PAHA Newsletter
Issue #09 | April 2025
CEO Report
Ashley Councillor
Greetings to all PAHA staff, members, partners and stakeholders,
As we step into 2025, I am thrilled to embark on this incredible journey as your new CEO, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has warmly welcomed me into the PAHA family since January. It has been an exhilarating few months as I’ve hit the ground running, focused on ensuring the smooth operations and sustained growth of our organisation. Together, I am confident we will achieve remarkable milestones in the year ahead.
One of the standout projects in 2025 is the Tom Price Renal Dialysis Unit—a cornerstone of our commitment to enhancing healthcare services in the region. Seeing the tangible progress of this vital initiative reinforces our shared mission to make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.
My initial months at PAHA have been filled with many memorable firsts. Attending my first PAHA Board meeting in Newman was a moment of pride, as it offered the opportunity to connect with dedicated leaders driving our mission forward. Though my plans to attend the PAHPF the following day were unexpectedly upended by Cyclone Zelia, the resilience and focus of our team stood out as a testament to PAHA’s strength.
Beyond these beginnings, I’ve had the privilege of participating in AHCWA CEO Network meetings in Perth, engaging with stakeholders in Broome, advocating for PAMS growth, and attending the Pilbara District Leadership Group meeting in Karratha. Each encounter deepened my understanding of the vital work we do and the collaborative spirit that fuels our success.
Perhaps the most rewarding experience so far has been creating space for one on one yarns with all the PAHA staff. Your insights, dedication, and passion inspire me daily as we work together to achieve our vision. Through the principles of capacity building and cultural safety, together we will foster a dynamic, inclusive workplace culture, and I am eager to build on this foundation in the months to come.
As we move forward, I look ahead with optimism and determination. 2025 is already indicative of increased opportunity and collaborative potential not only across the ACCHS sector but all areas of community development for our beautiful Pilbara Region. I am excited to tackle challenges, celebrate achievements, and continue advocating for the wellbeing of our communities—together. Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support.
Let’s make this year extraordinary!
Good News
WA LiFE Awards 2025
We are thrilled to announce that Kesi-Maree Prior has been honoured with the prestigious WA LiFE Award for her exceptional contributions to suicide prevention, postvention, and aftercare in the Pilbara region. Kesi-Maree, a proud Bidjara, Kamilaroi woman, has dedicated her career to fostering vital partnerships between mainstream and Aboriginal community-controlled health services, ensuring culturally safe and effective mental health support.
As the coordinator of the Culture Care Connect Program, Kesi-Maree has led numerous consultations and co-design sessions, resulting in the establishment of aftercare services in Newman, Hedland, and Roebourne. Her efforts have built a foundation of trust and respect within these communities, tailoring services to meet local needs and support mental health and well-being.
Kesi-Maree’s journey in the community services sector, including youth, mental health, and suicide prevention, has earned her widespread respect. In 2020, she developed the Pilbara Postvention Response Protocol, a framework still utilised today and replicated across Australia. As the Culture Care Connect Network Coordinator for the Pilbara, she has worked tirelessly with the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance to implement tailored aftercare services focusing on culturally safe practices.
Her advocacy extends beyond local efforts. Kesi-Maree has actively promoted the Pilbara Aftercare Model of Care and the Pilbara Network Suicide Prevention Plan at key conferences, including the 2023 NACCHO Conference, the 2024 AHCWA State Sector Conference, and the National Suicide Prevention Conference. She has also contributed to discussions at the 2024 World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference, the 2024 Northern Australia ECHO, the 2024 National Gathering in Cairns, and the 2024 WA Mental Health Conference.
Kesi-Maree’s dedication to education and empowerment is evident in her coordination of mental health, suicide awareness, and intervention skills training across the Pilbara. Collaborating with the Pilbara Suicide Peer Network, she has trained 117 individuals to be suicide alert, with 58 participants being First Nations people. She has also developed vital local resources, including place-based wallet cards and the ‘Journey to Safety’ resource, enhancing accessibility to support services.
Kesi-Maree’s unwavering commitment to reducing the impact of suicide on individuals, families, and communities, while supporting those who work within this space, deserves recognition and celebration. Her leadership and advocacy have made a significant and measurable impact, fostering an environment where communities feel empowered and supported in their journey toward mental well-being.
Kesi-Maree Prior exemplifies the spirit of dedication and resilience, making her a deserving recipient of the WA LiFE Award. Her work continues to inspire and uplift those fortunate enough to collaborate with her. Congratulations, Kesi-Maree, on this well-deserved honour!
Events
Culture Care Connect – Pilbara Update
As we move into 2025, Culture Care Connect (CCC) in the Pilbara continues to strengthen our work in suicide prevention through community-led, culturally safe approaches.
At the end of 2024, we held our first-ever Pilbara CCC team gathering in Hedland. This was an incredible opportunity for all of our Aftercare Workers and our CCC Coordinator to come together face-to-face. We reflected on the year, celebrated our successes, worked through challenges, and co-designed our Communities of Practice to strengthen our approach moving forward.
In January, all CCC sites came together to review our Model of Care and address place-based challenges, ensuring our work remains responsive to the needs of local communities.
Further strengthening our collaborative approach, our CCC Coordinator and Deputy CEO travelled to Darwin to meet with partners of the Northern Australia Suicide Prevention Training and Education Project. This workshop focused on coordinating programs that build capacity at all levels—from grassroots community members to professionals—supporting northern Australian communities impacted by suicide.
We’re looking forward to a strong year ahead, working alongside our communities to deliver meaningful, culturally responsive support.
Welcoming Georgia to the PAMS AFPP Team
We are excited to introduce Georgia, the newest Nurse Home Visitor to join the Australian Family Partnership Program (AFPP) in the Pilbara. Georgia has called Roebourne home for 13years and has a deep connection to the community. In 2022, she proudly completed her nursing degree and is now bringing her skills and passion to primary healthcare in the region.
As a devoted mother of two, Georgia has a strong passion for women’s and children’s health and is committed to improving the well-being of local families. In 2017, she experienced the heartbreaking loss of a child, and it was the strength and support of the Roebourne community that helped her through her most difficult time. Now, she is determined to give back to the community that helped her heal.
Returning to work in Roebourne at Mawarnkarra Health Service feels like coming home, and Georgia is eager to support others with her experience, compassion, and dedication. Her personal journey and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable addition to the AFPP team, and we are thrilled to have her on board.
Program Updates Across the Region
The Pilbara AFPP teams met in Hedland in December 2024 to celebrate the year and plan for 2025 program activities. This was a great opportunity for AFPP staff to meet in person and strengthen program connections across the region. The Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corportation team has commenced seeing clients, and we are delighted to share that two AFPP babies were born at the start of 2025! Congratulations to the families and the dedicated teams providing care and support.
Meanwhile, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service and Mawarnkarra Health Service are in the final stages of program implementation. Both teams are looking forward to introducing theprogram to the community soon and working closely with families to ensure the success of AFPP in the region.
One fun activity during our recent gathering in Roebourne was learning about baby massage from Georgia, who is a trained practitioner. The AFPP team had a fantastic time coming together, learning about the benefits and techniques of baby massage, and sharing this valuable knowledge.
PAHPF Update
PAHPF Strategic Action Plan 2024 – 2027 is now available to view by visiting our website (click to download)
PAHPF’s Subcommittees remain hard at work and started the year strongly with the 2025 first round of meetings all being held. They have set ambitious targets for 2025, aligning their Action Plans with the Yule River Call to Action, Closing the Gap Priorities and Targets, and the PAHPF Strategic Action Plan 2024-2027. We are also excited to see the growth of our recently formed Subcommittees – Aged Care and Workforce. Both have seen a strong sign-up of members, reflecting the growing commitment to addressing these critical areas.
Cyclone Zelia Disrupts PAHPF’s First 2025 Meeting, but the Work Continues for the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Planning Forum (PAHPF) had planned to host its first meeting for 2025 in Newman, but Cyclone Zelia had other plans. As the cyclone approached, members quickly pivoted to an online format. However, with the late shift in the cyclone’s course, many had to prioritise the safety of their organisations and communities.
We extend our sincere thanks to all presenters who had travelled from across Western Australia and Interstate to share their insights. Your flexibility and understanding were greatly appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you at our next meeting.
Stay tuned for updates on these important initiatives as we continue our collective efforts to improve Aboriginal health outcomes across the Pilbara.
