Air Force continues support for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander health

A 10-year long partnership between Air Force and Indigenous health leaders will continue through to the end of the decade, with an agreement signed to provide health support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Air Force and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) took place on the lands of the Ngunnawal peoples, with respect paid to their Elders past and present, reaffirming a shared commitment to improving health outcomes in some of Australia’s most remote communities. Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, DSC, CSC, OAM, and NACCHO Chairperson Donnella Mills formalised the agreement during a ceremony in Canberra. “This MOU is about ‘walking the talk’ of meaningful community engagement and explores health-related opportunities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Air Marshal Chappell said. “It enables Air Force personnel to share their expertise in remote communities, building relationships that extend well beyond clinical care.” The agreement supports Exercise Kummundoo, an initiative that creates opportunities for Air Force people to deploy into unique environments to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Mills acknowledged the decade of partnership delivered under the two previous MOUs since 2014. “This partnership shows what’s possible when we walk together and invest in community strengths. For over a decade, NACCHO and the Air Force have worked side by side, guided by respect, learning, and service, to build healthier futures and stronger connections. As we renew our commitment, I honour the generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have served Country, community, and the Air Force. Their legacy drives us to keep building opportunities and delivering lasting change.”  Built on the Australian Defence Force’s values of Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence, the program aligns with the broader Whole of Australian Government (WoAG) ‘Closing the Gap’ commitment, contributing to national efforts to improve life expectancy, health access and opportunity for First Nations peoples. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]