QAIHC Hall of Fame Honour Roll 2008-2022

Foreward

Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Sector has, from the beginning, been shaped by struggle. Our earliest Sector pioneers knew that if they wanted to help the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, they needed to work together, coordinate and collaborate. They flew in the face of apathetic governments, academics and a thoroughly colonised medical system that treated First Nations people as problems, not people.

The ATSICCHO Sector has had to struggle for land, struggle for buildings, struggle for recognition and struggle for funding. We struggled to have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, doing and being recognised in the medical establishment. We struggled to get the resources to train up the next generation of First Nations clinicians and administrators. And we struggled to be recognised as a Sector that might actually provide real benefit to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Queensland.

But slowly the wheel turns. A couple of generations on from those first pioneers, we still struggle against systemic racism in our health system. We still struggle for funding, and we still struggle to be recognised by the medical establishment. But times change. In Queensland there are now Health Equity laws that demand Hospital and Health Service partnership with the ATSICCHO Sector, and Indigenous voices may be on the cusp of being enshrined in the Australian Constitution.

Although the wheel turns, we need to recognise that past struggle because it is part of who we are. It is baked into

culture and community. We must pay respects to the people who came before, who shaped the Sector, and who gave up so much so mob could have a chance at a better life and better health. These are the giants on whose shoulders we stand. The work of the Sector has never been harder or more tireless. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes on the Sector and society in general, that are permanent and wide ranging.

QAIHC has proudly recognised 32 people who selflessly took up the struggle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health and wellbeing. Across nine award ceremonies between 2008 and today, the Hall of Fame has honoured founders of the Queensland ATSICCHO Sector, current clinicians working to heal mob in community and the administrators and support staff who make sure that can happen.

Thirty-two people have been recognised for their tireless work, activism, blood, sweat and tears given to the ATSICCHO Sector in the hopes it will make a positive difference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Peoples, communities, and families.

Inductees of 2008 ������������������������ 4

Marilyn Dillon 5

Erica Joan Fisher 6 Amy Lester 7 Pamela Mam ........................................................... 8 Mary Martin 9 Joan Seden 10

Inductees of 2009 ������������������������ 11

Clarence Grogan 12 Bel Lui 13 Jeff Timor................................................................ 14 Eslyn Wargent 15

Inductees of 2010 ����������������������� 16

Nancy Long 17 Steve Mam 18 John Maris 19 Mark Wenitong 20

Inductees of 2011 ������������������������� 21

Les Collins 22 Rita Gutchen 23 Michael Miller 24

Inductees of 2012 ����������������������� 25

Kay Mundraby 26

Sister Muriel ‘Kanomi’ Stanley .................... 27 Anne Tranby 28

Inductees of 2013 ����������������������� 29

Jaydon Adams 30 Dale Manns 31 Maureen Mossman 32 Coralie Ober 33 Inductees of 2014 ����������������������� 34

Cecelia Cook 35 Dorothy Hastie 36 Ethel Munn 37

Inductees of 2016 �����������������������38 Leslie Baird .......................................................... 39 Sheryl Lawton 40 Lynette Shipway 41 Inductees of 2018 ����������������������� 42

Maureen Myers 43 Bernie Singleton 44

Inductees of 2022 ����������������������� 45 Rachel Atkinson 46

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are respectfully advised that this presentation contains images of deceased persons.

Inducts 2008

Marilyn Dillon

Beginning in 1981, Marilyn Dillon was a strong voice for the establishment of a Community Controlled Health Service on the Gold Coast. She successfully secured funding, and negotiated with the Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service in Brisbane, to provide visiting services to clients on the Gold Coast until the Kalwun Health Service became a standalone facility with its own staff.

Marilyn worked tirelessly to establish the Kalwun Health Service on the Gold Coast. She acted as project manager for the fitout of a dental surgery at Mermaid Beach, an abandoned industrial facility in West Burleigh that would become the lynchpin of the operation, and a property in Bonogan that would become Kalwun’s Home and Community Care building.

Marilyn was a Director on the QAIHC Board and became heavily involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues across Queensland and Australia.

Marilyn’s efforts were not restricted to the health sector. She was a tireless fighter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their issues on the Gold Coast and through her efforts gained the respect of both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Marilyn’s passion, professionalism, work ethic, vision, and kindness saw her materially improve the lives of countless people on the Gold Coast and beyond. She had the respect of doctors, c-suite executives, and politicians. But most importantly, she has the love and respect of her people.

Erica Joan Fisher

Erica attended Corpus Christi College on Brisbane’s northside for part of her secondary education, with the intention of undertaking training to become a Sisters of Saint Joseph nun. Later, Erica decided against this career.

Erica Joan Fisher was born on 10 July 1953 in Charleville, Western Queensland and spent most of her early childhood in Blackall where she attended the local Catholic Convent School. Her late father, Eric Moore, was a drover from Longreach and her late mother, Joan Moore (nee Monkland), from Cherbourg, worked on local sheep and cattle stations in the Central West. The family moved to Brisbane in the late 1960s in search of employment and education opportunities.

Erica is a proud descendent of the Gubbi Gubbi Traditional Owners from a well-known and respected family, and she is highly active in the Brisbane Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Erica was married to the late Cecil Fisher for more than 37 years and they had two daughters, Carmel and Peta. They now have six grandchildren including the late Erica-Joan, four great grandchildren and a son in law, the late Sam Combo. Erica has been a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother to all of her family, whilst juggling her work and family responsibilities, ensuring that neither was compromised with family always having priority.

Erica was employed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Brisbane Limited (ATSICHS) for more than 40 years, since 10 September 1979. After completing training at the Brisbane Business College, Erica was employed initially by ATSICHS as a secretary. Following further training, Erica then moved into a Bookkeeper role in 1981. This position was upgraded to a Finance Officer in 1987, and in 1998 was formally re-designated as Finance Manager. Erica has also completed a Diploma of Business (Frontline Management). Erica was awarded life membership of ATSICHS in 1998 at the organisation’s 25 Year Anniversary celebrations.

Erica Fisher has been an inspiration to the local community through her dedicated work with ATSICHS Brisbane. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Services in Queensland have been built on the back of the contributions of loyal and long serving staff like Erica Fisher.

Amy Lester began her career within the Community-Controlled Health Sector as an elected board member of Bidgerdii Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (Bidgerdii) in Rockhampton. She later secured the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which she held for ten years.

As CEO, Amy was instrumental in the growth of Bidgerdii from a small service to one that holds a proud and prominent position in the Central Queensland region—with clinics in Rockhampton, Gracemere and Blackwater.

The Blackwater clinic was established in response to the Primary Health Care Access Program (PHCAP) initiatives and at the request of the local Indigenous community. The organisation facilitated the addition of a mobile clinic as well as a range of Allied Health Programs such as Mums and Bubs, Drug and Alcohol Programs and Chronic Health Care Plans.

Amy’s true love of the job was the challenge of working toward improving the health and wellbeing of her community. She recognised that mainstream health services were unable to come to grips with the health problems experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia and became a passionate advocate for Community-Controlled Health Care.

Through her guidance Bidgerdii has come to be regarded as a trailblazing service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Over the years, the organisation has helped many Indigenous employees obtain accreditation and valuable skills in health care – and the community has been able to rely on a service they could call their own.

Amy’s greatest achievement in the CommunityControlled Health Sector can be seen through Bidgerdii’s success. The organisation continues to be a strong voice and an advocate for the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Pamela Mam

Pamela started working as a Nurse Aid in Palm Island Hospital and worked there for four years. She completed her general training at Townsville Hospital between 1954 and 1959. She then went on to practice midwifery at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

In 1973 she began working in the Raff Ward of the Royal Children’s Hospital. Pamela was strongly encouraged by her husband to work in a field that would allow her to truly help her people’s health.

Though Aunty Pamela Mam was born in Richmond in 1938, she was from Palm Island and a descendant of the Kuku Yala nji peoples in the Cooktown area. Her mother was taken from Cooktown during the stolen generation, and was sent away to Palm Island, away from people and Country. Pam and her husband, Steve Ware, had two children, Tomasina and Mukubi.

For over 60 years, Aunty Pamela worked and advocated from the front lines of the fight for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. In 2015, Griffith University and ATSICHS Brisbane established the Aunty Pamela Mam Indigenous Nursing Scholarship aimed at assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nursing and midwifery students. In 2018, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Griffith University.

Pamela had said that nursing was, at times, a real challenge. Against all odds and her limited high school education, she succeeded tremendously in both her personal and her professional life and forged a career in the difficult and complex world of health. Being a role model for Indigenous people, and encouraging them to achieve despite the challenges, was a real highlight for Aunty Pamela.

Her greatest achievement can be seen in the establishment of the Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service and Jimbelunga Nursing Centre.

Sadly, Aunty Pamela Mam passed away in January 2020 at the age of 82. Aunty Pamela is survived by Steve Ware Snr, Tomisina Ahwang, William Mam(deceased), Brent Lee, Yessa Mam, Mukubi Mam, grand-children, great grandchildren, and great great grand-children.

Mary Martin

Mary Martin commenced working towards her nursing qualification in 1971 at the Mater Hospital in South Brisbane and graduated in 1974. In 1976 she began working at the Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service (AICHS) Brisbane until taking time off in 1978 to raise her children. In 1980 Mary returned to work part time at AICHS Brisbane and in 1984 was part of a small team who set up a one-day-aweek clinic at Dulwich on North Stradbroke Island.

In 1989 Mary accepted the role of Registered Nurse at the North Stradbroke Island service and was involved in securing funding for the service to become fully autonomous as the Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal and Islander Corporation for Health.

Mary was the inaugural Chairperson of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Forum (QAIHF now QAIHC) in 1993 and was involved in establishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health Education and Training (ATSICHET).

She also co-wrote the book titled ‘Binan Goonj – Bridging Cultures in Aboriginal Health’ and represented QAIHF and NACCHO on the Joint Consultative Committee for the development of a Royal Australian College of General Practitioners national Aboriginal Health Curriculum for GPs.

Mary was QAIHF’s first official employee, employed as the Workforce Recruitment and Promotion Office in 1996. From 2002 to 2007 she was also the Chairperson of the General Practice Education and Training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Training Reference Group.

In 2011, Mary was named a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to nursing and to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Mary Martin OAM became Dr Mary Martin OAM in 2019, when she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from QUT for her decade of service to the Faculty of Health Advisory Committee. This is the university’s highest honorary award.

Joan Seden

The inspirational Aunty Joan Seden began her career in health as a registered nurse on Thursday Island in 1961. She was introduced to the CommunityControlled Health Sector in 1975 when she started volunteering a few days a week at the Mackay Health Service. In 1978, the organisation was incorporated, and Aunty Joan was offered the paid position of administrator on an official basis.

Aunty Joan was a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and was instrumental in the establishment of QAIHF (now QAIHC), attending the very first meeting to discuss its formation.

During a visit to Mackay in the 1990s, the late Mick Miller, Aunty Joan, Jeff Timor and Doctor O’Rourke discussed Aboriginal Health Worker (AHW) issues. This led to a commitment to introduce the Aboriginal and Islander Health Workers Education Program (AIHWEP) in North Queensland. Aunty Joan’s primary objective was to recruit AHWs into the program – something she did with great success.

Despite the hard times and the critics, the legacy of Aunty Joan’s commitment is shown today with the presence of QAIHC. Her dedication, commitment and passion for Indigenous Health is unsurpassed. She would help anyone if they needed it, even if it meant putting herself out.

Aunty Joan passed away on 24 March 2007 and is sadly missed by her family and her fellow health colleagues. The legacy of her dedication and determination to forge a new path for the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland continues today.

Inducts 2009

Hall of Fame Honour Roll

Clarence Grogan

He became interested in health through personal experience and wanting to contribute to the betterment of his people. Clarence commenced voluntary work in the early 70s for health, housing and land rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

He was instrumental in establishing many Indigenous organisations in and around the Cairns district, such as Wuchopperen Health Service, Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan, Woompera Muralug Housing Society, Douglas House and Rose Colless Haven just to name a few.

Clarence canvassed the streets and the politicians looking for funding with the help of Uncle Joe McGinness, Mick Miller and Rose Colless. Mick Miller and Clarence also fought for Mapoon to be handed back to the Traditional Owners. They paved the way for Professor Fred Hollows to visit many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to provide appropriate eye care for the community.

Clarence was truly dedicated to helping his people. He had a great sense of pride and continued tirelessly until his death in early 1993. Clarence loved Kuranda and dedicated a song to his beloved home. The lyrics were, “take me back to the old Kuranda Ranges, that’s where my heart will always be”. He often played this on the gum leaf, something he enjoyed doing. No matter where he went, he always had a trusty gum leaf or two in his pocket.

He was a dedicated father and even though he passed away many years ago, his name is still mentioned within the community.

“We sometimes just mention our last name and that person, whether they be black or white, would answer, I knew Clarrie. That is something we will always be very proud of.”

Clarence Grogan was born on 17 August in 1932 and was from Mona Mona Aboriginal Mission near Kuranda. One of six children, he later went on to have 12 children of his own. He was a champion boxer in the 50s and 60s and a strong advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights for most of his life.

Bel Lui

Bel became interested in health after seeing an advertisement in the local newspaper. He applied for the position as he had a desire to work with his people. Bel commenced duties as a Health Worker with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Mackay Ltd in May 1981, retiring finally in February 2007. He was a dedicated worker for the Service and community of Mackay.

Bel Lui was born on 5 September 1944 at Darnley Island in the Torres Strait. He moved from there to Mackay in 1970 seeking employment. Born to a family of ten children (five brothers and five sisters) and now married with five children (four sons and one daughter), Bel’s first job was teaching at the Darnley Island school. Other jobs held during his working history include: a crewman on a fishing boat, QGR worker, truck driver and mining labourer.

Amongst his many passions, he wanted to assist his community who had moved from the Torres Straits to Mackay to settle into their life on the mainland. This included assisting with language barriers and cultural differences; not only when accessing healthcare, but other important social services such as housing, employment, education and legal matters.

Bel assisted the late Mick Miller and Dr Sharon O’Rourke to setup the AIHWEP.

He then went on to become one of the first to enrol. He has diplomas in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care and Advanced Diplomas in Health Sciences.

In addition to other roles and responsibilities, he was the president of the Health Service Union from 1994 to 2006. Bel has played a vital role in advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access healthcare, communicating the importance of understanding their illness and receiving the appropriate level of care.

Jeff Timor

In the early days he, along with others, struggled and fought for the rights and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in the state. Jeff never complained about going to meetings. He put his own job and family on hold just so he could attend and make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health had its say.

In June 1990, Jeff and representatives from other Aboriginal Medical Services in Queensland decided it was time to get together and form a state peak body. This meeting took place in Mackay, so it was up to Jeff and the late Joan Seden to get the people together to form a quorum to ensure the meeting could go ahead. This meeting lasted three days and the state peak body was formed, known then as the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Forum. Jeff still has the original minutes from this meeting.

Jeff was also instrumental in the establishment of the AIHWEP in 1988, as he and others, formed the first meeting in Mackay. Representatives from community and other Aboriginal Medical Services met to discuss issues concerning Aboriginal Health Workers. It was decided from the meeting that the AIHWEP would be formed.

When Jeff does get days to himself, away from all the meetings, he enjoys playing darts, singing karaoke and is currently a radio announcer for Murri Radio.

Jeff Timor has been a significant contributor to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Mackay for more than 30 years, and still today he continues to show his interest and support for the health service.

Eslyn Wargent

Aunty Eslyn Wargent (nee Hudson) was born at Mona Mona Mission, North Queensland in 1950. Her mother was a Western Yalanji woman and her father was a Ewamin man from North Queensland. Aunty Eslyn began her nursing career in 1967 when she was accepted into a nurse training course at the Townsville General Hospital. After two years Aunty Eslyn transferred to Inverell District Hospital.

In 1970 she was employed at the Concord Repatriation General Hospital in Sydney, where she worked in the kidney dialysis unit.

In 1979, Aunty Eslyn began her work in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Sector. Aunty Eslyn, along with Jimmy Savage and Samut Garling completed a door-to-door survey from as far south as the Murray Upper, North West to Georgetown, through the Tablelands up to Mossman and all of Cairns. The survey focused on the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in North Queensland and where they were accessing health services when they were unwell.

This survey played a significant contribution to the establishment of Wuchopperen Health Service, where Aunty Eslyn became one of the first nurses to be employed.

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s Aunty Eslyn made many contributions to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Sector. These included: contributing to the establishment of the AIWHEP

working with Bev O’Hara in setting up the pilot project for Home and Community Care in the seventeen communities of Cape York working with Mookai Rose-Bi-Bayan on the Doola Chalai project, and co-publishing a book called ‘Aged and Ageing in Kowanyama’.

From its inception in 1997, Eslyn worked as a Senior Health Worker at Wuchopperen Health Service and contributed to the growth of the service over the past thirty years. Eslyn retired in 2013.

Inducts 2010

Nancy Long

For more than two decades, Nancy worked tirelessly to support the Board of Directors of Wuchopperen Health Service to establish the organisation as a key provider of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in the Cairns region. During this time, she was instrumental in supporting the transition of outreach services to Innisfail (Mamu Health Service) and Mareeba (Mulungu Health Service) as well as establishing an outreach service at Atherton (Midin).

Of particular relevance was her involvement in the establishment of the Atherton clinic, which took place during her time as Operational Head of the organisation. The establishment of the Atherton clinic included continuing participation in the Atherton/ Croydon Regional Planning process, lobbying QATSIH to allocate specific funds to establish the Atherton clinic and supporting the Atherton Reference Group with the establishment of the clinic. Nancy’s commitment to this process was recognised at the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Midin clinic, with the placement of a plaque dedicated to the Reference Group members.

Nancy’s commitment to self-determination and self-management, two key principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control, is also evidenced by the growth of Wuchopperen over the years that she worked there. Through Nancy’s stewardship, Wuchopperen earned a reputation for effective delivery of comprehensive primary health services incorporating holistic care that focuses on improving the social, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Cairns region. Nancy is a strong proponent of the principles of comprehensive primary health care and continually advocates for the organisation’s services to provide holistic care that focuses on the needs of the individual, their families and the community.

Wuchopperen has become the primary provider of clinical and non-clinical services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Cairns through the delivery of social and emotional wellbeing programs and medical services that focus on achieving good health outcomes for our community. As a previous long-standing executive member of staff, Nancy was instrumental in identifying and implementing organisational strategies to improve governance and service delivery that meets the needs of funding bodies and community.

Nancy retired from Wuchopperen Health Service in 2015, and currently holds a position on the Board of the Cairns and Hinterland HHS.

Steve Mam

Uncle Steve never ever favoured one from the other. It was always the community as a whole. However, he kept a special place in his heart for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health outcomes. He was aware of how some of our people didn’t like going to the hospital and wanted something they could call their own without being stared at or watched.

Uncle Steve Mam was an active member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community for over 45 years. He worked for and had been a board member of numerous community controlled organisations during this time. Despite his commitments he always maintained his interest, involvement and drive to improve the health and well being of our people and communities.

Uncle Steve was a founding member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane Limited (ATSICHS) when it was established back in 1973. His efforts and contribution to the organisation and the community have since been recognised as Uncle Steve was made a Life Member of ATSICHS Brisbane.

Uncle Steve was a life-long volunteer and at times that volunteering touched the nonIndigenous community because as far as he was concerned, everybody deserved respect. Uncle Steve continued to be a strong advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health using his well established local, state, national and international contacts and networks up until his death in 2016. He was a member of the Board of ATSICHS and used his cultural and political skills to bring people together for the betterment of our people.

On his and his wife Pam’s contribution to community, Aunty Pam Mam said, “We never have to push each other. We’ve done everything together. Everything we’ve done is togetherness”.

A well respected and admired Elder, Uncle Steve was a most worthy inclusion into the QAIHC Hall of Fame.

John Maris

John Maris is a descendant of the Muruwari People from Goodooga/Brewarrina region of north-west New South Wales. He was born in Charleville and lived some of his younger years in Brisbane. Intent on moving to Darwin, John brought his young family back to Charleville to say goodbye. While there, John was offered a job and the move was cancelled. The rest is history. John has spent the past 45 years living and working in Charleville and South West Queensland.

John was Chairperson of CWAATSICH for approximately six years and a director of the organisation for the past 25 years—and epitomises CWAATSICH’s vision of ‘caring, sharing, and respecting our communities’. Both John and his wife Madonna are heavily involved in the community.

In 1993 John started with the original organisation as a Transport Aboriginal Health Worker. Since then, he has left and held positions within the Management Committee (Board of Governance). John’s Community Project & Senior Resource Officer role with Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Services, allows him to work directly with local Aboriginal and Islander communities to develop governance and community plans to better outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People within the region.

John is seen as a mentor and a role model within the community. He is considered an institution in the South West among not only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, but among local councils, government departments and communities in general.

John became involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health after seeing members of his family struggle with chronic disease such as diabetes. He has also seen the effects of ill health on the community he loves.

“I believe with a strong and competent health service it can only contribute to the wellbeing of the Indigenous community,” he said, adding that he knows his work is helping to close the gap regarding healthy lifestyles and the healing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the area.

John gets a lot of personal satisfaction from his volunteering role and devotes at least 25 hours a month to working with CWAATSICH. As a relatively new proponent of ongoing education, he has pushed for skill development and quality training for all staff.

“I have always had that political motivation, but once, education to me was never a priority. My priority was survival. But now that I have walked on that side of the fence, I can appreciate the quality and value of education. Our goal at the moment, and mine in particular as an Indigenous leader in our community, is to better the education and health standard for all of our community so there is no segregation, there are no missed opportunities.”

Mark Wenitong

A man of many hats, Mark is currently co-chair of the First Nations Statewide Clinical Network for Queensland Health; Strategic Director of Research Knowledge Transition with the Lowitja Institute; Co-Chairing the codesign for the national evaluation of the IAHP; a Board member of Miwatj ACCHS in the Northern Territory; Acting Chair of Community Enterprise Queensland Remote Stores Far North Queensland; a national Mental Health Commissioner; and Board member of Gaaya Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in Social and Emotional Wellbeing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

As a member of the National Health and Medical Research Council, he is involved in several research projects as well as studying and working in Indigenous health internationally. He was a member of the Northern Territory Emergency Response Review expert advisory group in 2008 and is involved in clinical and policy work with the aim of improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes in Australia.

A member of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, Dr Wenitong is committed to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through community control. He was instrumental in the establishment of Health Action Teams in each of the 17 Cape York communities. Their success means that they are able to influence and shape service delivery through the development of community health plans.

Dr Wenitong advocates for a holistic, whole system approach to an individual’s health using a family centered approach to the delivery of a comprehensive primary health care model.

He has a particular interest in male health and has developed a Male Health Strategy for Cape York that looks to address the particular issues faced by men in remote communities. Within the strategy he recognises the need to celebrate Indigenous masculinities, and uphold traditional values of respect for laws, respect for elders, culture and traditions, responsibility as leaders and men, teachers of young males, holders of lore, providers, warriors and protectors of families, women, old people, and children. The Strategy aims to address access to healthcare for Aboriginal males and shapes service delivery around those principles to ensure a sustainable health system that will improve health outcomes both now and in the future.

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

Dr Mark Wenitong is from the Kabi Kabi tribal group of South Queensland. He is a past president and founder of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association and has been heavily involved in the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and has helped develop several national workforce documents.

Inducts 2011

Les Collins

Upon returning to Brisbane in 1970, Uncle Les actively took up the fight for land rights, selfdetermination, and human rights—battling the inequalities that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were enduring. This led to the creation of a wide range of new communitycontrolled services and programs which included the first Aboriginal Medical Service in Queensland.

In addition to being a founding member of Brisbane ATISCHS when it was established in 1973; Uncle Les was also instrumental in helping to set up the Barambah Health Service.

This included being involved with the building plans through to the proposed structure of the new organisation. Uncle Les’ contribution was regarded as invaluable as it gave the organisation a stable footing with operations commencing in a very short time once the building was completed. His knowledge of community-controlled organisations, funding bodies and the South Burnett District was deemed integral to the success of this service.

Uncle Les’ work and influence extended to Far North Queensland where he advocated and assisted the establishment of the Wuchopperen Health Service in Cairns. His involvement with the service began when Wuchopperen Health Service was operated out of a house in suburban Cairns. Today Wuchopperen services include the Atherton Tablelands and many outlying areas.

Uncle Les Collins has been an active member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community over the past forty years. He has worked and been a board member of numerous community-controlled organisations during this time. A pioneer of Indigenous Health in Queensland, Uncle Les’ legacy is recognised in Brisbane through his appointment as a Life Member of ATSICHS Brisbane.

Uncle Les Collins was born and raised in Cherbourg before moving to Brisbane in his late teenage years. In 1969 he ventured to Sydney for a year, a move that was instrumental in triggering his involvement in the struggle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights.

Rita Gutchen

This community focus was essential in providing much needed access for families at a time of extreme disadvantage and limited access to appropriate health care. Wuchopperen recognised that those communities which began after the closure of Mona Mona Mission needed quality health care services and that it needed to be provided in those communities rather than in Cairns.

Rita was employed as a Health Worker at Wuchopperen Health Service for 27 years. From 1989 until her retirement in 2017, she delivered consistent frontline services to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families from the communities of Cairns and the surrounding districts of Kuranda, Kowrowa, Mantaka and Koah.

Rita began her health work career by providing outreach services which involved home visits, a day clinic at the local community hall with the visiting doctor from Cairns and working in the Wuchopperen Clinic in Cairns. In those years, she provided health promotion and prevention through the delivery of interactive education sessions. This involved working in a practical way with families to raise their awareness and instil sustainable health care practices such as cooking classes and nutrition into their everyday lives. Much of this was done working on her own, supported by her commitment to strengthen the capacity of individuals and families in a manner appropriate to local needs.

As Kuranda expanded their local services, Rita then moved back to work from the Cairnsbased Wuchopperen service. Here, based on her many years of experience, Rita provided valuable support and guidance to the younger generation of health workers. To Rita a job was not just a job. She always believed you must have a passion to work with our people, that you must love what you do and that you must always treat all people with respect and kindness.

Rita retired in 2017 as a Senior Generalist Health Worker based in the General Clinic in Cairns focusing on hearing health. She saw many changes in her time and witnessed the expansion of not only Wuchopperen as an organisation but also the expansion of the health sector in delivering services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Michael Miller

After being posted to Cairns as a young schoolteacher, Mick became involved in local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs and the establishment of the NQLC. It was the NQLC that implemented a doorto-door survey across 30 communities in Far North Queensland looking at the living conditions and health standards of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The survey was undertaken with the intention of using the data to justify the need for increased funding to improve services.

Mick Miller is an important figure in the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Queensland. It was through his Chairmanship of the North Queensland Land Council (NQLC) that the Wuchopperen Health Service came into existence. Mick campaigned all his life for social justice for Aboriginal people and he was influential in many areas including education, health, and land rights.

The data showed that no running water, no electricity, bad sewerage and overcrowding in houses were all contributing to the poor health of our families. It also showed that existing government services were not meeting the needs of the people. Many felt isolated and often faced racism when they accessed services at the hospital. The Survey Report made 14 key recommendations of which seven were health related. They included the call for the establishment of community controlled health services in the region and funding for intensive health worker training to improve service delivery.

This Report laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Wuchopperen Health Service. The Northern Health Association was formed, and its membership included doctors and others who were interested in improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Mick was one of these people.

The Wuchopperen committee was formed, and the organisation became incorporated as Wuchopperen Medical Service on 18 July 1979, with Mick as one of the founding Directors. He continued to play an important part as a Director of the organisation into the early 1980s providing guidance and direction. He was instrumental in establishing the Queensland AIHWEP which continues to deliver training today. Mick was also involved in establishing the State Tripartite Forum, the peak health body in Queensland during the 1990s. During this time many of the state’s health policies and programs were implemented.

Mick is remembered as a leader in many areas for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Because of his foresight and leadership, we can deliver quality health services more than 30 years on. Mick Miller passed away in April of 1998, aged 61.

Inducts 2012

Kay Mundraby

Amongst her many attributes, Kay Mundraby has a unique ability to engage with people of all backgrounds. She displays a passion for ensuring that people get the support that they need. This includes the elderly in our communities who are sometimes living independently and experiencing isolation, mothers anxious about their baby’s health and wellbeing, or lending a kind ear to those less fortunate who are struggling with life’s challenges.

Kay Mundraby is affectionately known as ‘Aunty Kay’ to many young people in her Ipswich community including those she weighed as babies or as children of the mothers she supported in the early days of coming home with their new bubs.

Aunty Kay holds a wealth of knowledge in the community and was a ‘specialist’ when it came to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and the sector she represented. She was highly regarded and respected by her clients and peers for the professional and ethical work she undertook over the course of her career. She generously visited clients in her own time on weekends or after work to see that all is okay.

As a health worker Aunty Kay saw many changes and worked with many people over the years, prompting the following descriptions: ‘like a fine wine that gets better with time’, or ‘like a fine fiddle-there are many strings to this bow, and she has played them all’.

Although she is several years retired, Aunty Kay is still held in the deepest esteem by her Kambu family.

Kambu Medical was undoubtedly enriched by the services and presence of such an esteemed lady who achieved so many goals in her quiet humble way. Aunty Kay helped pave the way for another generation of health workers who will support the community-controlled health sector to further assist clients in taking control of their own health care.

Aunty Kay Mundraby served in many roles during her more than 25 years’ service at Kambu Medical Center. She worked tirelessly as the Aboriginal Health Worker responsible for the Diabetes Support Program. She was also a committed supporter of her many clients within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community of the Ipswich and West Moreton Region.

Muriel Stanley

Muriel ‘Kanomi’ Stanley was born in Yarrabah in 1918. Named Kanomi for her aunt and after the island, North Keppel Island – Muriel ‘Kanomi’ Stanley was educated at the Yarrabah Anglican Mission School. At 18, Muriel decided to join the Church Army, and in 1938 she travelled to Newcastle to attend the training college of the Church Army in Australia.

At the completion of her course, she worked in Church Army Children’s homes in the Hunter Valley and Armidale before becoming matron of an orphanage in Hobart.

Muriel later decided she could do more for her people as a nurse and undertook training at South Sydney Women’s Hospital. Reputedly, she was the first Aboriginal person to qualify in midwifery, after having gained her triple nursing certificate. She was offered jobs in Sydney hospitals but decided to return home to Yarrabah to help her people. Sister Muriel Stanley was appointed matron of the hospital at Yarrabah and in addition to her duties there, she visited chronically ill patients in their homes and led the St Mary’s Girls’ Guild. With the help of her three brothers Connie, Charlie, Luke and brother-in-law Bernie Singleton Snr, she would transfer sick patients and many expectant mothers by boat to Cairns.

In 1959, with her adopted daughter Mina, Sister Muriel left Yarrabah and travelled to London for the Church Army to undertake a two-year course in moral welfare. On her return to Cairns in 1962, Sister Muriel became the Anglican Church’s only full-time welfare worker with Aboriginal people in Queensland. Sister Muriel’s nephew, Bernie Singleton, considers his aunt an ‘exceptional’ woman of her time.

From 1967 Sister Muriel was based at Woorabinda Mission, south-west of Rockhampton, as a liaison officer. She returned to North Queensland in 1970 and married Norman Gresham Underwood, a cane cutter and a widower from Gordonvale. She retired in 1974 but she and her husband continued to work at a children’s home at Mt Gravatt and for the One People of Australia League.

Mrs Underwood, always referred to as Sister Muriel, suffered from a heart condition. She passed away on 18 May 1980 and was laid to rest in Gordonvale.

Anne Tranby

Aunty Anne, a proud Wuthathi woman dedicated over 30 years working for ATSICHS Brisbane Limited and the wider community. Aunty Anne undertook a significant number of roles and had the privilege of working alongside many wonderful people who also had the drive and determination to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes were achieved.

Aunty Anne’s transition into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health came in 1981 when she was employed as a part-time driver with ATSICHS Brisbane at their Grey Street premises. She was honoured to have been employed in her first full time role and the first person to hold the title of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Hospital Liaison Officer in Queensland.

For a whole year she visited every hospital with an Outpatients section to pick up patients from airports when they were travelling from rural areas. She was the person that people looked to for guidance and support when they needed to go to the hospital or medical centre. Her last role was based in Logan before she retired in 2015.

Aunty Anne was highly regarded and respected for her professional and caring manner when providing services to our community.

Inducts 2013

Jaydon Adams

Jaydon Adams was a proud young leader from the Mardigan people of South West Queensland. Jaydon’s formal involvement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health began with the successful completion of a school-based apprenticeship from 2008 to 2010 in Aboriginal Primary Health Care at Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Co Ltd (Goolburri). Jaydon continued at Goolburri through 2011 to 2013.

His passion for his people, his dedication to honouring his culture, and his infectious charisma and warmth, all contributed to Jaydon’s participation in the inaugural NACCHO Youth Leadership Delegation in 2012. From this point forward, demonstrating both respect and leadership, Jaydon assumed further roles in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CommunityControlled Health Sector.

These included:

Inaugural NACCHO Youth Leadership Qld Delegate Male Youth Ambassador to the Inaugural NACCHO male health Ochre Day Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership participant.

Jaydon’s talents extended beyond his commitment to his role with Goolburri. Natural talent ensured he also excelled on the football field. He was extremely proud to have played for Brothers Rugby League Football Club in Toowoomba before being recruited to the Ipswich Jets Rugby League Club to play for the Colts. As expected, Jaydon continued to promote the interest of his people by educating his teammates, coaches and management about Aboriginal culture and the need to Close the Gap in disadvantage faced by his people. Following in the footsteps of his mother, a strong Aboriginal woman and leader for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled health, it is evident to all those who had the pleasure of knowing and working with Jaydon, that Mark and Lizzie Adams raised a leader whose life shaped the future of youth participation in Aboriginal health at the local, state and national levels.

To honour Jaydon, NACCHO determined that the maiden speech at every Ochre Day will be known as the Jaydon Adams Oration and will be delivered by a young person.

The Jaydon Adams Memorial Foundation was established to build awareness for the prevention and response to the negative effects of drug and alcohol use and abuse amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. The Foundation delivers programs and services responsive to cultural needs and aspirations of our youth, families and communities through participation and encouragement of individual and family decision making.

Dale Manns

In 2007 Goolburri was successful in gaining the Recognised Entity Service to give cultural advice to the Department of Child Safety regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who came in contact with the Department.

The school-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Program commenced in 2008 and proved to be very successful with many young people being skilled and prepared for the workforce.

Throughout 2010 several important initiatives occurred when Goolburri:

Dale Manns’ involvement in the Sector began in 1994 as the founding Chairperson of Goolburri Health Advancement Aboriginal Corporation— better known at the time as Goolburri Mobile Dental. Dale’s commitment to the Aboriginal CommunityControlled Health Sector, and to Goolburri, over the years brought many positive changes in service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Goolburri service area.

Purchased new premises for $1.2m at 20 Scott Street, Toowoomba

Was successful in gaining the Regional Services for Child Protection which included Recognised Entity Service, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Support and Indigenous Placement Unit for the Darling Downs and South West Queensland

Took on the Home and Community Care Services for the Toowoomba Region.

Over recent years Goolburri has been successful in gaining the Indigenous Placement Unit in Ipswich, establishing a formal partnership with Queensland Rural Medical Education and the expansion of oral health with the operation of a second Dental Van. Goolburri now employs over 80 staff members throughout the Darling Downs and South West areas.

Through his leadership and commitment, Dale was instrumental in the expansion and growth of services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and helping Goolburri to become the outstanding service provider it is today.

Sadly, Mr Manns passed away on 25 September 2014.

Maurn Mossman

Maureen has held many roles in her community: as a teacher, ordained minister and an Elder. In all these roles, she has been an advocate for the health and wellbeing of her community.

Maureen is a Director of the Board of Wuchopperen Health Service where she plays an integral role in ensuring the sustainability of the service as it grows to meet the changing needs of the community.

Maureen was the major contributor to the strategic direction of the organisation in providing an efficient, effective and accessible medical service across Far North Queensland.

Maureen recognised the importance of quality and safety in an accredited service and contributed to the decision to establish a quality team within the organisation whose role was to ensure a focus on meeting quality standards and delivering a quality service providing effective outcomes for clients.

Now retired, Maureen was a teacher at the local Boopa Werem Kindergarten for 35 years, where she nurtured generations of children who, from their early introduction to Aunty Maureen’s message of “look after your health”, now pass that message on to their own children.

As a minister, she looks after the spiritual wellbeing of her community, in her support of a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. As an Elder, she provides young people with the guidance and support to develop strong confident, leaders in the community.

Aunty Maureen Mossman is a descendent of the Guggandji people of Yarrabah and an Elder in her community of Cairns. She has devoted her life to educating young people and improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in her community.

Coralie Ober

Coralie wrote her PhD thesis as a Research Fellow at the Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre (QADREC) UQ. On joining QADREC, Coralie held the position of Principal Consultant Indigenous Training Education and Research Queensland Health—up-skilling Indigenous Alcohol & Other Drugs Community Workers. Coralie delivered this project at QAIHC in Brisbane and Apunipima Cape York Health Council in Cairns.

Coralie Ober dedicated her life to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Coralie was a Registered Nurse and a registered teacher. She has worked in

Prior to joining QADREC, Coralie was Principal Advisor Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Programs in Queensland Health. She was then appointed to Queensland Corrective Services after the Kennedy Review into Corrections in Queensland. During her time in Corrections, Coralie was seconded to the School of Population Health with Dr Peter Hill to write the undergraduate program for Indigenous Primary Health Care. It was after working in Corrections that Coralie went back to Queensland Health working in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services (ATODS). While in ATODS Coralie was seconded to the Fitzgerald Cape York Justice Study.

Coralie gave her time and expertise to numerous committees over the years and even though she had recently retired, she was still an active community member in various academic focus groups on matters of concern to Indigenous people.

World Health Organisation (WHO) on the Global Project on Indigenous Peoples and Substance Use.

Through dedication to her community, she had seen the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medical Centre in Hervey Bay and Maryborough.

Sadly, Coralie Ober passed away in 2015. The National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference instated the Coralie Ober Honor Roll to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals who made a significant contribution over at least 10 years, to reducing the harmful effects of drug and alcohol use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

the field of Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs at a state and national level, and also internationally, in the

Inducts 2014

Cecelia Cook

GEHGRE was the result of a collaboration between Commonwealth Health and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Gladstone. Over time GEHGRE transitioned to Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous Health Organisation (Gladstone Region Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Service Ltd t/a Nhulundu Health Service). Soon after Cecelia began working with Nhulundu Health Service for which she spent 11 years as a Senior Aboriginal Health Worker.

Cecelia Cook is a proud Byellee woman from Gladstone, Central Queensland. Cecelia was an Aboriginal Health Worker for more than 17 years, commencing her career with Gehgre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation (GEHGRE) as their first female Aboriginal Health Worker.

Cecelia displayed a longevity and commitment to the field of Aboriginal Health that is surely the envy of many who work in this challenging arena.

Cecelia holds a Diploma in Health Science and Community Development and a Certificate in Hearing Health Skills. She was the Coordinator of Nhulundu’s Hearing Health Program. Her experiences were many and varied: from women’s clinics, general home and hospital visits to youth at risk activities, school health checks, ATODS, sexual health and assisting and facilitating health promotion activities.

In 2013 Cecelia was awarded a National Study Bursary from the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. Cecelia had been part of Nhulundu’s hearing program since its inception and a continuing part of her commitment was to participate in the delivery of accredited Ear Training to Aboriginal Health Workers across the country.

Cecelia retired from Nhulundu Health Service in 2016.

Dorothy Hastie

In the early 1990s Dorothy lobbied for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service in Mareeba and to this day she remains a dedicated member of the Board of Directors of Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre. Dorothy also puts in many hours as a volunteer to ensure Mulungu remains a strong and viable organisation.

In addition, Dorothy has held a number of offices, bearing positions on the board of Muluridgi Housing and the Julbu Women’s Group. She has spent many hours attending to her duties in these positions in a professional and efficient manner.

In recent years, Dorothy has provided a home for Indigenous babies and children in need, and an unconditional loving environment for all of those under her care.

In all the positions she has held, including that of community Elder, Dorothy has always provided insightful, calm and knowledgeable leadership, and she is looked up to and respected by those who have come in contact with her.

Dorothy has shown great commitment to improving the status of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this region, and has stepped out of her comfort zone to tackle the many challenges facing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. She is a great positive role model for all of us.

For many years Dorothy Hastie has shown commitment and dedication in relation to improving both health and housing for Indigenous peoples in Mareeba.

Ethel Munn

Aunty Ethel grew up in a tight-knit family, moving often for her father’s work as a station hand, and for schooling. Her father instilled two guiding messages upon her: “education is key” and “people were always as good as we are, they were no better”.’ She attributes these statements as the basis for how she has lived her life as an advocate for Aboriginal people.

Aunty Ethel grew up with the Gungarri language as her first language, spoken by her mother. When starting school, bullying from other students forced her to stop speaking her language. This experience, and the loss of Aboriginal languages, led to Aunty Ethel to become an advocate for the preservation of First Nations languages. She is a Committee Member of the Queensland Indigenous Advisory Committee, which advocates for Queensland’s First Languages.

Aunty Ethel has a deep understanding of the link between language and culture and the affect this has on health and wellbeing. She advocates for languages to be revived and spoken again by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples starting at a young age and wants to see traditional languages being taught more in schools by having more First Nations teachers and teacher aides.

Aunty Ethel believes that it is easier to start learning a language through song rather than speaking. This is something she learnt herself from experience as part of the Yamani project where she learnt five other languages through song. In 2016 Aunty Ethel was one of six women featured in ‘Yamani Voices of an Ancient Land’ a CD which features six different languages across Queensland.

As well as being an advocate for language, Aunty Ethel has been influential in securing Native Title for her mob the Gunggari people. It is this broad perspective, wisdom and experience in advocating for her people that Aunty Ethel brought to her service as a board member of CWAATSICH for many years. She has a long history of community involvement – shaping and influencing Aboriginal affairs, particularly education, housing and health.

From her experience as a board member Aunty Ethel has wisdom to impart to the younger generation and future leaders, “Be proud of who you are and have your say on what you believe is right, it is best to call it as you see it, don’t try to pretend to know things that you don’t and never be shy in standing up for what is right for your people”.

Aunty Ethel Munn is a strong and proud Aboriginal Elder of the Gungarri people in South West Queensland. She was born in the small town of Bollon on 3 August in 1930. Over many years Aunty Ethel provided guidance to the communitycontrolled health service in Charleville with a holistic perspective emphasising the importance of culture, Country, language and education.

Inducts 2016

Leslie Baird

Over the past two decades he has advocated on behalf of the Yarrabah community to grow Gurriny into a comprehensive primary health service that now operates five days a week, both from a clinic site as well as an outreach mobile service.

Leslie’s many and varied roles have included Manager of Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, social and emotional wellbeing support services, drug and alcohol lecturer, and the mentoring and development of Indigenous leaders.

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Through his dedication and hard work, Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service has developed a model of care that is centred around the individual, family and community and is delivering the best health outcomes for the Yarrabah community.

Leslie Baird has been instrumental in the inception and growth of Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service into a sustainable communitycontrolled health service.

Sheryl Lawton

Sheryl Lawton has been the Chief Executive Officer of CWAATSICH for the past 16 years. Previous to her becoming the CEO, Sheryl was employed in many positions of influence within Aboriginal affairs and Aboriginal community-controlled services, spanning Aboriginal Legal Services, Aboriginal Social Housing, Aboriginal Land Council and Aboriginal Childcare.

Sheryl has been instrumental in the establishment of the Aboriginal Child Care Agency (ACCA) of South West Queensland and importantly the ongoing development and growth of CWAATSICH. It is through her ongoing dedication, commitment and hard work that has seen CWAATSICH expand service delivery and become the lead service provider of comprehensive primary health care within the Far South West region.

Sheryl has also been an avid representative of Aboriginal affairs at both the regional, state, and national levels. Throughout this time Sheryl has been Chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Regional Council – Goolburri Regional Council, held the position of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of QAIHC and Director of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) over a number of years.

Sheryl was also the national representative of SNAICC and has represented her people on the South West Health and Hospital Service Health Council. Sheryl has always strived to better herself and her people and has always stepped forward to help those in need and assisted fellow organisations wherever possible.

Sheryl is passionate in ensuring the future of the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Sector and is committed to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life expectancy and achieving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Lynette Shipway

Lynette and a dedicated team of community members campaigned for many years to have a health clinic on North Stradbroke Island. Through her hard work and determination, and by attending many meetings, a health service began operating from the Dunwich Hall in 1984 under the auspice of Brisbane Aboriginal Islander Community Health Service—with just one doctor, one nurse and a receptionist.

To establish a sustainable, permanent service on the island, in March 1992, Lynette worked with other community members to get funds to purchase a property at 16 Dickson Way, Dunwich. Eleven people were then employed, delivering a well-managed and official health service to the Aboriginal community of North Stradbroke Island.

Up until her recent passing in October 2021, Lynnette was the Chairperson of Yulu-Burri-Ba, a past QAIHC Board Member, and a Foundation Member and Chairperson of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health.

Lynette Shipway was instrumental in the provision of sustainable and well managed health services to the North Stradbroke Island community for over 30 years.

Inducts 2018

Maurn Myers

With the assistance of a dedicated team of community members she campaigned to have a health clinic on the Island for many years. That hard work paid off when a health service was opened in 1984 at Dunwich Hall under the auspice of Brisbane AICHS, operating with one doctor, one nurse and a receptionist.

Maureen continued to advocate alongside community members for a sustainable, permanent service to be built on the Island. In 1992 this dream was achieved, and they were able to purchase 16 Dickson Way in Dunwich. Eleven people were employed to deliver a well-managed health service for the Aboriginal community of North Stradbroke Island.

Through Maureen’s commitment and drive, the quality and safety of the health services delivered through Yulu-Burri-Ba have improved significantly. They have expanded into three clinic locations North Stradbroke Island, Capalaba and Wynnum to deliver multiple community care services.

For more than 30 years, Maureen has been an active member and director of the YuluBurri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health. She held the role of Chairperson of the Board of Directors from 2004–2009. In her role as Board Member, Maureen has been instrumental in Yulu-Burri-Ba’s growth to meet the needs of the Quandamooka people who live on North Stradbroke Island and in the Redlands district.

Maureen Myers has been instrumental in the delivery of sustainable and well managed health services to the North Stradbroke Island community for more than 30 years.

Bernie Singleton

Bernie Singleton has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs for over 50 years. He was a Director of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council from 2003 to 2014 and has represented Cape York communities at state and national forums with his extensive knowledge of communities, their health needs, the social determinants and grass roots self-determination.

In 2000 Bernie became the Chairperson of Apunipima Cape York Health Council (Apunipima), a role he held for 13 years. When he began, there were only 15 employees and the organisation, from a governance perspective, was struggling. His leadership saw Apunipima develop into the successful organisation it is today with over 250 staff.

Bernie operates with a clear mandate from the community and has made it clear that what the organisation does is for the people of Cape York. He ensured the organisation was an active member of NACCHO and worked hard to build strong foundations for the organisation. Bernie accomplished this by putting governance systems in place which led to constitutional reform to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and being actively involved in the International Organisation for Standardisation Quality accreditation and the Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited for their primary health care centre.

One of Bernie’s greatest achievements was securing a Deed of Commitment from the Cape York Regional Health Forum in 2005, which allowed a community controlled health organisation to be established in Cape York. Shortly afterward, Apunipima began to deliver Maternal and Child Health Services, Healthy Lifestyle Services and medical services across 10 communities in Cape York.

As the end of his tenure as Chairman, the Board established the ‘Bernie Singleton Scholarship’ with the aim of providing support to Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people from Cape York communities to undertake a full-time university qualification in health or management related studies.

Inducts 2022

Rachel Atkinson

Rachel is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and Elder from Mooroopna, Victoria, and grew up at the Rumbalara Aboriginal Reserve. She has dedicated her working life to improving the lives, and striving for empowerment, of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She has a strong commitment to self-determination and supporting the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices nationally.

Rachel has extensive lived experience in working in rural, remote and regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes over 25 years’ experience as CEO of large community-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations delivering health and social services. She has also held various positions, including as Chairperson, on the boards of state and national peak bodies and government advisory structures. She has built an extensive professional, political and personal network and has been pivotal in highlighting issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities through media, parliamentary and judicial inquiries.

She has been CEO of Palm Island Community Company Ltd since its incorporation in 2007 and is considered to be a leader in the field of innovative service delivery and community capacity building. Rachel has overseen its growth to become the larger service provider and employer on Palm Island. In 2021 Rachel oversaw the transition of PICC to a communitycontrolled governance structure, becoming the major primary healthcare organisation on Palm Island.

Rachel is currently Chair of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak, a board member and community representative of the Queensland First Children and Families Board, Co-Chair of Family Matters Queensland and a Director of the SNAICC National Executive. She has previously served as the Chair of QAIHF/QAIHC from 2003-2007.

48 Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council