Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

28/11/2025

Strong in culture, strong in mind

When we yarn about mental health, we also need to yarn about culture.

For our mob, staying connected to Country, Elders and stories is what keeps our minds and spirits steady. Culture gives us identity, purpose and pride - and it helps our young ones walk a little taller, knowing exactly where they belong.

If you’re doing it tough, you’re not alone. Reach out to family, to your mates, to a trusted health worker. And remember: leaning into culture is powerful. That’s where healing lives.

Here’s a message from Rugby League professional and proud Mununjali man, Jamal Fogarty, sharing why staying strong in culture also keeps our minds strong.

Your local ACCHO is here for you. You can talk to a health worker, counsellor or GP anytime you need support.

If you need someone to yarn with right now, call 13YARN (13 92 76) - a 24/7, free and confidential service where you can speak with a First Nations crisis support worker.

Let’s look after our wellbeing, together.

13/11/2025

🌿CWAATSICH is hiring in Charleville, QLD!
Join a team making a real difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. CWAATSICH is looking for:
1️⃣ Practice Manager | $50–$65/hr
Lead clinic operations, support clinical teams, drive quality improvement, and strengthen partnerships.
Apply on SEEK: https://buff.ly/GIWieTl
2️⃣ Health Promotion Coordinator (Cancer Awareness & Screening) | $40–$55/hr
Deliver cancer prevention programs, promote screening, run community workshops, and develop culturally safe resources.
Apply on SEEK: https://buff.ly/Jzq1nks
📅 Applications close 30 November 2025
📧 Or email: recruitment@cwaatsich.org.au
Make a difference in Western Queensland communities today! 💪

09/11/2025

🫁 Get Checked – It Could Save Your Life

Lung cancer is one of the biggest killers in our mob, but if we catch it early, it can be treated.

In this video, Rugby League veteran and proud Mununjali man Jamal Fogarty shares an important message about looking after our lung health.

If you’re aged between 50 and 70 years and you smoke or used to smoke, yarn with your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health service, health worker, or GP about getting a free lung cancer screening.

It’s quick, it’s easy and it could save your life.

We need our uncles, aunties, and Elders around. Let’s look after our lungs and our mob.

📞 Cancer Council Helpline: 13 11 20

🌐 More info:
🔸https://buff.ly/kKo1EgD
🔸https://buff.ly/IkoosWu

06/11/2025

🖤💛❤️ 𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐘𝐎𝐔 💚🤍💙

That’s a wrap on the 𝐐𝐀𝐈𝐇𝐂 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: 𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞.

Over two inspiring days, Members, presenters, and partners came together to share knowledge, strengthen connections, and explore the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

From workforce and data to governance and reform, every conversation showed what’s possible when we lead with culture and move forward with purpose.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed: our speakers, panellists, facilitators, MC, partners, and our Members who make this sector strong.

Together, we continue to build a future that’s community-led, culturally grounded, and purpose-driven.

31/10/2025

29/10/2025

𝐀 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 💛

There’s a new 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 helping mob find lung cancer early, before you even feel sick. The scan is 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤, 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞, and 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞.

If you’re aged 𝟓𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝟕𝟎 and have ever smoked, yarn with your doctor, nurse or health worker. Early detection means 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, and more days to do what you love.

🖤💛❤️ Let’s look after our lungs and each other through 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰, because knowing means living stronger, longer, together. 💚🤍💙

👉🏾 Learn more: https://buff.ly/G8sMJs8

The National Lung Cancer Screening Program
NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

23/10/2025

🖤💛❤️ 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐀𝐈𝐇𝐂 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓! 💚🤍💙
What an incredible two days of learning, sharing and connection in Gimuy/Cairns.

Day 2 brought practical insights on engagement, workforce development, and the bright future of Queensland’s ACCHO sector, alongside fearless discussions about the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead.

✨ Our heartfelt thanks to:
🔸 Dr Dawn Casey, Deputy CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia), for sharing your wisdom and tackling tough questions with honesty and grace.
🔸 Natalie Wilde, Director-General of the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism (DWATSIPM), for your practical advice on engaging with government and navigating tender processes.
🔸 Dr Kathy Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health Services (TAIHS), and Adam Stephen, Workforce Development Jurisdiction Manager at QAIHC, for demonstrating the value of training and workforce development to strengthen ACCHOs and communities, and for sharing data insights that light the path forward.
🔸 Our deadly young leaders: Daniel Rosendale (Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd), Shirley Curley (Palm Island Community Company), Fallon Grainer (Mulungu Health Service) and Daniel Knapp (TAIHS), for your courage, clarity and commitment to growing the next generation of ACCHO leaders.
🔸 Dion Devow, for being an outstanding MC who guided us through the conference with humour, heart and connection; bringing energy and warmth to every moment.

A huge thank you to every panellist, facilitator and speaker who lent their voice to these two inspiring days.

And finally, to our Members. Thank you for making the journey to Gimuy/Cairns to share your stories and strengthen our movement.

We may not always see eye to eye or have the same needs, but our love for community and commitment to better health for our peoples unites us all.

23/10/2025

Thank you for joining us Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan!

22/10/2025

“Culture gives us strength and resilience. It empowers us.

“Culture also gives us purpose. It drives us to deliver a better tomorrow for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland.

“As Chairperson, I see this conference as more than a time to reflect.

“It is a time to look ahead - to talk about the challenges we face and the opportunities we can seize together.” – Dorothy Smith, Chairperson, QAIHC, at the opening of the QAIHC Members Conference 2025

21/10/2025

🖤💛❤️ 𝐖𝐨𝐰 - 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭! 💚🤍💙

𝐐𝐀𝐈𝐇𝐂 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 has officially begun, and Day 1 was filled with culture, connection, and deep conversations.

From data sovereignty and workforce planning to funding reform and policy influence; every discussion centred on helping our communities live long, happy, healthy lives.

🔸 We explored the vital role of data in telling our stories, identifying service gaps, and guiding investment where it matters most.
🔸 We heard from our NT colleagues about the Northern Territory Forum model and how Queensland’s ACCHO sector can coordinate efforts across regions.
🔸 We had an engaging session with Melinda Turner, First Assistant Secretary, First Nations Health Division, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, on how our sector can influence national programs and priorities.

Most importantly, we came together! In unity, in purpose, and with deep love for our people and communities. Even when our needs differ, our collective commitment to our peoples remains strong, like our spirits.

💬 Stay tuned for highlights from today's Day 2 activities, including sessions on reform, NACCHO investments, and leadership.

📍 Cairns Convention Centre - Gimuy
🌐 More info: https://buff.ly/wW4suRg

19/10/2025

🖤💛❤️ 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲! 💚🤍💙

𝐐𝐀𝐈𝐇𝐂 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐲/𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐧𝐬.

This is the moment our sector comes together to connect, share learnings, and celebrate the strength of community control. The ACCHO sector is more than a health system; it is an expression of culture, of leadership, of purpose.

Over two days, Members, leaders and partners will gather to learn from each other, plan for the future, and strengthen our collective voice.

📍 Cairns Convention Centre
🗓️ Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 October

✨ 𝟭 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼!

🌐 Visit the official conference website for all event information, session details and updates: https://buff.ly/s8iKi2c

17/10/2025

𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Senior Planning and Evaluation Officer
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: South Brisbane, QLD
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀: Full-time, ongoing
𝗥𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Attractive not-for-profit salary packaging (up to $15,900 tax-free)

The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) represents the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health sector across Queensland. Since 1990, QAIHC has worked to close the gap in health outcomes through advocacy, evidence-based policy, and sector leadership. Guided by principles of cultural safety, self-determination, and holistic wellbeing, QAIHC collaborates across four divisions—Sector Development, PALS, Population and Public Health, and Corporate Services—to strengthen community control in health.

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
This role sits within the Policy, Advocacy, Leadership and Strategy (PALS) division, working across QAIHC’s Health Information team. You’ll lead data interpretation, implement monitoring frameworks, and guide evidence-based advocacy aligned with Strong sector, strong system: QAIHC’s Ten-Year Blueprint 2024–2034.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
🔸 Monitor and report on health trends to inform planning and advocacy.
🔸 Design regional needs assessments and evaluation frameworks.
🔸 Prepare concise, high-quality reports and presentations.
🔸 Support community-controlled health organisations to use local data.
🔸 Build collaborative relationships across government and sector partners.

𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮:
🔸 Degree in public health or related field.
🔸 Strong analytical and communication skills.
🔸 Experience with both quantitative and qualitative data.
🔸 Understanding of Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
🔸 Knowledge of State and National ACCHO priorities desirable.

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: 13 November 2025

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆: https://buff.ly/68DV4Ew