Maali Mob: the Rural Health West Aboriginal Advisory Committee
Improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people has long been part of Rural Health West’s work. Aboriginal people understand the realities their communities face and what culturally safe, respectful care looks like. That knowledge needs to shape how Rural Health West programs are designed, how services are delivered and how decisions are made.
In 2025, Rural Health West invited Aboriginal people from across Western Australia to nominate for its first Aboriginal Advisory Committee. The Committee was established to strengthen our commitment to listening, learning, building relationships and working in partnership with Aboriginal people, communities and organisations.
The Maali Mob held their first meeting on 13 March 2026 in Whadjuk Boodjar (Perth), chaired by Dr Stephanie Trust. Members come from across the state, and together they provide expertise and guidance to support Rural Health West in achieving Strategic Priority Two of our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan: partnering with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
About the name
In Whadjuk language, Maali means Black Swan.
In other language groups across Western Australia, Maali has different spellings but is pronounced the same way, and it carries meanings of relationship and connection. In parts of the Pilbara, Marli means Grandfather, reflecting respect, guidance and connection across generations.
Because of its colour and because it was seen in abundance on the Derbarl Yerrigan, later called the Swan River, the black swan was proclaimed the bird emblem of Western Australia on 25 July 1973. It appears on the WA state flag and the WA Coat of Arms.
Committee members chose the name Maali Mob because it needed to connect with and represent Mob, and reflect the group’s role in representing Aboriginal voices across the whole state, from metropolitan Perth to rural and remote WA. The name also connects to Rural Health West’s head office in Nedlands, near the Derbarl Yerrigan.
If you would like more information, please contact [email protected]







