Listening and acting together to make real health change for First Nations communities in Western Sydney was a key theme of National Reconciliation Week for WentWest.
The 2026 Reconciliation Week theme, All In, calls on all health professionals to work with community to continuing to listen, strengthening partnerships, and supporting a health system shaped by community.
WentWest Director, Integration and Partnerships, Jane Assange said reconciliation must be embedded in everyday work as health professionals.
“This week isn’t just symbolic, it’s a chance for all of us to pause and ask what we are and can do to improve health outcomes for First Nations people,” Jane said.
“Meaningful change begins with listening and walking alongside community. Our role is to walk alongside them—to listen, to support, and to make sure what we build together actually meets the needs of community.”
“This is not work that sits with one person, one team or one organisation – it requires all of us.”
WentWest Clinical Council member and local pharmacist, Curtis Ruhnau brought this message to life through his work with Aboriginal organisations including Marrin Weejali. His approach centres on building trust through respectful relationships and listening first.
“Trust is not built in a single interaction but through consistent, respectful listening and a willingness to walk alongside people in their health journey,” Curtis said.
“Taking the time to genuinely listen helps build trust over time, strengthen engagement with care, support culturally safe practice and ultimately improve long-term health outcomes.”
The Health Challenge in Western Sydney
Western Sydney is home to one of the largest urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia, and improving Aboriginal health and wellbeing remains a critical health priority for our region. The 2026 theme, All In, calls on individuals, organisations and systems to move beyond awareness and actively contribute to closing the gap in outcomes.
Despite progress, significant health inequities remain for First Nations people in Western Sydney. Recent data highlights:
- Life expectancy remains around eight years lower for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people compared to non‑Indigenous Australians.
- First Nations people experience higher rates of chronic disease, including diabetes, asthma, arthritis and mental health conditions.
- Preventive care continues to be uneven, with lower uptake of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments (MBS 715) in some Western Sydney LGAs compared to others.
Evidence consistently shows that regular, culturally safe primary care can reduce avoidable hospitalisations and improve long‑term health outcomes for First Nations communities.
WentWest’s Role in Supporting Aboriginal Health
WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, has a responsibility and a commitment to support better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by working in partnership with community‑led organisations and health providers.
Our work focuses on improving access to culturally safe, integrated primary care services across the region.
Some of the Aboriginal‑led and Aboriginal‑focused services WentWest supports in Western Sydney include:
Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation
Providing culturally safe alcohol and other drug services, non‑acute mental health counselling, advocacy and referral support for Aboriginal community members.
Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with chronic disease by improving care coordination, access to allied health and specialists, and self‑management support. The program also delivers cultural awareness training for health professionals.
Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation
Supporting individuals and families to heal from trauma, strengthen cultural identity and reconnect with community through culturally grounded services.
The Shed
A safe and welcoming space that supports Aboriginal men’s social, emotional, physical and mental wellbeing, while connecting people to services including mental health, housing, legal and cultural support.
Learn more about Aboriginal‑focused services and programs in Western Sydney on the WentWest website