Sandy helps spread the support
3 July 2025
Grampians Health has extended its support to First Nations people across its western campuses with the appointment of new Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer Sandy Stinten.
Sandy has joined the First Nations Health Team working with colleague Danae McDonald to provide extended support to patients, clients and team members at Horsham, Dimboola, Edenhope and Stawell.
The proud Gunai/Kurnai woman hails from the East Gippsland region where she had worked as a family counsellor dealing mainly with support living for homeless youth, before moving to Western Australia in 2019 to work for several mining companies.
More recently Sandy had been travelling around Australia and working as a support coordinator with the NDIS.
Sandy said she had settled into the role quickly and had felt very welcomed by the Grampians Health community.
“It’s a great role and I’m really enjoying it,” Sandy said. “Danae and I are sharing the travelling so that we are both a constant presence at each of the campuses every week.
“Even the trips to Edenhope have been good because while there are not many First Nations people living there, a few team members at the campus are and they have appreciated the visits and the connection.”
Sandy said she was impressed with the community space in Horsham and with the work Danae had been doing.
Danae said the appointment of Sandy was important in helping to extend their support.
“We’ve been working in well together and Sandy has settled in comfortably with her role,” Danae said.
In her spare time, Sandy enjoys renovating her Pimpinio home and taking trips to visit her young grandchildren.
Grampians Health Chief People Officer Claire Woods said Sandy was an important addition to the First Nations Health Team.
“Sandy’s inclusion has mean that for the first time, we’ve been able to provide comprehensive support to First Nations people at every Grampians Health campus,” Ms Woods said.
“One of our values is that all people need to be treated with compassion, kindness and empathy and this is even more important for our First Nations people who may at times feel intimidated in a health service environment.
“The work that our aboriginal liaison health officers do is crucial to their continuity of care.”