Celebrating top achievers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Oct 31, 2018 | Posted in: Media

QAIHC 2018 Member of the Year - Carbal Medical Services

The state’s top achievers in the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Sector (ATSICCHS) were honoured at the annual Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) Awards for Excellence ceremony in Brisbane on Tuesday, 30 October 2018.

The QAIHC 2018 Awards for Excellence recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations within the Sector.

QAIHC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Neil Willmett congratulated all the winners and finalists.

“It is important to acknowledge individuals and organisations for the work they do in improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland.”

“I am always inspired by the dedication and commitment of the people who work within the Sector,” Mr Willmett said.

The winners of the QAIHC 2018 Awards for Excellence are:

• QAIHC Partnership Excellence Award – NPA Family and Community Services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation
• QAIHC Innovation Excellence Award – Institute for Urban Indigenous Health
• QAIHC Patient Satisfaction & Service Excellence Award – Kalwun Health Service
• QAIHC Leader of the Year Award – Brian Hewitt
• QAIHC Member of the Year Award – Carbal Medial Services.

This year’s celebrations also included the bi-annual QAIHC Hall of Fame.

The QAIHC Hall of Fame acknowledges the many people who have helped lay the foundation for a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Sector in Queensland.

“We were honoured to induct two very special members of our community last night, Maureen Myers and Bernie Singleton,” Mr Willmett said.

“Their struggles and achievements have played a significant role in the success of the sector today.”

Maureen has been instrumental in the delivery of sustainable and well managed health services to the North Stradbroke Island community for more than 30 years which included being involved in the establishment of a health service on the Island in 1984. 

Bernie has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs for 50 years. One of his 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.

The QAIHC Awards for Excellence were proudly sponsored by CheckUP, Hanrick Curran, James Cook University, Health Workforce Queensland and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.