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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Rural Doctors Network (RDN) respectfully acknowledges the traditional custodians of all the lands on which we learn and work together, and commits to building collaborative relationships, respect and opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve their aspirations.
RDN has a long history of working in partnership with Aboriginal people and organisations and remains dedicated to working alongside communities to close gaps in the social and cultural determinants of health and wellbeing to achieve equity. Our work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health includes:
- Services to Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) and Other Aboriginal Health Services for General Practitoner (GP) recruitment and retention
- Outreach programs, providing funds for health professionals including GPs, nurses, Aboriginal Health Workers, allied health providers and medical specialists to provide health services in areas with significant Aboriginal populations
- Indigenous Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetships
- Partnerships with the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) in joint medical workforce initiatives
- GP Locum support
- Health Workforce Scholarship Program
- Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthcare Award.
RDN's Reconciliation Action Plan & Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Strategy
RDN’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement and Outcomes Strategy reflects our determination to give voice to our beliefs, and to pursue effective engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our work culture, our business activities, and our services and programs. The Strategy seeks to align with Indigenous Governance principles and ensure cultural responsiveness in RDN’s corporate governance, policy and program management and impact measurement. Reconciliation Australia has endorsed RDN's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which forms part of RDN’s overall Aboriginal Engagement Strategy.
Read more about RDN's Reconciliation Action Plan & Aboriginal Engagement Strategy.
Malang Nguyran – Together Us All
The Malang Nguyran – Together Us All artwork was created by Wonnarua woman Saretta Fielding in 2016. The words ‘malang nguyran’ come from Awabakal language and mean “together us all”. With its flowing circles and vibrant colours, the painting celebrates going forward together and signifies the sharing of cultures, capturing the beauty, diversity and connections of Aboriginal peoples and valuable partnerships across the community. The painting now hangs proudly in RDN’s office and appears in RDN publications, signifying our commitment to ongoing cooperative and collaborative relationships with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Saretta Fielding is a Wonnarua woman based in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales. Through her artwork, she aims to evoke emotion, enhance connection to spirit and country, and invites the viewer to ponder and experience something new. Ms Fielding’s artworks are connected to Country in style and design using a sand-based medium. The highly textured pieces embody the age-old sandstone engraved artworks created by her ancestors.