We work to establish ‘a rightful place’ in the academy for Indigenous intellect, scholarship and leadership.
Indigenous peoples have always had strong knowledge systems and intellectual traditions. Interfacing with the western academy, these are assets in our work to transform Indigenous health and ensuring sustainable futures.
Our Indigenous-led programs are growing a new generation of Indigenous health leaders and researchers. They build leadership, create pathways to PhD and post-doctoral achievement, we also build local, national and international networks that support Indigenous health leadership.
The Centre draws on tanderrum, a Kulin ceremony for coming together, as the philosophical foundation for our work.
The Centre was founded in 2014 through the generosity of Greg Poche AO and Kay van Norton Poche AO (Vale). It sits within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and is one of five Poche Centres across Australia. Day to day, the Centre is led by Professor Shawana Andrews and guided by our Strategic Advisory Board.
Learn more about the Centre
Featured content
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Tanderrum
The value base and driving themes of place, relationships and futures that guide our work.
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Towards 2030
Our strategy to accelerate the development of Indigenous health leadership.
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Our programs
PhD & graduate research pathways, the Health Leadership Program, and Research and community impact.
Our People
Strategic Advisory Board
We appreciate the contributions and support of previous Board Members and Governance Fellows
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Melbourne Poche Indigenous Health Leadership Alumni and Strategic Advisory Board Governance Fellow (2024)
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Leading Australian epidemiologist and child and maternal health researcher (2018-2022)
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Tumuaki and Head of Department of Maori Health at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand (2015 - 2024)
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Wotjobaluk Elder and cultural advisor (2015 - 2020)
Vale Uncle Kevin (1941-2023) -
Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board (2015-2022)
Vale Glenn (1948-2025) -
Co-founder of Poche Indigenous Health Network (2015 - 2020)
The Gift
“Greg and I believe that giving through the universities is the best thing that we can do to work towards the future.”
The Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health was founded in 2014 through the generosity of Greg Poche AO and Kay van Norton Poche AO (Vale), as part of their wider commitment to Poche Centres across Australia.
Inspired by Greg and Kay’s commitment to Indigenous health, it is our hope that their gift will encourage others to make their own contribution. The Poche family continue to support our Centre, with Britt Walker joining our board in 2021.