Southern Cross University is asking the public to attend Close the Gap events at its campuses in Lismore, Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour on Thursday.
Close The Gap Day raises awareness of disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to early childhood, schooling, health, economic participation, safe communities, governance and leadership.
The events support actions aimed at achieving Indigenous health equality by 2030.
Rod Williams of the Gnibi College of Australian Indigenous Peoples at Southern Cross University said the aim of Close The Gap Day was to bring people together, to share information and most importantly, to take meaningful action to achieve equality in Indigenous health and education.
Mr Williams said attendees would have the opportunity to sign the Close the Gap pledge, which has received more than 200,000 signatures demanding Indigenous health equality within a generation.
Professor Norm Sheehan, Director of Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples will facilitate the event at the Lismore campus, from 11am on Thursday.
‘We will be honoured to hear from Aunty Irene Harrington who will deliver the Welcome to Country, followed by CEO of Rekindling the Spirit Greg Telford and Dr Lix Rix,’ Professor Sheehan said.
‘Mr Telford will speak on two topics, ‘taking care of you to take care of others’ and ‘our spiritual health’.
‘Dr Liz Rix who is a lecturer, researcher and registered nurse, from the Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples will speak about Indigenous Health and exploring improvement to mainstream health services for Aboriginal people.’
The Close the Gap event will be held in H Block in the H1.01 lecture theatre from 11am followed by free lunch at 12pm in the Bundjalung Square outside H Block at the Lismore campus.
Southern Cross University has registered the events as official National Close the Gap day activities, with community invited to attend.
