Weenthunga Health Network

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Collingwood, VIC
Weenthunga Health Network

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First Nations led organisation encouraging collaboration between First Nations people and Australians to contribute to better health in Victoria.

First Nations led organisation encouraging collaboration between First Nations people and Australian to contribute to better health in Victoria

12/10/2026

Throwback to Friday 19th June, where we held our inaugural Rainbow Mob Gathering! 🏳️‍🌈✨

Big gratitude and thank you again to everyone who came along. 💖 The afternoon was spent in collective strength, story-sharing, connection, truth-telling, happiness, laughter, love, joy and a good feed and rainbow cake – all the things, all at once, that make us so incredibly staunch as Rainbow Mob. 🫶🏽🍰💫

Sending our heartfelt gratitude to Kitty Obsidian for hosting the afternoon and getting us up singing and celebrating! 🎶💃🏽 To the mob who came and shared your spirit and stories, this space is made up of your contributions, strength and love. ❤️‍🔥🌈

And a big thank you to the broader Weenthunga team for helping bring this gathering to life. 🔥

We’re so excited about what’s to come within this space, both now and into the future. Here’s to more connection, community, joy and celebrating Rainbow Mob! 🏳️‍🌈✨💖

20/08/2026

Showing off how deadly mob are by throwing it back to the last weekend of May on Wurundjeri Country. Here is where more than 50 First Nations Women in Health stepped away from the weight of colonial load and into a space that nurtures spirit back into alignment. 🌿✨

The First Nations Women in Health Retreat (FNWiR) became a place where stories were shared, spirits were rejuvenated and women honoured the strength that lives in culture, community and each other. 🫶🏽

From the moment women arrived, the energy shifted, from laughter during Blak Bingo and Goose Chase, to the quiet grounding of ceremony, weaving , wood burning and deep breaths taken on Country 🌿

Across the three days, women moved through healing practices , creative workshops, connection and the gentle stillness of Dadirri. ✨

Women spoke of leaving Retreat feeling grounded, reconnected, rested and reminded that they are never alone. 🫶🏽✨
 💬 “I have been feeling stuck and overwhelmed with work, family and community. This retreat was the opportunity to support me and find my purpose moving forward”

Many arrived carrying burnout, isolation or the pressure of being the only Blak woman in their workplace. They left with new sisters, strengthened identity, renewed purpose and ready to return to their communities with clarity and cultural backing. ❤️💛🖤

The First Nations Women in Health Retreat is more than a retreat, it’s a meaningful strengthening space for our First Nations health workforce. 🌱

📸: Jacinta Keefe

22/07/2026

✨ Meet our member Michelle Crilly ✨
A proud Yorta Yorta woman, Michelle is a paramedic and Program Lead for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives at Ambulance Victoria. Through her work, she’s committed to making ambulance services safer, more culturally responsive, and more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 🖤💛❤️

Michelle was drawn to frontline care because it meant showing up when people needed it most, creating calm in moments of crisis and helping people through the first steps of care. Today, she continues that work by leading change from within the health system 🚑

Driven by lived experience and a deep commitment to community, Michelle is passionate about improving health outcomes and advocating for reforms that make a real difference, including working alongside Aboriginal health leaders to make ambulance services free for First Nations people ✊🏽

Outside of work, Michelle fills her cup by being a mum, practising Pilates and spending time with Mob, knowing that community is a powerful source of strength and wellbeing 🤎

As President of Weenthunga Health Network, Michelle continues to champion Aboriginal-led change, strengthen community and keep culture at the heart of health reform.

23/06/2026

✨ Calling all young First Nations young women, Sistergirls and gender diverse mob in years 9-12 living or studying in so-called Victoria ✨

Join us for the Connecting Through Conversations Day. Come together for a day of culture, connection, learning and inspiration on Wurundjeri Country.

📅 17 July 2026
🕙 10:00am – 3:00pm
📍 RMIT University, Bundoora Campus

Spend the day:
🖤 Connecting with new mob from across so-called Victoria
🔥 Taking part in a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
🌿 Joining a guided cultural walking tour
🎓 Exploring hands-on workshops in RMIT’s medical imaging labs
💬 Hearing the stories and journeys of First Nations health professionals working across nursing, public health, allied health and wellbeing
🎁 Receiving exclusive nyarrn-gagko mangkie/Weenthunga merch and wellbeing gifts

🥪 Fully catered with lunch and afternoon tea provided.

Parents and guardians are welcome to attend and support Little Sis’ participation throughout the day.

🚗 Free parking available onsite
🚆 Accessible via the Mernda train line
🚌 Need transport support? Get in touch with our team.

📣 Registrations close 13 July.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and imagine your future in health and wellbeing alongside other deadly young people.

🔗 Register now via the link in our bio

22/06/2026

✨Meet Lillian Arnold-Rendell ✨
A proud Dharug and Kamilroi woman, Lillian Arnold-Rendell grew up on Dhudhuroa, Waywurru and Wiradjuri Country across North East Victoria and over the border 🖤💛❤️

Lillian works as the Cultural Practice Lead at V***A in the Gamadji Balit Program, where she supports young mob in residential care to “emerge strong” as well as as a Custody Notifications Officer at VALS in the afterhours space 🌾 She walks alongside young people and families through healing, connection and advocacy, while helping staff better support mob 💛

Her work is grounded in deep community leadership. Lillian is a We Al-li facilitator, Culture is Life alumni, former Koorie Youth Council Executive Member, and is currently completing her final year of a Masters of Clinical Family Therapy 🎓✨

After attending Weenthunga’s First Nations Women in Health Retreat, post completing her Diploma in Counselling, Lillian felt energised and inspired. She also championed Weenthunga’s Cultural Safety and Critical Consciousness workshops across her team, a powerful experience that deepened her commitment to this work 🌿

Lillian is passionate about the social and emotional wellbeing and healing of mob and communities, and hopes to give back as a Committee Member to an organisation she cares deeply about 🤎

16/06/2026

✨Meet Kerry Strickland ✨
A proud Wodi Wodi woman from the Yuin Nation, Kerry Strickland is a Registered Nurse dedicated to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children 🫶🏽

She is Manager of Aboriginal Health Community at Monash Health, leading culturally safe initiatives that support community wellbeing ✨🍃

Kerry’s leadership extends beyond her professional role. She served on the Board of Nairm Marr Djambana for seven years in roles including Treasurer, Chairperson, and Secretary, and contributes as a First Nations cultural advisor for the Women’s Spirit Project and The ALIVE Nation Centre. ✊🏽

Passionate about health justice and systemic change, Kerry is honored to join the Board of Weenthunga Health Network 💛 Her values align with the mission to promote wellbeing, healing, and equity for First Nations peoples 🫶🏽✨

11/06/2026

✨Meet Tiana Koehrerr ✨
A proud Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri woman, Tiana Koehrer has built her career working alongside strong community leaders across the state, deepening her connection to Country and finding her passion in advocacy and systems change 🖤💛❤️

Tiana is currently the Government and Stakeholder Relations Advisor at the Treaty Authority. She also serves as a Board Member at VALS and a member of the City of Yarra Yana Ngargna Advisory Group 🌿

Her previous roles have spanned justice, health and community leadership - from Aboriginal programs at Ravenhall Correctional Centre to the Koori Justice Unit, Treaty advancement, and VACCHO, always working toward more culturally safe outcomes for mob 💛

Tiana has also held leadership roles with Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place and the Koori Youth Council, bringing a strong commitment to governance, transparency, and community-led change ✨

10/06/2026

Reconciliation Week is over. Now what?

The social posts have been shared, the events have been attended and the acknowledgements have been made.

If your organisation expects you to work safely with First Nations people - which should be the standard, not an option - it must also fund and support your participation in this learning. But let’s be honest, organisations don’t always step up; that doesn’t mean you can’t. Invest in yourself, your learning and your critical allyship practice.

Here is your call to action!

Join us for our Cultural Safety & Critical Consciousness (CSCC) Workshop Series this July!

🔗 Link in Bio

Questions? ✉️ [email protected]

04/06/2026

Meet Lani Wilson ✨
A proud young Kombumerri woman, Lani Wilson was born and raised on Kombumerri Country (Gold Coast) 🌊☀️ She now lives and works in Naarm/Melbourne as Senior First Nations Hospital Liaison Officer and Project Lead Officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and casually at the University of Melbourne in Audiology supporting the rural Indigenous student pathway program🖤💛❤️

Lani supports and advocates for First Nations patients, helping them feel culturally understood, respected, and safe. She provides advocacy, education, and cultural awareness training while responding to the expressed needs of patients 💛

As Project Lead, Lani has created initiatives including the Victorian first Mob Meal Plan, First Nations Graduate Nurse support program, RMH smoking ceremony procedure, essential Dignity Bags, and NAIDOC programs, making a real impact within RMH and across so-called Victoria 🌾

Outside work, Lani is a passionate weaver, inspired by saltwater and sunrises on Kombumerri Country, weaving helps her unwind and stay connected. She is also completing her studies as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner to further care for First Nations communities ✨

02/06/2026

✨ Meet Emma Thurling ✨

A proud Palawa woman living on Wadawurrung Country, Emma is the Director of First Nations Health a role grounded in compassion, advocacy, cultural safety and meaningful systems change 🌿🖤💛❤️

Emma graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing from UniSA and holds further qualifications in leadership, postgraduate nursing, and diabetes education. With a deep commitment to community care and equity, she brings extensive experience across the health sector, guided by integrity, cultural strength, and relational practice 👩🏽‍⚕️✨

Following in the footsteps of her mum, also a nurse, Emma’s ‘why’ is deeply rooted in caring for Mob, leading with purpose as a First Nations woman, and creating safer, more responsive healthcare systems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She is passionate about strengthening cultural safety, elevating community voice, and driving meaningful change through leadership, partnership and advocacy.

Emma believes healthcare leaders and nurses play a powerful role in influencing policy, improving outcomes, and creating environments where communities feel seen, heard and culturally safe. While the work can be complex, it is also deeply meaningful and rewarding 🫶🏽

Emma is a proud granddaughter, daughter, sister, aunty and mum, and cherishes time spent with family. She finds joy in reading, practicing yoga, crafts and connecting with nature - especially in the mountains and by the sea 🌊⛰️💛

Address

17-23 Sackville Street
Collingwood, VIC
3066

Website

http://www.weenthunga.com.au/

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