Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

12/09/2026

Today marks the 19th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

The United Nations describes UNDRIP as the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. It establishes minimum standards for their survival, dignity and wellbeing and affirms fundamental rights including self-determination, culture, equality and participation in decision-making.

These principles are central to QAIHC’s work. Community control is self-determination in action: it empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to shape, govern and deliver services that reflect the needs, priorities, cultures and aspirations of their communities.

Though the Declaration was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2007, it took a change of government and a year-and-a-half before Australia would sign the declaration under the Rudd government.

Today, we renew our commitment to ensuring the rights, voices and leadership of Indigenous Peoples are recognised, respected and upheld — not only in principle, but in practice.

Learn more about UNDRIP, access community resources and watch the Australian Human Rights Commission’s explanatory video: https://buff.ly/A7r35qs

10/09/2026

R U OK? Day is a reminder that checking in with the people around us can make a real difference — not just today, but any day 💛.

If someone is on your mind, trust your instinct and start a yarn. Ask your mob, in your way, “R U OK?” Take the time to listen with care and keep checking in.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, connection to Country, culture, family and community is central to our social and emotional wellbeing. Making space to connect, share and care for ourselves and each other helps keep our people and communities strong.

At QAIHC, taking the time to check in with one another is part of our commitment to social and emotional wellbeing. It helps create a positive workplace culture where staff feel connected, safe, supported and empowered to seek help when needed.

Today, the QAIHC team came together for an Acknowledgement of Country with Tribal Experiences, followed by a cultural art workshop. Staff also shared a yarn and a cuppa over morning tea — creating space for culture, connection, reflection and self-care while strengthening our workplace relationships.

Explore the Stronger Together conversation guide and resources for mob: https://buff.ly/C1hKNct.
For confidential 24/7 crisis support from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter, call 13YARN on 13 92 76.

02/09/2026

The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Kieran Chilcott as QAIHC’s new Chief Executive Officer, commencing in late November 2026.

Kieran brings more than 20 years of health leadership experience and a strong connection to Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector.

Through his extensive leadership at Kalwun Development Corporation, one of QAIHC’s Member organisations, Kieran has worked alongside its Board to support the growth of a large, multisite community-controlled organisation delivering health, family, aged and disability care, housing, cultural and community services.

Kieran also has a longstanding connection with QAIHC, having previously served as QAIHC Chairperson from 2016 to 2018. He returns to QAIHC with significant leadership and governance experience and a strong understanding of our Members, the community-controlled health sector and the broader Australian health system.

Kieran’s appointment comes as QAIHC continues its work to strengthen community control, advance health equity and support better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities across Queensland.

QAIHC also acknowledges outgoing Acting Chief Executive Officer Paula Arnol and thanks her for her leadership, commitment and valuable contribution to QAIHC and the sector over the past three years.

We look forward to welcoming Kieran to QAIHC in late November.
Read the full announcement: https://buff.ly/CFTxhSx

02/09/2026

Today, QAIHC joins the Indigenous Literacy Foundation in celebrating Indigenous Literacy Day — a day honouring the power of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, cultures and languages.

Stories connect us to Country, culture, family and community. When children and young people see themselves and their cultures reflected in books, it strengthens identity, belonging and wellbeing.

We’re proud to share the important work of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation in supporting remote Communities with culturally relevant books and learning resources, including books in First Languages.

Together, let’s celebrate and keep our stories strong for generations to come.

31/08/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘆 🎓

What a journey!

Last Friday, QAIHC proudly celebrated the graduation of 20 graduates from nine employers and communities across Queensland who completed the Diploma of Practice Management.

Across three intensive retreats and months of learning, reflection and practical application, this cohort strengthened the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to support strong, sustainable and community-controlled health services across Queensland. The program also created space for something equally important: learning with and from one another. Within the ACCHO sector, some of the most valuable lessons come through shared experience, collective problem solving and the exchange of knowledge between peers.

We sincerely thank QAIHC Board Director Lizzie Adams for addressing the graduating cohort and presenting each graduate with their Diploma and academic sash.

Delivered in partnership with Health Industry Training and supported through the Indigenous Health Workforce Traineeships Program, the Diploma of Practice Management is an investment in the people who keep our services running strong every day.

Grounded in Aboriginal ways of learning, the retreat model brought participants together to share knowledge, experiences and practical insights. Through these connections, graduates strengthened relationships across the ACCHO sector, built leadership capability and reinforced the value of learning from one another.

Congratulations to all graduates and the organisations that supported them throughout this journey.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane Gidgee Healing Gindaja Treatment & Healing Indigenous Corporation Girudala Community Cooperative Society Goondir Health Services Manngoor Dja Aboriginal Health Services Moreton Atsichs TAIHS

29/08/2026

𝗤𝗔𝗜𝗛𝗖 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀, this is it.

Just 24 hours remain before nominations close for the QAIHC Awards for Excellence and QAIHC Hall of Fame!

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲!

This is your 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲!

Do you want to recognise a project that’s really making a difference in your community?
Is there a team smashing it out of the park for mob?

Or maybe there’s a deadly young person who’s leading from the front who deserves kudos?

𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 - 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸!

There are six Awards for Excellence categories, with each winner receiving a $1,500 cash prize.

There’s also Hall of Fame nominations to recognise someone who has made a significant contribution to a Member service or the ACCHO sector over an extended period.

Nominations close tomorrow at 𝟲:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺, 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲!

Nominate:
𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 | https://buff.ly/ePAogzT
𝗣𝗗𝗙 | https://buff.ly/OObcq3i

28/08/2026

Righto, QAIHC Members. Time to get a wriggle on!

Nominations for the QAIHC Awards for Excellence and QAIHC Hall of Fame close in just two days.

Ask yourself: is there a project you’re proud of, a team doing stellar work or a deadly individual who always goes above and beyond? Now is the time to recognise them.

Six Awards for Excellence categories are open, with each winner receiving a $1,500 cash prize.

You can also nominate someone who has made a significant contribution to your service or the ACCHO sector for induction into the QAIHC Hall of Fame.

Time is running out!
Nominations close at 𝟲:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺, 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Get a wriggle on and nominate:
𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 | https://buff.ly/ePAogzT
𝗣𝗗𝗙 | https://buff.ly/OObcq3i

25/08/2026

Check out this amazing video from our friends at Torres Health.

Au Esoau to Mer Island for this danger Music Video launch!

💥

https://buff.ly/PvwTWT6

This music video was created on Mer / Murray Island as part of the ...

22/08/2026

One week to go, QAIHC Members!

Time is running out to nominate for the QAIHC Awards for Excellence and QAIHC Hall of Fame.

That project everyone’s so proud of.
That team doing amazing work on a roll of masking tape and the smell of an oily rag.
That deadly person who’s really making a difference.
Now is the time to put their good work forward.

There are six Awards for Excellence categories to choose from, with each winner receiving a $1,500 cash prize.

And the Hall of Fame nominations recognise someone who has made a significant contribution to a Member service or the ACCHO sector over an extended period.
Nominations close in seven days, just one week, at 𝟲:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺, 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
Ticktock! Time is running out.

Nominate now:
𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 | https://buff.ly/ePAogzT
𝗣𝗗𝗙 | https://buff.ly/OObcq3i

21/08/2026

𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Senior Policy Officer
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: South Brisbane, Brisbane QLD
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀: Full time
𝗥𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Attractive not-for-profit salary packaging available

𝗤𝗔𝗜𝗛𝗖 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: QAIHC is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health organisations in Queensland, supporting Members through leadership, advocacy and sector development. Established in 1990, QAIHC works to strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health organisation sector. Its work is grounded in cultural safety, self-determination and holistic approaches to health care.

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Join QAIHC’s Policy, Advocacy, Leadership and Strategy division to support policy reform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equity.

You will conduct research and analysis to inform policy development, submissions, reports and briefings. You will also provide strategic advice on system-level policy issues affecting the Community Controlled health sector.

This role supports sector-wide reform through policy and advocacy initiatives, project coordination and stakeholder engagement. Your work will contribute to QAIHC’s Ten-Year Blueprint 2024–2034, health equity strategies and Closing the Gap priorities.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
🔸 Conduct research and analysis to inform policy, submissions and briefings
🔸 Provide strategic advice on system-level policy issues affecting the sector
🔸 Coordinate policy and advocacy projects aligned with sector priorities
🔸 Build relationships and lead engagement with Members, government and stakeholders

𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮:
🔸 Experience in policy analysis, research and advice
🔸 Strong written and verbal communication skills
🔸 Critical thinking, sound judgement and problem-solving skills
🔸 Ability to manage projects, priorities and deadlines
🔸 Strong attention to detail and pride in accurate work
🔸 Cultural competency and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and values

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: 18 September 2026, unless filled prior

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆: https://buff.ly/4vpFSz6