Photo Joesph Myers: Community at the NCIE Koori Vaccination Clinic
NCIE has a long and proud history of partnering with organisations across Redfern and the wider Sydney area since first opening in 2010.
One of the recent partnerships which have been especially important is with Sydney Local Health District and the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service.
Since the beginning of lockdown in June the COVID-19 situation has become increasingly worrying not only the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Redfern but also communities across the country.
The partnership between Sydney Local Health District and the Aboriginal Medical Service identified the need for a safe and culturally appropriate place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to get vaccinated.
Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service CEO LaVerne Bellear with a community member at NCIE – photo Joseph Myers
The pop-up Koori Vaccination hub ran for 10 days on Gadigal land at NCIE with hundreds of people rolling up their sleeves for a COVID-19 jab.
Community member receiving the COIVD-19 vaccination at NCIE – photo Joseph Myers
NCIE’s Director of Operations, Sara Hamilton said the Vaccination hub at NCIE was an important initiative to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people protect themselves and their community.
“It was vital for NCIE to offer the team at Sydney Local Health District and AMS Redfern, a culturally safe space to vaccinate our mob. As a local person, I have seen how quickly it has spread through our community and the impact it has had on individuals and their families,” she added.
With the indoor stadium converted into a safe vaccination hub, the community was greeted by the friendly SLHD and AMS staff. Providing information and education about the impacts of COVID-19 and the importance of the vaccine.
NCIE Stadium converted into a vaccination clinic – photo Joseph Myers
NCIE’s Fitness manager Danny Allende said “The Koori Vaccination clinic was an opportunity for us to play a critical role in educating the community and keeping our mob safe.
Aboriginal Medical Service staff and Sydney Local Health District staff at the NCIE Koori Vaccination Clinic – photo Joseph Myers
NCIE would like to thank all the front-line workers at Sydney Local Health District and the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service for their tireless and impressive work during these challenging times.
If you missed out on the NCIE Vaccination clinic, no worries! It’s now being run at the Redfern Post Office. Same lovely staff, right in the heart of Redfern. It’s open 10am to 4pm Tuesdays to Saturdays in October & November.
Contact Sydney Local Health District for any inquiries.