Standing with Nunkuwarrin Yunti for Closing the Gap Day
On Closing the Gap Day, we proudly stand with Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc., recognising the strength of Aboriginal leadership, community control, and the ongoing work to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for our community.
AHCSA has partnered with Nunkuwarrin Yunti to support Closing the Gap Day, reaffirming a shared commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and culturally strong, community-led solutions. As Sonder hands over the stewardship of this important event to the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector, Nunkuwarrin Yunti is immensely proud to take the lead from 2026, ensuring Closing the Gap Day continues to be shaped by and for community across Kaurna Yarta and South Australia.
This commitment is reflected in Nunkuwarrin Yunti’s Stronger Together message and the Closing the Gap Day artwork, capturing the power of community connection and shared purpose. Created through a workshop led by artist Lawson Dodd (Kaurna, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri) with students from Wiltja Boarding for Nunkuwarrin Yunti and Sonder, the artwork brings together the students’ visions of what Closing the Gap Day means to them.
This year, Nunkuwarrin Yunti proudly marks 55 years of service to community. Their leadership is grounded in a long and proud history. Tracing back to the 1960s, when the late Mrs Gladys Elphick founded the Council of Aboriginal Women of South Australia, one of the first Aboriginal organisations in the state. In 1971, the service was incorporated and evolved through several community-led iterations, including the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Aboriginal Community Centre of SA, and the Aboriginal Community Recreation and Health Services Centre of SA. In 1994, it became officially known as Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc., continuing a legacy of advocacy, cultural strength, and community-controlled care.
This moment also aligns with a significant milestone for AHCSA marking 25 years of incorporation. Over the past 25 years, self-determination has remained central to AHCSA’s work. AHCSA is led by community, accountable to its Members including Nunkuwarrin Yunti, driving the priorities of Aboriginal people across the state. Our Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations embody the leadership, resilience, and strength needed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, and together with AHCSA, they have built stronger systems, delivered better outcomes, and created healthier futures for our mob.
Closing the Gap Day reminds us that meaningful change is achieved when Aboriginal organisations lead and communities are empowered. AHCSA is proud to stand alongside Nunkuwarrin Yunti as they step into the stewardship of this important event, honouring the past while strengthening the path forward for generations to come.
For more information and to get involved, visit the link below.
As we celebrate 25 years of Self-Determination, we honour the courage, vision, and dedication of many trailblazers.
Today AHCSA pays a heartfelt tribute to Pat Turner AM as she retires as Chief Executive Officer of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
This milestone marked the beginning of AHCSA as a truly community-controlled organisation, governed by a Board of Directors drawn from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health and Aboriginal Health Advisory Committees across South Australia.
