Vector Issue 5 - 2007

indigenous health issues — real people and real lives at risk
close the gap
fundraiser report
On Wednesday, 22nd August 2007, fifteen
second year MBBS students from the
University of Adelaide conducted a fundraiser
in support of the Oxfam “Close the Gap”
campaign - which endeavours to reduce
the shocking inequality in life expectancy
currently existing between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous Australians.
The fundraiser had two aims:
1. To raise student awareness of the
inequality in life expectancy, and general
health, that Indigenous Australians currently
suffer; associated with this was the goal to
raise awareness of, and support for, the
Oxfam “Close the Gap” campaign
2. To raise funds to donate to the
Oxfam “Close the Gap” campaign
This event took the form of a barbeque,
located outside the School of Medicine.
Thanks to the help of Jenni Caruso, from
the Indigenous Health Unit, this turned out
to be a highly successful event, where:
• Students, staff, and passers-by were able
to choose from a delicious range of
lunchtime selections, including halal and
vegetarian options.
• A PA system was organised, through
which a pair of Indigenous artists
performed two fantastic sets of
Indigenous music featuring a wellbalanced
contemporary influence.
• A large canvas was sourced, on which the
“Close the Gap” slogan was dot-painted
by students as they ate their lunch: this
piece will soon be hung in the University
of Adelaide Medical School as a lasting
tribute to the “Close the Gap” campaign
and the event itself.
• Aboriginal and Torres-Strait
Islander flags were hung from
the wall of the Medical School
for the afternoon, and;
• Oxfam “Close the Gap” posters,
stickers and pamphlets were to
be seen everywhere.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a life
expectancy 17 years less than other Australians.
The fundraiser successfully
achieved its two primary aims. By
the end of the afternoon, over
200 students and staff had signed
the petition pledging their support
for the Oxfam “Close the Gap”
campaign and a great deal of
Oxfam “Close the Gap” pamphlets
and stickers were handed out
– it is hoped that these items will
raise awareness for the cause. The
“Close the Gap” dot-painting, will
be hung in the medical school,
where it shall serve in the years to
come as a poignant reminder of the
health inequality that Indigenous
Australians currently face. Thanks to
the huge amount of support offered
by University of Adelaide staff and
students, the event also managed
to raise $663.20 for the Oxfam
“Close the Gap campaign - and it
was raised in just one afternoon by
a few medical students. Let’s help
close the gap.
tom crowhurst
& michael cilento
university of adelaide
Close the gap: The fi nal touches are added.
Music: Two fantastic sets of indigenous music added
another dimension to the day.
BBQ: The fi nal sausages are sold to conclude an
overwhelmingly successful day.
page 2
met Jonathan Humphries in the town of
I Kellerberrin, WA. It was a meeting by
coincidence, yet he insisted that I afford
him the time to listen to his story, record
the interview and pass it on to as many as
I can.
Jonathan begins his tale by citing the story
of his grandfather, who was born in 1910
in Beverly, only two years prior to when the
local post office was built in Kellerberrin.
He tells me the sad story of a man who was
practically forced to help clear the sacred
land around Kellerberrin – ready for seeding
and harvest. Jonathan claims this legacy of
agriculture as only one of the factors which
the story of
jonathan humphries
to this day prevents him from passing on
practical and traditional aboriginal knowledge
to younger generations; “I want to teach the
kids the traditional way, the traditional way
to hunt, to cook – but what was always a
black man’s property is now a white man’s
property”. He recalls the plight of his mother
and grandmother, who although would work
in the town during the daytime – would
retreat to the outskirts as soon as curfew
came around each evening. The time before
1967 (when aboriginal suffrage is granted) is
remembered for racism and injustice.
Jonathan stumbles through his story
– He says that he is a qualified welder and
slaughterman – with traditional aboriginal
skills in tracking. He is angry and frustrated,
and blames prejudice for his unemployment
“…they think we don’t know how to work”.
According to Jonathan his unemployment is
continued on page 3
the cause of his alcohol and substance abuse,
but the effects are self proliferating. At only
thirty-eight years of age, Jonathan looks
more like a man in his mid-fifties. He lives
within a family structure where everything is
owned and shared by all – even alcohol and
cigarettes are shared – a ‘kind’ gesture which
only diffuses and replicates his problem with
other younger family members.
For three hours I sit and listen. I fight
my own prejudices as I hear a meandering
account of misery and despondency – a story
that could leave anyone wondering where to
start helping and how to provide that help.
Jonathan bemoans the fate of his
people. He is an appeal not only to the
health professions but to all Australians to
acknowledge this situation – to become aware
of the wider picture of rural and remote
indigenous help, before embarking on an