Aboriginal Medical Services Redfern, known as AMS Redfern, formerly the Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) is an Aboriginal Australian health service in the Sydney suburb of Redfern. Established around 1971, it was the first Aboriginal community-controlled health service in Australia. It became a key Indigenous Australian community organisation, from which most Aboriginal medical services around the State of New South Wales have stemmed. Many Aboriginal community-controlled health services (ACCHSs) were subsequently founded across Australia, following the AMS model. History At the time of the foundation of the AMS, there was no universal health care in Australia, such as Medicare provides today. Inadequate and overcrowded housing and poor nutrition were causing health problems among Aboriginal people that were rare in the mainstream community, and the issue was compounded by the reluctance of Aboriginal people to access mainstream health services for fear of racism, or because of mistrust or an inability to pay. The foundation of the AMS was driven by Mum (Shirl) Smith, Ken Brindle and Chicka and Elsa Dixon. It was set up by Gordon Briscoe, Dr. Fred Hollows, and others, who were all concerned with the serious health problems of Aboriginal Australians in Sydney. Its growth was encouraged by Redfern parish priest Fr Ted Kennedy. The Sisters of Mercy donated the property in which the Aboriginal Medical Service had been established to the Redfern Aboriginal community in 1978. Mum Shirl was the first field officer. Hollows recruited medical students, doctors and volunteers. Founders also included Paul Coe, Dulcie Flower, John Russell and Ross McKenna. Aboriginal journalist John Newfong was the inaugural director, and Andrew Refshauge the chief medical practitioner. Naomi Mayers joined as secretary in 1972, later becoming CEO. Inspired by the success of the Aboriginal Legal Service in providing free services to the Aboriginal community, the group applied for a government grant, and opened the service in a shopfront in Regent Street, Redfern. Its structure mirrored the Aboriginal Legal Service, with prominent community members acting as field officers and white professionals donating their time. The service was controlled by Aboriginal people. Its popularity was so great that it soon became unable to meet the demand for services. While the New South Wales Department of Aboriginal Affairs appeared committed to the service at first, the organisation struggled for secure funding during its first five years of operation. The department regularly delayed its assessment of funding applications, acquittals and payments, forcing