Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

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Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council QAIHC has a strong vision and mission for providing development and support for the community controlled health sector in Queensland.

Vision

The elimination of disparities in health and wellbeing experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland. Goal

To support and drive a sustainable and responsible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Sector in Queensland, recognised by governments and other service providers as an essential, valued and preferred partner, and to enhance primary health care provision more broadly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities. This goal will be met through work under our five strategic priorities. Values

QAIHC Values are based on feedback from its Members and Board of Directors:

• We advocate for the inclusion of cultural practice across the whole health care system in Queensland.
• We act ethically, respect difference and both support and engage in open exchange of ideas, planning and programming decisions.
• We act as thoughtful and responsible stewards of our and our Member Services resources, knowledge, and data.
• We demonstrate strong and uncompromised integrity in support of the highest standards of service quality and governance.
• We aspire to excellence that is approached through diligent effort, both individual and collective, and commitment to continuous quality improvement.

🖤💛❤️ Day 1 of the 2026 QAIHC Members Conference is a wrap! 💚🤍💙 Our conference opened on Yugambeh Country with a Welcome ...
21/10/2026

🖤💛❤️ Day 1 of the 2026 QAIHC Members Conference is a wrap! 💚🤍💙

Our conference opened on Yugambeh Country with a Welcome to Country and cultural opening. It set the tone for a day of strong voices, shared knowledge and meaningful conversations.

QAIHC Chairperson Dorothy Smith shared our strategic vision and introduced incoming CEO Kieran Chilcott, marking an exciting new chapter for QAIHC.
Members heard important updates on Closing the Gap and QAIHC’s achievements and priorities.

The afternoon focused on improving outcomes for children and young people before turning to the future of leadership across our sector.

Thank you to MC Dan Bourchier, our speakers and panellists, and every Member who contributed their experiences and ideas.

Tomorrow, the conversation continues with community-driven research, Indigenous Data Sovereignty and national health reform.

What a deadly start to . Bring on Day 2! ✨

👏 Thank you to our 2026 QAIHC Awards for Excellence sponsors! The QAIHC Awards for Excellence recognise the deadly peopl...
16/10/2026

👏 Thank you to our 2026 QAIHC Awards for Excellence sponsors!

The QAIHC Awards for Excellence recognise the deadly people, services and partnerships making a meaningful difference across Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled health sector.

We’re proud to acknowledge the organisations supporting this year’s awards:

🏆 Member of the Year: Lowitja Institute
🏆 Leader of the Year: Griffith University
🏆 Innovation Excellence: Deloitte
🏆 Partnership Excellence: Health and Wellbeing Queensland
🏆 Patient Satisfaction and Service Excellence: CheckUP

Your support helps us celebrate the leadership, innovation, collaboration and commitment strengthening our sector and improving health outcomes for our communities.

Thank you for standing alongside QAIHC and helping shine a light on the outstanding achievements of our members and sector leaders.

We look forward to celebrating together at the 2026 QAIHC Awards for Excellence on 21 October! ✨

🖤💛❤️ ONE WEEK TO GO! 💚🤍💙 In just seven days, QAIHC Members from across Queensland will come together on Yugambeh Country...
14/10/2026

🖤💛❤️ ONE WEEK TO GO! 💚🤍💙

In just seven days, QAIHC Members from across Queensland will come together on Yugambeh Country for the 2026 QAIHC Members Conference.

The speaker line-up is locked in, the agenda is ready and the excitement is building for two days of powerful yarns, shared learning, fresh ideas and connection across our sector.

As the final countdown begins, now is the time to get Conference-ready:
✅ Review the agenda and plan your sessions
✅ Confirm your travel and accommodation
✅ Check your transport arrangements
✅ Bring your questions, ideas and experiences to share
✅ Get ready to connect, collaborate and celebrate!

We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Gold Coast and recognising the deadly people and organisations driving our sector forward at the QAIHC Awards for Excellence.

The bags are nearly packed. See you in one week! ✨

📅 21–22 October 2026
📍 Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach

🩷 Breast Cancer Awareness Month at QAIHC 🩷Today, our Preventative Health Officer – Cancer Care, Mandy Draper, hosted a B...
12/10/2026

🩷 Breast Cancer Awareness Month at QAIHC 🩷

Today, our Preventative Health Officer – Cancer Care, Mandy Draper, hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop and Morning Tea for QAIHC staff and invited guests from CheckUp and the RBWH.

Mandy shared the importance of breast cancer awareness, early detection and ongoing education within our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly for our mob living in rural and remote areas where access to breast screening services can be limited.

Our morning continued with the wonderful Bec from First Nations Fashionista, who guided staff through weaving their very own PINK raffia keyrings. 🩷 Bec shared her weaving knowledge and the importance of connection, healing and wellbeing through the practice of weaving.

One important message Mandy left us with was:
"Breast cancer awareness shouldn't just happen in October, and education shouldn't stop when the BreastScreen truck leaves town."

We must continue these important conversations, share knowledge and encourage our Elders, Aunties, Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters, Daughters and Cousins to prioritise their breast health.

Because when we educate and empower our women, we strengthen the health and wellbeing of our families and communities. 🩷

A big thank you to Bec for sharing her knowledge and creating a beautiful space for connection, creativity and meaningful yarns.

🎤 Speaker announcement | Associate Professor Greg Pratt Community-led research. Real-world impact. A powerful addition t...
12/10/2026

🎤 Speaker announcement | Associate Professor Greg Pratt

Community-led research. Real-world impact. A powerful addition to the 2026 QAIHC Members Conference.

We’re delighted to welcome Associate Professor Greg Pratt. A Quandamooka man of the Noonucal tribe of Minjerribah, respected researcher and familiar face across the QAIHC sector.

Greg brings more than 20 years’ experience in research translation, community partnership, co-design and policy development. He previously served as QAIHC’s Principal Research Advisor and led important work to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander human research ethics governance in Queensland.

At the heart of Greg’s work is a commitment to research led by community and designed to deliver meaningful health, wellbeing and community benefits.

We can’t wait to welcome Greg to the Gold Coast this October!

Visit the QAIHC website for Conference details.

👂🏽 World Audiologist Day | 10 October 2026 Today, QAIHC celebrates audiologists and the important role they play in supp...
09/10/2026

👂🏽 World Audiologist Day | 10 October 2026

Today, QAIHC celebrates audiologists and the important role they play in supporting strong ears, strong hearing and strong futures.

From identifying hearing concerns early to providing assessments and ongoing care, audiologists work alongside families, health professionals and communities to support better health, learning and communication outcomes.

We thank the audiologists working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and QAIHC Member Services to deliver accessible, culturally safe and community-led hearing care.

Early hearing checks can make a big difference. If you have concerns about your hearing or your little one’s hearing, yarn with your local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.

🖤💛❤️ The 2026 QAIHC Members Conference agenda is HERE! 💚🤍💙 The wait is over! The full agenda is now live on the QAIHC we...
09/10/2026

🖤💛❤️ The 2026 QAIHC Members Conference agenda is HERE! 💚🤍💙

The wait is over! The full agenda is now live on the QAIHC website! With less than two weeks to go, get ready for two days of powerful yarns, fresh ideas, shared learning and connection on Yugambeh Country.

This year’s Conference features a deadly line-up of speakers, including Samantha Wild, Adam Heterick, Aimee McVeigh, Associate Professor Greg Pratt, Phillip Brooks and more.

Together, they bring valuable perspectives across leadership, community control, health equity, policy, research and system reform.

Explore the agenda to see the full speaker line-up and everything planned across the Conference and QAIHC Awards for Excellence.

🚨 Registrations close Monday 12 October 2026. There are only days left to secure your place. Register now and start planning your Conference experience!

👉 View the full agenda: https://buff.ly/aK962BG

🎟️ Register through the QAIHC events page: https://buff.ly/TbIIHPS

The countdown is on, and we can’t wait to welcome you to the Gold Coast! ✨

🎤 Speaker announcement | Phillip Brooks We’re excited to welcome Phillip Brooks as a speaker at the 2026 QAIHC Members C...
08/10/2026

🎤 Speaker announcement | Phillip Brooks

We’re excited to welcome Phillip Brooks as a speaker at the 2026 QAIHC Members Conference.

Phillip is a descendant of the Bidjara and Kairi Tribes and the Ducabrook Clan of Springsure in Central Queensland. As CEO of QATSICPP, he leads Queensland’s peak body for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled child protection, family support and youth justice sector.

With 25 years’ experience in government and senior leadership, Phillip is a strong advocate for partnerships, sector capability and systems reform that help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth thrive within their families, cultures and communities.

Phillip brings an important perspective on community control, leadership and creating lasting change — and we can’t wait to welcome him to the Gold Coast this October!

Visit the QAIHC website for Conference details.

🎤 Speaker announcement | Samantha Wild Another powerful voice is joining the speaker line-up! This October, we’re exci...
06/10/2026

🎤 Speaker announcement | Samantha Wild

Another powerful voice is joining the speaker line-up!

This October, we’re excited to welcome Samantha Wild, Chief First Nations Health Officer at Queensland Health, to the QAIHC Members Conference.

A proud Wakka Wakka, Cobble Cobble and South Sea Islander woman born and raised on Butchulla Country, Samantha brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy, system reform and governance.

With experience spanning government, the community-controlled sector and management consulting, Samantha brings valuable insight into how community voices, cultural knowledge and policy expertise can come together to create meaningful change.

Her leadership is grounded in culture, self-determination and a strong commitment to achieving health equity and life expectancy parity for First Nations Queenslanders.

The Conference is getting closer, the speaker line-up is growing and the excitement is building. We can’t wait to welcome Samantha to the Gold Coast!

Visit the QAIHC website to secure your place and explore the Conference details.

Address

36 Russell Street
South Brisbane, QLD
4101

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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