SPORT will play a role in closing the health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians with a full day of netball and football action in Healesville on Sunday, 3 March.
Eastern Health staff are pitting their sporting skills against some of the best Aboriginal sporting talent in Melbourne’s east with a netball tournament starting at 9.30am followed by a football match starting at 1.30pm.
Eastern Health Aboriginal Service Development Officer Vera Webber said the event was an important step in closing the health gap which is very real, not only in the remote communities but in urban Indigenous communities, including those serviced by Eastern Health.
Ms Webber and Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Wandin who will do the Welcome to Country each came under the banner of ‘talented netballers’ in their day.
“For me as an Aboriginal girl, netball gave me a sense that I was good at something,” Ms Webber said.
“It was a game where everyone n the community came together and it was a game where you connected with yourself, recognising your own talent and your own skills.
“It wasn’t about anyone telling you that you were good at it, it was just about the joy and freedom of being able to play – being recognised and representing your team you were playing with,” she said.
She said netball had taught her a lot of the skills she needed in working in Aboriginal health.
The Wandin name is synonymous in Healesville with both netball and football with Ms Wandin involved in netball as a player, coach and committee member.
She said first and foremost it was about the love of the game.
“My dad captained the Lake Tyers team in football and with the boys (brothers) all playing footy I think there was that interaction with people.
“At the time, perhaps you don’t put any great value on it, other than having a great time, but I enjoyed it and met a lot of different and new people,” she said.
She said it was important for organisations such as Eastern Health to work in collaboration with the local Indigenous community.
As well as plenty of netball and football action, there will be Indigenous games, information on community health services and food and drinks available.
Ms Webber said the event was an ideal opportunity for all people to not only have fun on the sporting field, but to celebrate the day in a spirit of reconciliation.
