Vicky O’Donnell has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal during the 2022 Australia Day Awards.
After spending years working in health, Vicki O’Donnell was determined to do something about chronic disease among Indigenous people in the Kimberley.
Ms O’Donnell has been the CEO of the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) for just over seven years. She headed up the Derby Aboriginal Health Service for 12 years prior to that.
A key part of her role is providing advocacy and support to members to ensure the sector has a stronger voice at the state and Commonwealth level.
“I think we have to [advocate] because if we are fragmented they pick us off, and I think if we are united — and the Kimberley and our member services are pretty united — when we speak, we speak with one voice,” she said.
She is also the chair of the Aboriginal Health Council of WA, which is the state body that represents the Aboriginal medical services across Western Australia.
“So we’ve been able to have a seat at the table and be able to advocate for our people to be able to protect communities and towns,” she said.
She said it meant a lot to see so many Indigenous Australians receiving Australia Day honours.
“We’re not ones to put ourselves out there for awards so it’s certainly really humbling to be recognised,” she said.
“When I got the email, I thought it was one of those scam emails.
“That was my first reaction and then it sunk in and then I felt really humble.”
