Aboriginal Leadership
AMSANT’s commitment to nurturing Aboriginal leaders in the health sector has amped up in recent months with the appointment of a new project officer, and the planning and development of further regional workshops with our member services across the NT.
We are looking to build on the momentum and learnings achieved at our 15th Aboriginal leadership workshop, recently hosted by Anyinginyi Health Service in Tennant Creek and attended by 30 health workers, administrators and staff.
Our partnership with the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC) brings further expertise and experience to our leadership program, which has been inspiring emerging leaders since 2007.
“Our member services have identified a vacuum in the number of strong leaders in our sector and they’ve encouraged AMSANT to promote leadership as a priority in our strategic plan,” says Lavina Murray, AMSANT’s new leadership project officer.
“The members see an urgent need for their staff to follow in the footsteps of people like Pat Anderson, Donna Ah Chee and John Paterson, to improve Aboriginal health outcomes for our people and to further strengthen the community controlled health sector.”
Feedback from the workshop in Tennant Creek emphasised the importance of effective communication and emotional intelligence for modern, innovative leaders … and the need to share ideas in a culturally-safe and inclusive learning space.
“There’s plenty of enthusiasm and interest among Aboriginal health workers to build their own character and skills, and to take the chance to lead by example in their workplace, in their family and in their community,” says Lavina.
“Not everyone wants to be a CEO or a manager but our mob do want to be equipped to do their jobs better, to support their colleagues and to become better people … that’s what our leadership program is all about.”