Gindaja CEO Ailsa Lively. Image: QAIHC
Ailsa Lively’s journey into leadership is grounded in community and service. After early jobs in retail and hospitality, she began her career in administration with the Aboriginal Coordinating Council, where she was inspired by strong Aboriginal leaders advocating for better outcomes.
That passion led to 17 years with Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council, progressing to Deputy CEO before taking on the top job at Gindaja Treatment and Healing Indigenous Corporation in 2008. Today, Ailsa continues to serve Yarrabah through her leadership at Gindaja and as a Board member of several local and national organisations.
Can you tell us about how you started working at Gindaja?
“Seeing the social challenges facing our community motivated me to step into this role. Initially, I envisaged a short-term, six-month position to help establish strong governance and operational guidelines for Gindaja. However, I took a leap of faith and committed to the organisation for the long term. As you can see, I’m still here today.”
What is your greatest achievement at Gindaja?
“Throughout my time at Gindaja, we have achieved many milestones. As an organisation committed to continuous improvement, we strive daily to enhance the quality of care we provide our clients.
“One of my greatest achievements — made possible with the support of my team and the Board — has been finalising our Model of Care, completing its evaluation, and conducting a cost-benefit analysis. This critical work helped us secure much-needed funding of approximately $15 million which has built our new Learning and Wellbeing Centre in the heart of Yarrabah as well as realise our vision for redeveloping our ageing residential infrastructure.”
What inspires you most about your job?
“At Gindaja our brand is “Gindaja Family — Home of Healing”. Coming to work each day I am surrounded by a dedicated team of like-minded individuals who are committed to providing high-quality support to our people as they heal from trauma. The people I work with, no matter what position they hold, are all equally important and they inspire me to keep turning up. The most rewarding part of my role is seeing the positive changes — no matter how small — that individuals make in their lives. Every step forward contributes to their overall well-being and extends their life expectancy.”
What are your top priorities for Gindaja?
“My top priorities for Gindaja include completing our Capital Works Infrastructure Program and advancing the Board’s vision of positioning Gindaja as a leader of excellence within the alcohol and drug sector at all levels.”
What inspires you most about the Yarrabah community?
“Yarrabah is my traditional homeland, and I am a proud descendant of the Gunggandji People, who have lived and thrived here for countless generations. What inspires me most are the people of Yarrabah — the individuals who strive for positive change and contribute to the community in meaningful ways, whether through their employment, voluntary work on community boards, or involvement in local sports. Our community is rich with talent across various fields, including the arts, education, health, and justice.
“One of the best examples of our community’s strength is the Yarrabah Leaders Forum, which brings together leaders from every organisation in the community.
“This collective effort ensures we focus on the needs of our people and work towards addressing the long-standing injustices we have faced.”
How important is it for local mob to see local leaders making positive changes for the community?
“It is crucial for local people to see their leaders driving positive change. However, what’s even more important is ensuring that the broader community is included in that journey.
“Bringing the community along isn’t always easy, especially given the challenges we face, such as a lack of services and funding, overcrowding and housing instability which contribute to significant social challenges. That’s why strong, committed leadership is essential — our leaders must be role models and play an active role in shaping a better future.”
How have you seen Yarrabah change over the years?
“I have witnessed many changes in Yarrabah throughout my lifetime — some positive, some challenging. We have progressed from dirt roads to bitumen and from relying solely on the Council as our primary service provider to now having our own dedicated health, alcohol and drug, justice, and women’s organisations.”
What is your greatest hope for the Yarrabah community?
“My greatest hope for Yarrabah is that our people will have the same opportunities as every other person in this country — to live free from poverty and to overcome the social challenges that continue to impact our community.”
