Gold Coast Health is committed to closing the gap and achieving health parity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 2031. This commitment is embedded in our First Nations Health Equity Strategy, which guides how we work in genuine partnership with community through co-design to deliver meaningful, measurable and sustainable change by building culturally responsive services.

Through this strategy, Gold Coast Health is strengthening culturally responsive care, embedding accountability across the organisation and ensuring First Nations health equity is everyone's business. Together, we are building a health system that delivers culturally responsive, equitable access, and improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples now and into the future. 

CLOSE THE GAP DAY EVENT CELEBRATION 2026

Gold Coast Health has partnered with Kalwun Development Corporation to host a vibrant community event celebrating culture, connection and wellbeing. 

Join us to connect with local services, enjoy cultural performances, and live entertainment, and come together as a community - everyone is welcome. 

DATE: Friday 20 March

TIME: 10am - 1pm

LOCATION: Kalwun Senior Services, 118 Bonogin Road, Bonogin.  

 ADVANCING AND ACCELERATING FIRST NATIONS HEALTH EQUITY 2025

In 2025, Gold Coast Health marked Close the Gap Day by hosting two successful staff forums led by the Frist Nations Health Equity Team. These forums brough together staff, Elders and community organisation to showcase the First Nations Health Equity initiatives underway across Gold Coast Health. These events celebrate progress, shared success stories, and generated ideas to continue advancing health equity across our health service. This works aligns with the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service First Nations Health Equity Strategy and supports the national goal of achieve life expectancy parity by 2031. 

CLOSE THE GAP DAY EVENT CELEBRATION 2024

In 2024, Gold Coast Health's First Nations Healthy Equity team, in collaboration with the First Peoples Health Unit Griffith University and Kalwun Development Corporation, hosted a remarkable Close The Gap Day event on Wednesday, 15 May 2024.

Held at the Gold Coast University Hospital Parklands, witnessed an impressive turnout, with more than 35 elders, 29 dedicated stallholders, and more than 1,500 attendees comprising Gold Coast Health staff, patients, and community members. ​

If you want to be involved or kept up to date, email the team

 gchfirstnationshealthequity@health.qld.gov.au 

 CLOSE THE GAP HISTORY 

The Close the Gap campaign arose in response to Professor Tom Calma’s Social Justice Report (2005) which challenged governments to bring about health equality within a generation. Learn more about the history of Close the Gap, click here.  

NAIDOC WEEK 2025

Gold Coast Health celebrated National NAIDOC Week (6–13 July), with this year's theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” reinforced our commitment to health equity and cultural safety for future generations.

More than 3500 staff, patients, and community members joined in the celebrations across the health service and community that honoured culture, strengthened connections, and celebrated the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

🎉 Community Event 

 As a platinum sponsor, Gold Coast Health proudly supported more than 2500 community members to celebrate NAIDOC Week at the Carrara Sports Precinct.

This event was collaboratively delivered by the Gold Coast NAIDOC Events Organising Committee, including Kalwun Development Corporation, Gold Coast Health, and more than 15 key stakeholders.

The celebration brought the community together, with more than 40 stallholders showcasing programs, services and cultural activities, creating a vibrant and inclusive space to honour and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

🌿 Culture Therapy: moving meditation workshops at GCH

More than 100 staff, patients and community members participated in a Moving Meditation workshop with Lann Levinge at Robina Hospital and Gold Coast University Hospital.

The sessions highlighted how Culture Therapy can relieve, treat and heal.
Lann shared a powerful moment from using Culture Therapy in Intensive Care Unit with a First Nations patient, showing the strength of cultural practice in healthcare.

NAIDOC Week Exhibition: The Next Generation

 The Creative Health Hub brings health and wellbeing to life through the arts at Gold Coast Health.

For NAIDOC Week, the team hosted the Next Generation art exhibition at Banyahrmabah, Tugun Satellite Health Centre, showcasing four First Nations artist, two who are staff and two community members.  

Call for Artists and Musicians
Want to exhibit or be part of our creative programs? Email GCH.CreativeHealth@health.qld.gov.au.