Aboriginal Health Worker Directors Award

Aboriginal Health Worker Chrissy Kumara was happy to be the first to receive the Aboriginal Health Worker Directors Award last month. The 37-year-old AHW received the award as recognition for her outstanding work with children and dedication to further training. “I was really happy when I first travelled town to get the award, said Chrissy “Yeah, it was a real surprise.”

Born and raised in the Anmatjere region, Chrissy started her career as an Aboriginal Health Worker in 1990 as a trainee with the Bachelor Institute. “I wanted to become a health worker after learning a little bit about health at school. We were learning about the body and I was really interested, so then I went on and did training and became a registered health worker.”

In 2004 Chrissy completed her advanced diploma in nutrition and worked in the community-based clinic in 6 Mile. “I worked with schools educating children about healthy food and at the clinic talking to old people, women, young women and pregnant women, about healthy food and what food is good for them.”

Chrissy returned to working at the clinic after two years in nutrition and continues to work as an Aboriginal Health Worker for the Anmatjere region, which covers Laramba, Mt Allen, Engawala, Tara, Wilora, Ti Tree and 6 Mile. “My first priority is to see babies and old people and provide care for them. I also educate young people about sexual health at school and work with young people in the Mooditj program.”

The quarterly award was one way of recognising the constant effort of Aboriginal Health Workers in the Central Australian and Barkly Region. ““ I set up this award in recognition of AHW’s to reward and encourage the good work they do on a daily basis,’ said the Director of Aboriginal Health Workers Nathan Aucote

“Health workers have been around for a long time, but don’t always feel appreciated so this is one way too recognise their work and achievements within the communities and as Department of Health employees. “Aboriginal health workers bridge the gap between western medicine and traditional culture, which is another challenge in its self. “These workers have responsibilities to both their community and their employer.”

Chrissy plans to do an administration course so she can show young people in the community how to do it. “There is a clinic out of Ti Tree that needs people to work but there are none of our people in the clinic doing administration. “So I plan to do it to show them how easy it is.”

The winner of the Aboriginal Health Worker Directors award receives a certificate a voucher for one nights stay at Lasseter’s Hotel Casino in Alice Springs and a $100 food and beverage voucher.