Our Work With Aboriginal People

We’re here to help improve the sexual health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, sistergirl/transgender or living with HIV. We do this by providing culturally sensitive HIV and sexual health education, including:

• HIV and STI education campaigns targeting Aboriginal people including our Aboriginal gay men’s HIV testing campaign
• Arts-based community development activities in partnership with Aboriginal Community organisations
• Outreach at selected community events such as NAIDOC Week events
• Partnership activities with Aboriginal health organisation such as the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW
• Support for NSW Aboriginal Sexual Health Workers

For more information, please contact us here, via (02) 9206 2024 or our Facebook page.

Cancer

We’re here to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people take steps to prevent their risk of cancer and find support after diagnosis and treatment.

To find out more please visit the ‘Cancer’ section on our website or visit ACON’s Can We website.

HIV in the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population Paper

In 2019 we launched a policy paper to highlight the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in relation to HIV and sexual health. Titled HIV in the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, the paper outlines key issues and sets out recommendations to improve health outcomes.

You can downloaded the paper here.

Community Outreach

We get out and about as much as possible to relevant community events, especially those where we can have contact with gay men, sistergirls and people with HIV. We aim wherever possible to partner with Aboriginal community organisations to do this. Our community outreach activities include:

• Gadigal Information Service’s Mardi Gras season Klub Koori
• Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative’s Mardi Gras season show
• World AIDS Day events at the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern

If you have an idea for outreach or would like to volunteer to help, please contact us here or via (02) 9206 2024.

Performance and Creative Arts

First Australians and Mardi Gras

Each year we help organise the First Nations float in the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Participants gather at two community meetings to work together to design the parade entry, developing new skills and creating activities the whole community can enjoy.

This culminates in the Mardi Gras Parade, raising awareness and visibility of sexual and gender diversity in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Planning for the performance and creative arts program begins in October. For more information or to get involved, please contact us: jstrang@acon.org.au | (02) 9206 2042

Creative Arts Workshops

From time to time we also offer activities such as music or photography as a way for community members to express themselves, tell stories, learn new skills, meet new people and celebrate culture.

If you have any suggestions for activities, or would like to register your interest, please contact us here or via (02) 9206 2024.

Ngalawi Djardi ‘Sit and Yarn’ Health Retreat

This annual health retreat aims to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with HIV by providing:

• Culturally appropriate respite and relaxation
• An opportunity to connect and share stories with other HIV positive people
• Opportunities to share culture, art and good yarns
• Access to professional workers, information and support services

The name, Ngalawi Djardi means ‘sit and yarn’ in Dharug language. The retreat is facilitated by Aboriginal workers with non-Indigenous support staff. The purpose of the retreat is to connect and share support with others who have similar experiences. Quiet rest and relaxation time is also incorporated into the program.

Our retreats are held in simple motel-style accommodation with private rooms in a peaceful location just outside Sydney. All transport from ACON, accommodation and meals are provided.

Each participant is welcome to bring a support person (partner, friend or family member). The support person need not be Aboriginal or living with HIV.

The retreat is particularly valuable for those living in rural and regional areas of NSW who may not have regular access to HIV support services in their area. People who need assistance with transport to Sydney are encouraged to talk to us as soon as possible so that we can assist you to seek travel assistance.

All aspects of the retreat are conducted in strict confidentiality and the privacy of all participants is respected.

Ngalawi Djardi retreats are generally held in October/November each year. Interested people must contact us by 13 October at the details below so that we can assist you with your application.

For more information or to get involved, please contact us here or via (02) 9206 2024.

Stay in Touch

We communicate regularly with the community via our Facebook page. Please like our page to stay in touch with all our events and news about our services.

For more information, you can also contact us here or via (02) 9206 2024.

‘Us Mob and HIV’ Resource

Better to Know

‘Better to Know’ is a sexual health website for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including information on STIs, the ability to search for local clinics and AMSs for testing, a partner notification service and a testing reminder service.

The site has been produced by the Anwernekenhe National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Alliance and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.

Access the site here

ACON Reconciliation Action Plans

ACON is proud to continue walking the national reconciliation journey with the release of the second iteration of its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The Innovate RAP 2023-2025 adds to our organisation’s ongoing commitment to ensuring First Nations people of diverse genders and sexualities can live their healthiest lives, as well as celebrate the longest living culture on Earth, acknowledge history, build closer relationships, and to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The development of the second Innovate RAP was overseen by ACON’s Reconciliation Working Group, the organisation’s internal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory committee made up of staff and community representatives.

Access a public copy of ACON’s Innovate RAP 2023-2025 as a PDF here.

ACON’s Innovate RAP 2023-2025 artwork was created by Wiradjuri and Birpai man Wayde Clarke, and is titled ‘Rainbow Pride, Rainbow Strong’.

ACON launched its first RAP in 2018, committing ACON to create a strategic, collaborative, and whole-of-organisation approach to its work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Across each of ACON’s RAPs, the organisation has worked with Reconciliation Australia to develop a formal framework to ensure its work supports the national reconciliation movement.

With the implementation of its second Innovate RAP, ACON will continue to foster a more strategic, collaborative and whole of organisation approach to our work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

If you have any feedback or would like to join the RAP Working Group, please fill out this short form or contact RAP@acon.org.au

ACON acknowledges and pays respects to the traditional custodians of all the lands on which we work. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

Keep updated with our RAP e-news. Sign up here:

First Nations MPXV (Monkeypox) Vaccination Appointment

First Nations MPXV (monkeypox) Vaccination Appointment

ACON and BLAQ are partnering with NSW Health and South East Sydney Local Health District, to provide a pop up MPXV vaccination clinic for First Nations people on Saturday, 20 August. The clinic will be provided at the Crown Street MPXV vaccination hub in Surry Hills and will run between 2pm and 4pm.

Due to the limited global supply of MPXV vaccines, this clinic is for all First Nations community, who have sex with gay, bi+ and other men who have sex with men (cis or trans). In coming months, MPXV vaccinations will be opened to more groups.

To learn more about the vaccine to be used, please visit ACON’s information page here.

To attend the clinic on Saturday, please submit your name, mobile and phone number to the below form. Please also select your appointment window based on the options below.

Please note, your information will be stored by ACON and will only be shared with the MPXV vaccination hub clinical team to deliver your appointment.

ACON will destroy all contact information after the clinic is delivered.

Currently the registrations are closed. Please check again later. 

ACON’s approach to the referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

ACON has released its approach to the referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

This approach is informed by consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of ACON’s Reconciliation Action Plan working group and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ACON staff, and is guided by our firm belief in First Nations’ self-determination and that First Nations people’s voices and truths should inform all Australian policy that affects them.

The approach outlines our commitments to First Nations LGBTQ+ communities, now, and ongoing after the referendum. 

Download the Approach document here