- Stuart Yiwarr McGrath’s journey to become the first Yolŋu registered nurse: ‘None of us are in the health system’
- Applications Now Open for the 2026 Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship
- Indigenous Literacy Day – Strength in Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations
- Top 3 health checks to schedule this Women’s Health Week
- Sector Jobs
The NACCHO Sector News is a platform we use to showcase the important work being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the work of NACCHO, NACCHO members and NACCHO affiliates.
We also share a curated selection of news stories that are of likely interest to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, broadly.
Stuart Yiwarr McGrath’s journey to become the first Yolŋu registered nurse: ‘None of us are in the health system’
Having overcome childhood adversity and language barriers, Stuart Yiwarr McGrath is using his platform to help address the root cause of health inequality in Indigenous communities
He became an Aboriginal health practitioner, then enrolled to study at university – a “foreign concept” in his family. He completed his bachelor of nursing at Charles Darwin University over five years, juggling study and parenting as a single father of two daughters.
The 34-year-old returned to Ramingining on Yolŋu country last year to work as a registered nurse with the Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation. Often, as he is placing an IV, his patients will tell him how proud they are. But while he loves the clinical work, McGrath believes it’s a Band-Aid solution to a much bigger problem. Ultimately, he wants to effect change at a higher level to address the root causes of health inequality, including a lack of cultural safety in healthcare settings.
Read the full article here.

Registered nurse and 2021 NT Australian of the Year Stuart Yiwarr McGrath on the job in Ramingining on Yolŋu country in east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Photograph: UNSW/Becky Laurence
Applications Now Open for the 2026 Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship
The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship is the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health scholarship program, named in honour of Dr Arnold “Puggy” Hunter.
It supports more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students each year to study entry-level health qualifications, providing up to $15,000 per annum to help with expenses and cost of living.
The 2026 round is now open for applications: Empowering the Future of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce
Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) and Rural Doctors Network (RDN) are proud to announce that applications for the 2026 Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship (PHMSS) round are now open. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health students who are studying – or planning to enrol in – a health degree in 2026 are encouraged to apply between 1 September and 31 October 2025.
Learn more or apply now here.
Indigenous Literacy Day – Strength in Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations
Indigenous Literacy Day is proudly produced and presented by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House. It’s an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Stories, Cultures, and Languages.
Indigenous Literacy Day is held on the first Wednesday of September ‑ this year Wednesday 3 September. Sharing the diversity of First Nations languages and cultures with audiences across Australia.
Learn more here.
Top 3 health checks to schedule this Women’s Health Week
- 715 Health Checks – Detect concerns early and help prevent future health issues.
- Cancer Screenings – Cervical, breast, lung and bowel screenings can detect and prevent most related cancers.
- Sexual Health Checks – Book in for an annual check, or every three months if you have multiple partners.
Remember, early detection saves lives. Have a yarn with your local ACCO about which checks and screenings are right for you.
Learn more here.
For culturally safe health information and resources, go here.
NACCHO is proud to be a Community Supporter of Women’s Health Week 2025.
Sector Jobs – you can see sector job listings on the NACCHO website here.
Advertising Jobs – to advertise a job vacancy click here to go to the NACCHO website current job listings webpage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find a Post A Job form. You can complete this form with your job vacancy details – it will then be approved for posting and go live on the NACCHO website.

Email us your story with some images to: NACCHOCommunicationsandMedia@naccho.org.au
and we will feature it in the news.




































