Emerge Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of this country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and emerging. We honour their continuing connection to land and sea. Australia always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
Emerge Australia is deeply committed to fostering meaningful engagement with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. We believe in the power of collaboration and partnership to create lasting change.
Our organisation acknowledges the profound significance of self-determination as a fundamental human right for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and we stand in solidarity with their ongoing fight for sovereignty and recognition.
To demonstrate our commitment, we seek to actively work to increase visibility, amplify voices, and improve access to ME/CFS-informed care within Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. We recognise that cultural safety and understanding are vital components of effective healthcare, and we strive to ensure that our services are culturally appropriate and accessible to all.
Our head office, located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, serves as a reminder of our responsibility to uphold the rights and respect the knowledge of the Traditional Custodians. We are grateful for the guidance and wisdom shared by the Koorie Heritage Trust and our esteemed guide, who has helped us deepen our understanding of the Birrarung Marr and its significance to the Wurundjeri People.
Emerge Australia encourages all individuals, especially those working in healthcare and community services, to educate themselves about the Traditional Custodians of the lands they inhabit and the importance of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage. We believe that this knowledge is a critical step towards building more inclusive and respectful communities.
As we move forward, Emerge Australia is dedicated to listening, learning, and acting in partnership with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. We invite anyone interested in collaborating or sharing their story to reach out to us. Together, we can create a future where everyone affected by ME/CFS and long COVID receives the care and support they deserve.
We are privileged to have Dr Tess Ryan, a proud Indigenous woman of Biripai country, as a member of our community and an advocate for ME/CFS awareness. Dr Ryan’s powerful words remind us of the importance of rest and connection to Country, especially in a world that often moves too fast.
“I would also like to mention something that we as Aboriginal people often say – Rest is resistance. The world moves so fast but country moves in peace and balance. We need to consider how we stop, rest and breathe in the air. Harder to do I know and as an ME/CFS sufferer I struggle with this daily.” (Dr Tess Ryan, May 2024).
Please feel free to contact our health and support team to discuss potential partnerships or share your experiences. We look forward to connecting and working together towards a more inclusive and supportive community.
- Contact Form: https://emerge.org.au/contactusform
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1800 865 321 (press 1 when prompted)
If you, or someone you know, is feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN
- 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter or
- visit their website: https://www.13yarn.org.au/
AusME Registry
ME/CFS Registry and Biobank provide crucial support to Australian medical researchers and their endeavours, aimed at advancing knowledge and uncovering essential diagnostics and effective treatments, for the very individuals they represent.