Gidgee Healing is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, whose strategic direction is determined by a Board of Directors. Our organisational mission and vision statements demonstrate a commitment to providing holistic and culturally appropriate health services, underpinned by a philosophy of community participation, and a strong focus on care coordination.
Board of Directors
Gidgee’s Board of Directors comprises Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who reside in the geographic boundaries of our service area.
The organisation has a commitment to skills-based governance, demonstrated by the Board’s decision to appoint two independent directors to enhance decision-making and strategic direction setting.
An Independent Company Secretary supports and enhances corporate governance practices, improves regulatory compliance and establishes clear delineation between board and operational matters.
Patricia Richards
Director
Patricia is a Waluwarra woman from the Georgina River. She is deeply involved with the local Mt Isa community and works within the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnership (DATSIP). Patricia’s community involvement is one of her greatest assets. She volunteers with various sporting organisations, working across remote communities within the north west region to build strong relationships and partnerships with government, non-government, and the private sector within these communities. Patricia was appointed to the Board in 2019 to fill a casual vacancy.
Alan Nyhuis
Director
About Alan
Alan has been a Mount Isa local since 2013. With a background in law and social work, he is passionate about using his knowledge and experience to promote Indigenous interests, particularly in the health and wellbeing space. Alan has extensive experience in the community services sector, working with families and young people and risk and in crisis.
James Cripps
Director
About James
Originating from the Palawa nation, James’s family (Riley) comes from the Cape Barren Island. Flinders Island and mainland Tasmania. James came to Mount Isa in 2013 , to work with Queensland Health as a senior member of the Mental Health and ATODS teams. He joined the board in 2019, bringing a wealth of experience in the prevention and reduction of alcohol and other substance abuse in metropolitan, rural and remote Indigenous communities. James spent a year as the Service Manager at the Normanton Recovery Centre and serves on boards and committees of numerous Indigenous advocacy groups.
Shaun Solomon
Chair
About Shaun
Shaun is a Birri and Ewamian man who has lived in the North West for most his life and has been working in Mount Isa for the past 15 years. Indigenous Health and Higher Education has been the focus of Shaun’s career, which has enabled him to work closely with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of North West Queensland. Shaun also sits as a member of the North Queensland Training Network.
Mona Phillips
Deputy Chair
About Mona
Mona is a Waanyi and Jaru woman who was born in Mount Isa and has worked in and around rural and remote regions over the last 35 years, including Mount Isa, the North West and the Lower Gulf country, as well as the Northern Territory. Mona has gained a vast amount of experience working in both paid and voluntary roles within Government, non-Government organisations and Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisations. At the age of 50, Mona went on to study a degree in Applied Science in Indigenous Community Management and Development at Curtin University in Western Australia. Mona’s skills, qualifications and extensive training in substance misuse, domestic and family violence and suicide prevention are a strong asset for Gidgee Healing. Mona has recently retired but remains actively involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs.
Darren Walden
Director
About Darren
Darren is Waanyi and Gangalidda man with family and cultural links to Doomadgee and other Lower Gulf communities. Darren has lived in and worked in Mount Isa for around 30 years which includes experience with local Native Title Boards and approximately 20 years working directly in the Aboriginal health field. He is a strong advocate for the community.
Leann Shaw
Director
About Leann
Leann is Nugubu and Wik woman that has a long history of working in various in health and social services across the region, including Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs and Women’s health and issues. Leann is committed to Indigenous rights and ensuring community is supported to achieve better health and well being.
Michael Martin
Director
About Michael
Michael Martin OAM FCPA is a skilled based Director and was appointed in 2013. He is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and provides Financial Management leadership to the Board. Michael lives in the Northern Territory where he is active in Health and is a member of a number of Government Boards. Michael is committed to Indigenous Health and was National Chair of Men’s Health in 1999 and 2000. He travels to Mount Isa regularly on Board matters
Team Gidgee
Gidgee’s extensive team is the backbone of our organisation. Our people work tirelessly to deliver high quality care to more than 7500 patients and their families across a vast service area. As an organisation, we recognise the commitment and dedication shown every day and thank every team member for their efforts.