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Warm winter greetings,
Welcome to the June edition of the First Nations Workforce News. As the season encourages rest and reflection, the mid-year brings us end of financial year busyness and we look to how fast Christmas is coming now. We are excited to share our latest resources, insights, and updates with you.
All the best,
Carissa McAllister
First Nations Industry Workforce Advisor (Health and Social Assistance)
Contact Carissa
Email: cmcallister@checkup.org.au
Ph: 0498 801 004
Local solution to Closing the Gap – council takes pioneering new approach to Indigenous disadvantage
With national efforts on Closing the Gap stagnating, a groundbreaking local solution is emerging. This article details the Tamworth Regional Council's pioneering Mara Ngali Partnership Agreement, Australia's first formal local Closing the Gap pact with Indigenous organisations.
Discover how this "our two hands" approach, embracing Indigenous self-determination and embedding targets into council planning, offers a promising path for practical cooperation and real progress on this vital national challenge.
Regional Workforce Planning
Regional workforce planning and development has strong potential to strengthen and grow our communities. Its impact is greatest when it is place based, guided by genuine partnerships — bringing together local knowledge holders, Aboriginal leadership, community voices, and sector and government stakeholders.
Grounding partnerships in cultural respect and supported by strong evidence, they create space for locally led, culturally safe solutions that meet the unique needs of each region and support a thriving Aboriginal health workforce.
Contact Carissa for discuss or help with your regional workforce planning
Email: cmcallister@checkup.org.au
Local Workforce Local Advisory Group
Benefits of a local Workforce Advisory Committee for First Nations Health and Care:
- Culturally informed decisions: Advisory groups bring community knowledge and lived experience to guide planning that reflects local and cultural priorities.
- Stronger alignment: They help align health and care strategies with regional needs, ensuring relevance and impact.
- Partnership-building: Advisory groups create space for collaboration across sectors, supporting shared solutions.
- Adaptability: Collective community and industry input allows for early response to emerging issues and opportunities.
For assistance with your local Advisory Group or Round Table contact Carissa
Email: cmcallister@checkup.org.au
Scholarship News
The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship provides scholarships to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to succeed in their undergraduate studies.
Applications for the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS) open on Monday, 1 September 2025, through the Indigenous Allied Health Association.
CheckUP Reconciliation Event
Thank you very much Erin Lang, CEO @Reconciliation Queensland Inc, Donisha Duff OAM, CEO, Queensland Indigenous Business Network and Leah Cummins, Owner Bunya Designs for presenting at CheckUP's QPHCN event during National Reconciliation Action Week. It was a privilege to hear your presentations. We thank you for sharing your cultures and stories with us.
We recognise this week is for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories and act to contribute to a better and more just Australia.
Thank you to everyone who joined the event. It was great to see you, and we appreciate your time and commitment to reconciliation.
Celebrating One Year with Mookai Family Health
It was a privilege to join the team at Mookai Family Health on Wednesday, May 28th, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their official opening.
Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan provides vital health services for women and children across the Cape and Torres Strait Islander communities, and we value our strong working relationship. Our team members, Carissa and Lilli, were honoured to attend the celebration and dropped off some gift bags for the children and toddlers who visit the clinic.
Congratulations to the entire Mookai Rosie team on a fantastic first year!
Unpacking SCHADS: Compliance Essentials Every Employer Should Know
Participate in a detailed session on the SCHADS Award. This event aims to provide employers, managers, and HR professionals with a thorough insight into their essential compliance duties. The workshop will delve into core aspects such as classifications, working hours, shift arrangements, overnight stays, and workplace health and safety requirements.
Share your story with us!
CheckUP loves hearing and seeing the great outcomes our providers, clients and stakeholders achieve, and we’d be thrilled to share your success!
If you have made a positive impact on your workforce or we have helped you reach your workforce goals, we’d love to hear your story. Inspire others and highlight the amazing work you’re doing!
Let Carissa know if you’re interested or have any questions—we’d be excited to celebrate your success and showcase your story on CheckUP's website and social media channels!
Leah Cummins, Artist
Leah Cummins is pictured above.
View Leah's artwork on the Bunya Designs website,
Facebook page, and Instagram page.
Thanks to Leah Cummins who created the artwork for our 25-year anniversary A connected community featured at the top of this email.
This artwork commemorates CheckUP’s 25th anniversary and acknowledges the collaborative connections that exist between CheckUP, our partners, and Queensland’s diverse communities.
Leah shared, “A connected community is a representation of the diverse and interconnected communities within the state of Queensland.”
She added, “This artwork serves as a reminder that despite our differences and geographical separations, we are all part of a larger whole and can come together in unity.” www.bunyadesigns.com.au
Connect and help grow our network!
As we are continuing to grow our network connections, we would appreciate if you could share this newsletter with your colleagues.
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CheckUP acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.
