Winners Announced for 2016 IAHA National Allied Health Awards

In a night of fun and flare, the IAHA 2016 National Allied Health Awardees have been announced at IAHA’s annual National Allied Health Awards and Gala Dinner. This years’ awards were held in Canberra with MC Steven Oliver keeping the audience entertained with spoken word and songs. The National Allied Health Awards is an opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution our members make to their professions and improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and our communities.

IAHA National Allied Health Award Winners (L-R) Alison Nelson, Tracy Hardy, Tameka Small, Toni Trevor. Photo: IAHA

The  2016 IAHA National Allied Health Award Winners are: 

IAHA Lifetime Achievement – Steve Larkin

Professor Steven Larkin is a Kungarakany man from Darwin in the Northern Territory. He is the currently the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Education and Research) at the University of Newcastle.

Professor Larkin holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the Queensland University of Technology, a Master’s degree in Social Science from Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Queensland. Professor Larkin has served on numerous national advisory committees in Indigenous Affairs

Commitment to Indigenous Health – Alison Nelson

 Alison’s work at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health has involved the development and expansion of Allied Health services and workforce development in partnership with community controlled health services across the SE Qld region. Alison was integral in the development of the “Work It Out” program; a chronic disease management program which began as a student project at one clinic. Alison was instrumental in guiding research into the improved health and wellbeing of Indigenous clients in the program which enabled additional funding.  This program has grown and has been rolled out across eight clinic sites and has been expanded to include a multidisciplinary team of exercise physiologists, Aboriginal health workers, occupational therapists, dieticians, psychologists and music therapists.

Proudly Sponsored by:HESTA

Allied Health Professional of the Year – Tameka Small

Tameka is from the Kamilaroi nation. After completing her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics she gained a position at Hunter New England Population Health (HNEPH) as an Aboriginal Public Health Nutritionist. Here she has had the opportunity to work closely with the community, particularly in schools and sports clubs, advocating for culturally appropriate public health programs. Tameka has been involved with the restructure of Hunter New England Population Health with regards to cultural respect and development, with the introduction of cultural appropriateness screening of all programs each year to ensure that Aboriginal health becomes everyone’s business. Additionally, Tameka is currently completing a PhD in behavioural science and medicine.

Proudly Sponsored by: Dietitians Association of Australia

Allied Health Inspiration Award – Daniel Hunt

Daniel commenced studies at UWA in 2011, and as he did not achieve an ATAR to gain direct entry, he enrolled in the Aboriginal Orientation Course (1 year bridging) and passed with distinction. He then commenced on the pathway to Medicine by doing the five-week intensive Pre-Medicine programme in the summer of 2002. He then commenced the Bachelor of Science and after a year, gained entry to Medicine in 2003.

His determination to become a doctor was an inspiration to the other Aboriginal students in health. During his medical Intern year, Daniel did some work in oral surgery, which he then decided he wanted to specialise in oral maxillofacial surgery. This meant returning to university to complete the 4 year Postgraduate Dentistry program. Daniel will be 1 of only 4 dental graduates from UWA this year, and the only one to specialise. 

Proudly Sponsored by: Healing Foundation

Future Leader in Indigenous Allied Health – Tracy Hardy

Tracy is proud Kamilaroi woman and is the 2016 IAHA SRC Chairperson who has led by excellent example at all times both within and outside of her capacity at IAHA.

Outside of the SRC, Tracy’s leadership is evident to us through her social media presence, as she is constantly advocating for Indigenous rights on her own personal platform. Tracy’s colleagues have recognised her achievements over the past year have identified that she is not only a leader in the Indigenous allied health space, but a huge asset to the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health as a whole.

Proudly Sponsored by: The Lowitja Institute

Indigenous Allied Health Student Academic Achievement – Toni Trevor

Toni is an advocate for Indigenous Health and a proud Kalkadoon and Torres Strait Islander woman. Toni is a 3rd year undergraduate social work student studying at James Cook University. Toni has worked very hard and achieved commendable grades and has been invited to undertake her Honours.

Toni has been employed as an Indigenous Hospital Liaison Officer (IHLO), since 2013 and works part-time at the Townsville Emergency Department. Toni also has a position on the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre’s Advisory Board Committee, and has volunteered her time since 2014 to assist Indigenous youth at the centre. Toni and the Advisory committee have recently advocated for changes within the youth justice system to ensure that all staff were culturally capable in their dealings with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and their families.

Proudly Sponsored by:HESTA

Indigenous Allied Health Australia would like to congratulate our 2016 IAHA National Allied Health Awardees and thank you for the incredible work you do for our communities.