Aunty Karen West has dedicated over a half a lifetime to the cause of Aboriginal health in the North West.
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Starting in 1982, Aunty Karen has done more than most to help Close the Gap, now having clocked up 37 years serving Indigenous health, now as a senior Aboriginal health worker with Gidgee Healing in Mount Isa.
Now nominated for a lifetime award at Saturday's Community Services Ball at the Civic Centre, the proud Kalkadoon woman said her job involved a lot of "time management", the organising and coordinating specialist clinics and the tasks of other health workers.
"Aboriginal health is a big challenge, but as I say to people, if you choose to work in Aboriginal health, you are choosing to carry a big load," Aunty Karen said.
"I don't mind, because they are my mob."
Aunty Karen said a lot of what she did at Gidgee was helping patients with their health journey.
"You've got to know the different services that are available in town," she said.
"It's about referring and follow up. If you don't do that you are not doing your job.
"I say to the health workers, know your patients, know where they live and know their family life."
Aunty Karen's message of Indigenous health has been passed on with three generations of her family now in the industry.
"Three of my four kids are nurses and the other one never stops advocating for Aboriginal affairs, and my two granddaughters also work for Gidgee Healing," she said. "As I keep saying to them, there are no experts in Aboriginal health, or we wouldn't be in the position we are in today.
"I say to young health workers, 'don't think you know everything because I'm 70 and I'm still learning'."
That may be true but the young health workers at Gidgee certainly look up to Aunty Karen's formidable knowledge and experience, as Janice Irvine testified.
"She's very passionate, I love Aunty Karen to pieces, she'd be the heart of this place," Ms Irvine said.
Fellow health worker Isaiah Milne agreed.
"She's a great leader and has been a mentor of mine for a number of years," Mr Milne said.
"She's helped us see our clients as our main focus."
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