MEDIA RELEASE – IAHA NT Workforce Development Announce Inaugural Board of Directors

Established in 2021, IAHA NT Workforce Development Ltd is a local, Northern Territory organisation based in Darwin working to improve education, training, employment and health and wellbeing outcomes with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families, and communities across the NT.

IAHA NT Workforce Development are pleased to introduce our inaugural Board of Directors and acknowledge their significant individual and collective expertise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce development and the local and cultural governance they bring to the organisation. The inaugural Board of Directors include:

Dr Stephen Corporal (interim Chairperson), an Eastern Arrernte man, Stephen holds Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degrees and completed a PhD looking at Identity, Roles and Expectations of Indigenous Health students.

Celeste Brand, an Arabana woman, fifth generation grounded on Arrernte Country, Celeste holds Bachelor of Social Work and is working as a social worker with the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation.

Anthony Paulson, a Worimi man, Anthony holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) degree and is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Education Unit Manager at GP Synergy.

Nicole Turner, a Kamilaroi woman, Nicole holds several qualifications including a Bachelor of Applied Science (Community Nutrition) and is involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce development in several capacities, including as Chairperson of Indigenous Allied Health Australia.

The inaugural Board will oversee the establishment of the organisation increasing its local governance from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living, working and with cultural and kinship connection to the Northern Territory.

IAHA NT Workforce Development will deliver a range of education, training and career development programs within the Territory, applying a culturally centred and strengths-based framework, with supports built around the social and cultural determinants of health to further enable success.

IAHA NT Workforce Development will operate the IAHA NT Aboriginal Health Academy, with the current Darwin based Academy to be joined by additional sites in the Territory, starting with Katherine. The NT Aboriginal Health Academy supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete Year 12 and a Certificate III qualification in Allied Health Assistance, as school based trainees, and establishing a foundation into employment and/or further education and training.