Front Page Sep 19

Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS), which encompasses the Gilgandra Local Aboriginal Medical Service (GLAMS) are celebrating after being named as the ‘Emerging Not for Profit of the Year’.

The local service was named as top achiever in this category at a glitzy industry awards night held last Wednesday, September 13 at The Eveleigh by the Grounds in Sydney. The Third Sector Awards are hosted in partnership with the Center for Social Impact (CSI) to recognise excellence by non-profits. 

The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service, which com- prises of the Gilgandra and Dubbo Aboriginal Medical Services, the Coonamble Gym, Coonamble District Funeral Home, Coonamble Dental Clinic and the Permanency Support Project, were excited when announced as a nominee in this year’s ‘Emerging Not for Profit’ category. 

 A spokesperson from CAHS said the "prestigious event celebrates the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across the country operating in the ‘third sector’, recognising their tireless efforts, and transformative impact”. 

“The night was a fantastic night with a highlight for Coonamble and district with the CAHS being the recipients of ‘Emerging Not for Profit of the Year’.” 

 For this category, there were 22 nominees and the finalists consisted of Housing Hub, The Man Up Initiative, Good Neighbours Australia Inc, and the Be My Koorda Aboriginal Corporation. CAHS CEO Phil Naden was emotional when his organisation was announced as the 2023 winner. He was accompanied at the awards by the CAHS board of directors, and executive and management staff. The night “was a fairytale to a wonderful 15 years in business”. 

CEO Phil Naden said, “I am so proud of this wonderful achievement and to be recognised at this level by community and corporate sector is so humbling”. 

 “I acknowledge our chairperson Brendon Harris, deputy chair Jan Arrowsmith, all director’s, and the wonderful staff we have working with our organisation. The award is in recognition of the work we do for our Aboriginals commu- nities in the West and Far West regions of NSW.” 

 With an established service operating in Coonamble for the past 15 years, CAHS more recently sought to expand their reach, opening their Gilgandra medical service (GLAMS) in February 2022 with the aim to provide health service for local Indigenous residents. 

Mr Naden said at the time of the GLAMS opening that the service works “in partnership, not only with the current health providers in Gilgandra, but also the local health district to provide a culturally appropriate service where people feel that can come to”. 

“It’s a space where you can have those cultural yarns, and deal with people who are specifically trained around what it is they’re here for,” said Mr Naden.