Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement

Monash Rural Health is committed to creating and maintaining culturally safe environments for students and staff while studying or at work. We also want to make sure that when our healthcare professionals graduate, they are ready to give the best possible culturally safe care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

As a School, we are committed to the Monash Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Framework and focused on its four framing pillars:

Upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and respecting students, staff and community.
Increasing the participation and supporting success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and content into curriculum.
Growing research contributions to address and serve the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Explore how we are working in partnership to put these pillars into action below:

Monash Rural Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Framework 2021-2030

Explore our Framework to understand our commitment to Aboriginal knowledge and perspectives, student participation and research.

Gukwonderuk Indigenous Health Unit

Gukwonderuk provides holistic wrap-around support to Indigenous health students throughout their learning journey.

William Cooper Institute

The Monash University hub for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research, learning and engagement - promoting Indigenous leadership and advancement.

Kummargi Yulendj (Knowledge is rising) scholarship program

Monash scholarships to support Indigenous and economically disadvantaged students, including those from regional or remote areas, to undertake higher education.

Warragul Regional College Aboriginal secondary students get a hands on introduction to careers in rural health

Warragul Regional College Aboriginal secondary students recently gained insights and inspiration about careers in rural health on a visit to Monash Rural Health in Warragul.

Reconciliation forum champions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors in training, and cultural safety in healthcare

For Reconciliation Week 2023, the Monash Rural Health’s North West Victorian Regional Training Hub hosted a forum with more than 50 local doctors, representatives from speciality training colleges and health services, the Australian Indigenous Doctor

Clontarf Academy students explore exciting careers in health

Clontarf Academy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Mildura Senior College recently spent a morning at Monash Rural Health in Mildura to explore potential careers in health and medicine.

Doctor What? Doctor Where? podcast looks at Learning Cultural Safety with the Joint Colleges Training Services

The twenty sixth episode of the Doctor What? Doctor Where? Stories of Rural Medicine podcast - Learning Cultural Safety with the Joint Colleges Training Services - is now available.

Research with First Nations healers looks at holistic approaches to healing

New research exploring different healing approaches including First Nations healers and complementary therapies is providing insights on ways to enhance the outcomes and experiences of people who access rural mental health services and systems.

A journey of hope and possibility: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Framework launched in Gippsland

Monash Rural Health has strengthened its commitment to Indigenous health and healthcare education with the launch of the School’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Framework 2021-2030 on Gunaikurnai country in Churchill and Bairnsdale last month.

Framework launch strengthens commitment to First Nations’ health and education in Bendigo

Monash Rural Health launched its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Framework 2021-2030 on Dja Dja Wurrung country on Friday 31 May. The launch brought together Monash Rural Health and Bendigo Health and the wider community

Medical students gain unique insights into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture on camp in Barkanji country

Recently, 4th and 5th year medical students from Monash Rural Health had the unique opportunity to spend time out on Barkanji country near lake Mungo with elders to learn about the unique history of Barkanji people and their relationship to country.

Medical student placement with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation gives an understanding of cultural holistic care

Monash medical student, Isabel Lee, was the first student to complete a new Indigenous health-focused speciality elective as part of her studies.

Supporting pathways for First Nations health professionals and culturally appropriate care in Bendigo

Monash Rural Health is honouring its commitment to building pathways for First Nations health professionals, starting in kindergarten and supporting graduates through their career journey.

Wartaka meeting highlights success of First Nations health program in Bendigo

A special Wartaka meeting was held at Bridgewater on Gunbungwerro (Loddon River) to yarn about what final year medical students have experienced in the hospital, and achievements from Monash Rural Health’s First Nations health program in Bendigo in