Apunipima Cape York Health Council (Apunipima) is calling for nominations from members to hold the position of Board Director from November 2025 to November 2028.

The current Board will continue to hold their position as Director until the Annual General Meeting on 20 November 2025, at which time their term will expire. Current Directors are eligible to re-nominate for a position on the Board at the completion of their term.

Apunipima is seeking nominations for eight (8) Directors in the following regions:

Region 1 (2 Directors): Horn Island, New Mapoon, Injinoo, Umagico, Bamaga, Seisia

Region 2 (1 Director): Mapoon, Weipa, Napranum

Region 3 (2 Directors): Aurukun, Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama

Region 4 (1 Director): Lockhart River, Coen

Region 5 (2 Directors): Cooktown, Hope Vale, Laura, Wujal Wujal, Mossman Gorge

Commitment of the Board:

Directors are expected to commit to the following as the minimum allocation of time:

• Four face-to-face Board Meetings held in Cairns (one day each quarter);
• Four Sub-Committee Meetings on same week as face to face Board Meetings (1 day each quarter);
• Four Board meetings via telephone or video link between the quarterly face-to-face meetings (2 – 3 hours)
• One Business and Strategic Planning workshop per year (1 day);
• One Professional Development and Training workshop per year (1 day);
• General Meetings (minimum of one Annual General Meeting per year);
• Annual Board Induction (1 day); and
• Other business events as required.

Remuneration:

Board fees to attend approved Board business including Board meetings, workshops and general meetings will be paid to Directors.  Apunipima will also pay travel expenses for Director attendance at approved Board business.

Board responsibilities:

Apunipima provides induction and training to ensure Directors understand their responsibilities as a Board member

Board responsibilities include:

• Set the strategic directions of Apunipima
• Set and review the medium and long term goals of Apunipima
• Approve annual Apunipima budgets
• Monitor business performance
• Monitor the organisation’s delivery of safe and quality care in line with community needs
• Approve large investments and any major financial
• Monitor the controls framework to ensure major risks are identified and managed
• Communicate with relevant stakeholders
• Partnering with the CEO and other Directors to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
• Serve on sub-committees and taking on special assignments
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation

For more information and complete description of the Director role and responsibilities, please contact Colleen Burfitt, CEO Executive Assistant by telephone at 07 4037 7114 or email at ceo.admin@apunipima.org.au

Selection criteria:

An independent Nominations Assessment Panel has been formed to oversee the election process, ensuring elections are conducted impartially and in accordance with the Apunipima constitution.

To nominate for a Region, you must:

• be a Member of Apunipima; and
• permanently reside in a community within that Region.

Essential Requirements

1. All Directors must hold a Director ID. If you intend to nominate for Board Directorship you must hold a Director ID before you can be appointed.
2. All Directors must hold a ‘Working with Children’ Card (Blue Card) or be eligible to obtain the card. An application for a Blue Card will be undertaken and a negative notice will impact on your eligibility for Board Directorship.
3. All Directors must undergo a National Police Check. This check will be undertaken prior to appointment to the Board of Directors.  A negative National Police Check will impact on your eligibility for Board Directorship.

Nomination and Election Dates:

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in nominating for Board Directorship, please complete the Nomination Form and have another member of Apunipima who resides in your community, sign the Form to support your nomination.

Nominations must be submitted by:  Saturday, 6^th September 2025

Elections will only occur if there are more nominations for the Region than allocated Board Director positions.  Details regarding specific community election days will be provided once all nominations have been received.

Election dates: October 2025

Appointment to the Board

The Elected Directors will be announced and accepted by the members at the Annual General Meeting on 20 November 2025.

How to Nominate:

If you would like to nominate for a Directorship:

• complete a Nomination for Directorship Form and sign the declaration. The form is available to download here,
• have an Apunipima member who resides in your community sign to support your nomination; and
• return the completed Nomination for Directorship Form