May 27, 2025This week, 27 May – 3 June, is National Reconciliation Week.
It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
At Northern Health, we are committed to ensuring our First Nations communities have equitable access to lifesaving and quality-of-life-improving treatment options. Clinical trials can offer exciting new opportunities for care, especially for conditions that disproportionately impact our community.
Northern Health’s participation in the TrialHub program has enabled us to walk alongside our community in shaping how clinical trials are communicated and delivered. From the outset, we heard clearly that First Nations people value a close, culturally safe model of care – where there is one main point of contact and a genuine opportunity to improve health outcomes for the next generation.
This feedback helped shape the development of a unique and culturally resonant clinical trials resource, The Gift of Healing – a bespoke brochure created by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The project was driven by a shared understanding that First Nations voices must be central in the design and communication of health services.
“It’s not just about delivering information – it’s about honouring culture, connection, and choice. The Gift of Healing allows our community to see themselves in the narrative of research, where healing is guided by cultural strength,” said Karen Bryant, Manager of Narrun Wilip-giin – Aboriginal Support Unit (ASU), Northern Health.
This initiative grew from a recognised gap. Two years ago, as clinical trials began expanding into regional and outer-metropolitan Victoria, it became clear that First Nations people had not been adequately consulted in how trials were communicated. For the past 18 months, deep and respectful conversations were held with Indigenous researchers, medical students, and community members to shape both the language and content of the brochure.
Celebrated Indigenous artist Dixon Patten, a proud Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, Dhudhuroa man, was commissioned to bring the brochure to life. Based in Bendigo, Dixon worked closely with TrialHub and the seven partner health services – Latrobe Regional Health, Bass Coast Health, Peninsula Health, Northern Health, Mildura Base Public Hospital, Bendigo Health and Alfred Health – to create an artwork that truly reflects community stories and hopes.
“Our healing experiences can sometimes feel isolating and lonely,” Dixon said. “This art reminds us that we are part of a community with an abundance of strength and resilience. Taking ownership of our healing is a powerful gift we give ourselves and our communities.”
The result is The Gift of Healing, a vibrant and culturally grounded visual and written resource that not only explains what clinical trials are, but celebrates the community’s role in shaping a healthier future. Click here to view the PDF version.
Brochures are available in the Main Foyer, at Entry 5, and throughout Northern Health, including Outpatient Clinics and various wards.
Northern Health is proud to be part of this collaboration – supporting clinical trial participation that is culturally safe, locally delivered, and community led. The artwork stands as a gift from the seven partnering communities, a symbol of resilience, strength, and the shared journey toward healing.
Pictured in featured image (L-R): Natalie Bloomfield, Aboriginal Clinical Nurse Educator, Lisa Walker, Cancer Clinical Trials Unit Leader and Coordinator, Jo Quinn, Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Stephanie Thompson, Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Alana Chrisomalidis Cohen, Nurse/Midwife and Alex Slade, Midwife.
