Our work with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Communities
Jillay wannik - Healthy pathway"
By Dixon Patten, Yorta Yorta and Gunnai artist - Bayila Creative
This artwork is about strong culture, health & well-being and equity for Aboriginal children, young people and families.
The river in the middle, represents life's flow and journey. The 3 large circles represent the MCRI implementing programs and policy to influence greater health outcomes from Aboriginal people. The hands represent Aboriginal children. The flowers represent caring, nurturing and growth. The leaves within spiral outwards, creating a ripple and showing how positive outcomes impact on the individuals, families, mobs and communities. The U shape symbols within, depict parents, carers and support people guiding our young people. The smaller coloured circles represent the diverse nations across the Country. The trail of circles represents our connection to each other.
The gum leaves represent the local Kulin Nation and symbolise 'Welcome to Country'.
Our team
Graham Gee
Yvonne Clark
Karen Glover
Jordan Gibbs
Ngaree Blow
Stephanie Brown
Emily Munro-Harrison
Cathy Leane
Helen Kennedy
Arwen Nikolof
Our projects
Aboriginal Families Study
The Childhood Resilience Study
Corka bubs, Deadly mums and Strong families
Preventing lateral violence
Ngagagee Ngulu Murrup Durra (Hear us: our voices, spirit and heart)
Wellah Together
Carer and child health and wellbeing project
MCRI Aboriginal Reference Group
MCRI has established an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group to provide strategic guidance and cultural advice to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Leadership Team, the Institute Director, and the Executive.
Reference Group members
Aunty Di Kerr
N’arweet Carolyn Briggs
Shawana Andrews
Indi Clarke
Bonnie Dukakis
Graham Gee
Karen Glover
Andrew Jackomos
Helen Kennedy
Janine Mohamed
Justin Mohamed
Trevor Pearce
Selena White
I know moving house is stressful, especially if you are renting and you need to move house multiple times. Working on the Aboriginal Families Study, I noticed families moving house and also children moving between schools. This got me interested in why are families moving and how can we better support families and children with high mobility.
Arwen Nikolof - CRE Scholar
Our PhD students
Arwen Nikolof
Moving house: impacts on Aboriginal children’s health and wellbeing
Helen Kennedy
Aboriginal Kinship Care: understanding the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people, and their carers
Jordan Gibbs
A grounded theory to understand complex trauma, healing, and wellness for Aboriginal men who have experienced incarceration
Our Partners
Ron Briggs
Kellyanne Andy
Safe Pathways to Healing
Cathy Leane
Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance (ACRA)
Laura Thompson
Lena Charles
Sarah Sheridan
Clothing the Gaps Foundation
Where can I read more?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocols in Victoria. MCRI Guide for Researchers, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, June 2021
Thorpe S, Gee G and Stephanie Brown
The Her Tribe and His Tribe Aboriginal-Designed Empowerment Programs
Gee G, Sheridan S, Charles L, Dayne L et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health; 2022;19(4):2381
Community engagement in the Aboriginal Families Study: Strategies to promote participation
Weetra D, Glover K, Miller R, Wilson R et al. Women and Birth;2019;32(1):72-79