Image courtesy of Government House Western Australia website
Walman Yawuru Elder Elsta Foy has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of a lifetime of service to Aboriginal health and to the Broome and Kimberley communities. The medal was presented by Western Australian Governor Chris Dawson at a ceremony in Broome with over 200 family, friends, and community members in attendance.
Ms Foy, 89, made the King’s Birthday Honours List in 2026 for her dedication to serving community in Broome. Both honours celebrate decades of leadership, advocacy, and dedication to improving health and wellbeing as Western Australia’s first formally recognised Aboriginal health worker.
At 16 years old, Ms Foy undertook health worker training in Perth, before returning to Broome determined to improve access to healthcare and ensure her people were treated with dignity and respect. She would go on
to work for nearly 40 years with the Western Australian Health Department, strengthening services across
the region.
In 1978, she advocated for the establishment of Broome’s first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS). She also founded Milliya Rumurra Aboriginal Corporation, an alcohol rehabilitation service that pioneered a family-focused approach to support both individuals and families.
Beyond her contributions to health, Ms Foy has been a respected leader in local government and became the first Aboriginal woman elected to the Shire of Broome in 1990. She served as councillor for over three decades, championing Aboriginal rights, gender equality, and inclusive decision-making and opportunities.
With hundreds travelling from across Australia to celebrate Ms Foy, the ceremony was a testament not only to her professional achievements but also to her generosity, resilience, and lifelong commitment to helping others.
Her accomplishments showcase the enduring impact of Aboriginal leadership and demonstrate that when services for Aboriginal people are led and delivered by Aboriginal people, outcomes are always better.
AHCWA congratulates Ms Foy on this well-deserved honour and acknowledges her extraordinary contributions to Aboriginal health and community controlled healthcare. Her legacy will inspire future generations of Aboriginal health leaders and advocates.