The Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service was born out of struggle, with its roots in the First Nations political movement of the 60s and 70s.
Following the 1965 Freedom Rides throughout New South Wales, the '67 Referendum which allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the right to vote, and the American Black Panther movement - a group of staunch First Nations people banded together.
In 1970, the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service was founded.
At the heart of its establishment were stalwarts like Paul and Isabelle Coe, Gary Williams, Gary Foley, Bob and Sol Bellear, as well as many others.
The ALS was Australia's first-ever free legal service, created to provide pro-bono help for Sydney’s Indigenous community.
Employees and Volunteers of the the Aboriginal Legal Service - Redfern - 1974 Source: National Archives of Australia
While still in its infancy the ALS identified the need for an equivalent facility to provide culturally safe healthcare.
“It was all these people that got together to provide healthcare service to our people who were in dire need,” said current Redfern AMS CEO LaVerne Bellear.
“It was an organisation predominantly organised by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people, hence the terminology self-determination.”
LaVerne's late brother Sol and the ALS founded the AMS in 1971, with a shopfront situated at 193 Regent Street.
Dr Naomi Mayers OAM - A founding member of the Redfern AMS. Source: NACCHO
Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman Naomi Mayers, also known as one of the founding members of the all-Aboriginal music troupe The Sapphires, would help guide the institution over the next forty years.
She did it with the help of those such as Dulcie Flowers, who to this day still sits on the AMS board, and nursing sister and field officer the late Colleen Shirley Perry Smith, affectionately known as ‘Mum Shirl’.
A statue of the Wiradjuri woman sits proudly next door to the AMS at the St Vincent De Paul Church.
“In the first 12 months it was Mum Shirl that rounded people up and brought them here. You know, to come in and get help through the health services,” said LaVerne.
Shirley Smith otherwise known as 'Mum Shirl' was a prominent social worker and humanitarian synonymous with the Redfern AMS . Source: National Indigenous Times
There were many non-Indigenous people who contributed to the success of the AMS over the years, including the late Dr Fred Hollows and activist and paediatrician Ferry Grunseit.
The Service has expanded over the last half-century, as have its resources and client base, with the organisation now treating up to 6500 patients per year.
Despite its modern-day success, the AMS struggled for support in its early days of operation. It was almost forced to close its doors following a stalemate with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs over the purchase of new premises.
In spite of such hardships, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMS has gone on to set the template for successful community-controlled health organisations across the country.
LaVerne Bellear is the CEO of the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service. Source: NITV News
LaVerne attributes the success to Aboriginal ownership.
“Our governance is run by Aboriginal people, our board is still all-Aboriginal, (as is) the CEO, I’m Aboriginal and even my executive manager team are Aboriginal," she said.
“So right through the organisation and through key positions are all Aboriginal people, because it’s about mob looking after our mob.
"We know what’s best.”
