From little things…Minum Barreng formalises partnership with FNEHA

Minum Barreng: Indigenous Eye Health Unit (Minum Barreng) is delighted to announce a more formalised partnership with the First Nations Eye Health Alliance (FNEHA/Alliance) through a Memorandum of Understanding, signed in December 2025.

This agreement strengthens our shared commitment to First Nations leadership in eye health and reflects the long-standing relationship between Minum Barreng, FNEHA and its antecedents dating back to 2019. That earlier work included the evaluation of the Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision which identified stronger First Nations leadership as a key recommendation for sustainable systems reform.

Minum Barreng is progressively transitioning programs and activities that it has led for many years to First Nations ownership. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference is now owned and delivered by the Alliance and we are also partnering to transition eye health promotion and research collaborations.

“Our partnership with Minum Barreng reflects the strength of First Nations leadership in eye health and true allyship. By walking together, we are creating a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are leading the solutions, shaping national policy, and driving the systems reform our communities deserve.”
Lose Fonua, CEO, FNEHA

The MOU provides a shared framework to support national advocacy, system reform, capability building and First Nations governance of key initiatives. Some of the shared priorities include:

  • Champion First Nations leadership in national, jurisdictional, regional and local eye health
  • Advocate for community control, culturally safe care, and stronger government investment
  • Drive key national priorities including prevention, early screening, workforce development, and Indigenous data sovereignty
  • Collaborate on major initiatives such as the National Eye Health Plan, MRFF and other research opportunities, sector capability building, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference
  • Transition eye health promotion programs to First Nations leadership, including supporting NACCHO’s role in leading national trachoma health promotion and FNEHA taking on responsibility for other eye health promotion, such as Check Today, See Tomorrow and Eyecare Now, Eyecare Always.

The Minum Barreng team look forward to continuing to work with and supporting FNEHA and promoting First Nations leadership, First Nations voices and self-determination in eye health.

For further information about Minum Barreng’s transition activities, including updates on program transitions, partnerships and current initiatives, please visit our transition webpage.

Read the FNEHA media release here.