Jaydon Adams

Jaydon Adams (Deceased 2013) INDUCTED 2013

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.