ABOUT US
At the Poche Network we take a positive and practical approach
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The Poche Indigenous Health Network has been created to make the most of the efforts and resources of the individual Poche Centres for Indigenous Health and to focus on issues best dealt with at a national level.
Network activities include:
Translating research and evidence so it can be used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities in the field
- Influencing government and public policy
- Promoting the research findings of each Poche Centre
- Identifying and supporting projects of national significance
- Profiling the work of the Poche Centres and their collective impact
Our Network will have a highly visible public presence and will contribute to and influence genuine change in public policy and approaches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. It will also amplify the important work of each Poche Centre, bringing together all of our resources to create a connected public presence.
Vision
Our vision is to help close the gap in life expectancy and achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Approach
We take a positive and practical approach to our activities. Everything we do is geared towards effecting real change that will be sustainable over the long term.
Values
RESPECT
We respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the right to self-determination. We act in accordance with community values and establish respectful relationships.
COLLABORATION
We work with communities and organisations to understand needs and achieve agreed goals in partnership.
About POCHE Logo

The artwork depicts the ‘river system’ that meanders across the Australian landscape. Rivers and waterways are considered to be the livelihood of Indigenous culture, similar to the blood that keeps us alive.
The yellow circles are ‘gathering or meeting places’ which are scattered across the landscape. These circles represent the Poche Health Centres and the people who use their services. Design by Mazart Design.
In 2008, following a generous donation from philanthropists and Indigenous health advocates Greg Poche AO and Kay Van Norton Poche, the first Poche Centre was established by the University of Sydney.
The Poches, along with their friend and co-founder Reg Richardson AM, saw an opportunity for the skills, expertise and resources of the University to be harnessed towards improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. They also saw the opportunity for the information gained through experience and research to inform health care policy and practice.
Due to their vision, a network of Poche Centres now exists across the country, putting the nation’s best minds towards our most complex problems.
In late 2015, the national office of the Poche Indigenous Health Network was established in Sydney to amplify the strengths and successes of individual centres at The University of Sydney, Flinders University, The University of Western Australia,
The University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland.
Support
The generous support we’ve received over the years has enabled the Poche Centres to make real headway in breaking down the barriers to lasting health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Thanks to the donations from Greg Poche AO and Kay Van Norton Poche, and the support from our various other corporate and government supporters, we are forging ahead with the Poche Network to tackle issues at a national level.
Sponsorship
Philanthropic support is vital to the Network’s on-going work. If you would like to speak to someone about becoming a Poche sponsor, please contact Professor Tom Calma AO, Patron Poche Indigenous Health Network.
+61 2 9114 0829
chair@pochehealth.edu.au
Our Advisory Members
The work of the Poche Network is overseen by an Advisory Board, chaired by our Patron, Professor Tom Calma AO. The Advisory Board meets biannually.

Mr Reg Richardson AM
Co-Founder

Professor Tom Calma AO
Patron & Chair

Boe Rambaldini
Director
Poche Sydney

MAREE MEREDITH
Acting Director
Poche Flinders

JAMES WARD
Director
Poche Queensland

SHAUN EWEN
Director
Poche Melbourne

JILL MILROY
Director
Poche Western Australia