The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) was established in 1996. VACCHO is the peak Aboriginal health body representing 100% of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCOs) in Victoria. The role of VACCHO is to build the capacity of its Membership and to advocate for issues on their behalf.

Capacity is built amongst Members through strengthening support networks, increasing workforce development opportunities and through leadership on particular health areas. Advocacy is carried out with a range of private, community and government agencies, at state and national levels, on all issues related to Aboriginal health.

Nationally, VACCHO represents the community controlled health sector through its affiliation and membership on the board of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). State and Federal Governments formally recognise VACCHO as the peak representative organisation on Aboriginal health in Victoria. VACCHO’s vision is that Aboriginal people will have a high quality of health and wellbeing, enabling individuals and communities to reach their full potential in life. This will be achieved through the philosophy of community control.

VIC NAIDOC 2018 #BecauseOfHerWeCan

VACCHO staff share their stories of what women mean to them and Community for the NAIDOC 2018 theme Because of Her We Can. 

Video: Mikaela Egan 

VACCHO supports #ChangeTheDate

VACCHO staff from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal backgrounds have put together a video on why it's important Australia Day is moved to another day on the calendar, away from the 26 January, aka Invasion Day. Change the Date!

VACCHO celebrates 20 years in Victorian Aboriginal health

Video: Francisco Fisher and Jaynaya Williams | Sound: Dylan Clarke and Susan Forrester

Since opening our doors in April 1996, we have been striving to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people to make sure Aboriginal Victoria has a voice where it concerns their lives at a local and national level. 

In partnership with world famous street artist Adnate, three Aboriginal artists, Ray Thomas, Kulan Barney and Ruby Kulla Kulla have produced a mural for the face of VACCHO’s building in Collingwood, Victoria. 

Our building provides Aboriginal people with a sense of permanency and identity.

It represents Aboriginal cultures, families, communities, our diversity and is a representation of the unique and comprehensive services delivered by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. 

There was also a time capsule laid down in our building by Marcus Clarke - VACCHO Chairperson (below) to be opened in 2030, with the hopes from people across Victoria for Aboriginbal families in the future inside.

A timeline of the establishment of Aboriginal Community Contolled Health services in Victoria and when they became VACCHO Members was installed in our building. It was created to celebrate the ever growing and diverse Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health network.

We also graduated over 100 students this year. Jill Gallagher AO, CEO VACCHO says that “Aboriginal people will have a high quality of health and wellbeing, enabling individuals, families and communities to reach their full potential in life because of them [graduating students] and the work they do.“