2009 Matthew Campbell Memorial Evening

Thank you to all those who attended the 2009 Matthew Campbell Memorial Evening. For those of you who missed it (or who have been inspired and would love to hear it again), a recording has been produced.

Download the MP3 recording (3 hours 35 minutes, 99 MB)

Catherine has also written a report about the evening.

15th Annual MATTHEW CAMPBELL MEMORIAL EVENING  'Closing the Gap 1994-2009: The story so far in Indigenous Health’

On Friday April 3rd almost 300 students of health sciences, members of the wider community, and some of the highest profile speakers in Indigenous Health came together at Monash University Clayton Campus for the 15th Annual Matthew Campbell Memorial Evening (MCME).

The MCME is held annually by Monash University’s Rural and Indigenous Health Club, WILDFIRE, in commemoration of Matthew Campbell, a medical student and passionate advocate for Indigenous Australians, who died tragically in a car accident in his second year in 1994. The MCME strives to educate, empower and inspire in response to the critical need to improve Indigenous Health.

To mark the 15th anniversary, this year’s theme was ‘Closing the Gap 1994-2009: The story so far in Indigenous Health.’ Together we reflected on the progress, policies, lessons, and human stories of the past 15 years in Indigenous Health and looked to the future, guided by those who have previously addressed a MCME. Each speaker shared their knowledge and experience to create an evening that engaged and motivated, with insightful exploration of diverse perspectives and issues.

You can hear part or all of the thought provoking and challenging addresses, including question time, at the WILDFIRE website! Visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/wildfire/home.html and click on ‘MCME Recording’ on the right.

Dr Brendan Nelson, former Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, urged the audience of present and future leaders to use all positions and power that they have and will possess to effect positive change. Dr Nelson returned in 2009 after, as the President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), he had spoken at the first Indigenous health seminar organised by Matthew. He gave great personal insight into events many had seen unfold publicly and his own sources of inspiration.

Dr Louis Peachey a medical educator from Mt Isa, renewed belief in radical progress that may be achieved by respecting the humanity of all our fellow beings. The founding President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) and former President of the Pacific Regional Doctors’ Association shared his own story, to empower the audience with knowledge that we may all transform lives, by simply giving people their deserved respect, and together Close the Gap within a generation.

Dr Ngiare Brown, former Indigenous Health Advisor to the AMA & Foundation CEO of AIDA, infused the evening with deep spirituality and strength of conviction that all may become agents of change to advance social justice and health. With great humility to the land, Dr Brown described her own determined efforts to Close the Gap through medical education, policy & research, with a focus on human rights law, public health and the need for Constitutional reform.

Dr Timothy Steele is an Ophthalmology registrar who spoke at the MCME in ’95, was the organiser ’96 and ’97, and who has worked in Indigenous communities as a student and junior doctor. Dr Steele shared his experiences of the rewards, challenges and cultural differences working in an Indigenous Health setting. He thus, opened minds to the possibility of working in Indigenous health and other means by which we may work to Close the Gap.

Many thanks to all the sponsors whose support allowed the evening to take place Health Super, VicNet, RWAV, Vic Felix and the Monash School of Rural Health.

Congratulations to Siobhan McGuinness who won $300 in the Paddle Prize competition, which is now open to all students and awarded for the best short piece on this year’s MCME theme. Donations were collected for ‘Close the Gap,’ Australia’s largest campaign to improve Indigenous Health.

EDUCATE, EMPOWER, INSPIRE