Michael Miller

Michael Miller (Deceased 1998) INDUCTED 2011

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.

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. 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.