Recognising cultural connection at nurse and midwives awards

Townsville University Hospital (TUH) registered nurse Hayley Mazzoni said she could not think of a better way of being acknowledged for her work after being named the inaugural winner of the Norma Lane Cultural Connection award.

The award is named in recognition of Norma Lane, a former Townsville Hospital and Health Service nurse who spent more than 47 years working to improve the health outcomes for First Nations Australians.

It was one of 25 awards handed out at an event at TUH to celebrate International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day.

Ms Mazzoni said she was shocked to hear her name read out as the winner of the inaugural award.

“I just do my job and try to do it to the best of my ability, and to be recognised in this way is unexpected, but I am honoured,” Ms Mazzoni said.

“I can’t begin to explain how grateful and humbled I am to be recognised by my peers for this award.

“I hope by recognition of awards like this, that all First Nations employees of our health service know they can make a difference.”

Ms Lane has left a legacy of advocating for improved healthcare outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

She was at the event to present the award and said Ms Mazzoni was a very deserving winner.

“Cultural connection is a vital part of the role Indigenous healthcare workers play in providing care to First Nations Australians,” Ms Lane said.

“It is good for our mob that our people will come to the hospital and see us, because the minute they do they automatically feel safe.

“Hayley is a great example of that level of care where she has helped First Nations people navigate and understand the healthcare system, as well as being able to translate that information back to non-indigenous colleagues.

“I had the best career in nursing, and I hope more people like Hayley take up a career in healthcare.”