A week of events at Princess Alexandra Hospital celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture for NAIDOC week 2026 focussing on the value of our First Nations workforce.
Culminating in the major cultural showpiece of dance, song and a stirring Welcome to Country on 14 July, PAH staff and community members immersed themselves in the language and traditions of the original custodians of the Jagera and Turrbal lands on which the hospital is situated.
A/Executive Director of PA Hospital, Dr Kellie Wren said activities throughout the week supported the commitment of staff to programs and cultural capability that improves health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torrs Strait Islander patients.
“Making PA a culturally safe and happy place to be will go a long way to delivering the best outcomes that we can for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who come to our service,” Dr Wren said. “My thanks to every single one of you for the work that you do.
“PA Hospital is built on the site of a healing place – It is traditionally associated with women’s business and that connection to First Nations ancestors on this site is always there. The spirit and the cultural significance of that lives on in the health services we provide here at PAH.”
NAIDOC is an important time of reflection on the work hospitals do to Close the Gap, and it is a recommitment every year, through awareness, improvement initiatives, and also the work of the health service towards health equity.
Metro South Health board members Matthew Ames and Dr Matthew Hope attended the PAH event to represent the broader organisational commitment to making hospitals across the health service better, culturally safer, and more strategically responsive to health equity principles.
NAIDOC Week 2026 | 50 years of Deadly provided a platform to celebrate the journey and experiences over 50 years of our ancestors, elders, artists, and every single Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander present at PAH celebrations.
The First Nations Health Equity Strategy Summary 2025-2028 highlights how Metro South learns from First Nations People’s stories to contribute to better lives through better health. It articulates the priority areas and actions toward success.