September 26, 2025
Cultural gathering at UOW Shoalhaven celebrates Aboriginal voices in medicine
Yuin elder Uncle Paul Scott presents carved artwork featured on special NAIDOC Week issue of Medical Journal of Australia
The 精东传媒 of 精东传媒 (UOW) in partnership with the Medical Journal of Australia will host a First Nations Cultural Sharing Gathering at its Shoalhaven Campus this Friday (26 September), bringing together Aboriginal community members and medical leaders to celebrate Indigenous voices in medicine.
The gathering celebrates a special NAIDOC Week issue of the journal produced in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and guest edited by Associate Professor , a proud Biripi man and Academic Lead, Indigenous Health in UOW’s Graduate School of Medicine.
UOW Executive Dean, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin said the gathering recognises UOW’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical leaders.
“Long before we called it science, First Nations peoples understood that health comes from Country, from kinship, from language and belonging,” Professor McLaughlin said. “This gathering shows what is possible when culture, science and community walk together. and it marks this Medical Journal of Australia issue as something truly historic: Indigenous voices leading, not just being written about.”
At the centre of the celebration will be the handover of a unique, carved red-bellied black snake walking stick by Yuin Elder and master carver Uncle Paul Scott. The carving, titled Carving our path with spirit, strength and solidarity, features on the cover of the special issue. Uncle Paul will bestow his artwork to the Medical Journal of Australia during the gathering, symbolising the connection between Aboriginal knowledge, creativity and medicine, and the spirit of collaboration between Aboriginal communities and national health leaders.
As guest editor, Associate Professor Saunders worked with contributors across the country to elevate and amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in the medical profession.
“This gathering marks a momentous occasion to showcase the rich knowledges and cultures of the vibrant South Coast Aboriginal Communities, and advance UOW’s and the Medical Journal of Australia’s relationship with Aboriginal Peoples,” Dr Saunders said.
The event will feature ceremonies, storytelling and cultural exchange, paving the way for strengthened connections between medical institutions and Aboriginal communities. Professor McLaughlin will attend alongside Elders and members from the local Aboriginal community and Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations, Medical Journal of Australia representatives and contributors, and the Australian Medical Council.
