Orygen has celebrated national NAIDOC Week with an inspiring presentation from our inaugural First Nations Manager Henry Purcell and Advisory Group member Oliver Tye.
Henry, a proud Narungga and Wotjobaluk man from Adelaide who was raised in Melbourne, shared some of his inspiring story with Orygen staff and reflected on what the 2022 NAIDOC Week theme Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! means to him.
“This theme represents the ongoing responsibility of First Nations people to lead our community,” he said.
“Part of getting up, standing up and showing up for me is optimising the chances for my own children, my little boy and girl, to be able to thrive – not just in their own culture but in wider society.”
“It’s about planting the seed, by talking to people about the issues faced by my people. If I can instil something in you today, it can manifest tomorrow to thinking more deeply about the many systemic issues that still exist.”
Henry has worked for many years to promote and champion strong Aboriginal culture and community for both children, young people and families. His most recent role was at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) as the Organisational Development Coordinator, supporting the development and retention of Aboriginal staff within VACCA.
He also has extensive experience in upskilling staff, with coordinating the delivery of a culturally-tailored Diploma in Community Services and traineeships for young Aboriginal people.
Henry is currently completing a Bachelor of Psychology and is passionate about wanting to create better outcomes for the Aboriginal community within the field of mental health and education.
Henry is also a DJ, releases electronic music, and utilises his Kiss FM radio show ‘The Weekend Chug’ to advocate and encourage difficult conversations and demonstrate the importance of music and the therapeutic role it plays in people’s lives.
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Held across Australia in the first week of July each year NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.