This year on 15 May, the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia’s Creative Media Officer Ashley Spratt celebrated five years of service for the organisation.  Ash first joined AHCWA in 2020 as a Videographer and quickly became a valued team member, with his natural ability to engage community and his affinity for visual storytelling.

In July 2020, he took on the role of Youth Engagement Project Support Officer with the Youth Affairs Council, where he demonstrated an aptitude for connecting with young people. By May 2023, Ash started working as the Youth Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Program Officer before entering his current role as AHCWA’s Creative Media Officer in September 2024. His capacity to shift gears and thrive in various roles is a testament to his resourcefulness and his commitment to AHCWA’s work to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and their communities.

Behind Ash’s humility and serene nature is a serious creative gift. A former State athlete, Ash also grew up around theatre, and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of film, which has informed his work on various health promotion video campaigns for AHCWA. An originality and creative flair shine through all of Ash’s work, which has spanned illustration, animation, photography, video projects ranging from training programs to conference promotion, podcasting, voiceover work, and social media campaigns over the years.

In collaboration with AHCWA’s Ear Health Program, Ash has produced a series of videos for Member Services across the State demystifying the experience of ear checks for communities. He has also worked on the Simon Says animation series, promoting ear health measures for children and young people through the engaging characters of Simon and friends.

AHCWA’s Ear Health Program Coordinator Lorraine Taui calls it a ‘privilege’ to know and be so close with Ash, speaking highly of his passion, goals, knowledge, and skills. “He has taught me so much, not only in the workplace but in all areas of life,” she said. “Ash is always open to sharing and always willing to learn and grow. He demonstrates the qualities that are needed in the ACCHS, and while he’s incredibly humble and doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, he absolutely deserves it.”

Ash has huge versatility, and an innate ability to flesh out any concept, adding layers of thought and reflecting the beauty in the world and the unique story behind a subject. His work, from hand-drawn characters to sexual health campaign skits, has been showcased far and wide, and gained much recognition for AHCWA.

Ash is also a Cultural Mentor for the organisation, and everything he does is rooted in a deep understanding and respect for the traditions and voices of the communities he serves. Ash’s modesty, humour, and openness have impact, with children affectionately calling him ‘Uncle’. For Ash, family and community are always at the core, and he strives to support, uplift, and empower those around him.

As Ash celebrates five years at AHCWA, it’s clear that the work he has done and the relationships he has built are just the beginning—he will continue to elevate community, support youth, and provide resources that will make a difference for years to come.

Congratulations, Ash, on reaching this impressive milestone. AHCWA is thankful for your knowledge-sharing, inspiration, and ongoing positive impact on Aboriginal health and the communities we serve.