Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Practitioner Excellence Awards

Show/Hide menu

About the awards

The Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Practitioner Excellence Awards (the awards) have been held since 2006.

2023 marked the awards 17th anniversary.

Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners are the essential conduit between traditional and western health services. They are critical to closing the health gap by delivering culturally safe, holistic and client focused care in often challenging circumstances and locations.

The awards are an opportunity to showcase outstanding members of these professional groups while recognising and acknowledging the significant contribution they make to their families, communities and the NT healthcare system.

The awards also recognise NT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying qualifications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care training package. These students are our future workforce.

A special mention to our partners the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Rotary Club of Darwin Sunrise, United Workers Union, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) and the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP).

2023 Recipients

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Practitioner Excellence Awards:

  • Remote Aboriginal Health Worker
    • Winner: Eric Thomas, Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service, Katherine
    • Runner up: Fabian Smith, Malala Health Services, Maningrida
  • Urban Aboriginal Health Worker
    • Winner: Jeffery Lyons, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Top End, NT Health
  • Remote Aboriginal Health Practitioner
    • Winner: Chrissy Joe-Kamara, Ti Tree Community Clinic, NT Health
    • Winner: Dean Niehsner, Yuendumu Primary Health Care Centre, NT Health
    • Runner up: Lorraine Johns Lorraine Johns, Katherine West Health Board
  • Urban Aboriginal Health Practitioner
    • Winner: Celia Harnas, Katherine District Hospital
    • Runner up: Leitisha Jackson, Katherine Mental Health & Alcohol and other Drugs, NT Health
  • Specialist Aboriginal Health Practitioner
    • Winner: Rhonda O’Keefe, Alice Springs Hospital, NT Health
    • Winner: Clifford Plummer, Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, Tennant Creek
    • Runner up: Shiraline Wurrawilya, Top End Region Primary and Preventative Health Care, NT Health
  • New Aboriginal Health Practitioner
    • Winner: Leon Gundersen, AOD Withdrawal and Inpatient Unit, NT Health
  • Advanced Studies (Student Award)
    • Winner: Sherrelle Khan, Student, Batchelor Institute
  • Emerging Aboriginal Health Practitioner (Student Award)
    • Winner: Sharni Braun, Student, Batchelor Institute
    • Runner up: Camellia Benger, Student, Batchelor Institute, based at Danila Dilba Health Service
  • Emerging Aboriginal Health Worker (Student Award)
    • Winner: Ronnita Gorey, Student, Batchelor Institute
  • Dr John Hargrave Honour Roll (Lifetime Achievement)
    • Mr Jack Little, Katherine West Health Board, Katherine

Well done to all nominees and thank you to those who took the time to nominate your colleagues.

Award categories

Nominations are now closed for the Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Practitioner Excellence Awards.

The awards have 10 categories:

The Aboriginal Health Practitioner Awards recognise and acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by Aboriginal Health Practitioners through practicing or promoting safe, responsive and kind ‘holistic’ health care to improve the health and wellbeing of families, communities, and workplaces across the Northern Territory, allowing us to showcase them as role models.

The award sub-categories are:

  • Remote Aboriginal Health Practitioner
  • Urban Aboriginal Health Practitioner
  • Specialist Aboriginal Health Practitioner
  • New Aboriginal Health Practitioner

The Aboriginal Health Worker Awards are for the non-regulated Aboriginal Health Worker Profession. In the Northern Territory, this may include those working in roles as:

  • Aboriginal Liaison Officers
  • Aboriginal Community Health Worker
  • Aboriginal AOD Worker
  • Aboriginal Mental Health Worker
  • Aboriginal Aged Care Worker
  • Aboriginal Chronic Disease Worker
  • Aboriginal Health Promotion Worker
  • Aboriginal Men’s Health Worker
  • Aboriginal Strong Women Worker
  • Aboriginal Strong Men Worker

This award recognises and acknowledges the outstanding contributions of Aboriginal Health Workers through promoting safe, responsive and kind ‘holistic’ health care to improve the health and wellbeing of families, communities, and workplaces across the Northern Territory, allowing us to showcase them as role models.

The award sub-categories are:

  • Remote Aboriginal Health Worker
  • Urban Aboriginal Health Worker

The Student Award is for any full time Aboriginal student or recent graduate residing in the Northern Territory, undertaking a qualification from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care training package. These awards provide recognition of the student’s effort, achievement and academic progress through hard work, commitment and a high quality of work.

The award sub-categories are:

  • Student Award Advanced Studies
  • Student Award Emerging Health Practitioner
  • Student Award Emerging Health Worker

The Dr John Hargrave Honour Roll is a lifetime achievement and acknowledgment bestowed upon an individual who has made significant positive contributions to improving the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities; along with being committed to developing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and/or Practitioner professions.

It is a prestigious award, recognising and celebrating an individual whose commitment and service to the community and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and/or Practitioner professions goes beyond their paid employment and career achievements, and whose role modelling behaviour inspires others.

Nomination information

Nominations are now closed.

Contact

For more information, email ATSIHPexcellenceawards.doh@nt.gov.au.

Print all pages in this section

Give feedback about this page.

Share this page:

URL copied!