Close the Gap Day 2019 has being launched today in Campbelltown in a first for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Close the Gap campaign co-chairs Rod Little and June Oscar were due to do the official honours this morning at the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation premises in Riverside Drive, Airds between 9.30am and 1pm
The launch focus was on stories of community practices that are positively affecting health and wellbeing, rather than the emphasis on statistics in the Closing the Gap report tabled in parliament last month.
South Western Sydney has the largest growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia, but the health of the community as a whole trails well behind non-Aboriginal Australians.
According to the most recent census, Aboriginal men on average live to 69 compared to non-Aboriginal men who live to 80. Non-Aboriginal women live to 84 compared to Aboriginal women who live to 73.
Tharawal chief executive officer Darryl Wright spoke about the programs on offer at the centre, including health and clean housing, partnerships with the local TAFE, and how they are leading projects that are improving life outcomes.
Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic says the importance we place on everyone in our community being able to enjoy a comparable standard of life can’t be understated.
“Close the Gap Day is a reminder of the inequalities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people still face today, and a call to action for the entire community,” he said.
“The fact that the report is being launched here in Campbelltown is a great credit to our Aboriginal community leaders and the important work being done by the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation,” he said.
