Aboriginal Medical Service
Encyclopedia
The Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) was established in Redfern
from 1971. It was the first Aboriginal community controlled health service in Australia, and it is now a key Indigenous community organisation, from which most Aboriginal medical services around the State of New South Wales
have stemmed. The AMS pioneered the concept of Aboriginal community-controlled health care, and as part of its broader objectives, the AMS aims to improve the health standards in Aboriginal communities across Australia.
The project had distinctly co-operative beginnings. Its foundation was led by Mum (Shirl) Smith
, Ken Brindle and Chicka and Elsa Dixon. It was set up by Gordon Briscoe
, Dr. Ferry Grundseit, the late Dr. Fred Hollows
and Shirley Smith, who were all concerned with the serious health problems of Aboriginal Australians in Sydney. Its growth was encouraged by Redfern parish priest Fr Ted Kennedy.
The Sisters of Mercy
donated the property in which the Aboriginal Medical Service had been established to the Redfern Aboriginal community in 1978. The service now provides medical, dental, aged care, drug and alcohol services to around 55,000 patients each year.
The modern centre was designed by Merrima company, and built on the donated land adjacent to the St Vincent's Roman Catholic community including the church, presbytery, convent and school built around 1887.
Redfern, New South Wales
Redfern is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Redfern is 3 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney...
from 1971. It was the first Aboriginal community controlled health service in Australia, and it is now a key Indigenous community organisation, from which most Aboriginal medical services around the State of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
have stemmed. The AMS pioneered the concept of Aboriginal community-controlled health care, and as part of its broader objectives, the AMS aims to improve the health standards in Aboriginal communities across Australia.
The project had distinctly co-operative beginnings. Its foundation was led by Mum (Shirl) Smith
Mum (Shirl) Smith
Shirley Smith , better known as Mum Shirl, was a prominent Aboriginal Australian and activist committed to justice and welfare of Aboriginal Australians...
, Ken Brindle and Chicka and Elsa Dixon. It was set up by Gordon Briscoe
Gordon Briscoe
Dr Gordon Briscoe AO is an Indigenous Australian academic and activist. He is also a former Association football player.-Early life:...
, Dr. Ferry Grundseit, the late Dr. Fred Hollows
Fred Hollows
Frederick "Fred" Cossom Hollows, AC was an ophthalmologist who became known for his work in restoring eyesight for countless thousands of people in Australia and many other countries...
and Shirley Smith, who were all concerned with the serious health problems of Aboriginal Australians in Sydney. Its growth was encouraged by Redfern parish priest Fr Ted Kennedy.
The Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
donated the property in which the Aboriginal Medical Service had been established to the Redfern Aboriginal community in 1978. The service now provides medical, dental, aged care, drug and alcohol services to around 55,000 patients each year.
The modern centre was designed by Merrima company, and built on the donated land adjacent to the St Vincent's Roman Catholic community including the church, presbytery, convent and school built around 1887.