Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC)

In November, Gimuy/Cairns hosted the Cape York Health, Stronger Together Summit, marking 30 years since the founding of Apunipima Cape York Health Council. The summit united health leaders, providers, and community representatives to explore strategies for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes. Apunipima CEO Debra Malthouse highlighted the ongoing challenges in Closing the Gap, urging a renewed focus for the next 5–10 years. As we celebrate this milestone, the summit serves as a reminder of the work yet to be done and the collaborative efforts required for meaningful change. Read more at SectorLeader.au. https://buff.ly/4fq0Vnh #OurHealthInOurHands #Apunipima #Aurukun #Coen #HopeVale #Kowanyama #Laura #LockhartRiver #Mossman #MossmanGorge #Napranum #WujalWujal #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap #SectorLeader

Keiron Lander, a proud Dieri and Mithaka man, exemplifies leadership and impact in action. As Chairperson of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane and former leader at Deadly Choices, his innovative approach to health promotion has left a lasting mark on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Keiron’s commitment to empowering youth and improving community health is underpinned by years of dedicated work across sectors. From mentoring in rugby to driving health awareness. Read more about Keiron’s journey and achievements at SectorLeader.au: https://buff.ly/4fnpO2W #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap #SectorLeader #ATSICHSBrisbane

🎉 The December edition of Sector Leader is now available! 🎉 🌟 Our cover story features Keiron Lander, Chair of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane, and his reflections on the importance of staying connected to community. Inside this issue: 🔸Jessica Scott, CRAICCHS CEO, discusses her vision for improving regional health care. 🔸Trent Adams, Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Corporation Ltd Deputy CEO, talks about tackling poverty and building community resilience. 🔸CWAATSICH LTD's new wellbeing centre brings culture and comfort to Charleville. 🔸Institute for Urban Indigenous Health welcomes new CEO Wayne Ah Boo, celebrating 15 years of progress under outgoing leader Adrian Carson. We also bring you updates from QAIHC’s Member Engagement Roadshow and insights into the National Indigenous Health Survey. Explore the voices, leadership, and achievements that continue to drive the ACCHO sector forward. Read it here: https://buff.ly/3DwTmxx #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap #SectorLeader

Staff from QAIHC Member organisations across regional and remote Queensland recently participated in the Cert III Business - Medical Administration workshop. Held over two days on the 28th and 29th of November at the QAIHC offices in Gimuy/Cairns, the event marked a key milestone in professional development and capacity building for students in the course. This deadly workshop was organised by Sandy Robertson, QAIHC’s Workforce Coordinator (Medicare & Chronic Disease). We look forward to welcoming the next cohort in March 2025 as we continue to grow skills across our communities. #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap

QAIHC representatives have met with the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Hon. Tim Nicholls MP and the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, Hon. Fiona Simpson MP GAICD to push for practical local solutions to close the gap. QAIHC Chairman Matthew Cooke and Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer David Harmer attended the meeting with Mr Nicholls and Ms Simpson on Tuesday, 10 December. Mr Cooke said it was QAIHC’s role, as an apolitical body, to advocate on behalf of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisation (ACCHO) sector, to ensure the sector is recognised and resourced to play a key role in health service provision. Read the full statement on the QAIHC website: https://buff.ly/3VsZ8Xe #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap

The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) has expressed serious concerns about the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation’s (NACCHO) conduct ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), set to take place in Canberra today. “This morning, NACCHO, acting through its Company Secretary, has taken the extraordinary step of declining my registration to today’s meetings, despite its current constitution affording me a clear right to register and attend as a Member Delegate,” said Mr Cooke. “For NACCHO, the national peak body for our sector, to deny one of its members a voice, and our right to self-determination, in such an important conversation, despite it having no basis in its constitution, to do so is extraordinary and unprecedented”. QAIHC Chairman Matthew Cooke voiced his grave concerns about the potential impacts of NACCHO’s proposed changes to its constitution, warning that they could undermine NACCHO's transparency, accountability, and community-controlled ethos. The proposed amendments come at a time when NACCHO is positioning itself to take on a significant role in holding and commissioning funds. "Proposing amendments that prevent transparency or give NACCHO the ability to silence or stifle voices of dissent is an anathema to our values as community-controlled organisations.” Read the full statement on the QAIHC website: https://buff.ly/3BaYKFR #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap

The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) acknowledges the Crisafulli Government’s decision, announced yesterday by the Hon Fiona Simpson, Minister for Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and Multiculturalism, to repeal the Path to Treaty Act 2023 and redirect funding to Indigenous communities. QAIHC Chairman, Mr. Matthew Cooke, recognised the deep hurt and disappointment that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would feel following this decision. The Crisafulli Government plans to redirect Path to Treaty funds to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland through partnership with local communities. Mr. Cooke stated, “If the government is genuine in this, we will work with them.” Read the full statement below. #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap

It’s with regret that we announce the postponement of this week’s North & North West engagement sessions. Several members of our Engagement Team have contracted COVID-19, and we believe prioritising everyone’s health and safety is the right choice at this time. We remain fully committed to rescheduling these important discussions, and we’ll keep you updated on new dates as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support. Impacted Members can email membersupport@qaihc.com.au for more information or contact their Member engagement officer. #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap #COVID19 #COVID #protectnan #getvaxxed

The QAIHC Engagement Team has been overwhelmed by the generosity and hospitality across the Southern & South West region this week. Acting CEO Paula Arnol wishes to thank the teams from: 🔸 CRAICCHS – Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal & Islander Community Controlled Health ServiceCRAICCHS 🔸 CWAATSICH LTD – Charleville and Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Limited 🔸 Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health 🔸 Goondir Health Services 🔸 Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Corporation Ltd Your insights, energy, and commitment are what make this work possible. Yesterday, we wrapped up the week with the Southern & South West Regional Forum on Giabal/Jarowair Country/Toowoomba. The forum brought ACCHOs together to share priorities, strengthen networks, and focus on strategies for advancing health outcomes across the region. Next week, we head north for our final engagement of 2024, with visits to Yuwibara Country/Mackay and Thul Garrie Waja/Gurrumbilbarra/Townsville. Thank you all for your support as we prepare to close out the year! 🎄💬✨ #CRAICCHS #CRAICCHSHealth #CommunityHealth #Cherbourg #Kingaroy #CWAATSICH #Charleville #Roma #Quilpie #Mitchell #CharlevilleAndWesternAreasAboriginalAndTorresStraitIslanderCommunityHealthLtd #CunnamullaAboriginalCorporationForHealth #Cunnamulla #CACH #Goondir #GoondirHealthServices #Chinchilla #Dalby #Oakey #StGeorge #AgedCare # EarlyEducation #Goolburri #OralHealth #PrimaryHealth #Toowoomba #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap

Yesterday, we had the honour of spending the day on Giabal/Jarowair Country/Toowoomba with Lizzie Adams and the wonderful team at Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Company Ltd. 🌟 This final individual engagement session for the Southern & South West region was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the Blueprint 2.0 Operational Plan and delve into the priorities, goals, and aspirations that will drive the Goolburri team forward. Today, we’re staying in Toowoomba for the Southern & South West Regional Forum, where we’ll bring together all the region’s ACCHOs to explore shared priorities, partnership opportunities, and how our sector can capitalise on NHRA reforms. Next week, we’re heading north for our final engagement roadshow before Christmas, with visits to Yuwibara Country/Mackay and Thul Garrie Waja/Gurrumbilbarra/Townsville. Let’s keep the momentum going as we prepare to close out the year! 🎄💬✨ #AgedCare # EarlyEducation #Goolburri #OralHealth #PrimaryHealth #Toowoomba #QAIHC #Aboriginal #AboriginalHealth #TorresStraitIslander #TorresStraitIslanderHealth #Health #HealthEquity #IndigenousHealth #CloseTheGap