The establishment of the Aboriginal Health College at Little Bay, Sydney, has taken a major step forward, with a recent site dedication ceremony marking the physical beginning of a long-standing vision to improve Aboriginal health and education in NSW.

The ceremony represents the culmination of efforts by the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW and the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) to create an institution that will benefit Aboriginal health by utilising Aboriginal educators to train Aboriginal people in healthcare. The college also serves to provide education and career opportunities for Aboriginal people.

Professor Brian Layland, Director of Aboriginal programmes for ICEE, gave a keynote speech at the opening. He observed, “Although there is still much work to be done, this is a momentous occasion for the Aboriginal people.” He added, “This will lead to a new Aboriginal workforce providing health care services that Aboriginal people aren’t always receiving.”

The Aboriginal Health College was officially welcomed to the land by Glen Timbery, on behalf of all Aboriginal people from the eastern coastline of Australia. The ceremony featured dance and songs performed by local Aboriginal dance troop, Gulamba, which expressed respect for the sacred land and cleansed the site of bad spirits.

Sandra Bailey, CEO of the Aboriginal Health College, recalled that the college was a long held vision – a collective one – that was finally being realized. She also noted that the college would contribute to greater career opportunities for Aboriginal people through education.

Attending the ceremony was the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir. She spoke enthusiastically about the initiative having an incalculable influence on the improvement of Aboriginal health. She added that with so much to do in education the establishment of the college will act to renew energy for this purpose across the land.

A message stick was presented by Dean Kelly – the key message being ‘knowledge’ – which will travel to Aboriginal communities to spread the word of the Aboriginal Health College: returning in time for the college’s opening ceremony, due to be held in January, 2009.

Substantial funding by Landcom (a NSW government corporation) and additional funding by the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, has made the building of the college possible. The Institute for Eye Research has guaranteed $1 million per year for fifteen years for the running costs of the college.