Cecelia Cook

INDUCTED 2014

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.

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 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.