A new collaboration between Gateway Health and the Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service (AWAHS) is paving the way for stronger cultural competency in the allied health sector while enhancing healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
This initiative, supported by federal funding, aims to increase the number of allied health professionals in rural and regional areas while ensuring they receive culturally informed training and experience. As part of the project, Gateway Health’s provisional psychology students are undertaking placements at AWAHS, gaining valuable insights into culturally responsive care.
Students had the incredible opportunity to work alongside Uncle Sam and Aunty Edna from AWAHS, learning culturally appropriate ways to engage with local First Nations mobs. Their learning journey covered the significance of language, local history and education about the different mobs and Countries within the region.
Provisional psychology student Trent described the experience as transformative. “Learning about the significance of language, local history and the different mobs in the region has given me a much deeper understanding of how to engage appropriately and respectfully with First Nations clients. This experience will undoubtedly make me a better practitioner and help me provide culturally competent psychological support in the future.”
Additionally, this immersive opportunity allowed students to build meaningful connections and gain a deeper understanding of cultural considerations essential to their practice.
Gateway Health CEO Trent Dean highlighted the importance of this collaboration. “By working closely with AWAHS, we are not only expanding our allied health workforce but also reinforcing our commitment to building strong, meaningful relationships with Aboriginal community-controlled health services. This initiative is a vital step in ensuring that more AWAHS clients have access to essential allied health services while supporting workforce development in regional and remote areas.”
Gateway Health’s commitment to First Nations healthcare is further reinforced through its newly endorsed Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This plan, guided by the theme ‘Show Up, Stand Beside and Listen’, highlights Gateway Health’s ongoing dedication to fostering meaningful partnerships with First Nations communities. Through initiatives like this collaboration with AWAHS, Gateway Health continues to take active steps towards improving culturally safe healthcare services and addressing disparities in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The collaboration is further bolstered by partnerships with leading universities, including Melbourne University Rural Health, Monash University, La Trobe University and Deakin University. These institutions play a critical role in training and placing emerging allied health practitioners in rural settings, addressing workforce shortages and ensuring culturally competent care is embedded in their professional practice.
Through this joint effort, Gateway Health and AWAHS are laying the foundation for a more inclusive, culturally aware and well-resourced allied health sector. This initiative marks a significant step towards bridging gaps in healthcare access and ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities receive the support they need from practitioners who understand and respect their cultural heritage.
