Debra Malthouse has been inducted into the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council Hall of Fame, recognising more than 45 years of work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled services.

Born in Mareeba and raised on the town's Aboriginal Reserve, known as The Yumba, Ms Malthouse is now CEO of Apunipima Cape York Health Council.

The honour recognises her contribution to health services across Cairns and Far North Queensland and was presented at the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on the Gold Coast on October 21.

The award recognises people whose leadership and contribution have had a lasting impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Queensland.

For Ms Malthouse, the recognition reflects decades working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women to improve the lives of their people and communities.

"One of the biggest achievements is being part of the community-controlled sector for more than 45 years, seeing what it was intended to be, and still holding true to those values today," she said.

"I know why we [community-controlled organisations] were established all those years ago and this knowledge is the foundation for the work that I do."

Ms Malthouse credits her grandmother with shaping the values that have guided her career.

Taken as a young girl to work on a station outside Mount Molloy, her grandmother encouraged her to listen, observe and understand people and situations before acting.

That approach has underpinned a career helping build community-controlled services across the region.

Ms Malthouse worked at Wuchopperen Health Service from 1982 to 1989 and again from 2010 to 2017, contributing to the expansion of its infrastructure and services.

Wuchopperen CEO Joy Savage credited that work with establishing services that would support generations of families.

"Debra has had a touch point with nearly every community-controlled organisation in Cairns, and in health she's been quite the powerhouse," Ms Savage said.

"It's been many a decade now of a full suite of child, youth and family services that this community may not have seen had it not been for Debra's foresight many years ago."

Ms Malthouse joined Apunipima in 2020, leading an organisation delivering primary health care and social and emotional wellbeing services across Cape York.

Her work has focused on increasing access to culturally safe, community-controlled health care and strengthening collaboration across the region.

That included a 2024 Statement of Commitment between Apunipima, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The agreement committed the organisations to working together to Close the Gap in Cape York.

QAIHC Acting CEO Paula Arnol recognised Ms Malthouse's contribution to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

"The QAIHC Hall of Fame award is one of the highest honours our sector can bestow," she said.

"Debra Malthouse is highly respected across Queensland and nationally for her integrity, determination and unwavering commitment to community."