Chief Allied Health Officer, Brit Gordon adds her handprint to the wall poster displayed in the Paediatric Ward

Friday 4 August 2023

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day is held every year on 4 August. It's an opportunity for the whole community to celebrate, and has become a major event in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and community organisations.

Each year, mob from all over the country host and attend events focused on kids, culture, family and communities. Activities include cultural events, open days, arts and crafts, storytelling, face painting, concerts, morning teas and community barbeques.

This year's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day theme is 'Little Voices, Loud Futures', raising awareness for the bright futures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the potential for their voices to pave a new path for our nation.

The Paediatrics team, in collaboration with the Ngarra Jarra Aboriginal Health Unit, embraced the theme of inclusion and art by inviting patients, parents and staff across Austin Health to add their handprint to a wall poster (displayed in Ward 2 West), to celebrate this important day.

It was fantastic to see so many staff participate including orderlies, food assistants, pharmacy staff, PSAs, ward clerks, nurses, doctors, divisional directorate teams and executives. Children and parents from the Austin Child Care Centre also added their handprints to the poster.

CEO Adam Horsburgh with Toby from the Austin Child Care Centre

History of Children’s Day
In 1988, the first National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day was established on 4 August and was set against the backdrop of protests led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their supporters during the bicentennial year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples felt a day was needed to celebrate children, give them confidence, and make them feel special and included.

The date 4 August was historically used to communally celebrate the birthdays of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families at a young age, without knowing their birthday – the Stolen Generations. ​​​​​​​

Why is it important?
The majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are thriving and growing up strong in their cultures, with support from their families and communities. However, a significant number of children continue to face ongoing challenges stemming from colonisation and its effects. This includes discrimination, poverty, systemic removal, intergenerational trauma, dislocation from land and culture, and community disempowerment.

To achieve equality, we must approach these challenges through holistically, considering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's wellbeing, safety and development.