PHAA pays tribute to Cleveland Fagan

27 June 2024

On behalf of the Board and staff at the Public Health Association of Australia, we pay tribute to Cleveland Fagan and send our deepest condolences to his father, Uncle Bernie Singleton, his wife Ruth, and their children and grandchildren, and his brothers Bernie, Royden, Jason, and sister Louise.
 
A proud Djabugay man from Kuranda, Cleveland will be fondly remembered for his long-standing leadership in Queensland’s ACCHO sector, including Wuchopperen Health Service, Apunipima Cape York Health Council and the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC).

During his time as CEO at QAIHC, PHAA members were privileged to learn from Cleveland’s knowledge and experience when he was a keynote speaker at our Preventive Health conference in Brisbane in 2022. 
 
With traditional connections to Cairns, Yarrabah, and Cape York, Cleveland worked zealously to improve the health and wellbeing in these communities and more broadly across the state. He was determined to address the determinants of health that he saw creating health inequities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 
 
One of his biggest achievements was overseeing the transition of Apunipima Cape York Health Council from a small advocacy agency into the large primary healthcare provider it is today, where his dedication to overcoming the determinants of health was implemented through the River of Life Strategy.
 
His loss will be felt by many, and his legacy will be long lasting. May his beautiful spirit rest in peace. 
 
Alana Gall (PHAA VP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) and Leanne Coombe (PHAA Policy & Advocacy Manager)