Orica Botany goes all in for Aboriginal health

Culture is an important aspect of Aboriginal health and wellbeing. The Ngala Nanga Mai pARenT Group Program delivers key services through cultural and art‑making sessions, helping to strengthen a sense of identity, belonging and resilience.

Co‑developed and named by local Aboriginal mums, Ngala Nanga Mai (which means ‘We Dream’) was created in 2009 after an Aboriginal Health Education Officer at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick found that local Aboriginal mothers felt disconnected from social support and child health services.

Run by the Community Health Department at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Ngala Nanga Mai is a multi‑award‑winning program delivered at the La Perouse Aboriginal Community Health Centre. It brings Aboriginal mums and their children together through art-making, helping to support their health, social, cultural and emotional wellbeing.

Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation is proud to be a longstanding supporter of Ngala Nanga Mai, and we are very pleased to announce that Orica Botany has chosen to support the Ngala Nanga Mai pARenT Group Program through their annual community investment program.

Thanks to Orica’s support, this weekly program will help ensure better health and developmental outcomes for aboriginal infants and young children in the community. It will aid in empowering young aboriginal mothers to grow their sense of engagement and community through art-making, addressing their issues of social isolation and disconnection, and improving maternal emotional and mental wellbeing.

This, in turn, will improve engagement with paediatric health services encouraging families to seek assistance more frequently and address children’s health issues earlier, improving the long-term outcomes for children.

Thank you to Orica Botany for going all in for kids’ health.