Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence staff
The Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence (CoE) celebrated 30 years of increasing access to and excellence in research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary healthcare. The milestone achievement was commemorated by the unveiling of a new artwork as a reminder about the power of culture in healing.
Dr Noel Hayman, a proud Wakka Wakka and Kalkadoon man, founded the clinic in 1995 with Nurse Unit Manager Aunty Nola White and Aboriginal Health Worker Aunty Annette Rabbitt, with the goal to improve services for the community.
Dr Hayman remembers their humble start of 12 patients and is encouraged by the growth of the centre to now service over 10 000 patients in 2025.
“I was very happy to take up the position because I really wanted to work in Aboriginal health,” said Dr Hayman.
“What I saw was that Aboriginal people had very poor access to primary health care.”
“To see the service grow to what it is today, gives me hope for the future.”
Other guests of honour on the day included community Elders, Aunty Nola, a proud Gaangalu woman, now retired after over 20 years of service and Aunty Annette, a Barrangum and Jarowair and Gunggari who is still an Aboriginal Health Worker at CoE.
Since its inception, research and training has been the lifeblood of CoE, and the clinic reports high quality outcomes as a result. CoE has welcomed staff from all stages of their careers, from students on placements to health officers with decades of experience and takes pride in how its services continue to shape the future of health care for the community.
“It’s been a wonderful journey, and the clinic has been very successful,” said Aunty Nola in her address at the anniversary event.
“It is great to see so many young people at the Centre working towards improving health outcomes for our community.”
Denise Hookey, proud Waanyi woman and Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Directorate, said the success of the CoE was thanks to the efforts and contribution of hundreds of staff throughout the years.
“This has been a true team effort – from our health professionals, health workers, researchers, admin team and the community who have supported and worked with us every step of the way – thank you,” said Denise.
The highlight of the day was the unveiling of the new reception desk artwork, titled “Healing”, created by Casey Coolwell-Fisher, a Quandamooka, Nunukul woman and project officer at CoE.
“This artwork represents the natural remedies that our people used and still use to help heal our bodies and spirits,” said Casey.
“The artwork features gum tree leaves which are commonly used in traditional medicine. I have designed this art, with the placement of the leaves to showcase the transfer of knowledge from our Ancestors and that knowledge still being used today. The art also recognises that our stories are growing and aging like the roots of a gum tree, while being connected to community like a flowing stream.
“We are also reminded that we are still here and always have been, through our Ancestors handprints.”