Leanne Ramsamy was born in Mt Isa from the traditional tribal regions of western Cape York and Gulf of Carpentaria and grew up in Darwin. Operating her own consultancy for the past 10 years has taken Leanne from Cherbourg to Broome, working extensively in disadvantaged, remote communities in Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria, Torres Strait, Tiwi Islands and the Kimberley region.
Starting out with the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services, Leanne soon realised improving health outcomes for indigenous people would be a career focus. Her ambition saw her take on roles with the Tropical Public Health Unit and Regional Health Authority, including primary health care director (Cape district – Weipa), before becoming an indigenous business/health consultant.
Leanne has worked with community controlled health services in Yarrabah and the lower Gulf; conducted education and awareness workshops; facilitated the development of Torres Strait and Cape York health programs; assisted the Kowanyama ‘Mother and Baby Centre’; and written scripts for media agencies to develop indigenous educational resources and health awareness campaigns.
Based in Cairns, Leanne is in her final year of completing a Master of Public Health at James Cook University having attained a Bachelor of Arts in Health Science and Associate Diploma in Health Science (Health Promotion) at Edith Cowan University. She is also a qualified beauty therapist.
Leanne hopes she can make a difference to the organisation through active participation in the governance committee. Ultimately, her desire is to support GP services in regional, rural and remote areas of Far North Queensland.