Forum Overview

In 2024 the Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellbeing Workforce Forum will be celebrating a significant milestone, '30 Years of the Djirruwang Program'.
The Forum will be hosted by the Mental Health Branch in partnership with the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) and Charles Sturt University, on the 5th and 6th June 2024.

The two day event will be held in Sydney on Gadigal Country at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney with a special Gala Event at the Ivy Ballroom to celebrate the 30 Year Anniversary of the Djirruwang Program.

The theme for 2024 is 'Our Deadly Ways, celebrating the past, living in the present, dreaming for the future'. The theme was chosen by the Forum Working Party to reflect and celebrate those who came before us, the opportunities for our workforce now and in the future.

The event attracts over 200 delegates from services across the state, including NSW Health, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Non-Government agencies and more.

The Forum provides an opportunity to network and connect with peers in mental health, social and emotional wellbeing including alcohol and other drugs. It offers an opportunity to engage, collaborate and share journeys that are culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people, carers, families and communities, and learn from industry and subject matter experts on Aboriginal mental health and wellbeing.

Networking Event - 5th June

The networking event will be held at the end of day 1, in the foyer just outside of the Heritage room where the Forum is being held. This is an opportunity to continue conversations from the day, create new connections, and strengthen current relationships. Canapes and refreshments will be provided with Maddi Lyn (an Aboriginal singer/songwriter) providing some entertainment.

Djirruwang 30 Year Anniversary Gala Event - 6th June

The Djirruwang Program will celebrate it's 30 Year Anniversary on the evening of 6th June. We will be commemorating this significant milestone with a Gala Event to be held at the beautiful Ivy Ballroom, a two minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel where the Forum is being held.

The Djirruwang Program was developed in collaboration with Aboriginal community-based organisations, the mental health industry, and Charles Sturt University to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Since the program's inception in 1993, over 270 Aboriginal people have graduated through Djirruwang in NSW. The Djirruwang program is creating and nurturing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders who hold the vital knowledge we need for a culturally sensitive mental health workforce.

As part of the celebrations of 30 years of Djirruwang, we are putting a call out for any pictures you may have of people who have been through the program, pictures of being at residential school, graduation, or any other relevant pictures. We will then collate the photos into a slideshow which will be shown during the Gala Event.

Extra Activities - Every Friday and Saturday Evening.

Escape the crowds by basking in the cities glow from the water. You will be bathed in light with the sky story projection whilst the smoking ceremony fills the cove with the aroma of renewal.  

Location: Man O'War Steps

Duration: 2 hours