a chance to WIN a once in a lifetime experience! 🎾

If you have had your health check between January and December 2025, you're eligible to sign up to win a double pass to the Australian Open First Nations Day, travel vouchers, two nights' accommodation and a deadly dinner 🥎

Even if you're not a winner, you've still scored yourself a deadly tee! 👕

Sign up via the https://bit.ly/481GD2I before 12 December ⌛

❗ T&Cs: Winner must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, an active VAHS client, willing and able to travel to Melbourne, and able to provide photo ID. This competition is not endorsed by or affiliated with Facebook.

04/12/2025

Next Tuesday, 9 December at 11am the Victorian Government will deliver a State Apology to First Peoples 🖤💛❤️

The Apology will address the severe impact colonisation has had and still has on First Nations People and is a key recommendation of the Yoorrook Justice Commission 🙏

Though welcome, we understand the apology will bring up strong emotions for many people. Please take care of yourselves and your Mob, and if you need a yarn, reach out to Yarning Safe N Strong on 1800 959 563 for free, confidential support 24/7 ☎️

🔗 Apology live stream link: https://bit.ly/3XuUWaa

At 11am on Tuesday 9 December, the Victorian Government will deliver an Apology to First Peoples.

The Apology is for the profound harms inflicted on our peoples by the State and colony – both historic and ongoing.

The Apology is a key recommendation of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and the first deliverable of Statewide Treaty. It is because of the collective strength and activism of our Community that we have been able to achieve Truth and Treaty.

We know that for many, this moment will bring up strong emotions. Please take care of yourselves and each other🖤💛❤️

Register for the livestream at:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/apology-to-first-peoples-by-the-victorian-government-livestream-tickets-1975894619998

03/12/2025

📢 VAHS is hiring 📢

We are rapidly growing and looking for proactive and motivated individuals to join our team in the following roles:

👵 Elder Care Support Coordinator (Fitzroy based, Mob only position): https://bit.ly/49TDjbw

🚸 Koori Supported Playgroup Facilitator (Preston based): https://bit.ly/4ruAu77

🦷 Dental Assistant (Fitzroy based): https://bit.ly/3McfLol

🧑‍💼 HR Advisor (Preston based): https://bit.ly/3McfP7z

If you are interested in a position, send your resume and cover letter to employment@vahs.org.au by 9pm Sunday 14 December ⌛

03/12/2025

Thank you to Tahnee and Lily from Gammin Threadz who joined the VAHS Women’s Group to make Koori Kristmas T-shirts 😍🧑🏾‍🎄👕

Getting into the spirit, the women designed and created shirts to rock around the Christmas tree this year, or as heartfelt gifts for loved ones 🎄🎁

02/12/2025

VAHS WRAPPED 📈

Yothu Yindi? Archie Roach? Thelma Plum? Baker Boy? Who do you think is going to top your 2025 Spotify Wrapped? 🤔🎶

If you like stats, we've got some key 2024-25 VAHS stats from last week's AGM to keep you satiated until Wrapped Day 2025 hits! 👀⤵️

30/11/2025

🎶 Christmas, Christmas time is near🎄

As another year starts winding down, it's time to start thinking about your health and medical needs during the Christmas period🏥

❗The last day of medication drop offs for clients will be Tuesday 23 December. If you need medication during the Christmas period, it is essential you organise this before the break❗️

All VAHS clinics will close at midday on Christmas Eve. With the exception of a skeleton clinic at Fitzroy on the 29th, 30th, and 31st of December and a Fitzroy Saturday clinic on 3rd January, all sites will be closed, including our phone lines, dispensary, and all regular Community programs.

If you require urgent support, Yarning Safe N Strong will be operational and can be reached on 1800 959 563 ☎️

All VAHS clinics will reopen as per usual operational hours on Monday 5 January 📅

27/11/2025

General practitioners - we want you! 🧑‍⚕️

VAHS has expressions of interest open for qualified GPs to join our team across our Fitzroy, Preston, and South Morang sites 🩺

In addition to providing a variety of medical services, you will support social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing for Mob 🖤💛❤️

In return, you'll have access to salary packaging and the opportunity to make a real impact for better health in the Victorian Aboriginal Community.

What's more, the Health of the Nation 2024 report found GPs who work at ACCHOs have a job satisfaction rate of 88% (compared with 73% for Australian GPs overall), the best work-life balance, and lowest rate of burnout, so we're not just tooting our own horn when we say VAHS is an awesome place to work! 🙌

Find out more - https://bit.ly/3Xqoi9L