Released 12/07/2018
A part of NAIDOC Week 2018 celebrations, today I was pleased to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at ACT Health and community health organisations.
The 2018 ACT Health NAIDOC Awards recognise the commitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples working at ACT Health and community health organisations to delivering exceptional health care in our community.
The recipients have made outstanding impacts in areas and organisations like Mental Health, Justice Health, Alcohol and Drug Services (MHJHADS), Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, Policy and Stakeholder Relations Branch and the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM).
The winners of the 2018 ACT Health NAIDOC Awards were:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Individual Award – Janine Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer, CATSINaM;
- Non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Individual Award – Katrina Bracher, Executive Director, MHJHADS;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team Award – Winnunga Care and Support Clinic Team;
- Non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team Award – Mental Health Policy Team; and
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Award – Papunya Connors.
As part of ACT Health Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-18, the Directorate has made a commitment to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Part of its commitment is to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enjoy a quality of life, life expectancy and health status equal to all Australians.
The Directorate’s commitment to reconciliation is also about creating a culturally proficient workforce that recognises health is not just the physical wellbeing of an individual but the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the whole community.
The theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week is ‘because of her, we can’. It emphasises and celebrates the unique role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played and continue to play at the community, local, state and national levels.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases