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CEO MESSAGE
from The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives Annual Report 2020 - 21
by CATSINaM
I was proud to officially commence in the role of CEO of CATSINaM in October 2020.
In a year of unprecedented challenges, firstly with the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disconcerting impacts of the Black Lives Matter movement, the change in leadership and a deep organisation re-structure – the greatest test of our organisation since its inception in 1997 - I am proud of how the organisation has transcended these challenges. The way we work has changed substantially. The agility, resilience and commitment of the Board, the Elders Circle and our staff is something I am both proud of and deeply grateful for. Our model of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Control that our Elders and Ancestors envisaged 25 years ago provided a strong foundation for this challenging time and the words “Unity and Strength Through Caring” gifted then, have guided us through these turbulent times. I view culture as paramount in shaping our organisation and am proud of the strong leadership displayed across the organisation committed to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes through increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives and the Cultural Safety of the Nursing and Midwifery Professions.
2021-22 has been a year like no other. While some of the longer-term work has been delayed slightly due to the pandemic, the CATSINaM Secretariat managed to keep delivering across all areas and I thank our hard-working staff for their efforts. I am proud of what we have achieved in advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives and to the health and wellbeing outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our nation. I want to thank the Board, The Elders Circle and Muliyan Members for their collective leadership and Eldership during these transformative times.
We are positioned well for what lies in 2021-22 and beyond. There will continue to be some very difficult challenges for our sector. Going forward, the drain on the country’s resources in fighting the pandemic will be hardfelt and we must be prepared to respond in a tight fiscal environment as efficiently and as innovatively as we can. I have every confidence that we will succeed and continue to grow as we work for our people into 2021–22. The wellbeing of our staff has, and always will, come first, and although 2020-21 has been a year of change, we will continue to adapt to and embrace our new normal going forward.
