Governance - Our Board & Membership
About the Board
Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services is an Incorporated Aboriginal Association under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 and is accountable to its members (see information Become a Member of Gurriny),
Since its inception the Board of Directors has actively developed the organisation to become the lead health agency in Yarrabah.
Chair - David Baird
For over 14 years David served as CEO for both Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services and also Gindaja Indigenous Treatment & Healing, (7 years each), where he acquired valuable knowledge and skills in governance, executive management and service delivery in these two key Yarrabah organisations.
From 2005-2010 he served on the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) as Director and Treasurer. In 2019 David was Chair of Gurriny Yealamucka, and now serves as an active member and Director.
Director - Rob Giason
Rob brings 45 years of Business, Tourism experience and leadership from across multiple and diverse Australian regions, with past roles including, CEO Tourism Tropical North Queensland, CEO Tourism Tasmania & Director of Marketing, Destination New South Wales. He possesses a passion for Regional communities and their positive development.
Rob is a Director of multiple Boards and not for profit organisations, servicing on Ports North, Charity and development sectors such as COUCH and is a Co-founder & Chair of Reef Restoration Foundation, Chair of start-up ‘Out There Travel Care’ and also serves on the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Cairns Committee.
Director- Kenneth Jackson
Kenneth is a serving Senior Police Liaison Officer with over 8 years experience in the role.
As a community member, Kenneth is driven by service and a desire to strengthen and grow his community.
Kenneth has served on numerous boards and committees in Yarrabah over the past 10 years and is currently a elected Councillor on the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council.
Kenneth is passionate about the health and local government sectors, as both give a great opportunity to shape the future of the Yarrabah community.
Director - Sam Bann
Since graduating from University in 1988 as a secondary school teacher, Sam has dedicated his career and life to his community and sport.
Currently working in Cairns whilst serving as President of the Yarrabah Sea Hawks Senior Club, Sam is passionate bout improving the educational, physical and emotional wellbeing of all community members.
Memberships and Service:
- Yarrabah Sea Hawks RL Club President since 2018
- QLD School Sports Board,
- North West Schools Sports Board,
- QLD Secondary School RL Board
- QLD Indigenous RL Advisory Board member
Director - Ailsa Lively
Ailsa is a Gungandji Woman from the Yarrabah Aboriginal Community in Queensland.
Ailsa is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Gindaja Treatment & Healing Indigenous Corporation in Yarrabah and has held this position since January 2008.
Ailsa has extensive experience in Indigenous Community issues, executive level management, leadership and governance. In her current position her focus is to build a nationally recognised organisation in the Indigenous AOD sector that provides a safe place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to heal.
Serving currently as a Director of the Wet Tropics Management Authority (Government Board), Gurriny Yealamucka Aboriginal Medical Service Board, Gunggandji Mandingalby Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporate and through her employment is currently the Treasurer of the Northern Aboriginal and Islander Health Alliance, a Board member on the Queensland Indigenous Substance Misuse Council and a Board member of the Qld Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies.
Director - Errol Choikee
Errol is a qualified Indigenous Health Worker with more than 9 years’ experience working in the health services industry in Yarrabah.
He brings a wealth of experience, having served previously on the Gurriny Board along with experience working with other health peak bodies in Far North Queensland.
Connecting with, and working closely with community to close the gap, Errol is passionate about advocating strongly for his community and will bring his hands-on health worker experience to Board.
Director - Leslie Baird
Leslie Baird is an experienced Indigenous community development researcher, recognized for his extensive research on the effects of the Aboriginal Family Wellbeing Program.
In 2000, he became the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services, focusing on implementing the recommendations of the feasibility study, including contributing to a program of research with Prof Komla Tsey and his team to implement and evaluate community-based social and emotional wellbeing programs such as the Family Wellbeing program.
He led the National Centre of Family Wellbeing Research from 2017 to 2019.
Director - Katie Pope
Director - Mikaela French
Company Secretary -Tamilyn Brennan
Tamilyn is a change driver who is energised by influencing policy and leading teams through structural change. An experienced advisor and senior manager, with a proven track record in economic and community development encompassing strategic planning, policy and program development and implementation, change and project management, workforce planning leadership and brokerage of strategic business relationships.
Strategic Plan 2021-2024
It is important for the Board and the organisation to understand what success looks like and this is managed through the Strategic Plan which began implementation in March 2021 and is overseen by the Board and implemented by the Chief Executive Officer . Annual reviews are undertaken with successes measured against National Health Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and amended accordingly. While striving for this we also value community engagement, community ownership and sustainability.
Become a Member of Gurriny - and have your say!
As a member, you can have a say in who is elected to the Board of Directors and their accountability in the delivery of services to improve the health and wellbeing of the Yarrabah community.
Membership is free and open to those over 18 who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and normally reside in Yarrabah.
- Nominate to become a Gurriny Board Member
- Vote in a Board Member
- Attend, speak, vote and put forward resolutions at the Annual General Meeting and special general meetings
- Ask Board Members to call a general meeting
- Look at Gurriny's books and records (at the discretion of the Board).
Our Mission
Gurriny will be influential innovators delivering quality holistic health outcomes.