When you’re born Aboriginal, you’re more likely to die
prematurely – in your 50s, compared to 85+ for non-Aboriginal
Australians.

As an Elder myself, and having seen so many of my loved ones
pass away too soon, I had to change this narrative. Along with
a collective of fellow Elders, community leaders and Aged Care
experts in Sydney, we’ve developed a solution to this crisis. And
it’s simple.

In our culture, the connection to and relationship with the land,
water, skies, languages, knowledge and lifestyle systems, isn’t
just a way of life, it’s our heritage, identity and our lifeblood.

So in order to extend the lives of our community, our older people
need to urgently reconnect to our culture’s songlines, traditional
values and customs in a positive, and culturally safe environment.

IYORIA Aboriginal Elders Belonging Estate is exactly that – a
world-first aged care development, designed to give older Aboriginal
people a chance to reconnect. By bringing natural elements together
with state of the art aged care facilities, it really is a unique concept
within the aged care space.

Now we need your support to lobby the NSW government and bring
this extraordinary project to life.

We’re asking for 5.5 hectares of land for the development site and
we need as many signatures as possible to table our proposal in
Parliament.

All Australians have the right to quality, inclusive and culturally
safe aged care services. We believe IYORIA isn’t just a blueprint for
a better and lasting future for First Nations people, but a unique
study into how a different approach to aged care could benefit all
Australia’s ageing population.

Thank you for reading, and please sign our petition to add your
support.

Aunty Margret Campbell, Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo, Joanne Delany,
Frank Vincent, Uncle Michael Weis, Amanda Josling,
Dr Belinda Russon, Brenda Loizou & Dr Mirna Hunter.