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Guunu-maana

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Sydney, NSW
Guunu-maana

Guunu-maana (Heal) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health program is part of the George Institute

09/07/2025

🎉 Happy NAIDOC Week! 🎉

Each year during NAIDOC Week, we choose a recipient to support through fundraising efforts. This year, we’re proud to raise funds for Dance Studio, based in Moree, NSW.

“Yulugi Marumali” translates to “Dance To Heal” in the Gamilaraay language. The studio offers Aboriginal Contemporary and Urban Dance workshops that promote fun, fitness, and healing through creative expression for all ages.

🎟️ Head to the link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1406207?qr=true&qr=true&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLbCg1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp8HkNNr7tXgbIx3mAiKgMrA1zBMuoJaQ214kGAjG-dwJInQc74s-WqrDQVpu_aem_kCL9eeu5rxXfdtfSLRtgCg
Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favour! 🍀

A huge thank you to everyone who generously donated prizes for our raffle:

Your support means the world. Let’s continue to celebrate, uplift, and stand in solidarity with our First Nations communities. 🖤💛❤️

07/07/2025

It’s been a little quiet on our socials but definitely not behind the scenes! 👀

Over the past month, our team has been on the move, presenting at UNSW, attending and sharing knowledge at the Lowitja, CSANZ and Connecting Hearts and Minds (ASHRA) conferences. Singing MOU in Lae. Connecting with communities through powerful workshops and presentations.

We’re also in full swing preparing for our NAIDOC Week celebrations, and we can’t wait to share more about what’s ahead.

It’s been a full and busy time but also incredibly powerful, knowledge-filled, team-building, and deeply connecting. 🖤💛❤️

04/06/2025

Dr. Bobby Porykali and Mr Xavier Passi recently presented at the Enhancing Cultural Connections to Water webinar, hosted by Royal Life Saving Society – Australia.

The event marked the launch of a new report offering guidance on embedding cultural knowledge into water safety and drowning prevention programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Released in alignment with Reconciliation Week, the report underscores the importance of centring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ voices in the development of safer, culturally responsive water safety initiatives.

Congratulations to Bobby, Xavier, and all involved 👏🏾

Head to the link in our bio to read the full report.

28/05/2025

It is Reconciliation week, held every year from May 27th to June 3rd.

This marks two major milestones the 1967 referendum, and the high court Mabo decision.

This year’s theme ‘Bridging Now to Next’, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.

‘Bridging Now to Next’ calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue to push forward as past lessons guide us.

Together, let’s reflect, learn and act.
🖤💛❤️

26/05/2025

Monday 26th May marks across Australia.

Today the Guunu-maana (Heal) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program stand in solidarity, walking alongside communities on the journey of healing.

Let us all reflect, listen, and commit to meaningful action today and every day.

🖤💛❤️

21/05/2025

Last week, Research Associate Alea McLean presented at the ANZICS Clinical Trials Group – Hybrid Roadshow in Perth.

Alea shared insights from the Consent study, exploring the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people undergoing cardiac surgery and their participation in medical research and the importance of inclusivity and culturally safe research practices.

14/05/2025

🚨 We’re hiring!
We’re excited to announce an opening for a Research Fellow to join our team! If you’re Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, eager to drive impactful research, and thrive in a collaborative environment—this role is for you.

📍 Barangaroo, Sydney CBD
📅 Applications close: Monday 26th May 2025
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://www.seek.com.au/job/84155470

05/05/2025

🌿 New Release! 🌿
Food and Water for Life: Strengthening Community-Led Initiatives, 2019–2024 is out now!
💧 5 years of community-led action
🥕 Community gardens growing strong
🚰 Drinking water kiosks delivering fresh, low-sodium water
🛒 Healthier choices at our local supermarket
🍽️ Affordable meals through Meal of the Month
Our Walgett community is leading the way toward stronger food and water security for future generations.
📄 Check out the full briefing paper:https://dharriwaaeldersgroup.org.au/images/downloads/2024-03-yn-fw4l-briefing-paper-2019-2024.pdf
Big thanks to our participating Elders, community members, Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service, UNSW, The George Institute and everyone who has made this possible! 🙌

30/04/2025

📢 Upcoming Webinar: Join us for a webinar featuring Paul Hussein and Dr. Poornima Ramamurthy from Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services, where they will share their expertise on building meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services.

🗓️ Don't miss it— head to our bio for registration details.

16/04/2025

Our Future Dr’s. are in!

Our PhD students are sharing their experience ! This week we have Camila! 👏🏾

💡 How do you hope your research will contribute to the Health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

I hope that my research helps to shape healthcare services that are safe and really meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s holistic health and wellbeing needs.

🧠 If you could give your past self-one piece of advice before starting your PhD, what would it be?

If I could tell my past self-one thing, it would be the same thing I remind myself every day: trust the process, trust yourself, and trust that the tools you have are enough to do this.

🔥 What excites you the most about your work?

The most exciting part of my work? First, the chance to work with so many amazing people, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues and community members—I learn so much from them every day. And second, the ongoing process of reflecting, unlearning, and relearning, which helps me grow on so many personal levels.

09/04/2025

🔦 Spotlight: Alea Mclean

Alea is Ballardong Noongar woman and a Research Associate for Guunu-maana (Heal)

📺 What's your favourite tv show ?

Married at first site, OMG I am unhealthy addicted and refuse to make any plans with friends or family on the nights it’s on.🤣

🤍 What are your loves outside of work?

I ground myself at the beach, I have always been drawn to the water and I find myself outside of work often being in or near the ocean.
Also, not many people know this about me, but I am a massive Fortnite nerd. I play every single day with my family and get WAY too competitive and serious about it.

👀 What is one thing you are really good at and one thing you struggle with?

Id like to think I'm really good at my job. Both in Research and as a nurse on the ICU floor, I am super passionate about patient advocacy and tend to feel I go above and beyond for both patients and my colleagues.

One thing I struggle with is public speaking, you may have seen me present on research projects or at conferences and appear confident. But deep-down I am trembling with anxiety. I'm getting better, but it still terrifies me.

🏆 What is your biggest achievement so far?

I struggled to answer this question; I'm not one to boast. But I think my biggest achievement so far is being the only person in my family to go to university.
It wasn't easy, I worked part-time as a disability support worker in the community whilst trying to pay a mortgage as a single woman... not fun at all, but it was worth it because look what we are doing now!

💻 What do you enjoy about being part of the Guunu-maana team?

Honestly, what I enjoy the most about the team is the people. The Guunu-Maana team is full of such beautiful souls, who are not only very educated, powerful people doing life changing research but gorgeous human beings who open their homes and hearts to us all. I honestly feel more like family than a colleague. ❤️

Address

Sydney, NSW

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://linktr.ee/guunu_maana_heal

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