Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first people of Australia made up of hundreds of groups with distinct languages, histories and cultural traditions. In the EMPHN region, there are approximately eleven thousand people (or about 0.8% of the population) who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (ABS, 2021).
To support the health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, EMPHN commissions a broad range of programs delivered by community-controlled health services, community-controlled organisations and mainstream services. EMPHN is committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ right to self-determination and improving health outcomes of our First Peoples. We strive to collaborate with key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and stakeholders to fulfill the needs of the population.
The EMPHN Aboriginal Consultative Council are committed to fostering genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health stakeholders. The intention is to build trust and strengthen shared decision making and therefore support self-determination. Comprising of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), the Council will provide direction and advice for EMPHN in relation to the integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professional views and experiences into all levels of strategy, operations, planning and policy development and strategic advice to the EMPHN Board. Prospective council members are required to meet our membership criteria and are guided by our Terms of Reference.
Meet our current members:
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
ACC member organisation
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
ACC member organisation
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) was established in 1973 to address the specific medical needs of Victorian indigenous communities. The organisation has expanded steadily over past 40 years to provide a comprehensive range of medical, dental and social services for our community.
As well as providing a variety of medical services, VAHS is committed to supporting the well-being of the community through contributions to community events and activities. VAHS is also committed to assisting research into the ongoing needs of the community.
Oonah Aboriginal Health and Community Services
ACC member organisation
Oonah Aboriginal Health and Community Services
ACC member organisation
Oonah Aboriginal Health and Community Services is committed to providing a welcoming and culturally affirming service to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people of Melbourne’s Inner and Outer East. They are a central point of contact for information, services, and programs that are focused on building a healthy and strong Community. Their team is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the Community by providing access to culturally appropriate services and support. They believe in empowering our Community and promoting self-determination.
Bubup Wilam
ACC member organisation
Bubup Wilam
ACC member organisation
Bubup Wilam, meaning “Children’s Place” in Woi Wurrung language, is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Education, Health and Wellbeing organisation. This ensures the local Aboriginal Community have control over issues that directly affect their community and take up their right to self-determination in a meaningful and effective way. Bubup Wilam’s philosophy is to reinforce this through strengthening our children’s strong sense of Aboriginal identity and personal self-esteem, as their foundation for lifelong learning, health, and wellbeing. With the support of their parents and extended family, children are taking the lead responsibility in owning and maintaining their identity and developing their learning and engagement with others in a confident and supported way. Bubup Wilam aim to ensure our children at a very early age begin the journey in reaching their full human potential. Bubup Wilam provides Aboriginal children, families, and the community with access to an integrated range of health and wellbeing services and programs centering around the child through attending our long day and kindergarten programs. This is then extended to their school aged siblings and the family.
First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing
ACC member organisation
First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing
ACC member organisation
First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing is a dynamic Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation offering affordable primary healthcare services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People and their families in urban Melbourne. Their clinics offer trauma-informed care in environments that are culturally-safe, calm and healing.
Stephen Duckett AM
ACC member
Board Chair
Nomination, Remuneration & People Committee (Chair)
Strategy & Risk Committee (Member)
Clinical & Practice Council (Member)
Community & Consumer Council (Member)
Stephen Duckett AM
ACC member
Board Chair
Nomination, Remuneration & People Committee (Chair)
Strategy & Risk Committee (Member)
Clinical & Practice Council (Member)
Community & Consumer Council (Member)
Stephen Duckett has a reputation for creativity, evidence-based innovation and reform in health care. An economist, he is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is an Honorary Enterprise Professor in the School of Population and Global Health and in the Department of General Practice and Primary Care in The University of Melbourne. In 2023 he was a member of the Strengthening Medicare Task Force and the Mental Health Reform Group (both chaired by Minister Mark Butler). He is currently a member of the Expert Advisory Panel for the Review of General Practice Incentives.
Chris Altis
ACC member
Board Member
Strategy & Risk Committee (Member)
Community & Consumer Council (Chair)
Chris Altis
ACC member
Board Member
Strategy & Risk Committee (Member)
Community & Consumer Council (Chair)
Chris Altis holds Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Arts (Public Policy) degrees from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has worked in the health sector for thirty years in a policy, advisory and non-executive capacity at Victorian and national levels.
As then Chair of the North Richmond Community Health Service he oversaw the establishment of Melbourne’s first medically supervised injecting facility, and he was formerly a director of the Northern Melbourne Medicare Local. He was also the founding Executive Manager of The New Daily national online news service. Chris is also a non-executive director at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the William Angliss Institute, and consults in health policy.