CheckUP Australia

02/09/2026

From all of us at CheckUP, a huge congratulations to Kieran on this exciting appointment! This is a fantastic outcome for QAIHC and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We have no doubt he will have a tremendously positive impact in the role.

The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Kieran Chilcott as QAIHC’s new Chief Executive Officer, commencing in late November 2026.

Kieran brings more than 20 years of health leadership experience and a strong connection to Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector.

Through his extensive leadership at Kalwun Development Corporation, one of QAIHC’s Member organisations, Kieran has worked alongside its Board to support the growth of a large, multisite community-controlled organisation delivering health, family, aged and disability care, housing, cultural and community services.

Kieran also has a longstanding connection with QAIHC, having previously served as QAIHC Chairperson from 2016 to 2018. He returns to QAIHC with significant leadership and governance experience and a strong understanding of our Members, the community-controlled health sector and the broader Australian health system.

Kieran’s appointment comes as QAIHC continues its work to strengthen community control, advance health equity and support better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities across Queensland.

QAIHC also acknowledges outgoing Acting Chief Executive Officer Paula Arnol and thanks her for her leadership, commitment and valuable contribution to QAIHC and the sector over the past three years.

We look forward to welcoming Kieran to QAIHC in late November.
Read the full announcement: https://buff.ly/CFTxhSx

02/09/2026

💯 Registrations are now open for OneNQ Ignite, a FREE 1.5 day event for those who support mental health, alcohol and other drugs and su***de prevention across Northern Queensland!

Find out more below and follow Health Workforce Queensland.

Registrations are now open for OneNQ Ignite, a FREE 1.5 day event for those who support mental health, alcohol and other drugs and su***de prevention across Northern Queensland!

Join us in Cairns to build practical skills, learn how to recognise and respond to distress, explore culturally safe and person-centred care, connect with others across the region and make space for your own wellbeing.

📅 10–11 October 2026
📍 Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns
💡 Free to attend

Completed learning hours can be self-submitted to your relevant professional body for continuing professional development recognition. Eligible participants may also apply for bursary support with attendance-related expenses.

More information and registration: https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/ONENQA1

Northern Queensland PHN and CheckUP Australia

01/09/2026

Today, CheckUP proudly recognises and supports Indigenous Literacy Day, which highlights the power of story, language and culture.

Access to culturally relevant books and resources for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is important and part of creating meaningful change.

This year’s theme is Country Is Our Teacher.

Stories connect us, let’s keep them strong.

Visit for more information about Indigenous Literacy Day. https://www.ilf.org.au/

27/08/2026

🫶 Thank you to all our speakers and event attendees for supporting the QPHCN Improving Access to Healthcare event yesterday.

💯 Sarah Bohan, General Manager Allied Health at NWRH North West Remote Health, Cathie Gillan from Queensland Health, and Nicole Byrne, Eye Health Coordinator at Gidgee Healing, shared valuable insights and experiences on the importance of partnerships, collaboration, and working towards shared goals and outcomes.

💯 We also thank CheckUP presenters:
- Elise Gorman, General Manager Health Services
- Amber Hanks, Eye and Surgical Services Manager
- Mary-Anne Quilter, Manager Cancer Prevention
- Michelle Hodges, Senior Manager Outreach Programs and
- Philippa Hawke, Evaluation Lead.

Their presentations highlighted the role of collaboration, communication, and data-driven decision-making in improving healthcare access and outcomes, helping people receive care closer to home.

Your willingness to share knowledge, expertise and experiences is helping strengthen access to quality healthcare for rural Queensland communities.

💡 A special thank you to our MC, Tony de Ambrosis, CheckUP CEO, for guiding the event and facilitating the discussions.

❤️‍🔥 We really appreciate everyone who attended in person and also online!

Check out the event recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmmF8JzkyQk

Check out photos taken at the event.

27/08/2026

💯 Event reminder | The NDIS Business Connect Online Event is coming up on Monday, 31 August. Find out more below.

🤝 Join us for the next NDIS BizConnect Network Meeting as we discuss Marketing on a shoestring!

Connect with fellow NDIS providers, sole traders, and small businesses, hear about available support programs, and grow your professional network.

📅 31 August
⏰ 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

Meet you soon for this month's NDIS BizConnect Online Network Meeting, featuring guest presenter Renee Watson from Many Rivers, a not-for-profit organisation that helps people start, grow, and thrive in business.

📢 Get your ticket here: https://events.humanitix.com/ndis-bizconnect-august-online-network-meeting

26/08/2026

👉️ NQPHN EOI now open for upskilling in cervical screening.

Open to Aboriginal Health Practitioners, enrolled and registered nurses, Nurse Practitioners and midwives practising within the Cairns and Hinterland, Torres and Cape, Mackay and Townsville HHS regions.

Eligibility requirements:
👉️ must work in a setting where cervical screening services are provided and cervical screening must be within scope of practice; and
👉️ must have current AHPRA registration and minimum 12 months postgraduate experience.

Submit EOIs by 31 August 2026 👉️ https://tinyurl.com/2s3th9ut

This training will be delivered by True Relationships & Reproductive Health.

25/08/2026

👏 CheckUP congratulates optometrist Dr Shelley Hopkins (QUT (Queensland University of Technology), who recently received the 2026 Children’s Health Queensland Medal of Distinction for Community Impact.

🏆 This well-deserved recognition celebrates your outstanding support and commitment to rural health and eye care across Queensland. For 15 years Shelley has worked in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and regional health services to establish sustainable, community-led outreach programs and improve children's learning, wellbeing and future opportunities. Read more in the post below.

Thank you for the invaluable difference you continue to make.

🎉 We celebrate with you!

Congratulations to optometrist Dr Shelley Hopkins, recipient of the 2026 Children’s Health Queensland Medal of Distinction for Community Impact.

Dr Hopkins, a Senior Lecturer in Optometry and Vision Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), has worked in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and regional health services for more than 15 years to establish sustainable, community-led outreach programs and improve children's learning, wellbeing and future opportunities.

Through her work with the QUT Health Clinics Children's Outreach Optometry Team, Dr Hopkins has helped remove common barriers to care by delivering school-based vision screening, free glasses and ongoing support for communities.

She has also developed QUT's rural and remote work-integrated learning program, which combines clinical placements with outreach service delivery, ensuring future practitioners have the skills, adaptability, and cultural competence they need to deliver equitable, responsive care.

25/08/2026

👉️ ONE DAY TO GO until our QPHCN event focusing on the theme: "Improving access to health services for regional, rural and remote Queensland."

Hear from knowledgeable speakers and network with like-minded professionals.

Register for the QPHCN event on 27 August (online or in-person)
👉️ https://lnkd.in/g6TPcUT7

25/08/2026

Stuart Coward represented CheckUP today in his role as Queensland's Industry Workforce Advisor (Community Services), joining the Workforce Australia Local Jobs, Jobs and Skills Roundtable Forum in Caloundra to help plan for the region's growing workforce needs in health and community services.

The forum offered valuable insight into the major projects planned for the region, and what they'll mean for jobs and skills demand as one of Australia's fastest growing regions continues to expand.

Sitting with Stuart is Justin Thompson and Roger Desailly from the Queensland Trucking Assn Ltd (QTA), reflecting the cross-sector collaboration needed to meet the region's future workforce challenges.

If you're a small business in community services and want support growing your workforce, get in touch with our Industry Workforce Advisor team to find out how we can help.

https://checkup.org.au/what-we-do/industry-workforce-development/industry-workforce-advisors/

The IWA program is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government.

25/08/2026

👏 Congratulations and welcome to Angela Young, CheckUP's newly appointed Board Director. CheckUP is thrilled to warmly welcome Angela to the Board to help inform the future direction of CheckUP.

Angela is a proud Kullalli/Koa woman with a distinguished career spanning government, health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocacy. She began as a government lawyer and went on to hold senior roles including General Manager, Policy and Research at the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), and Executive Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement at Children's Health Queensland, where she established its Health Equity program and led a landmark workforce strategy.

Angela also led the Health Equity Legislative Reform campaign for Queensland's Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector, and in 2025 was awarded the Queensland Health Award for Excellence in Policy for developing the state's ten-year First Nations health strategy. She is currently a Director at Create Health Advisory.