PA Hospital shirts featuring separate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks have been introduced by Kidney Services in Woolloongabba to strengthen cultural safety for First Nations patients.
The two designs are now worn by members of the multidisciplinary kidney team. Rather than combining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identities in one shirt, each culture is represented separately so both can be recognised and heard.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kidney Health Worker Annika Frew said culturally safe care required recognition of a person’s identity, culture and experiences. The shirts are intended to act as an immediate visual cue that First Nations patients can feel supported and ask questions within the hospital setting.
Non-Indigenous clinicians in Kidney Services are also wearing the shirts. Their participation provides a visible statement of connection and cultural safety before patients begin interacting with the team, particularly within a large hospital environment that can feel daunting.
Community Endorsement Shapes PA Hospital Shirts
The development process involved Gary Torrens and Brett Mooney commissioning the artwork and seeking approval from Yuggera Elder Uncle Steven Coghill.
The completed shirts were also culturally endorsed through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kidney Transplant Reference Group. Its members have undergone transplants at PA Hospital and remained involved in the development.
A cultural brief was then shared with the Kidney Services team to explain the meaning of each print, the culture represented and the role visual identity can play in helping community members feel safe.
Frew and Mooney, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kidney Health Workers at PA Hospital, are working to build trust and relationships with patients. Their work also supports a culturally responsive workforce that includes representatives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Two Artworks Carry Separate Meanings
Deb Thaiday created the Torres Strait Islander artwork, which tells a story of physical, spiritual and emotional health. Its imagery links the body with nature, creation and spirit, while life in the water nourishes life on land and contributes to health and prosperity.
The Aboriginal artwork was created by Charlie Waters. Its centrepiece represents men and women, while boomerangs, digging sticks and coolamons symbolise strength and innovation in healing.
Totems from the environment represent spiritual care during difficult times. The rainbow serpent conveys the continuing connection of culture wherever people walk.
Published 14-July-2026
