Miwatj Health proudly congratulates two outstanding staff members who took home awards at the Northern Territory Primary Health Network (PHN) Health Professional of the Year Awards!
- Ashton Guyula, Public Health Community Worker won AMSANT’s Aboriginal Health Practitioner/Worker of the Year.
- Kaye Panuve, Business Support Manager won the Public Guardian and Trustee’s Support Person of the Year Award.
Congratulations and well done to all nominated Miwatj Health staff, including Laura Hinds who was a finalist in the NT Health Nurse/Midwife of the Year category.
Public Health Community Worker, Ashton was surprised to learn that he had been nominated and couldn’t believe it when his name was announced on the awards night.
For the past seven years, Ashton has been doing important public health djäma in Gapuwiyak, supporting his community to look after their health.
“It’s like a dream come true that I won this award. I have worked hard every single day for the past seven years,” said Ashton.
“I enjoy sharing stories, working with my community and passing on my knowledge to new team members.”
Ashton is especially grateful to his colleague Matt Dowling who has been a strong source of support through the Medical Dhäwu Dhäwu program, a successful community-led approach to shared medical appointments.
Business Support Manager, Kaye was equally surprised that she had been nominated but incredibly grateful and humbled by her team and colleagues.
“I cannot thank my team enough for valuing me as a support person. Without them, there is no me. They teach me a lot and keep me grounded,” said Kaye.
“The team work so hard that we don’t always get to celebrate one another, especially on a scale this large.”
Kaye’s role as a support manager in Galiwink’u helps bind the clinic and team together. Her biggest goal is to have a Yolŋu person in the role.
The primary health workforce in the NT plays a vital role in delivering care across some of Australia’s most challenging and rewarding environments. These annual awards recognise the individuals and teams whose expertise and compassion help improve health outcomes and strengthen communities across the Territory.
Miwatj also exhibited and presented at the NT PHN Compass Conference, which brought together people from across the Northern Territory to share ideas and discuss the future of primary healthcare.