The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) has awarded Associate Professor Caroline (Carlie) Atkinson the prestigious National Excellence Award for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Social Worker of the Year 2024.

This accolade recognises her outstanding contributions to social work and her unwavering commitment to the well-being of Indigenous communities.

"I was incredibly humbled and deeply touched to receive the 2024 National Excellence Award – Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Social Worker of the Year last week," Assoc Prof Atkinson said.

A proud Bundjalung and Yiman woman, Associate Professor Atkinson is an accredited social worker with a PhD from Charles Darwin University. She is internationally acclaimed for her expertise in complex trauma and Indigenous healing practices, advocating for culturally responsive interventions that have significantly influenced social work practices both nationally and globally.

As the Chief Executive Officer of We Al-li, a family-founded organisation, Associate Professor Atkinson has been instrumental in designing and delivering Culturally Informed Trauma Integrated Healing Approaches (CITIHA). These programs provide training and resources to individuals, families, communities, and organisations across Australia, emphasising the integration of Indigenous cultural processes in trauma recovery and healing.

In response to the catastrophic floods in the Northern Rivers region in 2022, Associate Professor Atkinson founded the Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub. This initiative offers a community healing space grounded in trauma-informed practices of First Nations peoples, supporting recovery and fostering resilience among flood-affected residents.

(Carlie Atkinson (third from left) with some of the Healing Hub team. Photo: supplied)

Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing offer a profound way forward when working with intergenerational healing from trauma. This approach was found to be particularly powerful in the aftermath of the floods providing communities of care that helped to provide a sense of connection and belonging.

Associate Professor Atkinson's dedication to integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into social work practice has not only transformed service delivery but has also empowered communities to engage in their healing processes. Her leadership and advocacy continue to inspire social workers and community members alike, reinforcing the importance of culturally informed approaches in addressing trauma and promoting well-being and healing.

The AASW's recognition of Associate Professor Atkinson underscores her exceptional contributions to the field of social work and her unwavering commitment to the health and healing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

"It is an immense honour for our collective work to be recognised in this way by my peers and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). This acknowledgment highlights the critical role First Nations knowledge systems and solutions play in addressing some of the most pressing contemporary issues facing our nation, including the escalating mental health crisis and strategies to combat climate change.

"As a nation, we must champion and invest in grassroots, community-led initiatives that embody these solutions. For instance, the Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub has demonstrated the power of sustainable community connection in fostering belonging, strengthening social and emotional well-being, and improving mental health outcomes. Yet, this vital program is now at risk due to insufficient funding, despite repeated efforts to secure support through various grants.

"These initiatives are not only deserving of greater recognition but also of robust and sustained funding. It is through supporting such community-led models that we can build resilience, enhance wellbeing, and contribute to long-term, impactful

change for both communities and the environment."