The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) has launched a new campaign to encourage Indigenous Australians to consider a career in Aboriginal health. The campaign emphasizes that with 65,000 years of rich cultural history, Aboriginal people are already highly qualified to work in health-related fields.
This initiative is part of VACCHO’s Victoria Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2022-26, which aims to bring more Indigenous people into the health and wellbeing sector. The campaign highlights how life experience within Aboriginal communities provides a unique qualification that many might not recognize as valuable in health careers.
Think HQ, the agency behind the campaign, worked closely with Aboriginal health professionals, including general practitioners, midwives, and social workers, to gain insights for the campaign. The key takeaway from these conversations was that many Aboriginal people don’t realize their lived experience in the community gives them an important edge when applying for jobs in the health sector.
The campaign includes a video series featuring real-life stories of Aboriginal health professionals, including a mental health nurse, midwife, doctor-in-training, and health practitioner. These individuals share how their passion for community health has driven them to make a difference. The campaign also includes posters, audio content for radio and social media, and a dedicated online hub providing resources, career guidance, and job opportunities in Aboriginal health.
The campaign’s message, “You have 65,000 years of experience. Start a career in Aboriginal health today,” aims to inspire Indigenous Australians to use their cultural knowledge and life experiences to make a positive impact in the healthcare sector.
The campaign will run online, on social media, and on radio until March 2025. It offers a powerful reminder that Aboriginal people’s rich history and community connections make them well-suited for a fulfilling career in health and wellbeing.
Credits
Client: Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
Executive Director, Population Health: Abe Ropitini
Project Officer: Somenah Nasir
Agency: Think HQ
Founder & Managing Director: Jen Sharpe
Senior Account Director: Anu Jose
Account Manager: Harshini Sivaraj
Group Head of Creative Strategy: Lisa Gumbleton
Head of First Nations Communications: Taryn Marks
Chief Creative Officer: Andy Lima
Creative Director: Sam McCarron
Copywriter: Thabani Tshuma
Producer: David O’Connor
Director: Jack Steele
Cinematographer: Ryan Andrew Lee
1st AD: Edward “Ned” Valent
Stills: Daniel Hartley-Allen
Sound Design: Adam Dixon-Galea
Music: Tristan Barton Music
