In Conversation with Kurt Towers
31 Jul 2026
NAIDOC Week 2026 Feature
Earlier this month, Australia celebrated NAIDOC Week 2026 and this year’s powerful theme, ‘50 Years of Deadly’ recognising five decades of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, leadership, culture and achievement, while looking ahead to the next generation of change-makers.
To reflect on the significance of this milestone, we spoke with one of our Executive Learning Set members, Kurt Towers, Chief Aboriginal Health Officer at SA Health. A proud Wiradjuri man and registered Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Kurt has dedicated his career to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal communities through culturally informed, community-led leadership. Drawing on extensive experience across Aboriginal and mainstream health services, as well as a deep commitment to children, families and future generations, Kurt shares his perspectives on leadership, creating meaningful change and the role every health leader can play in building a more equitable future.
- This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, 50 Years of Deadly, celebrates the strength, leadership and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while looking ahead to the future. As Chief Aboriginal Health Officer, what do you believe the next 50 years of leadership in healthcare should look like, and what gives you confidence that we are moving in the right direction?
The next 50 years must be defined by Aboriginal leadership at every level of the health system, from community and clinical care through to executive leadership, research, policy and governance. We know the best outcomes are achieved when Aboriginal people have a genuine voice in decisions that affect our health and wellbeing.
What gives me confidence is that we are seeing a real shift towards shared decision-making, stronger partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations, and a growing Aboriginal workforce. The Closing the Gap Priority Reforms are helping move us beyond consultation towards shared accountability. We still have a long way to go, but I believe the future is one where our communities are not only part of the system, they help lead and shape it.
- Throughout your leadership journey, what is one lesson you’ve learned that you wish every health executive understood about working alongside First Nations communities?
The most important lesson is that relationships come before outcomes.
Trust cannot be built through a single meeting, consultation, or project. It comes from listening, being present, honouring commitments and being prepared to share power. Even for me as an Aboriginal Leader in Government, within mainstream systems and rules, transferring power and decision making is new (and at times uncomfortable – but that’s ok). Communities know what works for their people, and our role as leaders is to create the conditions for those voices to influence decisions.
- What is one piece of advice you would offer leaders who want to create lasting change and build stronger partnerships with Aboriginal communities?
Lead with humility and be prepared to listen more than you speak. My Elders have taught me this – I have been around campfires and meetings in some communities for days until I have been invited to speak.
Strong partnerships are built on respect, transparency, and consistency. Don’t seek Aboriginal voices simply to validate decisions that have already been made. Involve communities and Aboriginal peoples early, be honest about challenges, and be willing to change your approach based on what you hear.
Lasting change doesn’t happen because of one leader or one program, it happens when we work together with a shared commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, families and communities for generations to come.
