St John of God Foundation brings Moort Boodjari Mia to the Telethon Family Festival

On Sunday 18 October 2026, St John of God Foundation will proudly join the Telethon Family Festival Charity Zone in Perth’s CBD, celebrating family and care, and helping create healthier futures for WA children and families.

As part of this year’s festival, the Foundation will showcase the work of Moort Boodjari Mia (MBM), a significant program run out of St John of God Midland Public Hospital, supporting Aboriginal babies, children and their families through culturally responsive health care.

Visitors to the Foundation booth and MBM Outreach Van will have the opportunity to meet members of the team, explore the van and discover how the program is helping bring health care and support closer to home.

A mural shaped by culture and creativity

A highlight of the day will be a special community mural, guided by proud Malgana/Ngadju Artist Amy Freestone, who created the artwork featured on the MBM Outreach Van.

Families and children will be invited to add their own colours and creativity to the mural, helping bring its story to life.

The artwork will celebrate family, culture, belonging and the journey towards better health outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.

Amy said art provides a powerful way to bring people together and share stories across generations.

“Art is a powerful way to bring people together, to share knowledge, and to heal. Together we hope this painting represents a shared journey of health, equity, and hope for all our communities.”

Children will also be able to take part in clinician dress-ups, with free balloons and bounce-balls, making the Foundation and MBM space a fun and welcoming place for families to visit throughout the day.

Supporting healthier futures for Aboriginal families

The MBM program is about more than providing health care. It’s about building trusted relationships with families and creating culturally responsive pathways to support that are accessible and closer to home. The MBM Outreach Van is an important part of this work, helping bring services and engagement directly into Aboriginal communities and providing opportunities for families to connect with health professionals in familiar settings.

The Telethon Family Festival provides a wonderful opportunity to share this work with the wider WA community and highlight the incredible impact philanthropy has.

St John of God Foundation is incredibly grateful to the Channel 7 Telethon Trust and the Western Australian community for their ongoing generosity and support.

Visit us

We look forward to welcoming families to the Telethon Family Festival. Visit us in the Charity Zone on Wellington Street on Sunday 18 October, from 10 am to 4 pm and say hello to the Foundation and MBM teams.