NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The week provides an opportunity for cultural learning, awareness, and unification.

This year’s theme: GET UP! STAND UP! SHOW UP! chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee reflects a proud history of communities and individuals getting up, showing up and standing up, from the 1920’s to current day, fighting for change, human rights, and an increased awareness in the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

This resonating theme tells us it’s imperative that we all work together to continually call out racism, address cultural and heritage protections and support truth telling. It is also a time to recognise and learn from those who have led and driven change in their communities, those who have significant knowledge, experience, and wisdom, past present and future who must be listened to, respected, and heard.

The Brien Holden Foundation (BHF) Australian Program has a proud history of working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities since 1999 to provide better eye health and vision through culturally safe programs that meet the needs as determined by the communities. In 2021/2022, the BHF provided vital eye care health services in over 55 communities in the NT and over 80 in NSW providing over 6,000 Aboriginal patients, with access to bulk billed optometry services, access to glasses and referral to specialist services. In addition to optometry services the BHF works in partnership with communities to build and upskill workforce in eye health.

We are committed to continuing this vital work in partnership with Aboriginal communities, through culturally safe programs to close the gap for vision.

For those who are interested in learning more about the wonderful NAIDOC history, attending an event or downloading teams background please click on the following link to access the many resources available: naidoc.org.au.

BHVI/BHF acknowledges all First Nations peoples across the many lands in which we live and work and their continuing connection to country and culture. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present, and emerging.