Celebrate the history, culture and achievements of First Nations peoples

By Sarah Davies

Policy and Advocacy Manager

This NAIDOC week, Optometry Australia is celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC Week 2021, being held from Sunday 4-Sunday 11 July, is a week of celebration – highlighting the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

CEO Lyn Brodie said that, ‘Optometry Australia thanks First Nations peoples for their continued contribution to optometry and commitment to improving community eye health.

‘We acknowledge and appreciate the teachings of First Nations peoples in enabling us  to better support improved and sustainable access to primary eye care and improved eye health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

‘This is a goal we seek to achieve through engagement and partnership with key organisations at all levels – including the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and its state affiliates, our membership of Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), and through the important local partnerships between optometrists and community health services’.

Lyn said that Optometry Australia also acknowledged the contribution of Lauren Hutchinson – a NSW optometrist and a proud Muruwari woman from Molong, who in 2020, was named an Eye Health Hero by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

Above: Lauren Hutchinson

‘We would like to publicly thank Lauren for her contributions to optometry, and to Optometry Australia and Optometry NSW/ACT as a valued member of both the Optometry Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health Advisory Group, and the ECONA (Early Career Optometrists NSW/ACT) Committee’.

This NAIDOC week, Optometry Australia is encouraging members to take action by:

• Watching our webcast on improving cultural responsiveness;
• Pursuing some of the tangible actions recommended by Reconciliation Australia
• Participating in a range of local or online NAIDOC week activities; and
• Supporting their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Optometry Australia will continue to seek opportunities to progress reconciliation within our own organisation and across the profession. If you would like any more information or to contribute to these efforts, please contact policy@optometry.org.au.