Aboriginal Health in Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network

Acknowledgment of Country

We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together.

We acknowledge that ‘Aboriginal business is everyone’s business’ and we will work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to improve their health and wellbeing. We will work collectively with consumers and the community to ensure Aboriginal people get to enjoy the same, or better, health outcomes than the broader population.

Aboriginal artwork Expressions of Interest

715 Health Check polo shirts

The Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists in the Riverland to design artwork for our 715 Health Check polo shirts.

To be eligible for the EOI you need to:

live in the Riverland
be of Aboriginal descent
produce vibrant, eye-catching artwork that:
- includes a narrative/story that describes what health and community mean to you
- is visually appealing and engaging
sign consent forms that enable RMCLHN to purchase the copyright and reproduce the artwork and narrative/story.

EOIs are open now and close Friday 5 June 2026.

For more information, please contact Riverland Aboriginal Health Service Nurse Unit Manager/Team Leader, Darryle Barnes, at Health.RMCLHNRiverlandAboriginalHealth@sa.gov.au, or download the EOI document [PDF 980KB].

Aboriginal Wellbeing Centre at Barmera Health Service

RMCLHN is seeking EOIs from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists in the Riverland to design artwork for the Aboriginal Wellbeing Centre at Barmera Health Service.

The purpose of this artwork is to create a welcoming statement that acknowledges and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters on which the building stands. Through this initiative, RMCLHN aims to celebrate culture, promote connection, and foster community pride.

Established Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists are invited to submit one concept design for consideration. The selected artist will have the opportunity to:

showcase their work in a prominent public space
gain valuable experience in public art practice
strengthen their creative portfolio and open doors to future opportunities.

This project will serve as a cultural touchstone for the Riverland community, allowing stories of history, identity, and belonging to be shared through visual expression.

EOIs are open now and close Friday 19 June 2026.

For more information, please contact Riverland Aboriginal Health Service Nurse Unit Manager/Team Leader, Darryle Barnes, at health.rmclhnriverlandaboriginalhealth@sa.gov.au, or download the EOI document [PDF 6MB].

Traditional Custodians

The RMCLHN Aboriginal Health team have engaged with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups to consult and provide our staff and community with the appropriate names of Country that each of our health sites are located.

You can also download and view a copy of our Traditional Custodians poster (PDF 2MB).

Ngawait

Waikerie Health Service and Country Health Connect.

Erawirung

Barmera Health Service and Country Health Connect
Loxton Hospital Complex and Country Health Connect
Riverland General Hospital and Country Health Connect
Renmark Paringa District Hospital and Country Health Connect.

Nganguruku and Ngaiwang

Mannum District Hospital.

Ngarkat

Coonalpyn Country Health Connect
Karoonda and District Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
Lameroo District Health Service
Mallee Medical Practice
Pinnaroo Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
Tintinara Country Health Connect.

Ngarrindjeri

Meningie and Districts Memorial Hospital and Health Service, and Country Health Connect
Tailem Bend District Hospital
Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and Country Health Connect.

Our vision for Aboriginal health

We will support Aboriginal people to have the best possible quality of life by providing high quality, culturally appropriate care that promotes dignity, respect, choice, independence and social connection.

Supports and services

RMCLHN offers a range of health supports and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. See the services page for details on where, and how to access them.

Interactive Ngarrindjeri signage

RMCLHN proudly unveiled new interactive Ngarrindjeri signage at Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (MBMSH) during NAIDOC Week in 2025, and Meningie and Districts Memorial Hospital and Tailem Bend District Hospital in March 2026.

RMCLHN acknowledges that these sites are located on the traditional lands of the Ngarrindjeri peoples.

Large totem poles have been installed at the site entrances and more than 70 plaques have been installed throughout MBSMH, Murray Bridge Country Health Connect, Murray Bridge Community Mental Health, Meningie and Districts Memorial Hospital and Tailem Bend District Hospital.

The signage features Ngarrindjeri words and phrases, English translations, and a QR code linked to a video with the Ngarrindjeri pronunciation, voiced by RMCLHN Ngarrindjeri staff members.

The project aims to create a more culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal staff and consumers by celebrating and showcasing traditional language.

It also aims to educate non-Aboriginal staff, consumers and community about the Ngarrindjeri language.

Thank you to Ngarrindjeri Elder and language teacher, Aunty Pauline Walker, who has supported our Aboriginal Health team on this project.

Listen to the full Ngarrindjeri Signage Project YouTube playlist.

Murray Bridge Hospital Aboriginal artwork launch

Strategic planning

Aboriginal people experience more life risk factors, poorer health and less acceptable outcomes in a range of life areas when compared to the general population. As a result of these challenges, Aboriginal people are amongst the most disadvantaged population groups in our community.

RMCLHN Strategic Plan 2021-2026 provides direction on how we achieve long term Aboriginal health goals with targeted priorities identified and measures of success including specific Aboriginal health criteria.
Aboriginal Health Strategy 2025-2030 what we have heard as being important to Aboriginal communities in the Riverland Mallee Coorong region, now and into the future, and outlines our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2025-2027 outlines four areas for RMCLHN. Each area includes a focus, clear actions and deliverables, as well as a timeline and responsibility for implementation.

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Last updated: 05 Jun 2026