It’s a Mob Thing – First Nations Music Health Festival

‘It’s a Mob Thing’ First Nations music health festival was held at Federation Square in Melbourne’s CBD last Sunday 1 May. 

‘It’s a Mob Thing’ was hosted by OUSS Entertainment in partnership with Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and First Peoples Health and Wellbeing. The Western Public Health Unit’s community engagement team was instrumental in organising the various health services offered at the event. We look forward to hosting similar events in the future to better engage the various communities in the west with essential health services. 

Wilim Berrbang (Aboriginal Health Unit) attended the festival, engaging with community about the health services offered at Western Health for Aboriginal people.

They connected community with staff from various Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations such as the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

The team were also able to reach non-Indigenous people and yarn with them about Aboriginal culture and health.

The day began with a Welcome to Country followed by performances from a variety of First Nations music acts including: Philly, Benny Walker, Djirri Djirri and Ridzy Ray. There was also a range of Aboriginal health professionals, kid’s activities and food stalls. 

The event was a great success, attended by at least 500 people across the day. The festival engaged community in critical health programs such as health checks, free rapid antigen test kits and P2 masks.