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Shining a Light on Eye Health: Shaun Tatipata’s Journey to Community Visionary
Home Shining a Light on Eye Health: Shaun Tatipata’s Journey to Community Visionary
15 July 2025
5 minute read
Shaun Tatipata - Founder of Deadly Vision Centre


A Visionary Impact at Barunga Festival

In early June 2025, the Barunga Festival on Bagala Country (Bagala clan of the Jawoyn people) pulsed with Indigenous culture, music, and community pride. There, I met Shaun Tatipata, whose mobile eye and vision checking station stood out. His van, offering free eye tests and glasses, delivered vital healthcare to festival-goers in a remote setting. Shaun’s warmth and dedication shone through, and his recent success at the Deadly Cup Carnival, coupled with his ongoing role as a guest trainer at Batchelor Institute, makes his story one to share.

Shaun Tatipata: A Leader in Eye Health

Shaun Tatipata, a proud Wuthathi and Ngarrindjeri man, founded the Deadly Vision Centre, Australia’s first Aboriginal-owned optical and eye care provider. Trained as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner through Danila Dilba Health Service's Training and Education Unit, Shaun has dedicated over two decades to improving health outcomes for Indigenous Australians. Since 2001, he’s worked with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, the Northern Territory Government, and The Fred Hollows Foundation, leading its Indigenous Australia Program. Through the Deadly Vision Centre, Shaun delivers culturally safe eye care, addressing issues like diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, which disproportionately affect Indigenous communities, as noted in a 2017 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report.

The Deadly Vision Centre: Healthcare with Heart

The Deadly Vision Centre is a groundbreaking Aboriginal-led initiative, blending clinical optometry with cultural expertise to make eye care accessible. Shaun’s mobile van at Barunga served dozens with free tests and glasses, reaching those with limited healthcare access. The Centre’s Deadly Cup Rugby League Carnival, held on July 6, 2025, on Larrakia Country, drew over 3,000 attendees to kick off NAIDOC Week. It provided 30+ full eye checks, engaged 24 health exhibitors, and supported 288 players and 104 volunteers, with media coverage on ABC, TEABBA Radio, and First Nations outlets. The event’s Health Walkabout and community competitions sparked conversations about wellbeing, raising funds for free eye care while celebrating cultural pride. Batchelor Institute is a proud sponsor of this event.

Batchelor Institute Staff at the 2025 Deadly Cup Event

Inspiring the Next Generation at Batchelor Institute

Shaun’s connection to Batchelor Institute, on Kungarakan and Warai Country, runs deep as a guest trainer and lecturer. For over five years, he has trained students in the HLT40221 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice—one of our most popular courses. On June 11, 2025, he returned to deliver training in eye care, speak about career options, and offer insights into specialising in eye care. His sessions inspire students to see themselves as future health leaders, delivering culturally responsive care in remote communities. Batchelor Institute (RTO 0383), renowned for its “Both Ways” philosophy, empowers Indigenous Australians through education. Shaun’s involvement strengthens the pipeline of Aboriginal health professionals.

The Power of Shaun’s Work

Shaun Tatipata’s journey embodies Indigenous leadership. The Deadly Vision Centre bridges health, education, and culture, from mobile clinics to the Deadly Cup’s community impact. His guest training at Batchelor Institute amplifies his commitment, inspiring students to follow his path. For Batchelor students, Shaun is a role model, proving their education can drive meaningful change through compassionate, culturally grounded healthcare.

A Call to Celebrate and Support

Shaun’s work at Barunga and the Deadly Cup, celebrated during NAIDOC Week 2025, highlights the power of Indigenous-led solutions. As a long-time guest trainer at Batchelor Institute on Kungarakan and Warai Country, his mentorship is a full-circle moment. The Deadly Vision Centre lights the way for better eye care and cultural pride. To learn more and support Shaun’s mission, visit www.deadly.health. Let’s champion leaders like Shaun, whose vision transforms Indigenous health and inspires the next generation.