A chance encounter with some dear friends after a holiday in Mparntwe/Alice Springs led Queenslander Jacob Murray, a proud Noonuccal and Kombumerri man from the Quandamooka Nation, to a new chapter in his nursing journey, and one that's already having a visible impact on the lives of Aboriginal men in Central Australia.
Mr Murray, a registered nurse with experience working across rural and remote Queensland, recently joined the team at the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Ingkintja, a men's health clinic in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
For the past six months, he's been supporting Aboriginal men with their health needs, from comprehensive check-ups and sexual health conversations to helping them understand medications and their cultural and social wellbeing.
"Earlier this year, I was working as a travelling nurse in Queensland, mainly in rural/remote aged care, which I really enjoyed," he said.
"On a trip to Alice Springs, I reconnected with two old friends, Mariah and Darcy, proud Indigenous leaders whose passion for Aboriginal health truly inspired me.
"They encouraged me to apply for a job that was available through Rural Workforce Agency NT, and I'm so glad I made the change. Now, I'm able to create positive change in community and feel valued for the work I do. That encouragement has paid off, not just for me, but for the community as well."
NT Primary Health Network chief executive, Paul Connolly, praised Mr Murray's commitment and passion.
"Jacob brings not just clinical skills, but cultural connection and genuine care to his work. That's exactly what makes a difference in primary healthcare - relationships, trust and people who want to see others thrive," he said.
"We're proud to have played a part in connecting Jacob to this opportunity. It shows how important those personal connections are when it comes to building a strong, culturally safe primary healthcare workforce."
Mr Murray works mostly with boys and men aged 15 to 65+, providing one-on-one support, health education and advice tailored to their lifestyle and cultural needs. But he's eager to see more engagement from younger men.
"We've noticed that young people, especially those aged 15 to 25, aren't really coming in, and I want to change that," he said.
"This is such a critical age group. The habits they form now around their health will carry through the rest of their lives. If we can shift the attitude early on and make health a normal part of the conversation, not something to avoid or be embarrassed about, then we're setting them up for better outcomes as adults. It's about prevention, early intervention, and showing them that looking after themselves is a sign of strength, not weakness."
Ingkintja, operated by Congress, provides a culturally safe space for Aboriginal men to access comprehensive primary healthcare services.
NT PHN, through its Rural Workforce Agency NT function, works closely with primary healthcare service providers to support workforce recruitment and retention in urban, remote and regional areas.
