March 21, 2025
With only four of the 19 Closing The Gaps targets on track, there doesn’t seem to be a lot to celebrate in regards to First Nations health.
But that’s where Close The Gap Day comes in … the national day on March 20 aims to bring people together to share information and take meaningful action in support of achieving health equality.
Kingaroy Hospital hosted a National Close The Gap event on Thursday.
Darling Downs Health Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM said it was a great honour and responsibility to celebrate the day.
“(It) is a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to ensure better health outcomes and life expectancies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities,” Ms Scott said.
“Closing the Gap is about listening, learning and acting together. We are proud of the steps we’ve taken but remain committed to doing more every day to create a healthier future for all.”
Stalls filled the Kingaroy Community Health car park area, with many promoting health messages as well as activities for children.
There was a strong emphasis on culture, with a smoking ceremony followed by a performance by the Wakka Wakka Dancers.
Guest speakers shared their experiences and vision to improve First Nations health outcomes, but South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff probably best explained the aspirations of the day with her wish that by the time all the young people present had grown up, there would be no need for a Close The Gap Day.
The event was supported by Stanwell, South Burnett Regional Council and the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation.
Footnote: The four Closing The Gap targets which are on track are early childhood education, employment, land rights and sea rights. Figures released last week by the Productivity Commission show rates of suicide, child removals and early childhood development are actually going backwards.
- External link: Closing The Gap website
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Smoking Ceremony & Wakka Wakka Dancers
