Meet Christine

CEO

Christine

Christine has held the position of CEO of WAMS for 32 years. In the 1970’s, advocates lobbied for Aboriginal people to have equal access to healthcare. When she was employed in Aboriginal Legal Services, Christine was encouraged to lobby and start a local service by her mentor. They successfully received funding, and WAMS was established.

“I’ve enjoyed it, I have seen the growth. As a business, the board agreed that the first resolution was to treat everybody, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, and strategically that is the best move this community ever made.”

Christine enjoys seeing a variety of people, from business owners to farmers, visiting the service and seeing the professionalism, quality, and calibre of business they conduct.

“We’ve successfully been here for this long and everyone can contribute. I’ve been here long enough to have conversations with the first doctor, the first nurse, the first health worker. That’s great and humbling to me, because they are my mates and that’s my personal connection. That’s something I love.”

For people considering applying for a position, Christine recommends just having a go! Make use of a few months’ probation period, and be flexible in accommodating to country life. The lifestyle is still slow and intimate, and people rely on each other.

“The type of candidates we would welcome to our community would be those who not only have the professional status we require, but also empathy. It’s important that they are understanding, considerate, innovative, accommodating, and versatile.”

Even after hours, people may approach you. With the position that medical professionals hold in the community, people like to be guided and seek advice. Christine states how that is often a sign you are trustworthy and shows that people respect you; however, it may affect work-life balance.

“WAMS need people with passion, which comes from greatness. You have to enjoy what you do, realise it’s not a job, have a sense of humour, and be considerate of the socioeconomic group. The community has changed from a farming environment to relying on other businesses, which has impacted employment.”

WAMS offers Walgett a high level of employment and has trained a lot of people to move on to other qualified professions.

“Our organisation offers social, emotional, and family support. We always consider family. This helps us attract good people and achieve greatness in all aspects of the work we do.”

Christine has achieved three degrees in health service management, community development and business, and believes others can reap rewards as well. Out of the small population of 2500, four Aboriginal people in Walgett have achieved OAMs.

“People know civil duty and responsibility, and it is here for those we employ. We have a high calibre of staff, as well as great people and achievements in the community.”

Christine is proud to open the door knowing WAMS works from a place of honesty, integrity, and knowing that it is productive, and generating income. The organisation has sustained itself and she expresses a small country town can achieve a lot.

“WAMS sustains Walgett through supporting many businesses and trades, from medical, fleet management, construction, and transport, to the cleaning industry. We have a history and offer quality service. We’ve attained accreditation when people never thought it would happen and pioneered a lot of achievements that were unheard of for an Aboriginal organisation, especially one as small as we are.”

Christine would like to see WAMS have a stronger influence on nutrition, as it impacts all areas of health including dental. Fresh produce is not always affordable for some families. She would like to see the future of the organisation focusing on food and providing strong intervention for younger individuals, and getting schools involved.

Christine has raised three children in Walgett. The education system is an attractive element for people wanting to raise their families. There are opportunities for academic, sporting, physical, creative, and social engagement, and engagement with parents.

“I have dedicated my life to WAMS, and Walgett had dedicated its life to me.”

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