Speaker Profiles

Brian Gleeson,
Australian Government
Co-ordinator General,
Remote Indigenous Services

Ken Wyatt, Director
Aboriginal Health,
Office of Arboriginal Health, WA

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He has a strong Noongar, Yamatji and Wongi heritage and believes that education and access to the knowledge society involves life-long learning and is the key to the change and making informed decisions of choice.

Ken recently held the position of Director Aboriginal Health New South Wales Department of Health from 2003 and has returned home after being successful in being appointed as the Director Aboriginal Health with the Western Australian Department of Health. His leadership at the national level and within New South Wales is widely acknowledged and appreciated by many.

Prior to leaving Western Australia Ken held the position of Director of the Aboriginal Education Department of Education Western Australia from 1992 until June 2002 where the focus of his work was on improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal students.

He also held the position of Pro Chancellor of Edith Cowan University Western Australia for a period from 2001-2003 when he relinquished the role to take up his appointment as Director Aboriginal Health in New South Wales.

In 1996 he was honoured to receive an Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and in 2000 The Centenary of Federation Medal for his efforts and contribution towards improving the quality of life, firstly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to mainstream Australia society in education and health.

Ken has been actively involved with numerous committees associated with Aboriginal Affairs, Education, Health and the Aboriginal Lands Trust at the community, State and National levels and with ATSIC as a Regional Chair.

Ken is committed to working towards achieving better outcomes and opportunities for Indigenous Australians and Australian society.

April Lawrie Smith,
Executive Director,
Aboriginal Health Division Department of Health, SA

Barb Flick, Stream Leader,
Social Responsibility Stream,
Cape York Partnerships

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My experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health spans 37 years. While I was enrolled in general nursing training in Sydney in 1971, I worked my days off at the new Aboriginal Medical Service in inner Sydney. I was the first nurse of this AMS that paved the way for Aboriginal people to set up community controlled health services around this country. I worked with Dr Fred Hollows and Mum Shirl in these early days.

I went on to work as a theatre nurse and nursed in country New South Wales. When I moved to Alice Springs in 1986 I served on the Board of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress.

After moving to the Kimberley I worked for BRAMS as a community health worker where I was involved in delivering primary health care services in the field.

In 1992 I moved to Darwin to take on the role of CEO at the Danila Dilba health service, the biggest GP practice in Darwin. During this time I worked with Wurli Wurlinjang and Congress to establish AMSANT in order to present a cohesive voice for Aboriginal health in the Northern Territory to the Territory and federal Government.

I joined the AMA and, with other Indigenous leaders, lobbied politicians for the federal Department of Health to take on its responsibilities toward Indigenous health which saw the creation of the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. I travelled with the (then) Leader of the Opposition and other politicians from the Democrats and the Nationals on visits to Indigenous communities around the country.

I was invited to be the CEO of the newly established Apunipima Cape York Health Council in Cape York Peninsula, far North Queensland. I successfully negotiated a relationship with the state and federal governments to provide resources to address the way in which primary health services were delivered in Cape York Peninsula and to develop a long term strategy to work with the Royal Flying Doctors Service and specialists services provided to the people in the Cape.

In the late 90’s she moved to Sydney to take on the role of Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Unit in the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. While at HREOC, Barbara presented papers on the status of Indigenous Australians to International Human Rights conferences in Indonesia and China.

I was invited to move to far western NSW to develop the coordinated care trial in Wilcannia and with her team and regional organizations, successfully developed a plan to enhance and change the way services were being delivered through crisis care and emergency responses to a primary health care service that better managed maternal and antenatal care; child development and chronic disease.

When the Native Counselling Services of Alberta celebrated their 25^th Anniversary celebrations in Edmonton in 2000 she was invited as their keynote speaker. Following the conference she undertook a 5 week study tour of the NCSA services

Charles Prouse,
CEO,
National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia

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Charles Prouse commenced the role of CEO for the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) in March 2009 in Sydney. Mr Prouse is a Nyikina man who is originally from Derby in the Kimberly, Western Australia. He has worked with Aboriginal groups across Australia for the last 12 years, and been involved in the delivery of Federal environment management and employment programs for Aboriginal communities. He now lends his experience to delivering health, education and employment programs for young Indigenous Australians.

Charles brings broad experience in community capacity building, governance and is proud to be part of assisting Indigenous people in harnessing more opportunities - especially young people.

He is also a board member for the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC) and has significant networks with Indigenous community leaders across the country.

Charles says “As Aboriginal people, we continue to build on the achievements of our Elders before us. In the 21st Century, the time has come for Indigenous people to be on equal footing with our non-Indigenous brothers and sisters and to share in the social and economic benefits our country produces”.

He has recently taken NASCA through a strategic planning process and overseen the relocation of NASCA’s offices to become a foundation partner with the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) in the heart of Redfern, Sydney.

Leah Fountaine,
Head of Department of Curriculum,
Brisbane Youth Education and Training Centre

Kristy Cooks,
Aboriginal Health Officer,
Shake a Leg Health Promotion Program Hunter New England Area Health Service

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I am an Aboriginal woman born in Dubbo, but I have been living in Newcastle for more than 15 years. I am a descendant of the Euahlayi people from the Lightning Ridge area northwest New South Wales.

Since I was in high school I knew I wanted to work with and for my people, and going to university was a dream of mine which I fulfilled. Learning about my culture was also an important factor for me personally, to get an understanding of who i am to strengthen my identity as a young Aboriginal woman.

I studied the Bachelor of Aboriginal Studies at the University of Newcastle and completed the degree in 2004.

After completing the degree, I jumped straight into a position with the Area Health Service as a Trainee Aboriginal Liaison Officer in which i worked at the John Hunter Hospital and James Fletcher. One year later i was granted a permanent position with the Aboriginal Health Unit - Hunter New England Area Health Service as an Aboriginal Health Education Officer. The role is very diverse and we conduct health promotion around health and health related issues such as diabetes, men’s and women’s health, children’s health, careers in health, physical activity, nutrition and hearing checks to name a few. I took a 12 month secondment as the Project Leader for the Shake A Leg health promotion program. I enjoy working in health because i get to get out into the community, there are a lot of options in regards to training, and it opens the doors to venture into other fields within the health realm. Health has allowed me to have completed the Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health (Community Care), along with Statement of Attainment in Audiometry and Certificate III in Fitness; it is a very diverse but rewarding role.

Scott Wilson,
Director,
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc.

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Scott is the Director of Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council, (ADAC). He is an Aboriginal man from the Stolen Generation. Scott's background is one of poly drug use and he has spent considerable amounts of time and effort learning to live illicit drugs and alcohol free lifestyle.
Scott's youth was spent misusing and abusing alcohol and other drugs, which bought him into both law enforcement and health agencies constantly.
The Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc. Interviewed Scott in 1994 when he applied for the position of Director. Scott was appointed Acting Director and in 1995 he became the Director, a position he has had ever since.
Since working at ADAC, Scott has led a drug free lifestyle and has bought his background of abuse into being, where ADAC now has a harm minimisation focus.
Scott’s commitment and involvement in Indigenous substance misuse sees him in a variety of structures and committees. Here are some of them:
Deputy Chairperson of the Alcohol Education Rehabilitation Foundation
(AERF) 2001 - current (appointed by the Prime Minister)
Deputy Chairperson National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee
(Formerly called the National Drug Strategy Reference Group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples)
1997 -, (Ministerial appointment)
Council Member and Executive member of the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD),
1998-2007 (appointed by the Prime Minister)
Executive Director of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA),
1997 - 2005
Ministerial appointment onto the National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health Council
2001-2004 Ministerial Appointment onto the National School Drug Education Committee
2001 - 2004
National Inhalants Taskforce
2004 - 2006
Board Member National Drug Research Institute
1997 - 2003
Board Member National Centre for Education and Training in Addictions
1998-2002 National Cannabis Strategy Taskforce
2004-2005 National Illicit Drug Strategy State Reference Committee (SA)
1998 -
National Illicit Drug Strategy Media Campaign Reference Committee
1998- ongoing
 A variety of other National and State committees.
Scott’s involvement was recognized in 1997 by ADCA in receiving the ADCA Australia Day Award and in 2003 was a recipient of the Australian Centenary Medal.

David Cole,
Director,
Balunu Foundation, NT

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I have had the vision for Balunu for a number of years and have been actively working to establish it over the past four years. The Balunu Foundation to me is the result of my life experiences and my personal challenges I have faced.

Overcoming these struggles to break the cycle for my children has motivated me to try helping other youth also to break the cycles of which many Indigenous people are stuck in.

I see this vision as my purpose and it is my passion to reach out to help as many Indigenous people to rise above all that holds us back to create positive cycles for the generations to come. I am committed to this vision and truly believe that if we all unite and walk together we can achieve greatness and undo the injustices of the past by taking positive affirmative action today to make tomorrow a better place for all.

Cate Jones,
Aboriginal Homelessness and Housing Support Branch,
Shelter SA

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Cate Jones began working as a project Officer for Shelter SA in early April 2008. She has worked in Aboriginal health, research and the tertiary education sector for the last twenty years. Her most recent employment was with FaHCSIA as a Research Associate for the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children or Footprints in Time. Cate’s work with the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children was designed to inform the qualitative arm of the project that was in the process of development in 2006 – 2007. Since starting at Shelter SA, Cate has instigated the development of a branch, the Aboriginal Homelessness and Housing Support Branch. The Aboriginal Homelessness and Housing Branch of Shelter SA has become a strong voice that is genuinely representative of Aboriginal needs and concerns. The promotion of equality of access to appropriate and affordable housing is a priority. Through the Branch, Cate undertakes research and promotes the Aboriginal communities housing issues to the State Government, the media, stakeholders and interested councils to increase awareness of the distinct social/cultural/economic housing issues relevant to Aboriginal people.

Cate has co-run an Indigenous Homelessness Workshop at the National Homelessness Conference at the Adelaide Conference Centre, 21 - 23 May 2008. She also held a housing forum in July this year designed to examine the current Aboriginal housing crisis in South Australia at the Aboriginal health centre, Nunkuwarrin Yunti.

Cate is currently working on a documentary film project that explores the ‘Aboriginal cultural meaning of home’ and explores pathways out of homelessness. The project will focus on and document the real-life stories of Aboriginal people who are experiencing, or have experienced homelessness. It will record the personal journeys of supported pathways out of homelessness for those now housed, and the road forward for those who are seeking housing.

She has also, in consultation, developed a Reconciliation Statement of Commitment for Shelter SA and also revised policy relating to interaction and consultation with Aboriginal people.

Keith Clarke,
General Manager,
Aboriginal Hostels Limited

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Keith was appointed General Manager of Aboriginal Hostels Limited in 1996. Prior to this he was the Assistant General Manager – Operations and the Regional Manager in Victoria, having joined the company in 1985. He is Aboriginal and was born in Alice Springs, going to complete his tertiary education in Adelaide before a two-year period of national service with the Australian Army.

This was followed by primary teaching roles in both Darwin and Alice Springs, after which he began a career in Aboriginal Affairs with the Aboriginal Development Commission in Melbourne. He has been a member of the ACT Parole Board, the ACT Indigenous Education Consultative Body, the Aborigines Advancement League Victoria, the Town Planning Committee Victoria, and the St Kilda Substance Use Rehabilitation Committee. He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2009 for his contribution to Indigenous education and housing.

His current professional interests include improving the delivery of services to Indigenous aged people and health service provision in rural and remote areas. He also takes a keen interest in the provision of students, apprentices and renal dialysis services.

Sue Wilson,
Health Worker
Dharah Gibinj Aboriginal Medical Service

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Sue is a Registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator who works as a Chronic Conditions Coordinator at Dharah Gibinj AMS. This service provides Primary, Secondary and Tertiary health services to the local and more remote communities in Casino and surrounding areas. Empowering people to take control of, and manage their own chronic health through education is a passion.

Tim Fitzgerald,
Project Director, Wannick Unit,
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, VIC

Tom Powell,
Director,
Red Dust Healing

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Red Dust Healing is a specific cultural healing program originally designed by Warramunga man, Tom Powell and further developed in partnership with Randal Ross. Based on ancient and traditional philosophy, Red Dust Healing is a therapeutic and transformative group program that has been delivered in New South Wales and Queensland. This workshop gave participants a snapshot of the program, which examines the intergenerational effects of colonialism on the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of Indigenous families; and encouraged men and women to confront and deal with the problems, hurt and anger in their lives. A key focus of the program relates to rebuilding and healing families and communities through restoring Indigenous men’s identity, responsibilities and relationships.

Pat Brodie,
Professor of Midwifery,
University Technology Sydney & Sydney South West Area Health Service

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Pat is currently Professor of Midwifery Practice Development and Research in Sydney South West Area Health Service. Pat has been influential in leading and evaluating midwifery continuity of care models including pioneering work in the 1990s at Westmead and St George Hospital in Sydney.

From 1999– 2002 Pat was employed as one of two full time research midwives for the national Australian Research Council funded 'Australian Midwifery Action Project'. Pats particular area of inquiry was a review of contemporary Australian midwifery regulation and practice issues.


In 2007, as an invited midwifery leader Pat joined the Perinatal and Infant Sub Committee of the NSW Mental Health Program Council to progress the SAFE START initiative and related perinatal and infant mental health initiatives throughout NSW.

As a researcher and policy adviser Pat has been involved in identifying and challenging the national and state based 'systems' of maternity care, and identifying the professional and practice issues affecting midwifery including standards of midwifery education, workforce, regulation and interprofessional practice. In 2007 Pat was an invited member of the Reference Group for the project 'Developing interprofessional learning and practice capabilities within the Australian health workforce - building capacity within the higher education sector' co-managed by the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney, aiming "to significantly increase the capacity of the Australian higher education sector to graduate health professionals who have acquired well developed inter-professional learning (IPL) and inter-professional practice (IPP) capabilities." Her current research activities include as co-investigator on the National Health Workforce Taskforce funded project to develop National Core Competencies and Educational Framework for Maternity Services 2008-2009 and collaborative research with colleagues from University of Western Sydney and Sydney South West Area Health Services: Exploring professional collaborations: A key to sustainable universal health services for vulnerable families.

Pat is well recognised as a leader with up to date knowledge of professional and practice issues within midwifery in particular in the implementation of midwifery models of care and building effective collaboration. She is the current national president of the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) and in 2007 was awarded life membership of the college for her sustained service and contributions to the midwifery profession and maternity services locally and nationally.

Pat is National President of the Australian College of Midwives and also the previous past President of the NSW Midwives Association.

Lowana Fox,
Aboriginal Health Worker & Undergraduate Medical Student

Matthew Brown,
Director,
Deadly Ears, Department of Health, QLD

Sarah Doherty,
CEO,
Urapuntja Health Service, NT

Darren Benham,
Senior Policy Advisor, Indigenous Health,
FaHCSIA