Pictured L to R: Matthew Cooke (Chair NACCHO), Elizabeth Adams (Chair QAIHC), Shaun Soloman (Chair Gidgee Healing) and Dallas Leon (CEO Gidgee Healing)

The peak Aboriginal health organisation today welcomed the opening of a new Aboriginal community controlled health centre in the community of Normanton in Queensland’s north west.

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Chairperson Matthew Cooke attended the opening and said the new Recovery and Community Wellbeing Centre was key to providing improved health services to Aboriginal people in the lower Gulf.

The new centre is a federally funded initiative which is operated by Gidgee Healing, an Aboriginal Medical Service, and The Salvation Army.

“Getting appropriate health and wellbeing services into remote parts of Australia is a huge challenge,” Mr Cooke said.

“It’s difficult for remote communities to get the quality health care they need.

“This centre will go a long way to helping many Aboriginal people get on the road to good health.”

Mr Cooke said the new Normanton Recovery and Community Wellbeing Service would be run by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people.

“The population of Normanton and surrounding areas is overwhelmingly Aboriginal and they need access to culturally-appropriate health care.

“Having local people involved in this centre will be key to it’s success in attracting clients and improving the health of the community. It also has the potential to boost employment and training opportunities for local residents.

“This is a significant addition to the Gulf and we congratulate all involved in making it a reality.”