Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)

Established in 1973, the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) addressed the health and medical needs of the Victorian Aboriginal community. Its location in Gertrude Street Fitzroy, meant it was among a growing number of Aboriginal self-determined organisations that had sprung up in the suburb following campaigns for Aboriginal rights from the 1950s onwards. NAIDOC marches would often start at VAHS. Although the original building is no longer the health service, it remains an iconic and memorable site for many in the Aboriginal community. VAHS is now spread across a number of sites in the Melbourne area, but maintains its connections to Fitzroy and is located in Nicholson Street, from where current NAIDOC marches begin. 

Children sitting on window ledge outside the original Aboriginal Health Service building on Gertrude street, Fitzroy.

"…it used to be good starting [the march] from the old Health Service in Gertrude St."

Maree Clarke (9 December 2020)