Launched in 2006, the national Close the Gap campaign looks to close the health equality gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by 2030. While the campaign has seen successes during the past decade, the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is still 10 years. Contributing to this statistic are a number of factors, including high infant mortality rates, lack of access to education and health services and lower rates of employment.

Thursday 17 March marks national Close the Gap Day, and there are a number of ways you can help the Office of Indigenous Strategy, Walanga Muru, raise awareness for the Close the Gap campaign:

• Beginning your lecture with a Close the Gap slide recognising the significance of the campaign – download a one-slide Close the Gap presentation
• Holding a small event such as a morning or afternoon tea – Register this through Oxfam
• Displaying Close the Gap posters in hallways or meeting rooms – download them here
• Donating to Close the Gap directly through Oxfam
• Using Oxfam Close the Gap resources to show your support through your personal social media

If you would like to get involved with any of the above initiatives, Walanga Muru would like to hear about it! Contact Emma Hardcastle (ext. 9973, emma.hardcastle@mq.edu.au) to share your support.

Close the Gap Snaps
Not planning your own event but still want to show support? Walanga Muru invites all members of the Macquarie community to pledge your support and take a ‘Close the Gap Snap’. Find the team near Boost Juice in the Central Courtyard on Wednesday 17 March from 12pm to 2pm.

Jennifer Gili is a Project Officer in Walanga Muru – the Office of Indigenous Strategy. Here she reflects on a remarkable event and its significance to Indigenous Australians.

“For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and their families left behind, we say sorry”.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, National Apology to the Stolen Generations, 13 February 2008

Saturday marked eight years since Kevin Rudd delivered the powerful and long-awaited apology to the Indigenous Australian Stolen Generations. This landmark apology was part of an international movement that saw a number of governments apologise to people who were the victims of forced removals, enslavement and genocide.

The effects of these policies are still felt by all Indigenous Australians including staff and students of our University. Many of our staff and students are related to members of the stolen generation and the apology has a significant place in their past and future. Walanga Muru would like to highlight the significance of the apology to Indigenous Australians

In 2016, we are inviting staff to contribute stories – in their own voice – for publishing in This Week. These stories will celebrate the diversity, passion and collaborative spirit of Macquarie staff.