SA Health Aboriginal Workforce Network

The SA Health Aboriginal Workforce Network (SHAWN) is a statewide professional development support network, coordinated by the Aboriginal Workforce Unit in the Department for Health and Wellbeing.

SHAWN complements and centrally links all local Aboriginal networks in place across SA Health’s Local Health Networks and First Nation Countries.

Membership is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across SA Health including scholarship recipients and trainees.

SHAWN offers Aboriginal staff in both clinical and non-clinical roles ways to improve their health and wellbeing, enabling Aboriginal staff to come together to share:

cultural knowledge
cultural practice
personal wisdom
work and life experiences.

SHAWN continues to grow as it evolves each year, providing a statewide voice for SA Health’s Aboriginal Workforce to help make a difference in Aboriginal health.

SHAWN also formally recognises and celebrates professional excellence through its main SHAWN Forum and Awards event of the year.

2026 SHAWN Forum and Awards: Winners and finalists

The SHAWN Forum and Awards event held on Kaurna Country, brings together network members and Aboriginal peers to celebrate the dedication, cultural authority, and clinical excellence of SA Health’s Aboriginal workforce.

Congratulations to our 2026 winners and finalists.

Innovation Award (Team)

This award recognises bold new initiatives for improved ways of providing culturally safe care or services.

Joint winner: Women’s and Children’s Hospital Network Cocoon Program, Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN)
Joint winner: Watto Purrunna Tracking Cube Pilot, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN)
Finalist: Tapa Marnirniapinthi, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN)

Excellence in Collaboration and Partnerships Award (Team)

This award recognises the collective fostering of strong internal and external partnerships for culturally responsive services.

Winner: Partnerships and Shared Decision-Making Team, the Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW)
Finalist: Women’s and Children’s Hospital Anti-Racism Strategy, Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN)

Emerging Leader and Talent Award (Individual)

This award recognises high-potential Aboriginal staff members in the early-to-mid stages of their leadership journey who inspire their peers and demonstrate exceptional initiative.

Emerging Leader

Winner: Jarrad Benbolt-Agius, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NLHN)
Finalist: James Blewit, Eyre and Far North Local Health Network (EFNLHN)

Emerging Talent

Winner: Tisana Maynard, Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN)
Finalist: Lailani Stephenson, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN)

Lifetime Achievement Award (Individual)

This award recognises 10+ years of impactful leadership, systemic advocacy, and service in strengthening SA Health’s Aboriginal workforce.

Winner: Regina Williams, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN)
Finalist: Scott Owen, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN)

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Last updated: 15 Oct 2026