The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Leadership Group (CLG) was formed in 2020.
The CLG works with Canberra Health Services so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can have better access to health services, experience culturally safe care, and the needs and wishes of the community are responded to.
A Statement of Commitment was developed in partnership with the CLG to ensure we deliver on our vision of ‘Creating exceptional health care together’.
We are committed to an ongoing journey of recognising and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of working and approaches to holistic health and wellbeing. This includes transforming the way we work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT and surrounding region.
The CLG includes representatives from the local and South Coast Aboriginal community, local community leaders and elders and health care service users and carers. Members share their experiences and provide cultural advice and direction. To get in touch, please contact chs.aboriginalandtorresstraitislander-crg@act.gov.au.
We refer to national frameworks and documents that are important to our mob. These include:
- Closing the Gap
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013–2023
- ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028
- Reports from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan 2021–2031
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Leadership Group members
Hayley Hoolihan
Hayley is from North Queensland with connections to Mitakoodi from her mother and Gugu-Badhun/Ngadjonji from her father.
She has worked in the health sector for a number of years with different programs and projects which are with community engagement. She has been a continued member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Leadership Group since it started in July 2019. She has a passion to ensure our mob are not left behind, and that we have a presence at the table from the start of our health decisions that impact on our lives. She is also looking forward to continuing to be involved with making changes in health.
Jo Donovan
Jo Donovan is a strong Dunghutti/Yuin woman who lives in Southern NSW. She has previously lived in Canberra for 45 years and continues to have family ties to the Territory.
Jo works for NSW Health as Manager for Cultural Inclusion with Virtual enhanced Community Care (VeCC). This work promotes the needs of people with chronic, complex virtual care needs.
Jo previously served on the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body as the Health portfolio representative and joined the Consumer Reference Group in 2024.
Benny Hodges
A resident on Ngunnawal Country for the past 28 years, Benny is a born and bred Far North Queenslander (Gimwuy-Wulunbara-Yidinji Country - Cairns), with connections to Waanyi/Garawa (Gulf of Carpentaria and Eastern/Central Torres Strait (Bam-Le and Kulgulgul.)
He was welcomed to the Community Leadership Group (CLG) in 2025 and for the past 24 years has operated his own Consultancy business as a Sole Trader. He is a current member of the Council of Elders with the Department of Health, Disability, Ageing and Seniors, a current Panel Member with the ACT Magistrates and Supreme Court with Galambany Circle Sentencing Court, delivering Cultural Connectedness programs, as well as being involved in a diverse range of consultancies with local Traditional Custodians and various consultancies on a national level.
Benny is now looking forward to working with other CLG members in contributing to positive changes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s within Canberra Health Services.
Natalie Brown
Natalie Brown is a strategic leader and Tullong /Gamilaroi woman dedicated to transforming public institutions through relationality and decolonial analysis. As a member of the Canberra Health Services Leadership Group, Natalie brings a distinct perspective that bridges rigorous systemic inquiry with a deep commitment to community voice. Her leadership style is rooted in building authentic, trust-based relationships across government, community, and families, ensuring that the health system remains responsive to those it serves.
With an executive background in Aboriginal Higher Education, Cultural Rights, and Justice Reinvestment, Natalie has a proven track record of moving systems from reactive, crisis-driven models toward proactive, prevention-focused care. A resident of Canberra and a proud mother and grandmother, she is deeply invested in the local community through her work with Our Booris Our Way and the Aunty Time collective. Natalie holds academic credentials from the University of Sydney and remains a fierce advocate for self-determination and culturally secure health services.