Each year, AHCWA hosts a Western Australia Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector awards dinner to highlight the successes and outstanding achievements of those working in Aboriginal Health as nominated by our 23 Member Services.
The Awards recognise nominees and award winners in the following categories:
- Elder in the Community: This award acknowledges an Elder who has shared their cultural knowledge and expertise with health care professionals to enhance service provision. They have championed Aboriginal health and the principles of holistic service delivery in their community.
- Young Achiever: This award acknowledges an aspiring young person who has contributed to the improvement of Aboriginal health and the engagement of youth throughout the workforce. They are recognised as a role model for the future generations.
- Contribution by an ACCHS Employee: This award acknowledges an employee who has shown support and commitment to promoting the service objectives and the engagement of the Aboriginal community.
In 2025, a total of 39 finalists were recognised and acknowledged for their dedication to the Sector.
Elder in the Community
Denetta Cox—Beagle Bay Health Service
Annette Manado—Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
Diane Ugle—Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
Iris Prouse—Derby Aboriginal Health Service
Peggy Mallard—Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
Beth Smith—Mawarnkarra Health Service
Aunty Dorothy Getta—Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation
Harry Yungabun—Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services
Lola Chulung—Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service
Richard Wilson—Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service
Milton Chapman—Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service
Uncle Keith Manuel—South West Aboriginal Medical Service
Flora Ah-Choo—Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation
Young Achiever
Emily Young—Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
Bianca Collard—Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
Jasmine Simpson—Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
Ala McKay—Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services
Max Coppin—Mawarnkarra Health Service
Eric Colbung—Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation
Raphael Sampi—Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service
Marquisha Slater-Hall—Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service
Matthew Worthington—South West Aboriginal Medical Service
Kenneth Bedford-Hills—Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation
Contribution by an ACCHS Employee
Donna Thomason—Bidyadanga Health Centre
Marie Matsumoto—Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
Daniel Ryan—Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
Cathleen Carter—Derby Aboriginal Health Service
Brent Walker—Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
Sheona O’Donnell—Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services
Sarah Johnston—Mawarnkarra Health Service
Nakita Little—Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation
Kevin Schnitzer—Ngaanyatjarra Health Service
John Bonney—Nirrumbuk Environmental Health and Services
Kainsley Bin Jacob—Nirrumbuk Environmental Health and Services
Veronica Dos Reis—Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service
Kesi Maree Prior—Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance
Christopher Rusten—Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service
Rebecca Colbung—South West Aboriginal Medical Service
Georgina Yeeda—Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation
AHCWA annually hands out two additional awards: the Gloria Khan Team Impact Award and the Maxine Armstrong Leaders Award. The employees recognised with these awards were:
Gloria Khan Team Impact Award
Jessica Curnuck, former Eye Health Program Coordinator
The Gloria Khan Team Impact Award recognises an AHCWA employee who makes a significant contribution to the organisation and contributes to a positive workplace culture by demonstrating team spirit, collaboration, engagement and positive working relationships with colleagues across the organisation, endeavouring to get the best out of those around them.
Maxine Armstrong Leaders Award
Dr Caitlyn White, Public Health Medical Officer
The Maxine Armstrong Leaders Award recognises an AHCWA employee who leads by example and upholds the values of the organisation. These values underpin the organisation’s ethics and standards of conduct shape our culture, provide guidance and information on our corporate governance and policy frameworks, and establish a benchmark for the expected behaviour of the organisation’s employees.
Congratulations to all winners and thank you for your continued dedication to the Sector and improving Aboriginal health outcomes.