Uniforms That Carry Care
“It reminds me why we do this work — to honour our people, uplift our communities and carry culture with us in all that we do.”Mandy Draper, Darug Artist and Aboriginal Health Practitioner
Background
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Team at Queensland Health's Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service is dedicated to improving health outcomes and experiences for First Nations patients and families. Their work centres on ensuring patients feel safe, respected, and culturally supported when accessing care, through advocacy, relationship building, and staff education.
Services
- Uniform redesign
- Custom artwork
- Branding
Brief For Uniforms Solution
When it came time to choose a NAIDOC uniform for their team, they wanted something that carried real meaning. Not just a visual marker, but a genuine reflection of the community they serve and the values they carry into their work every day.
Choosing the Artwork
The team selected Muru To Our Biriwal (Pathway To Our Future) by Mandy Draper, a proud Darug woman of the Cabrogal Clan, community member, and long-term collaborating artist with Yarn.
“This artwork was chosen because it speaks of the journey of our people, the strength of our community, and the importance of walking together.”
For Mandy, seeing her artwork worn by the people delivering care in her community carried a significance beyond the garment itself.
“I feel very proud to see my team wearing my artwork. It is a powerful feeling seeing my artwork worn by those who care for our community, making our culture more visible, respected and celebrated.” - Mandy
Meet Mandy Draper
Mandy is not only a Yarn collaborating artist, she is also an Aboriginal Health Practitioner working in the same community, making the selection a rare and meaningful alignment of art, purpose, and place.
Through her practice, she explores strength, community, and the importance of mental health, using art as a vehicle for connection and healing.
“I encourage our mob to understand the importance of mental health and to guide everyone to find something that can assist their well being….Painting is my go to, it assists me to cope with my mental health and reframe my well being.”
Mandy has collaborated with Yarn across multiple campaigns, including a partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, where her artwork honoured the strength of women navigating cancer journeys. Her practice is grounded in the belief that art can open conversations, create culturally safe spaces, and carry the voices of community into everyday life. Royalties are paid to Mandy on every order featuring her artwork.
Team Response
The team embraced the uniforms with a strong sense of pride. For a team whose daily work involves helping patients feel safe and respected, the uniforms became an extension of that mission, worn as a signal of cultural visibility, and as an invitation to connect.
“Incorporating First Nations artwork is a powerful way to celebrate culture, promote visibility and create a sense of belonging. It can bring immense pride for your team to create meaningful connections within the community, with a sense of cultural safety.”
“The uniforms not only reflect our identity but also honour our culture in a visible and respectful way.”
NAIDOC Week and Beyond
Queensland Health's Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service marks NAIDOC Week with events across hospital sites, providing opportunities to honour and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Staff are encouraged to attend and support local community-led events throughout the week.
The uniforms, worn during NAIDOC Week and across the year, make that celebration visible — not just internally, but to every patient who walks through the door.