About Us >> Aboriginal Advisory Committee

About Us

Aboriginal Advisory Committee 

Rural Health West has established an Aboriginal Advisory Committee to strengthen our commitment to working in partnership with Aboriginal people, communities, and organisations across Western Australia.

The Committee will provide advice and expertise to guide Rural Health West in cultural governance, workforce development, and improving health equity. It will ensure that Aboriginal perspectives are embedded in our programs, policies, and strategic decision-making.

If you would like more information on the Aboriginal Advisory Committee, please contact [email protected]

Committee Members

Dr Stephanie Trust

Chair

Dr Stephanie is a Gidja/ Walmajarri general practitioner with a passion for remote primary health care, Aboriginal health, aviation medicine and chronic disease management.
She has been on numerous community and health committees and boards and has work worked extensively within Aboriginal Medical Services.
Dr Stephanie has a passion for medical education. She is a long-term supervisor and cultural mentor for GP registrars and medical students and a strong advocate for Aboriginal health worker practitioners.
Dr Stepanie was on the Board of Rural Health West for six years and is the inaugural Chair for the Rural Health West Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

Dr Christine Clinch

Committee Member

Dr Christine Clinch is a proud Badimia woman of the Yamatji Nation and the clinical lead of the Aboriginal health team at Curtin Medical School, with extensive experience in Aboriginal medical education, curriculum development, and advisory governance.
She currently serves on the Board of Wungening Aboriginal Corporation and holds the position of Secretary.
Her professional interests include strengthening culturally safe decision‑making, embedding Aboriginal knowledges across medical education, and growing the Aboriginal medical workforce through genuine community–university partnerships.

Jessica Curnuck

Committee Member

Jessica Curnuck is a proud Yamatji woman with connections to the Naaguja and Martu peoples.
Born and raised in Geraldton, she is a registered nurse with a strong commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
Her professional focus centres on creating culturally safe healthcare environments where Aboriginal people feel respected, heard and supported. She is passionate about strengthening culturally responsive practise within clinical settings and advocating for systemic change that improves the healthcare experience for Aboriginal patients and families.

Ashley Councillor

Committee Member

Ashley Councillor is a proud Banjima man with deep ties to the Pilbara and surrounding regions.
As CEO of the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance, he brings a powerful blend of cultural knowledge, strategic expertise, and unwavering commitment to Aboriginal empowerment.
Ashley is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal-led approaches to health and wellbeing, grounded in the wisdom of Elders and the strength of community.
He is focused on driving meaningful, long-term change that embeds culture, strengthens connection, and enables Aboriginal communities to lead the systems that serve them.

Adjunct Professor Tuguy Esgin

Committee Member

Tuguy Esgin is a Noongar/Yamatji Aboriginal leader with over 30 years’ experience working across community, health, and higher education.
He currently serves as Dean of Indigenous Engagement in the Faculty of Business and Law at Curtin University, Adjunct Professor Centre of Social Impact at The University of Western Australia and leads initiatives focused on Indigenous data sovereignty, health equity, and entrepreneurship.
Tuguy works closely with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and national research bodies to strengthen Indigenous governance in research, policy, and service design.
His interests include Indigenous-led innovation, culturally grounded health systems, and building pathways for Aboriginal students and businesses.

Stephen Morrison

Committee Member

Stephen Morrison a proud Noongar/Gooniyandi man and is the Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager at Hope Community Services, Kalgoorlie, where he develops and implements First Nations strategies, projects, and initiatives across the workplace.
He coordinates Men’s Bush Trips and Yarning Sessions in the Goldfields region and facilitates SafeTALK and ASIST training with LivingWorks Australia. Since 2010, Stephen has volunteered as Coordinator of the BLAST Youth Group in Kalgoorlie, leading programs, camps, and activities that support youth wellbeing.
He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Indigenous Community Development and Management and an Associate Degree in Indigenous Community Health from Curtin University.

Mitchell Walley

Committee Member

Mitchell Walley is a proud Ballardong Noongar marmun with family connections to Goomalling and was born on Whadjuk Boodjar (Perth, WA).
He is a speech pathologist with extensive experience working across rural and remote communities, including Geraldton, Mount Magnet, Mount Isa (QLD) and Northam.
Mitchell also works with Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, supporting Aboriginal children with complex communication needs and their families.
His interest in serving on the Aboriginal Advisory Committee is to improve access to culturally responsive health services in rural and remote settings and strengthening the experiences of Aboriginal children and families navigating health systems.
He is committed to being a strong advocate and spokesperson for his people, championing equitable and culturally safe care.