Close the gap highlights
Launching the campaign
Olympic gold medallist and Close the Gap campaign patron, Cathy Freeman, launches the campaign at Sydney’s Homebush Olympic Stadium in 2007. The Close the Gap campaign is now headed by a coalition of more than 30 Indigenous and non-Indigenous health, human rights and community organisations.
Building political support
The (then) Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP receives the Close the Gap pledge from Oxfam’s Close the Gap Campaign Lead Tom Widdup and NSW Community Campaigner, Cara Bevington in 2007.
Power through partnership
“ [When] Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have a real say in the service that they’re getting [it] will be much more appropriate to their needs,” said David Kennedy, former Chief Executive Officer of the Galambila Aboriginal Medical Service.
Public support tops well over 250,000
Over 250,000 people have attended NCTGD events across Australia, more than 220,000 have signed online petitions and many more have taken other actions in support of Close the Gap.
Laidley High School students and Kambu Aboriginal Medical Service spell out Close the Gap at a community event in SE QLD. “We all want kids to be active citizens who can make a positive difference to the world and I think Close the Gap Day is an excellent opportunity for that,” said Matt Lucas, the Humanities Coordinator at Upwey High School in Victoria.
Support grows to close the gap
Many prominent Australians and organisations have lent their support to the Close the Gap campaign, including organisations like the National Rugby League (NRL). The NRL was the first sporting code to support the Close the Gap campaign.
The evidence is fantastic
“ [The] evidence we’re now seeing is absolutely fantastic. Aboriginal people are … taking control of their health. We’ve empowered them,” said Deborah Woods, Chief Executive Officer of the Geraldton Aboriginal Medical Service.
