Illawarra Aboriginal community profile: a snapshot of an urban Aboriginal community

This community profile report provides information about the Aboriginal population of the Illawarra Region. It is intended to begin a discussion about how research can contribute to the social health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people. The report highlights disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that are apparent not only in the health statistics but also in almost every key socioeconomic indicator. However the report is not just about ill-health and disadvantage. The Illawarra region has numerous well-established Aboriginal-controlled organisations which provide important leadership and social health and wellbeing services for Aboriginal people, many of which have survived within the region for more than 30 years. These hard working and resilient Aboriginal-controlled organisations have played a fundamental role in facilitating the engagement of the most marginalised and vulnerable sector of the community with mainstream society, contributing to social inclusion.