iscover
The Royal Australian Air Force has signed an agreement with National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to continue providing health support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The renewed memorandum of understanding was signed on the lands of the Ngunnawal peoples and reaffirms a shared commitment to improving health outcomes in some of Australia’s most remote communities.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) chairperson Donnella Mills formalised the agreement during a ceremony in Canberra.
“This MOU is about ‘walking the talk’ of meaningful community engagement and explores health-related opportunities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” AIRMSHL Chappell said.
“It enables Air Force personnel to share their expertise in remote communities, building relationships that extend well beyond clinical care.”
The agreement supports Exercise Kummundoo, an initiative that creates opportunities for Air Force people to deploy into unique environments to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Mills acknowledged the decade of partnership delivered under the two previous MOUs since 2014.
“This partnership shows what’s possible when we walk together and invest in community strengths. For over a decade, NACCHO and the Air Force have worked side by side, guided by respect, learning and service to build healthier futures and stronger connections,” Mills said.
“As we renew our commitment, I honour the generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have served Country, community and the Air Force. Their legacy drives us to keep building opportunities and delivering lasting change.”
Built on the Australian Defence Force’s values of service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence, the program aligns with the broader Whole of Australian Government (WoAG) “Closing the Gap” commitment, contributing to national efforts to improve life expectancy, health access and opportunity for First Nations peoples.
