Indigenous Health Leads New Deadly Choices Partnership

The specially designed shirts – which feature indigenous artwork – are available to community members who book a health check at one of four participating Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) throughout the Victoria.

Nic Maddinson, Will Sutherland, Kristen Beams and Will Pucovski were all on hand to view the new jerseys.

Deadly Choices is an initiative of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), which aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make healthy choices for themselves and their families while also encouraging individuals to access their local Community Controlled Health Service and complete an annual ‘Health Check’.

Cricket Victoria’s Head of Diversity and Participation Emma Staples said it was opportunity to support an important initiative.

“Deadly Choices continues to play a critical role in advocating for the health and well-being of our Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander communities through incentivised health and education programs,” Staples said.

“Through Cricket Victoria, the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars we’re looking forward to working with the four health service partners in metropolitan and regional Victoria to see how we can also assist in highlighting these important messages using cricket’s strong community connections.”

IUIH Acting CEO Wayne Ah Boo said the partnership provided an outstanding opportunity to expand the Deadly Choices brand and positive influence on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Victoria.

“The solutions that Deadly Choices are coming up with to improve health outcomes in our communities are actually solutions that benefit the whole country,” said Mr Ah Boo.

“With the support of Cricket Victoria and the Stars and Renegades players, we’ll be educating youth about the importance of taking a preventative approach to their health and living healthy lifestyles.”

Health services include the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS located in Fitzroy, Preston and Epping) Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-Operative (BDAC), Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS), and Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative (GEGAC).