IUIH Chairperson Kieran Chilcott reflects on the journey IUIH has been on over 15 years, and pays tribute to outgoing CEO Adrian Carson as a new chapter begins under the leadership of Wayne Ah Boo.
As I reflect on the 15th anniversary of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), I think about where we began and how far we have come. This milestone is a testament to the group of staunch and visionary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders who came together in the beginning, and a celebration of the dedication, resilience, and vision of those who have contributed to our purpose. I’d like to make special mention of our Patron, the late Aunty Pamela Mam, whose vision and teachings are held in the highest regard — we strive to honour her legacy in all we do.
Our journey began in a small room at the Woolloongabba Clinic in 2009, where leaders from the community controlled health services in South East Queensland came together to discuss the health needs of our communities. The focus on remote health in Closing the Gap initiatives overlooked urban communities, assuming metropolitan services were adequate.
From those initial conversations, the seeds of collaboration were sown, leading to the incorporation of IUIH. This renewed traditional ways of belonging, where Aboriginal communities united to achieve shared goals. Together, we envisioned a future where our health services would flourish, where we would meet the needs of our mob and where our people would have the opportunity to live long, healthy, prosperous and happy lives.
A pivotal moment in our journey was in 2011 when we recognised the need for a dedicated CEO to help realise our vision. I vividly remember my first meeting with Adrian Carson, and I knew he was the right person for the role from the moment he spoke. Our conversation was more than just an interview; it was a heartfelt exchange where we shared stories, reflected on our sector’s past, and envisioned a brighter future for our people. It was clear that our work was driven by passion for our mob, and together, we could build a powerful vehicle for change.
Today, IUIH leads in regional planning, service development, advocacy and purchasing, acting as the ‘backbone’ of the IUIH network, while each member organisation retains its own governance and autonomy.
As we look back on the past 15 years, we celebrate not only the expansion of our services but also the impact of our work in addressing the social determinants of health and wellbeing. IUIH has made positive progress, helping close the gap in physical and social health, all while honouring the legacy of our Elders and leaders who paved the way — Aunty Pam, Uncle Les, Aunty Mary Martin, Aunty Lyn Shipway and many others.
Throughout the years, many have contributed to our purpose, and our organisation has continued to evolve and flourish. Adrian and I have taken quite a journey together, and I am deeply grateful for the partnership we’ve built. Thank you, Adrian.
As we turn the page to a new chapter, we embrace the leadership of Wayne Ah Boo who has a wealth of experience in the community-controlled health sector and a long association with IUIH; Wayne was CEO of ATSICHS Brisbane, one of the founding members of IUIH. He has worked for QAIHC, as General Manager Sector Development and has been with IUIH for over five years in roles such as Executive Director of Corporate Services and General Manager MATSICHS (Moreton Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service).
We remain steadfast in our commitment to the values that have defined us, and we will continue to evolve, guided by the strength of our ancestors and the voices of our communities.
To our founding member organisations, past and present Board members, staff, and supporters — thank you for standing with us. Together, we’ve built a powerful force for change and look to a brighter future.
Here’s to the next 15 years — may we continue to honour our past while boldly stepping into the future together.
Wayne Ah Boo
Wayne is a Torres Strait Islander whose family heritage is from the islands of Mabuiag and Iama (Yam). Wayne’s career has seen him work across the Commonwealth and Queensland governments, as well as the community controlled health sector, focused on
Indigenous health, housing, education and employment. He is passionate about community-controlled services and the benefits it can achieve in terms of both improved service delivery and outcomes, as well as the employment and career development opportunities that it can provide for our community.
