“No-one does this job for recognition”: Community Health leader awarded for her service

A western Sydney community health veteran has received a NSW Community Service Award for her outstanding services to the communities of Blacktown.

Jo Fuller is the Integrated and Community Health Priority Populations Program Lead at Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD).

“I’m grateful and honoured to receive this award but no-one does this job for recognition,” Jo said.

Jo’s passion for helping communities started in 1991 when she joined the board and committees for non-government organisations (NGOs) for women’s, sexual assault and legal services in Sydney and Melbourne.

Jo joined WSLHD in 2003 in a Community Health role at Mount Druitt where she remains today.

The advantage of being a committee and board member of these organisations has enabled Jo to form strong partnerships with the many communities of western Sydney.

“It’s vital to have these contacts and networks in communities and Councils so you can work collaboratively together,” she said.

The NSW Government award was presented to Jo by the Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla.

“When Edmond presented me with this award I thought it was for one of the NGOs which I represent – not for me personally,” Jo said.

“I love my job being able to help vulnerable communities and working with NGOs and Blacktown Council.”

Working as the WSLHD Integrated and Community Health Priority Populations Program Lead Jo manages a portfolio of programs and services including Aboriginal Health, Multicultural Health, Integrated Violence Prevention & Response Service, Youth Health, Vulnerable Communities Program and the Out of Home Care Health Pathway Program.

Jo is the Board Chair for the community-based resource centre for women called WASH House as well as the settlement service for immigrants or refugees called the Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency.

Her service doesn’t stop there – she also represents WSLHD at the Blacktown Council Women’s Advisory Committee and Blacktown Council’s Safety Advisory Committee.

Congratulations for this well-deserved recognition Jo!