A multi-Agency collaboration brought together by the Department of Education has provided Aboriginal people in western Sydney with access to a dedicated and culturally safe vaccination centre.
In a statement, the Department said it partnered with NSW Health, Aboriginal Affairs NSW and Creative Services NSW to convert the Kimberwalli Centre of Excellence into a vaccination hub, with Transport for NSW providing shuttle buses to the Centre to increase community access.
“Kimberwalli, an Aboriginal centre of excellence built on the grounds of the old Whalan High School, has been repurposed temporarily to deliver vaccinations to the Aboriginal community,” the Department said.
“Education staff helped transform the site into a COVID-19 vaccination centre, working with staff from Aboriginal Affairs NSW and the local Aboriginal community to develop a cultural safety strategy.”
It said the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and Kimberwalli staff ensured that Aboriginal voices contributed to the cultural safety design of the clinic.
The Department said the NSW AECG also donated bags and learning resources for young people over 12 years of age who attended the hub.
Executive Director of Aboriginal Outcomes and Partnerships at the Department’s Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate, Karen Jones said the site was expected to operate until the end of the year but would be extended if necessary.
“The Kimberwalli site is very much part of the local community and it makes sense to provide access to vaccines for our Aboriginal people at a place they feel comfortable visiting,” Ms Jones said.
