1973

JULY

• VAHS founders hold a special meeting at (aboriginal house) 99 King St Melbourne to discuss plans for the establishment of a VAHS building.
• VAHS begins to service the community from (229 Gertrude St Fitzroy)

AUGUST

• Opening ceremony for VAHS is held

SEPTEMBER

• Consideration is given to the set-up of a dental unit

1974

JUNE

• Dental surgery begins operation in adjoining building of the VAHS

JULY

• TV crew do a documentary of the BAHS becomes a corporation

JULY

• National VAHS workshop is held
• Vic. Netball and Football teams win National Carnival in Canberra
• VAHS endorse half way house now known as George Wright Hostel

1975

• First community based education program is established at Swinbourne University

1976

• Aboriginal Radio Program 3CR airs
• Koori club and diner commences at (108 Smith St Collingwood)

1977

• Fitzroy stars are founded as part of the VAHS on Gertrude St between George and Napier St above a milk bar premises
• Under 50’s program begins one day per week at (108 Smith St Collingwood)
• 20th Anniversary of the Aborigines Advancement League

1978

• VAHS assisted the people of Port Augusta to set-up their own health service
• Under 5’s clinic starts full-time based at the VAHS

1979

• The VAHS moves to a larger property at (136 Gertrude St Fitzroy)
• Due to lack of funding VAHS staff works with out pay for 4 months to ensure the continuation of the health service
• 2 Aboriginal reps from Vic lobby for Aboriginal issue and rights internationally (Europe)

1980

• Yappera Childcare centre starts at (105 Argyle St Fitzroy)
• Grant received for koori children’s health projects
• A new dentists is appointed at the VAHS
• “Home Away from Home” is the first book published to look in depth at the VAHS

1981

• VAHS along with the Victorian Aboriginal legal service start providing funeral services, relying solely on donations and fundraising events
• VAHS faces closure
• Staff again works without pay

1982

FEBRUARY

• Koori Kollij receives funding from streagley foundation
• Koori Kollij health worker pilot program initiated (108 Smith Street, Collingwood)

MARCH

• Temporary closure threatens the VAHS
• KIC (Koori Information Centre) opens in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
• Mobile dental caravan becomes operational, carrying portable equipment to service country areas
• Koori Health Workers are officially recognized and attend Commonwealth Games in Brisbane

1983

MARCH

• Official Opening of Koori Kollij at Cunningham Street, Northcote
• Nindeebiya Workshop becomes incorporated with the assistance of the VAHS

SEPTEMBER

• National Aboriginal Health Week

1984

• Koori Kollij Graduates are employed by the VAHS
• Lin Onus and Koori Kollij students paint the inside walls of the medical service
• Koori Kollij moves to better facilities at Cambridge Street, Collingwood

1985

JULY

• Change over of VAHS funding bodies from commonwealth Department of Health to Department of Aboriginal Affairs
• New mobile dental mini bus operates with existing caravan

1986

• HACC (Home & Community Care) project funded
• Metropolitan Aboriginal Achievement Award presented to the VAHS

1987

• Victorian Aboriginal Mental Health Network is set-up in conjunction with Mont Park and St Vincent’s Psychiatric Units

1988

• Under 5’s program becomes fully funded
• VAHS receives a grant feasibility study for the proposed new VAHS building
• Cervical cancer screening proposal approved
• Hepatitis B policy and program proposal
• Koori kids mental health network begin meeting
• Fitzroy stars youth club Gymnasium moves to corner of Gertrude St and George St Fitzroy
• Aids education program funded
• Bicentennial demonstration in Sydney
• Minister for health funds received and Aboriginal health care is delivered in Victoria

1989

JANUARY

• VAHS present a report to the Royal Commission into Black deaths and custody- VAHS staff receives standard reward wages.
• Agreement between VAHS and health federation
• VAHS in-service education weekend at Geelong
• Under 5’s information Progress booklet is launched
• Protect our future learn about aids booklet is launched: Hepatitis B program receives government funding
• Koori kids mental health project begins
• VAHS provides out-reach services to Aboriginal people held in Pentridge prison.
• Koori kids Mental health project receives funding

1990

• The health standard manual is produced.
• Final year of Koori Kollij funding.
• Transition of funding from Dept. of Aboriginal Affairs to ATSIC

APRIL

• Trip to Alice Springs to compare health care services.
• Nutrition program begins at the VAHS in conjunction with the gym
• Shared antenatal care between the Mercy Hospital and VAHS

1991

FEBRUARY

• Old Exhibition High School is demolished and becomes the site for the new health service.
• Brotherhood of St Laurence a report on Aboriginal poverty in Fitzroy.

MAY

• VAHS in service takes place at the Grampians- Launch of breast feeding poster and pamphlets.
• Video called Pam smear for Koori women is launched Sounds of Survival concert
• VAHS official complaint to minister of Police and Aboriginal Affairs re: ongoing brutalization of Aboriginal people in the community.

1992

MARCH

• First national aids conference held in Alice Springs
• VAHS moves into (186 Nicholson St Fitzroy) new building specifically designed to provide better health care for the Koori community
• Funding allocated for koori burial grounds (WEEWONA) meaning Resting Place at Greenvale’s, after 20 years of lobbying. Yappera moves to a new building on the grounds of the AAL. Specifically designed to the needs of Koori children. ACES
• Child health project funded promoting the harmful effects of passive smoking on children and the benefits of breast feeding.

JULY

• First physiotherapist employed by VAHS
• In house scripts introduced to reduce the cost of medicine to the community  –  Mortuary acquired at 664 Smith St Collingwood

OCTOBER

• Black Nations Tour, meeting held at AAL re: Aboriginal Provisional Government

1993

MARCH

• Official opening of the VAHS
• Black fire is formed four out of six members are health service staff.
• Audiologist program begins at the VAHS.
• Dilly bag “Train the trainer” program at Camp Jungai

1994

• White administrator is appointed all directors cease to hold office.
• Black fire album- A time of Dream is released.
• Black Fire attends the “Music Marathon” in New York.
• Boori classes and alternative birthing classes began at VAHS with no funding
• Gneetung Tuked Breastfeeding and Booris and smoking don’t mix are produced.
• Victorian Koori eye clinic receives funding grant
• Health Worker policy to screen all patients before they see a doctor is introduced.
• Women’s health business seminar launching the VAHS Women’s Poster held at Fitzroy Star’s Youth Club Gym.

OCTOBER

• The JA Thompson Price for excellence in public health practice is awarded to the VAHS
• VAHS “Kanga Tale” play produced in conjunction with the Koori Health Unit & Handspan theatre.

1995

JANUARY

• Dardee Munwarro- Healing the Spirit & Strengthening the Community Day at Aboriginal Advancement League.

FEBRUARY

• Introduction of computerized reminder recall system (Ferrit System)

MARCH

• Nutrition project started.

MAY

• Launch of VAHS breast screen poster and leap let.

JUNE

• Gynecologist / obstetrics clinic commence 1 day per month.

JULY

• Art access project commenced in the VAHS children play area.

OCTOBER

• Mental Health Week open day.

NOVEMBER

• VAHS CEO elected chair of VACCHO.
• Dulap Binninang meeting place commenced Under Family Program Service.

1996

• Diabetes Club was established.

JANUARY

• Dardee Munwarro- Drug & Alcohol Community Day at Aboriginal Advancement League.

FEBRUARY

• Boorai classes commence (ONGOING)
• M.O.U with Darebin Community Health Centre.
• Launch of children’s play area.

MARCH

• Adolescent Mental Health Unit includes the Koori Kids Mental Health Unit.

APRIL

• 1st year the Women & Children’s Unit celebrated Koori Maternity Day.

MAY

• VAHS Security In-Service at Dare bin Art Centre.

JUNE

• Bruce McGuiness celebration recognition dinner.

JULY

• NAIDOC open day at Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.

AUGUST

• Full-Time pharmacist appointed.

SEPTEMBER

• VAHS Family Counseling Service located to 279 High Street, Northcote.
• VAHS staff attends “Healing Our Spirit” conference in USA.

OCTOBER

• Maternal Health Resources “Nurture your Future” poster and pamphlet launch.0-
• VAHS Women’s camp at Nabethong, Victoria.

NOVEMBER

• World Aids Day at VAHS.

1997

JANUARY

• Invasion day at VAHS

FEBRUARY

• VAHS In-Service held in Marysville, Victoria.

MARCH

• National Pap-Screen Koori Women’s Forum at VAHS.
• Black Memorial/ Sorry Day at VAHS  – march to Parliament.
• Family Counseling Service Family Day at the Aboriginal Advancement League.

APRIL

• Memorial Day at Weeroona Cemetery.

JUNE

• Sovereignty and Health Worker workshop.
• Fitzroy Stars Legends Night at Aboriginal Advancement League.
• Well Women’s Day at Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.
• Indigenous Health Worker conference in Adelaide presentation of VAHS Maternity Program.
• Elizabeth Hoffman House Domestic Violence Camp.
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Open Day (NAIDOC)

AUGUST

• Edna Rose Brown Elders Memorial Healing Garden opened.
• 30th Anniversary Cabaret – Collingwood Town Hall.

SEPTEMBER

• KODE School Nutrition Day
• Dardee Munwarro Day at the Victorian Aboriginal Advancement League.
• Additional Funding for dental equipment received.
• VAHS Family Counseling Service official opening launch.
• Mural completed by Koori artist + Splash Arts.

NOVEMBER

• NACCHO AGM held in Melbourne
• 30th Anniversary Dinner – Melbourne Town Hall
• VAHS CEO elected chair person for NACCHO

1998

FEBRUARY

• 3rd Healing our Spirit Indigenous world wide conference held at Rotura (New Zealand)
• Black fire album Night Vision is released
• Black fire tours Asia
• NAIDOC Young Achievers award presented to staff members of the VAHS

JULY

• Koori Kids Mental Health Forum held at Darebin Arts and Entertainment center
• VAHS receive an award for community services (Health Promotion Unit)

DECEMBER

• Aboriginal Health worker forum held at Marysville Victoria.

1999

FEBRUARY

• Mental Health Review

APRIL

• Carer’s and Consumers support program began.
• Naming of dental van- John H Mc Guinness memorial van.
• Tumbukka dental van off road due to staff shortages and training.
• Upgrade of clinical infection control procedures.
• Obtained services of financial counselor.

JUNE

• In house Health Worker Education program commenced.
• KODE School health information day.

OCTOBER

• Mental Health week open day and art exhibition.

AUGUST

• Youth day “Speak for yourself Express yourself”

SEPTEMBER

• Women’s camp for grandmothers and granddaughters at common ground in Seymour.
• Victoria Indigenous section in Medicare established.
• D&A service commenced under the family program service.

OCTOBER

• VAHS Drug & Alcohol in service Eltham.
• Mental health week community open day.
• Partnership with Royal Children’s Hospital mental health service and VAHS family program service.
• Injecting Drug use Program Participates in Yarra Drug and Health Forum.
• VAHS standard & Treatment resource Manual 1st edition. Launched

2000

JANUARY

• Dardee Munwarro healing the spirit and strengthening the community day at Aborigines Advancement League.

FEBRUARY

• Introduction of computerized reminder recall system (ferret says)

MARCH

• Nutrition project started

MAY

• Launch of VAHS breast screen poster and leaflet

JUNE

• Gynecologist/ obstetrics clinics commence 1 day per month

JULY

• VAHS has an open day (NAIDOC WEEK)

JULY

• Art access project commenced in the VAHS children’s play area

OCTOBER

• Mental health week community open day

NOVEMBER

• VAHS Women’s group at Narbethong Victoria
• VAHS CEO elected chair and VACCHO
• Dulap Binninary meeting place commenced under Family Program Service development and expansion of new positions and services in VAHS family program services. Community consultation re: Mental Health review began. Establishment of the family counseling service support program. SIDS international conference VAHS presentation) New Zealand).

2001

• DIABETES CLUB WAS ESTABLISHED

JANUARY

• Dardee Munwurra drug and alcohol community day at VAHS

FEBUARY

• Boori classes commenced
• M.O.U. Darebin community health centre
• Launch of children’s play area

MARCH

• Adolescent mental health unit includes the koori kids mental health unit

APRIL

• 1st year the women and children’s celebrated KOORI MATERNITY WEEK

MAY

• VAHS security in service at Darebin art centre

JUNE

• Bruce McGuiness celebration regintion dinner

JULY

• NAIDOC open day at VAHS

AUGUST

• Full time pharmacist appointed

SEPTEMBER

• VAHS family counseling service located to 279 High St Northcote
• VAHS staff attend ” Healing our spirit” conference in USA

OCTOBER

• Maternal health resource “Nurture Your Future” posters and pamphlets launch
• VAHS Women’s and Children’s camp of Nabethong Victoria

NOVEMBER

• World Aids day at VAHS

2002

JANUARY

• Invasion day at VAHS

FEBRUARY

• VAHS in service Pap- screen koori women’s forum at VAHS

MARCH

• Family counseling service family day at AAL

APRIL

• Memorial day at Weeroona cemetery

JUNE

• Sovereignty and health worker workshops
• Fitzroy stars e.g. ends night at AAL
• Aboriginal Health Worker conference in Adelaide presentation of VAHS Maternity program

JUNE

• EHH domestic violence camp

JULY

• Victorian Aboriginal health service open day NAIDOC

AUGUST

• Aunty Edna Brown elders memorial healing garden opened
• 30th Anniversary cabaret- Collingwood town hall

SEPTEMBER

• KODE school nutriton day
• Dardee Munwurro day at the AAL
• Additional funding for dental equipment received
• VAHS family counseling service official opening launch posters pamphlets family counseling service mural completed by koori artists and splash artists

NOVEMBER

• NACCHO AGM held in Melbourne
• 30th anniversary dinner Melbourne town hall
• VAHS CEO elected chair person of NACCHO

2003 ————>

To be updated.