Excellence Award

Winner - Cheryl Patullo

Minister Dr. Chris Burns MLA, Cheryl Patullo from Danila Dilba Health Service and Gwena Lawton-Gless.

New Practitioner Award

Winner - Katherine Coulthard from Ti Tree Health Centre, Central Australia Remote Health

Matthew Gardiner and Katherine Coulthard.

Katherine commenced her Aboriginal Health Worker training in 2006 and graduated from Central Australian Aboriginal Congress education branch at the beginning of 2007.

Prior to graduating, Katherine had been working with Congress medical centre on the bush mobile program until you obtained registration. Continued in that position for a few months before moving to Central Australia Remote Health where she was been employed at Finke Health Centre for 10 months. Catherine has recently moved to Ti Tree where she is currently employed.

Being a single mother of 2 daughters, Katherine found it hard to study but had a large amount of support from work colleagues, family and friends to encourage her to complete her studies.

Remote Award

Winner - Anthony McMasters, from Aputula Health Centre, Central Australia Remote Health

Peter Pangquee and Anthony McMasters.

Tony as he prefers to be called commenced his training as an Aboriginal Health Worker in 1992 at Central Australian Aboriginal Congress. In addition to clinical employment in Alice Springs, Groote Eylandt , Belyuen and Aputula, Tony has worked as research assistant with Menzies on a renal study. Tony has been based in Aputula or Finke for the past 4 years and is currently the acting health centre manager.

During his career, he has maintained and expanded his clinical skills by attending and completing numerous courses and training. He has initiated the Jump Rope for Heart program in the community of Aputula.

Tony was granted a scholarship for 2009 to assist him to complete his graduate diploma in health management through the Centre for Remote Health.

Tony has been described by his health peers as “the Aboriginal Health Worker with enough talent and skill to become a doctor if he desired”.

He provides a positive role model to others within health as well as being held in high esteem by the community.

Highly Commended - Anne Murrungun from Numbulwar

Peter Pangquee and Anne Murrungun

Anne is currently working at the Numbulwar Health Centre and has been an Aboriginal Health Worker for more than 25 years. She commenced her Aboriginal Health Worker training in Nhulunbuy.

Anne has spent most of her career working in Numbulwar community. Her excellent women's health, and maternal health skills has seen her as an invaluable person in the health team at Numbulwar. Anne runs the maternal and women's health program in Numbulwar. In addition to her clinical skills, Anne is seen as a mentor and educator for Aboriginal Health Worker apprentices, nurses, doctors and allied health workers. She ensures that the maternal and women's health program is delivered in a culturally appropriate manner.

Urban Award

Winner - Cheryl Patullo from Danila Dilba Health Service

Wendy Mackay and Cheryl Patullo.

Cheryl has been working the health arena for 20 years. She has spent 16 of these years in the East Arnhem District. She commenced her training while working on Groote Eylandt and continued to work there in a variety of positions including health promotion, clinical and management of three health centres.

During her professional career, Cheryl has held many positions both clinical and management positions and has contributed to the quality of health care in both East Arnhem and urban areas of Darwin and Palmerston. Cheryl has professionally extended her practice and holds numerous qualifications in health and management areas of practice including an Aboriginal Health Worker Medicare provider card. Cheryl is currently working the Coordinator of the Danila Dilba Health Service Palmerston clinic.

Highly Commended - Natalie Newman Aboriginal Clinical Learning Branch

Wendy Mackay and Natalie Newman.

Natalie began her training at Batchelor Institute in 1994 and has been working as an Aboriginal Health Worker for the past 13 years. During her career Natalie has worked in Central Australian Aboriginal Congress; Woodycupildiya Health Centre; Nhulunbuy as an education and training coordinator; in Yirrkala as an Aboriginal Health Worker and is currently an educator for the Aboriginal Health Worker apprenticeship program.

Specialised Award

Winner - Patrick Ah Kit, from Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation

Dr. David Ashbridge and Pakrick Ah Kit.

Patrick has been an Aboriginal Health Worker since 1982, a period of 26 years. He trained at Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and worked there in the years following as both an Aboriginal Health Worker Manager and Educator.

During his career, Patrick has worked in remote health, and held positions in Alice Springs and Darwin in an educator role.

For the past 7 years, Patrick has chosen public health as his area of employment. He is currently working at Anyinginyi Health Centre in the area of men's health. Part of Patrick's portfolio is men's health. Education and health promotion are other health portfolios including heart disease, diabetes in men. Patrick regularly provides health programs at the men's centre in his community. Patrick's main motivation in his work is to give health promotion as much emphasis as direct clinical care.

Highly Commended - Ross Cole Central Australia Remote Health Alice Springs

Dr. David Ashbridge and Ross Cole.

Ross commenced his health worker career with Central Australian Aboriginal Congress? In the 1990's he was working in a variety of positions. He coordinated several health programs including the Frail Aged and Disability and Men's Health. He was the sole health practitioner for the Barkley Mobile Unit. Ross is currently working as part of the Central Australia Remote Health Aboriginal Health Worker management structure based in Alice Springs . Part of his role includes providing training to staff, assisting Aboriginal Health Workers in their professional development and relieves in remote health centres when required with the relief including health centre management capacity.

Ross has been recognised by the community and health professionals as a valued member of the health team.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.