July 8, 2025
Peninsula Hot Springs' partnership with First Peoples' Health & Wellbeing
Written by Amelia
this NAIDOC Week, Peninsula Hot Springs is collaborating with First Peoples’ Health & Wellbeing to bring you a community wellbeing day
Reconnection in the Springs will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures with a performance from Dan Sultan, Sand Art by The Salty One, Wayapa Wuurrk with Alana Marsh and coffee van from Blak Fig.
First Peoples' Health & Wellbeing (FPHW) is a dynamic Aboriginal Community-controlled health organisation with primary healthcare clinics in Frankston and Thomastown.
“We know that the health and wellbeing of First Peoples depends on access to holistic, culturally-safe care and services,” says FPHW CEO Karinda Taylor. “First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing exists to provide access to safe, high-quality primary care for First Nations people through our clinics.”
The two clinics provide a range of services to support the physical, emotional, cultural and spiritual health of First Nations people.
Karinda says it’s important First Peoples are able to visit Aboriginal-controlled spaces. “Many Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people face barriers to accessing mainstream healthcare on account of systemic racism that still exists,” says Karinda. “FPHW provides strengths-based care within calm and healing clinic environments.”
FPHW Frankston recently opened Victoria’s first Aboriginal Early Parenting Centre, Baluk Balert Barring, which Karinda explains is “a Boonwurrung name gifted to us by Bunurong Elder Aunty Elaine Taylor – closely translating to ‘Many Strong Footprints’.”
“The name conveys the ways we are seeing families walking strongly together with support from our wonderful early parenting team” she says.
In 2025, FPHW will also begin operating Victoria’s first Aboriginal Women’s Clinic.
Karinda says this clinic is designed to “provide better access to high-quality and culturally-safe healthcare. The clinic will enable FPHW to see and treat more First Nations women, often with long-standing and complex health conditions who may otherwise be at risk of going untreated.”
Meanwhile, FPHW has this year become a provider of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, which provides a range of services and support to older First Nations people living at home.
Beyond the daily activity of their healthcare clinics, FPHW engages with other organisations, including a range of Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, to extend the reach and impact of their care and services.
“We were thrilled with the success of our recent Fun Run and major community event delivered in partnership with Nairm Marr Djambana and Bunurong Land Council as part of our anti-racism work – raising awareness of the impacts of racism on First Peoples’ health,” says Karinda.
This week, Peninsula Hot Springs is delighted to celebrate NAIDOC Week alongside FPHW on Bunurong land.
Karinda says “FPHW is pleased to be collaborating with Peninsula Hot Springs this NAIDOC Week to offer our communities a day of wellbeing and connection to Country and culture in such a beautiful setting.”
