Honouring our Trailblazers
AHCSA’s history dates back to 1981, when it was first established as an incorporated health unit under the South Australian Health Commission Act. In 2001, it was re-incorporated as the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA), reflecting decades of advocacy, leadership, and sustained effort by Aboriginal communities and health workers who laid its foundations.
Margaret Hampton was an early director and program manager of the Aboriginal Health Organisation of South Australia. She worked alongside fellow Aboriginal Health Workers, laying the groundwork for AHCSA to become what it is today.
Among the first Aboriginal health workers, Aunty Josie Agius played a vital role in building trust and connection with communities, often working with limited resources. Her courage and commitment helped lay the foundations of the Aboriginal health sector in South Australia.
Among the founding members, Aunty Gladys Elphick stands as a beacon of leadership. She dedicated her life to creating safe, supportive spaces for Aboriginal communities, guiding early health initiatives and mentoring new generations of leaders. Her legacy continues to be felt in the strength and care of our services today.
The first Aboriginal Health Worker graduates in 1983 marked a significant step forward, strengthening community-led care and building a workforce grounded in culture and community.
Leadership across AHCSA has also been shaped by many others, including the late Mary Buckskin, one of AHCSA’s early CEOs from 2005, who was a strong advocate for Aboriginal community control and self-determination. Les Kropinyeri, honoured with Life Membership, also devoted decades of service through leadership roles at Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service and within AHCSA, including as Chairperson and Treasurer.
These leaders and many more represent the strength, resilience, and vision that continue to guide AHCSA today. Their legacy lives on in every step forward we take.
We continue their legacy.
Today AHCSA pays a heartfelt tribute to Pat Turner AM as she retires as Chief Executive Officer of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
AHCSA has partnered with Nunkuwarrin Yunti to support Closing the Gap Day, reaffirming a shared commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and culturally strong, community-led solutions.
This milestone marked the beginning of AHCSA as a truly community-controlled organisation, governed by a Board of Directors drawn from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health and Aboriginal Health Advisory Committees across South Australia.
