L-R: A/Prof Sophia Couzos, Henry Councillor, Kathy Hamaguchi and Chris Binkali. Image: Sophia Couzos
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following article contains the name and image of a deceased Aboriginal person.
The ACCHO sector is mourning the loss of respected leader and former NACCHO Chair Henry Councillor, who passed away on 19 March 2025, aged 62.
Born at Broome Regional Hospital in Western Australia, Henry was a proud Jaru man with deep ties to the Mt Dockerell area southwest of Halls Creek. He belonged to both the Djaru and Gooniyandi peoples and spent his early years in Beagle Bay before moving with his family to Broome. It was there, along the beaches of Roebuck Bay, that his lifelong love of community, culture and Country took root.
Henry dedicated more than three decades of his life to Aboriginal health, starting at just 18 years old when he was elected treasurer of Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS). From there, he went on to hold leadership roles across the Kimberley and beyond — including at Yura Yungi Medical Service in Halls Creek, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council Inc. (KAMSC), and as Chair of both WACCHO and NACCHO.
Henry’s impact was national, but his leadership was grounded in community. Despite having no formal degree, he was recognised as an intelligent and insightful leader, driven by lived experience and deep cultural knowledge.
In Queensland, Henry played a foundational role in establishing Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service in Yarrabah. CEO Suzanne Andrews said, “He helped lay the foundations for a service that is now nationally recognised — and it all started with his deep belief in community control, cultural strength, and self-determination. Gurriny exists today because of people like him who refused to give up.”
QAIHC’s Public Health Medical Director, Associate Professor Sophia Couzos, who worked alongside Henry at NACCHO and in the Kimberley, said he was “deeply committed” to enhancing culturally appropriate comprehensive primary healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
“His legacy followed closely from Dr Puggy Hunter’s occupying the position of Chair of NACCHO as a powerful force for the community-controlled health sector,” she said.
“Those days required strong and courageous leadership that set the foundation for NACCHOs growth when the Commonwealth had yet to forge effective partnerships with elected Aboriginal leaders.
“Henry was a true and trusted leader who helped to build the sector we have today.”
