Torres Strait Island Region Council

Philomena has been working in the area of environmental health since 1997 as an Environmental Health worker at the Yam Island Council.

A Kulkalgau Women from the Central Island region of the Torres Strait. A Traditional Land owner and a Custodian of Tudu (Warrior) Island, once under the control of her ancestor King Kebisu, a feared Head Hunter Warrior of the Torres Strait. Born and Bred in the Torres Strait, completed her higher education, at Mount Saint Bernard College, Herberton, near Atherton Tablelands, Qld.

In 1971 Philomena enlisted and completed 20 years service in the Royal Australian Air Force, as a Drill Instructor and later as a Flight Sergeant in the Military Police, before retiring 16th July, 1991. Since retiring from the Defence Force, she worked 2.5 years, for Catholic
Education, Qld, on Thursday Island, as an Home school Liaison Officer, before deciding to move back to her Mothers birth place Yam Island, where she successfully gained employment with the former Island Council, as the Environmental Health Worker in early 1997.

Philomena has been a strong advocate of environmental health on Yam Island and throughout the Torres Straits. Since 2014 Philomena has undertaken the role of Coordinator Environmental Health, which is responsible for the management, mentoring and coaching of 19 environmental health workers. Philomena is a keen motivator and always gets the job done. Philomena performs a major role in the delivery of the Public Health Program for the Torres Strait Island Regional Council.

In 2015 Philomena was awarded the “Leadership in Environmental Health” Award in recognition of her service to Environmental Health.