Lesley Woolf OAM

Lesley Woolf OAM has worked as a nurse for over fifty years, focusing on having an impact on people’s lives particularly in rural and remote communities. 

Mrs Woolf is executive health manager of Health Aged Care and Community Services at Mala’la Health Services Aboriginal Corporation. She was formerly the chair of the Primary Health Care Management Group at the Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation, and was also the director of Regional Primary Health.

“I’ve always been passionate about promoting nursing as a profession, particularly in rural and remote areas, pursuing opportunities for the education and advancement of nurses, and providing opportunities where possible,” Mrs Woolf says.

“I’m also passionate about the development of the Indigenous workforce and remote communities through the promotion of community control and having Indigenous health in the hands of the community.”

Lesley Woolf was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to Indigenous health, and to rural and remote nursing in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours list.

“My motivation is to make the world a better place. I believe that everyone deserves good health and access to health services, and I want to see good health outcomes in future generations, particularly in the more remote communities and, more importantly, for my grandchildren and their children,” she says. 

“It gives me enormous joy and satisfaction to see healthy happy kids and to see improvements in health in general.”

Mrs Woolf says she was honoured and humbled when she found out about her recognition.

“But I also saw that it was a great recognition for all nurses working in rural and remote, and in Indigenous health,” she explains. 

“I’d like to thank the wonderful people that I have worked with over the years and those who have trusted me enough to give me opportunities to grow in the profession.”