Tuesday, December 9, 2025
By Michael Warren
Gurriny Yealamucka delegates joined hundreds of representatives from across the country yesterday as the NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia Members’ Conference opened in Sydney — kicking off with a powerful first day centred on innovation, culture and community-led health leadership.
From early morning, the venue was buzzing as speakers and panellists shared new research, lived experience and on-the-ground approaches shaping the future of Aboriginal community-controlled health. For Gurriny Yealamucka’s team, day one offered fresh insights into national priorities, emerging trends and the sector-wide push to strengthen self-determination in healthcare.
CEO Suzanne Andrews said the energy in the room highlighted both urgency and optimism.
“There’s a real sense of collective purpose here. Every conversation reminds us that communities are leading the solutions — and that’s where true change begins,” she said.
Day two will see Ms Andrews and Ross Andrews step into the spotlight with their presentation on Indigenous Data Sovereignty in Yarrabah.
Their 4pm session will unpack how the partnership with the Yarrabah Leaders Forum is transforming community data governance, ensuring information about Yarrabah is owned, controlled and used in ways that strengthen wellbeing and trust.
Another major moment arrives tomorrow with the Strong Hearts, Deadly Futures, presentation to be delivered by Katie Barron, Dr Oscar Whitehead and Jai-Lee Titasey.
Their work — positioning Yarrabah youth as RHD ambassadors — continues to gain national attention as a powerful example of peer-led, culturally grounded preventive health.
With the NACCHO Youth Conference, workshops, the AGM and collaboration sessions continuing through the week, Gurriny Yealamucka’s presence in Sydney is set to contribute to conversations shaping the future of community health nationwide.
