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Our People
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.
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.
Shaun Solomon
Chair
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.
Leann Shaw
Deputy Chair
Leann is Nugubu and Wik woman who has a long history of working in various 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.
Mona Phillips
Director
Mona is a Jaru/Waanyi woman who has an extensive history of working in and around the Gulf and North-Western Queensland as well as the Northern Territory. Mona’s work experience covered a wide range in social health, including health promotion, alcohol and drug addictions and domestic and family violence. At the age of fifty, Mona gained a Social Science Degree in Aboriginal Community Management & Development. Mona was a founding member and has been on the Gidgee Healing board since 2014. Now retired, Mona is a passionate champion for Aboriginal affairs.
Darren Walden
Director
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 Mt Isa for around thirty years which includes experience with local Native Title Boards and approximately twenty years working directly in the Aboriginal health field. He is a strong advocate for the community.
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. 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
Alan Nyhuis has been a Mount Isa local since 2013. With a back ground 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 at risk and in crisis.
James Cripps
Director
Originating from the Palawa nation, James’s family (Riley) comes from 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 team. 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 Service Manager
at the Normanton Recovery Centre and serves on boards and committees of numerous Indigenous advocacy groups.
Patricia Lees
Director
Aunty Pattie has a wealth of knowledge and experience in Aboriginal health care. She brings valuable insights from her role as CEO of Injilinji Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Children, Youth Services and Aged Care.
Valerie Craigie
Director
Valerie is a Kalkadoon woman and is well known to the people of Mount Isa, where she grew up. She is manager of Indigenous radio station, Mob FM and is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal rights.