Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following story and media footage may contain references, images and voices of deceased persons.
For half a century, Indigenous Service Officers (ISOs) have been at the heart of connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with government services.
This year marks 50 years of the program, a milestone that signifies not just longevity but also a legacy of resilience, empowerment and advocacy.
In December 1974, Aunty Euna Watson Coolwell helped displaced Aboriginal people relocate from Darwin to Brisbane and rebuild their lives after the devastation of Cyclone Tracey.
As the first Aboriginal Liaison Officer, she would never have imagined the foundations she was laying.
Five decades on, Aunty Euna’s legacy is as strong as ever, with a network of approximately 70 committed and passionate ISOs supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country.
More than one third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people access our services each month. We know these customers can often face challenges in accessing government services, especially in remote areas.
ISOs are trusted intermediaries who ensure customers are not only heard and supported in accessing our systems, but also have a voice in shaping the services and policies that impact them.
ISOs are part of the fibre of Indigenous communities, working with community and third party organisations, participating in community projects, and attending community workshops to educate people on the services available.
Beyond that, ISOs lead our commitment to identifying service delivery gaps and exploring ways to advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and address inequities.
Their work complements the initiatives and advocacy priorities in our Closing the Gap action plan which is our commitment to supporting the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, and our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan which details how we’ll embed reconciliation and Indigenous voices in everything we do.
In this milestone year, we celebrate all our ISOs, past and present, who’ve shown remarkable passion and dedication to enhancing the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
None more so than Aunty Euna Watson Coolwell 50 years ago.
Watch the video below to learn about the history of the ISO program and the impact it’s having today.