Close the gap for Vision by 2020: Striving Together National Conference 2018 - Report
Over two days, more than 170 delegates and over 40 speakers from all state and territories and including representation from community, local and regional services, state organisations, national peak agencies and government came together to share and exchange.
This significant boost in conference attendance from 2017 reflects the growing interest in ‘striving together’ and the many regions across Australia that are now engaged (now over 40 regions, covering over 60% of the Indigenous population) in activities to close the gap for vision by 2020.
Opening address from Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health said “It is inspiring to see a wide range of organisations working towards this important common goal guided by the Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision . This conference shows the progress that can be achieved when you work together.”
IEH would like to thank everyone that attended and contributed to the conference and especially the speakers for sharing their thoughts and learnings. Congratulations again to our deserved inaugural Leaky Pipe Awards winners.
The feedback IEH has received from delegates and speakers has been very positive and supports the joint commitment to close the gap for vision by 2020.
We will look forward to welcoming you to the next national conference planned in March 2019 and in the year ahead let’s keeping working together to close the gap for vision.
The conference reports, presentations, photo gallery, and other supplementary materials can be found below:
Photo Gallery
Click below to scroll through the photo gallery from day 1 and day 2 of the Close the Gap for Vision by 2020: Striving Together National Conference 2018
2018 Leaky Pipe Award Winners
Indigenous Eye Health at the University of Melbourne presented the in augural 2018 Leaky Pipe Awards during the dinner at the Close the Gap for Vision by 2020: Striving Together – National Conference 2018 to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups in progressing activities to Close the Gap for Vision.
Congratulations to our recipients: Associate Professor Angus Turner, Colina Waddell, Faye Clarke & The Great South Coast Eye Health Project
Trachoma Community Art Mural Display
A number of trachoma community art murals were on the display during the close the Gap for Vision by 2020 national conference 2018. Photos of nine art murals were on display for conference attendees to enjoy and discover the dreaming story and meaning behind each mural.
Media Coverage and Communications
Media Releases
A number of media articles have been prepared by partner and other organisations to reflect some of the conference themes, key messages and learnings.
- Indigenous eye health a good news story for closing the gap. The Melbourne Newsroom
- Policy and funding support needed to sustain progress in closing the gap. Optometry Australia
- Sector collaborates to close the eye health gap. Vision 2020 Australia
- Indigenous eye health a good news story for closing the gap. Indigenous Allied Health Australia
- Aboriginal-led solutions key to closing the vision gap. Vision 2020 Australia
Social Media
Leading up to and during the conference IEH attracted increased media attention to the conference. At the conference, delegates were encouraged to use the hashtag #ctgv2018 for social media posting which generated pointed discussion for those at the conference and those following from elsewhere.
Click hashtag #CTGV2018 to see conference Twitter posts.
IEH would like to thank the PricewaterhouseCoopers and Arts Centre Melbourne for supporting the much-appreciated performance by Richard Frankland.