A Primary Health Care Aboriginal Health Promotions Officer for the Central Australia Health Service, Frances Turner is this year’s recipient of the Individual Administrator’s Medal in Primary Health Care 2017.

Frances is a senior Arrernte woman, who was born and raised in Alice Springs, and a respected elder who has held many and varied roles over more than nearly 50 years in health, but has always been focussed on improving the health of her people.

“I started out working with children who were put in care as wards of the state,” Frances said.

“That was my first job at aged 17 and that’s where I got the passion to work with women and children and to work with my own people to improve their health.”

Frances’ nominees cited her for her heartfelt collaboration with other health care stakeholders and women in Domestic and Family Violence, FASD prevention, sexual diversity, child protection and sexual abuse work and adolescent health education.

She also was praised for her culturally appropriate safe and acceptable manner with the local people, and the fact that she does nothing without community consultation, involvement and invitation of the people with whom she is working, something she believes is the only way she can possibly make any inroads into changing health beliefs.

“I have always wanted to help my own people, help Aboriginal people, to better their lives, improve their health and live longer and be able to continue to hold their culture strong,” Frances said.

She started with the Health Department Frances as a health worker and pursued education gaining a Diploma of Health Science, Certificate in Health Promotion and a Bachelor of Nutrition.

“When I did my Diploma of Health Science that was really big accomplishment for me and for my family,” Frances said.

“My father was a really forward thinking man for that era and he believed in education and he instilled in me really a good work ethic that set me up for life.

“I’ve had lots of opportunities with the department to work in all different areas of health and to study and I have had lots of wonderful people who have supported me.”

This modest and humble woman spends three out of four weeks travelling to remote communities to champion health promotion and good health practices.

“I love working out bush and once people get to know that you are really passionate about what you do and really care about their health and for them as a person, then they accept you… it’s a privilege, isn’t it?”

The Administrator’s Medals in Primary Health Care recognise excellence in people who have contributed significantly to the provision of primary health care in the Northern Territory.

Media Contact: Gail Liston 08 8951 5111 or 0476 839 383