ERH honours NAIDOC Week with big announcements

By Emily Donohoe

Jul 9, 2024

VACHHO population health unit health and healing director Clare O’Reilly; ERH population health’s Kristy Puls, Aldara Yenara Aboriginal Corporation and Kyabram District Health Service Aboriginal health liaison officer Simone Guinan; ERH director of nursing, cancer and wellness centre, and residential aged care Lyn Jeffreson; ERH Aboriginal health liaison officers Merinda Slater, Aunty Sonya Parsons and Uncle Gilbert Wanganeen, VACCHO strategic project manager, cancer journey Zarayn Knight; and ERH director of community services Cynthia Robins and chief executive Robyn Lindsay. Photos: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Echuca Regional Health held a morning tea to celebrate NAIDOC Week and launch two Indigenous-focused initiatives.

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Aboriginal leaders and Elders, the hospital community and guests gathered on Tuesday, July 9, at the ERH Cancer and Wellness Centre, now known as Wanyarra Mulana.

Two significant milestones were celebrated at the morning tea: the naming of the cancer and wellness centre and the launch of the cancer journal for Indigenous patients, both named Wanyarra Mulana.

ERH board chairperson Stacy Williams and ERH Aboriginal health liaison officer Aunty Sonya Parsons officially unveil the name of Wanyarra Mulana. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Wanyarra Mulana means active spirit in Yorta Yorta language and will be the name for both initiatives.

The Wanyarra Mulana Cancer Journal is a collaborative effort between the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, ERH, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, Cummeragunja Housing and Development Aboriginal Corporation, Aldara Yenara Aboriginal Corporation, Intereach, Kyabram District Health Service, GV Health and other local health and Indigenous services.

ERH emotional wellbeing worker Uncle Gilbert Wanganeen, and VACCHO strategic project manager Zarayn Knight hold the Wanyarra Mulana Cancer Journal. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The journal is a resource for First Nations people diagnosed with cancer and their families to track medications, appointments and progress.

“The purpose of the journal is quite clear. It’s to empower mob, promote self-management and enhance the quality of care for Aboriginal people that are going through a cancer journey,” VACCHO strategic project manager Zarayn Knight said.

Uncle Colin Walker performed a smoking ceremony and spoke to the audience. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Yorta Yorta Uncle Colin Walker performed a smoking ceremony for the guests and reflected on the meaning of ‘Wanyarra Mulana’.

“Today we are coming to name this wonderful place,” he said.

“Mulana means spirit, wonderful spirit, active spirit.

“And we, as Aboriginal people, are spiritual people, we believe in our spirits. They come back to us.”

Uncle Des Morgan delivered a Welcome to Country, explaining the meaning of NAIDOC Week and some of the Aboriginal history in the region.

“It started out for us as a day of mourning, remembering all those things that happened to us,” he said.

“During the occupation of our lands ... we were taken off our traditional country and placed on mission stations.

“Over the years, it’s morphed into a celebration.

“We still acknowledge our Elders and our ancestors and the pain and suffering they went through to maintain us as a people.”

Uncle Des Morgan delivered a Welcome to Country and speech. Photo by Aidan Briggs

ERH Aboriginal liaison officer Uncle Gilbert Wanganeen spoke about his late wife’s cancer journey and the importance of having their own cancer journal.

“I kept everything that was important,” he said.

“Right down to going to the chemist, getting the medication and doing what I had to do based around supporting my wife.”

He hopes the Wanyarra Mulana Cancer Journal will provide an important resource to Indigenous people experiencing a similar situation to his family.

“We all got together and designed what, we think, is best for our mob,” Uncle Gilbert said.

“Hopefully, it will help them to keep records, documents, appointments, even life stories.”

ERH chief executive Robyn Lindsay was thrilled to launch the cancer journal and officially name the Wanyarra Mulana Cancer and Wellness Centre during NAIDOC Week.

“We thought it would be really appropriate to celebrate that resource this week,” she said.

“And celebrate the Aboriginal community leadership that went into the development of the journal.

“Collaboration with Elders is what’s developed the journal, so we’re looking forward to celebrating that this week.”