Community
11 July, 2025
SWH marks NAIDOC with song and scrubs
AS organisations across Australia marked NAIDOC Week this week, South West Healthcare (SWH) held a special gathering at Merindah Lodge on Wednesday to mark the celebration.
The event was kicked off with a performance from musician and Gunditjmara man Lee Morgan alongside SWH’s Reconciliation Choir, which included his Reconciliation song and a cover of Goanna’s 1982 hit ‘Solid Rock’.
SWH executive director primary and community services Kerryn Anderson said the organisation was proud to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through NAIDOC Week.
“It was great to see so many people participate in this year’s Camperdown event and I’m particularly grateful for the contributions of our staff choir who’ve been practicing really hard with local community member Lee Morgan,” she said.
“It’s been great to uncover some of the hidden talents among our staff.
“I also want to acknowledge the work of our Aboriginal Programs team Lee-Anne Habel and Fiona Stafford, not only for the hours of work they have put into organising the NAIDOC event, but for everything they do across the year in supporting community and supporting the health service to continue to improve the way it provides culturally safe care.”
A smoking ceremony was held after the performance, which was then followed by morning tea within the lodge.
Mr Morgan said attendance was “wonderful” for the event despite the cold conditions.
“The sun’s out but it’s freezing, and all these dear old folks came out here in blankets and stayed for the whole event,” he said.
“I’m not here to welcome you to your country because it’s all of our country – we share this country.
“What I’m here to do is welcome you to this wonderful event to celebrate NAIDOC.
“It’s just important to recognise where you are on the land – whose country you’re on.
“It’s all of our country now – we share it, we just have to learn to do that with each other.”
Ms Anderson said the event coincided with the launch of Aboriginal-themed scrubs for the staff of Camperdown’s Merindah Lodge.
“This artwork project has been in the pipeline for several months in partnership with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation – the artwork of Eastern Maar citizen Tarni Jarvis was selected,” she said.
“Entitled ‘River meets Ocean’, in Tarni’s words, the artwork tells the stories of how journey and connection to country and the passing on of knowledge and strength that our youth gain from our elders and knowledge holders.
“It also shows the role that country has in teaching us our stories and values, which are similar to South West Healthcare’s values.
“I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Tarni last week, who is really proud to see her artwork displayed in such a way.”
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