Sheryl Lawton

INDUCTED 2016

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.