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Kingaroy Hospital will come alive with culture, community, and celebration as Darling Downs Health marks National Close the Gap Day on Thursday 20 March.
The event will highlight the ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes and life expectancies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the region.
Darling Downs Health Chief Executive, Annette Scott PSM, said it was a great honour and responsibility to celebrate National Close the Gap Day – a day, and a commitment, so important to the regional health service.
“National Close the Gap Day is a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to ensure better health outcomes and life expectancies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities,” Ms Scott said.
“From the Sit, Talk and Yarn suicide prevention initiative to the Deadly Start traineeship program, Darling Downs Health is working to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at every stage of life. But we know there is still more to be done.
“Closing the Gap is about listening, learning, and acting together. We are proud of the steps we’ve taken but remain committed to doing more every day to create a healthier future for all.”
Darling Downs Health Chief Executive, Annette Scott PSM
Darling Downs Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Interim Director, Chris Hombsch, said the event at Kingaroy would be an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of several community members and organisations in the South Burnett who were working together to co-design health services in the region.
“Close the Gap Day provides us with an opportunity to bring everyone together, celebrate our successes, and recognise our opportunities to reduce the disparity in health outcomes and life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-Indigenous Australians,” Mr Hombsch said.
Mr Hombsch said Darling Downs Health had recently seen great success in the specialist outpatients’ space, with an increase in appointment attendance over the past few years.
“Through our care coordination team, we have collaborated with Aboriginal medical services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, health practitioners and liaison officers, other health service staff, and community organisations to assist clients in accessing services, including specialist outpatient appointments,” he said.
“Darling Downs Health’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health service ensures clients and their families are receiving cultural and social support throughout their health journey, which we know can help address barriers to access and ensure collective decision-making.”
The National Close the Gap Day event at Kingaroy Hospital will feature dance performances by the Wakka Wakka Dance Group, weaving and yarning circle, petting zoo, jumping castle, inflatable slide and obstacle course, art station, lawn games, and face painting.
The event is supported by Stanwell, South Burnett Regional Council, and the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation.
Event details
What: Darling Downs Health National Close the Gap Day at Kingaroy
When: Thursday 20 March 2025 from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Kingaroy Hospital (Youngman Street, Kingaroy)
Opportunities for media:
- Interview with Darling Downs Health Chief Executive Annette Scott
- Interview with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Interim Director Chris Hombsch
- Overlay vision of smoking ceremony and dance performance by Wakka Wakka Dance Group
- Overlay vision of weaving and yarning circle
If media are interested in attending, please contact the Darling Downs Health Media and Communications team by emailing ddh_media@healh.qld.gov.au or calling 0417 795 568.