09/07/2026
A little rain wasn't going to stop us from celebrating NAIDOC Week 2026.
Across the week, staff, patients, volunteers and community members came together for a vibrant program of events recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and contributions.
We began with a Flag Raising Ceremony and Welcome to Country, where Olivia and Neenan delivered a beautiful performance of We Are Australian, including parts of the song in the Yawuru language. Throughout the week, staff also enjoyed powerful performances by the DJINAMA Dancers, thought-provoking clinical discussions, and the 50 Years of Deadly Storytelling & Artwork Exhibition.
Today, the celebrations concluded with a Smoking Ceremony and Community BBQ, featuring a vibrant performance by the Kebi Kub Eastern Island Dancers from the Torres Strait. Each event provided an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and celebrate the rich diversity of our community.
These gatherings reminded us of the importance of reconciliation, cultural understanding and the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
A heartfelt thank you to Siupeli Haukoloa-Paea, the St Vincent’s Sydney Reconciliation Events Committee, the St Vincent's Hospital Homeless Health Service, and everyone who contributed their time, energy and expertise to making the week such a success.
We're proud to share a few moments from the celebrations.