Aileen Orcher

Aileen Orcher is a proud Kooma, Kamilaroi/Gomeroi and Mandandanji woman from South-West Queensland. Born in Dalby, Queensland, Aileen grew up in the St George and Miles areas before moving to Brisbane in the early 1960s.

Aileen moved to Ipswich in 1989 with her two children, following two years living in Perth, Western Australia.

Aileen’s professional career has spanned more than 40 years, with extensive experience across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, housing, community services, cultural heritage and administration. Early in her career, she worked with Aboriginal Hostels Ltd as a Hostel Manager in Canberra and Brisbane from 1983 to 1986.

Shortly after arriving in Ipswich, Aileen commenced employment with the Kambu Progress Association and Aboriginal Housing Organisation, where she worked from 1989 to 1998 in a range of roles including Administration and Finance Officer, Board Member, Licensee and Gaming Manager of the Briggs Road Complex.

During this time, Aileen also worked with the Combined Housing Organisation in Logan Central, supporting its Family Support and Local Justice programs in an Administration and Finance capacity.

Her commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities continued through her work with Children of the Dreaming Recognised Entity Service, where she worked as a Cultural Advisor and Administration Officer from 2004 to 2006.

Aileen has been actively involved with Kambu Health since 1989, contributing to the organisation as a member, Board Member and employee over many years. From 2006 to 2015, she was employed by Kambu Health as an Administration Officer, with responsibilities including finance, payroll, vehicle maintenance and a range of other operational duties.

Aileen’s connection to community and culture also led her to Maranoa Services, an Aboriginal organisation providing Cultural Heritage Services to the local Traditional Owners, the Yuggera and Ugarapul Peoples of Ipswich. She worked with Maranoa Services as Office Manager from 2016 to 2021.

Kambu Health has played an important role in Aileen’s life and that of her children, both as a place of healthcare and as an organisation deeply connected to community. Her many years of involvement have given her a strong understanding of Kambu Health’s history, its people and the important role it plays in supporting the health and wellbeing of the community.

With more than 30 years of direct experience and connection to Kambu Health and the local community, Aileen brings valuable knowledge, lived experience and a deep understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to her role on the Board. Her extensive experience across health, community services, housing, cultural heritage, finance and administration provides her with a broad perspective and enables her to make a meaningful contribution to the organisation’s governance and future direction.

Aileen’s passion for Kambu Health is to see the organisation continue to strive for greatness and provide excellent, holistic healthcare to the Indigenous community of Ipswich and surrounding areas. She is committed to supporting Kambu Health’s ongoing growth and success, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver high-quality healthcare and contributing to efforts to close the health gap and improve health outcomes for generations to come.

Aileen’s message to Kambu Health members and the wider community is to work collaboratively with the Board and staff to address issues that affect the community and to contribute positively to the organisation’s future.

She believes Kambu Health has a strong legacy and a beautiful Health Centre that the community should be proud of, recognising the many people who have contributed to the organisation’s journey over the past 50 years.

Aileen is committed to building on this legacy and ensuring Kambu Health continues to serve, support and advocate for the community for generations to come.