Workforce Council

Employees working within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations associated with the health and community services industries.

15 years in the Health and Community Services

I began as a cook in the Hostels across Brisbane and the Torres Strait, I did this for a few years and then because of my people skills I was promoted to a Management position. I have completed Silver Service in Hospitality, Business Management Certificate V and have gained invaluable experience from within the organisation. The thing I love most about my job is working with families and children and supporting people, I think coming from a big family has helped me a lot in my work. In the future I hope to see more hostels being built to cater for the needs of families.

12 years in the Health and Community Services

I have a Degree in Nursing Science; the purpose was to help my people, providing health knowledge to them and I also work back home in Torres Strait. What I love most is giving my knowledge and skill back to my people in health. My hope for the future is to keep working for my people as an advocate in health.

4 years in the Health and Community Services

I am passionate about helping and encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to maximise their health capacity; socially, emotionally and physically as well as helping our mob enhance their potential with coping mechanisms to improve their lifestyle, their health condition or illness. I love increasing awareness and education from a cultural perspective when it comes to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.I plan to complete my Psychiatric Studies to personally ensure the consumers receive culturally and psychologically appropriate assessment or treatment.

12 years in Health and Community Services

I've always wanted to work in this industry, to lead by example, to mentor, to support and advocate for a more improved health status and outcomes for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I work to support and inspire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers to gain accredited qualifications to build the Health Worker workforce capacity. For the future we need to lead by example in mentoring and supporting others to achieve the best outcomes possible. "Making your dreams come true.

9 years in the Health and Community Services

Since going to high school I've always wanted to take care of people, especially the elderly, young mums and babies. I love this part of my work. I had a Certificate III in Primary Health Care and a Diploma of Indigenous Health and have since undertaken qualifications in assistant in nursing and health worker. In the future I hope to work in the medical unit, I'm in the middle of working towards a project and out of this I'm hoping to study pharmacy next year.

4 years in the Health and Community Services

Knowing that the health status of Aboriginal and Islander people is a lot worse than that of the non-Indigenous population I was driven to work in this area. I believe our people relate to each other easily and having a familiar face in the centre helps. I love working with children and in maternity in the Mums and Bubs Clinic. I am not from Townsville and have never worked with Torres Strait Islander people.  I love the diversity in our cultures. I am hoping to do midwifery once I have completed my Nursing degree. My hope is to educate our people in the importance of looking after our health so that the future generation can help work towards closing the gap.

22 years in the Health and Community Services

After being exposed to nursing in 1981 as an Assistant in Nursing and then completing the Enrolled Nurse Certificate in 1992, I decided to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to empower them to take control of their health. I love sharing knowledge gained through work and life skills and supporting others with access to health careers. My drive is to keep passing my experiences and knowledge onto health workers and other staff in the community controlled services across the state. And to learn more about what new software is available to provide a more efficient way of compiling reports.

26 years in the Health and Community Services

I was in high school when family were holding a meeting to operate the first community health service for Aboriginal and Islander people.  I strongly feel that I am doing my part to keep it going. My main job at Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services has been payroll for the last twelve years. There's never a dull moment and I find it very challenging doing payroll for 120 staff.

My future plan is to continue to provide services to the Aboriginal and Islander Health Service and clients of the health service, and do my part to keep the service going.

3 years in the Health and Community Services

I started doing this work to help Indigenous people to understand their health and how important it is to get health checks. I have worked as a receptionist, in child care, and as a medical receptionist. I have a Certificate II in Medical Admin. What I love most is helping Indigenous people with their health, assisting with transport for the patients, and being professional in my job.