It is a great privilege
to be writing my first message as
President of AIDA. Before I begin I
would like to express my gratitude
to my predecessor, Dr Mark Wenitong.
Under Dr Wenitong’s leadership AIDA
grew significantly, strengthening
its position as a leading Indigenous
organisation with a central role in
the health and wellbeing of the
nation.During my tenure as President I
intend to consolidate the past
achievements of AIDA and to continue
to grow the organisation, working
towards AIDA’s goals of equitable
health and life outcomes for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples, cultural safety of
the Australian health care system,
and parity of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander health professionals
across the entire sector.
2007 has been an eventful year
for Indigenous Affairs. I view with
cautious optimism the opportunities
presented by the recent change of
Federal Government. The AIDA Board
and Secretariat will be working hard
over these coming months to ensure
that the Labor Government is
committed to closing the gap in
Indigenous life expectancy and
addressing the social, political and
economic barriers to health and
wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Peoples.
In closing, I would like to wish
everyone a Merry Christmas and every
success for the coming year. I hope
that the Christmas break affords all
of members and staff the opportunity
to reconnect with their loved ones
and Country. I would also like
to thank those of you who will be
working over the festive season,
your dedication and service to the
public is greatly appreciated. I
anticipate that 2008 will be a
challenging but ultimately rewarding
year for all of us committed to the
pursuit of social justice and
progressing Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander health and
education.
Best wishes,
Dr Tamara Mackean
President
