Victorian Aboriginal Health Service celebrates 50 years making a difference and saving lives

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) was set up in 1973 by Aunty Alma Thorpe, Uncle Bruce McGuiness and other Aboriginal community advocates as a place where Aboriginal people could access medical and social care in a time when racism and other barriers prevented Aboriginal people accessing care.

Marking the 50th anniversary on August 18, 2023, VAHS Chairperson Tony McCartney reflected on the importance of this date in the history of not only Aboriginal health, but in the Aboriginal rights movement of Melbourne, Victoria, and Australia at the time.

Tony McCartney - VAHS Chairperson speaking at the 50th Anniversary Memorial Service

Today, VAHS is the oldest Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation in Victoria, and second oldest in the country. Since its inception VAHS has been instrumental in self-determined Aboriginal health and wellbeing in Australia.

"Since starting from humble beginnings and with volunteers at the small shop front in Fitzroy to a place community members called a home away from home - we have grown into a service with sites across Fitzroy, Preston, Epping and expanding to St Albans in our 50th year,” Tony McCartney said. 

VAHS premises on Nicholson Street, Fitzroy.

Over the years VAHS has achieved many supports and firsts in Australia – including establishing the first Aboriginal dental clinic that travelled around Victoria and to border towns, the first Aboriginal women and children's program and the country’s leading Aboriginal health worker education program Koori Kollij.