Art, culture and health combine
Awestern Victorian healthcare provider will accompany a lingering NAIDOC Week afterglow with an art competition for First-nations people in the region.
Grampians Health’s Aboriginal Art Competition has invited the region’s First Nations artists to submit work to each of the provider’s four campuses, with winners set to pocket a cash prize and permanent on-site exhibition.
Entrants can submit their pieces, which address the theme of ‘Respect for all at Grampians Health’, at one of Grampians Health’s campuses at Edenhope, Stawell, Horsham and Ballarat, Each campus winner will receive $2500. Grampians Health Aboriginal hospital liaison office team leader Emma Leehane said the art competition was a chance to bring more Indigenous culture to Grampians Health sites and show respect for traditional custodians and community.
“Our Aboriginal hospital liaison officers are here to provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing care at Grampians Health,” she said.
“Including local culture and country in our spaces through artwork helps to break down barriers and creates a space that feels accessible and more welcoming for our community.
“First Nations people have knowledge of, and have been practicing, health and medical treatment for thousands of years, so it’s really important that these artworks pay tribute to that.”
Craig Wilding, chief operating officer of community and aged care, said he hoped the initiative fostered a culturally safe and inclusive space.
“We’ve had so much wonderful feedback about the Protector of his mob artwork that features at Ballarat Base Hospital’s Drummond Street entrance, so we’re really excited to be extending this opportunity across the region to spread the message of welcome and safety across Grampians Health campuses,” he said.
“At Grampians Health, we’re committed to providing a safe and culturally sensitive health service for all members of our community, and this artwork competition is another way to show our commitment to our First Nations people across the region.”
Artists have until August 12 to submit their work, with winners announced on August 24.