The First Nations Eye Health Alliance (FNEHA) is pleased to continue the important work of two national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health promotion campaigns, Check Today, See Tomorrow and Eyecare Now, Eyecare Always.
Developed by the University of Melbourne's Minum Barreng in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations, the campaigns have helped promote eye health across Australia. In June 2026, stewardship of both campaigns transitioned to FNEHA, marking an important step towards First Nations-led eye health promotion. Both campaigns now have a home on the FNEHA website, where free printed resources can be ordered, multimedia materials downloaded and enquiries made about campaign T-shirts.
These campaigns reflect years of community involvement, partnerships and creativity.
Check Today, See Tomorrow promotes yearly diabetes eye checks and was shaped by community champions with lived experience, alongside organisations including Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC), Looma Remote Area Clinic and the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH). Creative contributions from Torres Strait Islander musician Chris Tamwoy, Gilimbaa Indigenous Creative Agency and Indigenous Hip Hop Projects brought eye health messages to life through music, artwork and storytelling. Watch the Check Today, See Tomorrow behind-the-scenes video for a glimpse into the people and communities involved and the creativity behind the campaign.
Similarly, Eyecare Now, Eyecare Always was developed through a series of creative workshops and community engagement, bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, stories and ideas to shape its messages and resources. It promotes regular eye checks, including through the 715 Health Check, and lifelong eye health.
The campaign introduces its first four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Heroes, sharing their stories and connections to sight, culture, community and Country:
- Karlie Noon: Gamilaroi astronomer, author and academic, connecting eyesight with exploring the night sky.
- Dr Kristopher Rallah-Baker: Yuggera, Warangu and Wiradjuri ophthalmologist, championing better eye health and access to care.
- Nornie Bero: Meriam chef and entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of eyesight in food and culture.
- Scott West and Mantua Nangala: Kiwirrkurra Traditional Owners and Rangers, sharing the importance of vision in caring for Country.
Meet the Eye Health Heroes and hear their stories.
The campaign also features Traversing Country, artwork by Wakka Wakka artist David Williams of Gilimbaa.
Together, the campaigns have reached communities and health services across urban, regional and remote Australia, with more than 30,000 printed resources distributed nationally and over 100,000 multimedia views and plays.
Demand remains strong, with thousands of resources ordered each year and ongoing requests for local adaptations. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and primary health care services account for around 40% of orders, while more than 2,000 campaign T-shirts have helped bring eye health messages into communities, workplaces and sporting events.
The recent popularity of the Your Eyes and the 715 Health Check flipchart further highlights the continued value of these resources.
The campaigns have also reached communities beyond health clinics, including at the Deadly Cup Rugby League Carnival in the Northern Territory and the VACSAL Football and Netball Carnival in Victoria. Melbourne Football Club players Neville Jetta and Aliesha Newman helped champion diabetes eye health messages, while campaign-branded umpire and referee shirts brought these messages onto sporting fields.
Across community health services and outreach activities, campaign resources have also supported conversations about eye health. At Watto Purrunna Aboriginal Primary Health Care Service in South Australia, staff have worn Eyecare Now, Eyecare Always T-shirts during optometry clinics to encourage discussions about regular eye checks.
In Western NSW, resources have been shared through eye health partnerships and community activities, including Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service's wellbeing camp. ENEA resources have also featured in culturally safe optometry education materials developed through OCANZ.
FNEHA Board Chair and Deadly Vision Centre founder Shaun Tatipata has seen the value of these campaigns firsthand:
"When our mob see themselves reflected in the messages, artwork and the resources we use, it makes a difference. It builds trust, starts conversations and empowers people to take ownership of their eye health. At Deadly Vision, we've embraced these campaigns because they connect with our communities and reflect how we want our mob to experience eye care. Minum Barreng and its partners have created something incredibly valuable, and through FNEHA, we have an opportunity to build on their work and ensure these campaigns continue to make a difference for our mob."
As FNEHA takes these campaigns forward, our priority is to maintain free access to trusted resources and build on the partnerships already established.
We welcome communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, health services and creatives to share ideas and explore opportunities to collaborate, from developing new resources and sharing community stories to supporting locally led adaptations.
Securing ongoing funding is also essential to keeping these resources freely available. Investment is needed for production, distribution and coordination, alongside new community-led eye health promotion initiatives.
"We want to ensure these trusted resources remain freely available to communities and health services across Australia. We welcome conversations with government, philanthropic foundations, corporate sponsors and other funding partners interested in helping this important work continue."
As Minum Barreng concludes its work at the end of 2026, we extend our warm thanks to the team and the many communities, artists, health workers and partners who have helped shape these campaigns. We look forward to building on their legacy.
For collaboration, resource enquiries or funding opportunities, contact our team at heyyoumob@fneha.com.au.
