An Eidsvold nurse has been honoured to be Wide Bay Health’s NAIDOC nurse of the year, inspiring the next generation of Indigenous nurses.
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service proudly honoured the outstanding contributions of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff through an inaugural NAIDOC Awards ceremony.
The six NAIDOC award winners were celebrated at a breakfast awards ceremony in Bundaberg.
Among them was enrolled nurse Melanie Pope who works at the Eidsvold MPHS, and was named the Wide Bay Health’s Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Nurse or Midwife of the Year.
She was recognised for her cultural humility, clinical excellence and unwavering kindness.
A WBHHS spokesperson reported that Melanie’s calm and compassionate nature allows her to connect deeply with her Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. She is known to serve as a cultural guide and mentor to her colleagues.
Melanie was also selected to attend the Indigenous Nurses Conference in Western Australia.
“Melanie continues to inspire her peers and enrich her workplace with new ideas,” the WBHHS spokesperson said.
“She is a powerful advocate for inclusive and culturally safe healthcare.”
Melanie’s acceptance speech was truly inspirational and a standout moment of the awards breakfast.
“This recognition is not just mine alone, it belongs to my community, my family, my mentors, and every patient who has trusted me with their care,” she said.
“As an Aboriginal nurse, I carry with me a long line of resilience, knowledge, and compassion.”
The Eidsvold nurse explained that for her nursing is more than a job, it is a calling.
“It’s about more than clinical care; it’s about cultural safety, breaking down barriers, and being a voice for those who are often unheard,” Melanie said.
“Every day I step into my role, I bring with me my culture, my lived experience, and a commitment to making healthcare more inclusive, more respectful, and more human.”
She told the young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses in the room that morning that they are crucial to their community.
“This award is proof that your voice, your presence, and your perspective are not only needed—they are powerful,” Melanie said.
“Let this recognition be a reminder: representation matters. Culture matters. And when we weave cultural wisdom with clinical care, we create a stronger, safer, and more connected health system for all.”
Wide Bay Health reported that this year’s recipients exemplified leadership, compassion, and a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for First Nations people.
The 2025 NAIDOC WBHHS winners are:
Health Professional of the Year – Aunty Sandra Fraser (Menu Monitor)
Allied Health Professional of the Year – Tamara Olive (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advanced Health Worker, Social Work – Bundaberg)
Community Health Hero – Aunty Jennette Springham (Community Elder – Bundaberg)
Nurse of Midwife of the Year – Melanie Pope (Enrolled nurse – Eidsvold MPHS)
Young Warrior of the Year – Taylor O’Grady (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advanced Health Worker Trainee, First 2000 Days – Bundaberg)
Health Team of the Year -Galangoor Duwalami Mums and Bubs (Fraser Coast)
