Celebrating our partnership

IEHU were delighted to be presented with a very special gift from the Melbourne Football Club (MFC) last month, in celebration of the long term partnership enjoyed with the Indigenous Eye Health Unit.

MFC commissioned the artwork ‘Working Together for Better Health’ from Emma Bamblett (Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji, Taungurung). A full description of the artwork can be found here.

MFC and IEHU began working together in 2009/2010 with the shared goal of providing health promotion messages in support of the elimination of trachoma to Aboriginal communities in Central Australia and the Northern Territory. The community desire to eliminate trachoma and the community love of AFL provided opportunity for a natural synergy supporting community wants and needs, IEHU health promotion efforts and MFC’s social interest and commitment. For over a decade, annual trips with AFL players, men and women, to Central Australian remote communities have helped carry the message of ‘Clean Faces, Strong Eyes’ with Milpa the trachoma goanna. MFC have supported trachoma elimination efforts with ambassadors, participation in radio and video advertisements, posters and print resources, plus wonderful footy clinic with kids, families and communities.

IEHU is privileged to work with MFC, and we thank them for this continuing partnership and the beautiful gift.

Image: (L-R) Matt Young, Tom Newton, Emma Stanford, Matty Whelan, Nick Wilson, Mitchell Anjou, Seb Mueller