Across Queensland, Wakai Waian Healing has grown into one of the state’s most respected First Nations focused mental health services. Behind that growth sits a quiet but critical piece of work, building a workforce that is strong, sustainable and grounded in culture.
At the centre of that work is Roslyn Mann, Head of Workforce Sustainability.
Roslyn has played a leading role in shaping the organisation’s workforce strategy, with a clear focus on creating pathways for First Nations clinicians and building a pipeline that reaches into regional and remote communities. Her work is not just about recruitment. It is about long term sustainability, ensuring communities are supported by people who understand their context, their culture and their stories.
Growing up on the traditional lands of the Quandamooka Nation in South East Queensland, Roslyn has spent much of her life living and working across rural and remote Australia, including Central and North West Queensland and the Roper Gulf region of the Northern Territory. She now lives and works on Dharumbal Country in Rockhampton.
This lived experience has shaped her approach. Workforce development, for Roslyn, is relational. It is about creating opportunities, supporting people to grow, and building environments where staff feel valued, supported and connected to purpose.
Over recent years, she has been instrumental in attracting a high calibre of clinicians and staff to Wakai Waian Healing. The organisation now employs more than 50 people across Queensland, including psychologists, occupational therapists, counsellors, social workers and therapy assistants, many of whom are First Nations practitioners supported through internal development pathways.
Her work has helped position Wakai Waian Healing as not just a service provider, but as a place where people can build meaningful careers in social and emotional wellbeing.
Alongside her leadership role, Roslyn has continued her own academic journey. She has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), achieving First Class Honours.
It is a milestone that reflects both her commitment to the field and her belief in leading by example.
Wakai Waian Healing CEO Ed Mosby acknowledged the significance of her contribution.
“Ros has been central to building the workforce behind Wakai Waian Healing,” Ed said. “What she’s created is not just recruitment, it’s a pipeline for the future. A workforce that is strong, culturally grounded and sustainable. On top of that, to complete her Honours with First Class is a huge achievement. We’re incredibly proud of her and grateful for everything she brings to the organisation.”
Head of Finance Julie Mosby also highlighted the broader impact of Roslyn’s work.
“Sustainability in an organisation doesn’t just come from funding, it comes from people,” Julie said. “Ros has built systems and pathways that give us stability and confidence as we grow. When you have the right people in the right roles, supported the right way, everything else becomes possible.”
Roslyn’s professional background spans human resources and community relations across mining and gas, local government, natural resource management, higher education and First Nations employment services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Sociology and a Master of Human Resources Management, alongside her recent Honours degree in Psychological Science.
But her focus remains clear.
To contribute to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by strengthening the workforce that supports them.
As Wakai Waian Healing continues to expand across regional and remote Queensland, that work becomes even more important.
Because behind every service, every clinic and every program, there are people.
And behind those people, there is a system that supports them to stay, grow and lead.
Roslyn Mann has helped build that system.
And in doing so, she is helping shape the future of culturally grounded mental health care in Queensland.