Community ties strengthened by partnership with Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance
L-R: PAHA Deputy CEO Winsome Henry, PAHA CEO Ashley Councillor, WACHS Executive Director Pilbara Lisa Barnes, WACHS Director of Aboriginal Health Strategy Russell Simpson, and WACHS Chief Operating Officer Rob Pulsford.
Today, at the 2025 Yule River Bush Meeting, WA Country Health Service and the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance (PAHA) announced a new partnership to lead the Health Priority within the Yule River Call to Action and Solutions Roadmap (CTA).
This partnership - announced by WACHS Executive Director Pilbara Lisa Barnes and Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance Chief Executive Officer Ashley Councillor - reflects our shared commitment to walking alongside Pilbara communities to drive health solutions that are culturally safe, responsive and grounded in the priorities set by Aboriginal people.
The CTA is a powerful invitation to Pilbara communities, government and industry to work together for real and lasting change. It identifies practical, place-based solutions across six priority areas: Systemic Reform, Education, Health, Housing, Wellbeing and Community Safety.
Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance Chief Executive Officer Ashley Councillor said health is a core priority for PAHA and WACHS. “Health is one of the core priorities our communities have called for. “Together with WACHS, we will work side by side with Aboriginal Medical Services and the community to advance health solutions that are culturally safe and grounded in the community-identified strategies set out in the CTA,” he said.
Executive Director Pilbara Lisa Barnes highlighted the importance of local partnerships to improve the health and wellbeing of country communities.
“This partnership is about working together in genuine collaboration - bringing together the strengths of WACHS and PAHA alongside the leadership of Aboriginal communities. By aligning these efforts, we can turn these priorities into real, lasting outcomes,” she said.
We look forward to walking this path with PAHA and our communities to take the next steps towards stronger health outcomes.