Lowitja Institute pays tribute to Pat Turner AM
Lowitja Institute acknowledges the esteemed career and formidable leadership of Pat Turner AM, following last week’s announcement that Pat is retiring as CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and as Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks.
An Arrernte and Gurdanji woman, Pat has dedicated her life to serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the Australian Public Service, national Indigenous organisations, and the community controlled sector. Since commencing as CEO with NACCHO in 2016, she has worked to strengthen the peak body’s national influence and authority, bolstering the Aboriginal community controlled health sector, advocating for self-determination, highlighting funding gaps, and calling for sustained investment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, NACCHO helped lead an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led response that prioritised protecting remote communities and keeping frontline services operating.
Pat worked closely with our late co-patron Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG during their time together at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). She later played a key role in negotiating on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which was signed by all Australian governments in 2020.
‘Pat’s commitment and contribution to improving First Nations health and building the Aboriginal community controlled health sector cannot be understated,’ Lowitja Institute CEO Paul Stewart said.
‘With determination and wisdom, Pat has played pivotal role in driving systemic change within our health system and improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. On behalf of everyone at Lowitja Institute, I congratulate Pat on her fine career and wish her all the very best in her retirement.’
We look forward to collaborating with incoming NACCHO CEO Dr Dawn Casey PSM FAHA, who has been promoted from deputy CEO, and with current NACCHO Chair Donnella Mills who the Coalition of Peaks has endorsed as its new Lead Convenor until 30 June 2027.
