The 2025 Health Gateway Awards were recently held online on 8 October, bringing together schools, students, educators, and industry partners from across Queensland to celebrate excellence in health education and training.

These awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of students and educators who are part of CheckUP’s Health Gateway network, an initiative that connects schools with the health industry to support career pathways and workforce development.

This year’s winners exemplify passion, commitment, and leadership in their respective fields:

• 🏆 School Based Trainee of the Year – Kees Luffman, Kelvin Grove State College
  Kees has demonstrated outstanding dedication and professionalism in their school-based traineeship, setting a high standard for peers and future trainees.
• 🏆 First Nations Student of the Year – Juzzy Baldwin, Ripley Valley State Secondary College
  Juzzy’s achievements reflect resilience, cultural pride, and a strong commitment to making a difference in the health sector.
• 🏆 Health Qualification Student of the Year – Gabriella Toohey, St Columban’s College, Caboolture
  Gabriella has excelled in her health studies, showing initiative and a clear passion for pursuing a career in healthcare.
• 🏆 Teacher or Educator of the Year – Gemma Dawson, Kirwan State High School
  Gemma’s leadership and innovative teaching have inspired students and strengthened the school’s engagement with the health industry.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to our independent judging panel for their time and expertise:

• Jade Galloway – Queensland Health
• Tammy Rasmussen – Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC)
• Les Retfort – Department of Trade, Employment and Training
• Christopher Buchanski – Department of Trade, Employment and Training

Their thoughtful deliberation ensured that each award recipient was recognised for their genuine impact and contribution.

The Health Gateway Awards are more than a celebration, they’re a reflection of the growing collaboration between schools and the health industry, and a testament to the bright future of Queensland’s health workforce.

Congratulations to all nominees, finalists, and winners. Your achievements inspire us all.

In August, the Manngoor Dja Aboriginal Health Services’ Mob Pod mobile health van visited the Brisbane CheckUP office!

The van, with its striking artwork by Lyndon Davis, brightened the street and drew in many curious onlookers.

The Mob Pod team in attendance included Mark Sidaway – Mob Pod Outreach Officer, Clare Villalba – Research Support (on secondment to Manngoor Dja from the Department of Health, Commonwealth Government), and Paul Penumala – Mob Pod Project Manager. The team has successfully secured Innovative Models of Care (IMOC) grant funding under the Health Workforce and Rural Access Program (Commonwealth Government) to deliver this innovative service.

Mark provided the CheckUP team with a tour of the digitally enabled mobile clinic, showcasing its fit-out and features that allow delivery of both face-to-face and telehealth health services. Inside, the Mob Pod is set up to host visiting clinicians and allied health professionals, supporting culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Mob Pod travels to communities outside the Gympie and Noosa regions where healthcare access is limited — including Tin Can Bay, Pomona, Curra, Glenwood, Cooroy, Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Cove, Imbil, Amamoor, and outreach to Widgee, Chatsworth, Tamaree, and Gunalda. Its mission is to address critical gaps in access, reduce potentially preventable hospitalisations, improve health outcomes, and strengthen community connections.

This visit to CheckUP was part of a three-day road trip to showcase the van to potential partners, including University of Queensland (UQ), University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS), Country to Coast Queensland Primary Health Network (CCQ PHN), Gympie Regional Council, and Noosa Council.

The Mob Pod project is guided by a governance committee of local and state government representatives, health services, primary health networks, rural universities, and research partners. It aligns with Closing the Gap, the Queensland Health Equity Strategy, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031.

To learn more about the Mob Pod and its work, visit www.ncacch.org.au/mobpod.

Stay up to date with all the latest news from the CheckUP team.

Stay up to date with all the latest news from the CheckUP team.

Stay up to date with all the latest news from the CheckUP team.

View the fourth edition of CheckUP’s First Nations Workforce Newsletter.

Learn more about CheckUP’s Industry Workforce Advisor program and First Nations healthcare and social assistance.

Email Carissa McAllister, CheckUP’s First Nations Industry Workforce Advisor.

View the April 2025 edition of our Workforce eNewsletter, CheckUP Connect.

Sign up to receive CheckUP connect eNews here.

Visit the CheckUP Connect website for more information.

Download the fact sheet to learn more about CheckUP’s Workforce and Industry Programs.

Visit the Workforce and Industry Programs page to learn more.