Free Information Evening At One of Mudgee’s Newest Cafes.

One of Mudgee’s newest cafes, Outside the Square, is getting behind the federal government’s initiative to Close the Gap between the life expectancy of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

This Thursday from 7pm, Outside the Square will host “Close the Gap – Health and Wiradjuri Language” – a free information evening and event to mark National Close the Gap Day.

The evening includes a viewing of two short Close the Gap documentaries, a presentation from Mudgee Aboriginal Lands Council’s Tony Lonsdale, Mudgee Medical Centre’s Dr Katie Nicholson and Outside the Square’s Terry Miller, who will address the question of equal opportunity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Mudgee Aboriginal Land Council’s Aleshia Lonsdale will then present an introduction to the Wiradjuri language and provide information regarding a possible TAFE Certificate in the language before a symbolic placement of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal handprints will take place.

Guests will join over 95 000 other Australians in signing the official Close the Gap pledge urging action from all Australian governments.

The event is just one of hundreds taking place across the country to mark the day, as tens of thousands of Australians urge State and Federal government to end the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander health crisis and provide health equality for Indigenous Australians.

Mr Miller, who was born and raised on Wiradjuri land near Wellington, said the evening would be a chance for locals to become informed about the Close the Gap campaign and show their support in closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal life expectancy – a gap that currently stands at 17 years.

“Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people have a shared history and it is my view that we have a shared responsibility to provide effective health outcome for all Australians,” he said.

“There is an awakening of interest and growing support in the Mudgee community to meet the aims of the Close the Gap campaign, and this event will help spread community awareness about the need for increased and improved Aboriginal health services.

“Specialist Aboriginal health services are not a privilege but a basic requirement until the health and life expectancy levels of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people are equal.”

Outside the Square’s Close the Gap Day will be held at the café on Mortimer Street from 7pm tomorrow, March 24. The event is free and all members of the Mudgee community are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be provided and an RSVP would be appreciated for catering purposes.