NAIDOC awards to celebrate staff on journey to reconciliation and health equity

 This NAIDOC Week, the Townsville Hospital and Health Service is celebrating those staff who go above and beyond in their journey to reconciliation and health equity.

Winners of the 2023 NAIDOC Awards were announced at a ceremony held in the front garden at Townsville University Hospital on Wednesday 5 July.

Acting executive director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Amanda Cooms said the awards were an opportunity to acknowledge those who had committed themselves to reconciliation through using their individual power and influence, their words, actions and relationships to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“Our annual NAIDOC awards are our chance to highlight and celebrate staff across our organisation who are making a difference every day to our communities health journey, by embedding the soul of reconciliation and health equity into the heart of the hospital,” Ms Cooms said.

“Each award category has been based on the organisations Reconciliation Action Plan, with the addition of our community service appreciation award which acknowledges that the patient journey doesn’t stop at the hospital doors.’’

The event featured a traditional smoking ceremony, traditional local dancers and a speech by Elder and staff member, Aunty Liela Murison in keeping with the NAIDOC theme for 2023, For Our Elders.

Ms Cooms said staff at numerous facilities were holding NAIDOC festivities to celebrate the week.

“Staff at Kirwan Health Campus and in Mental Health coordinated NAIDOC celebrations including morning tea which featured story telling from Elders, recognised the contributions of Elders in our health community and celebrated the diversity of our community,” Ms Cooms said. 

‘‘Some of our rural sites, including Charters Towers and Hughenden also organised celebrations in their communities.’’

At the event, Townsville Hospital and Health Service board chair Tony Mooney officially launched the health services latest Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025 (RAP).

‘‘The plan is the result of much hard work and will build on our inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 which delivered important outcomes for First Nations staff and patients, and contributed to making them feel safe, supported, and included,’’ Mr Mooney said.

‘‘I look forward to our health service further building on these outcomes through our new plan but also alongside our First Nations Health Equity Strategy 2022-2025 and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy 2022-2031.

‘‘These bodies of work are the foundations that will help us achieve health equity and Close the Gap in health outcomes for Indigenous peoples.’’

Townsville HHS NAIDOC Week Award nomination categories and winners:

Relationships: development of meaningful relationships that are inclusive and collaborative with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Winner: Sheyrll Devecchi and Liana Schnierer

Respect: a journey that shows a respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and history.

Winner: Medical Ward 3 (acute admission unit/stroke team)

Opportunities: creation of opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Winner: Organisation capability - Nick Steele

Staff Award: demonstrated excellence in alignment with the four guiding principles of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework 2010 – 2033

Winner: Townsville based - Niskarski Kina | Rural based - Ramona Nahow

Community Service Appreciation Award: this is an award for a community service agency that has gone above and beyond to assist patients

Winner: Alabaster House