This week marks two years since Luke Edmund joined Wakai Waian Healing, and it feels like the right moment to pause and recognise not just his achievements, but what his journey represents for our organisation, our workforce pipeline, and our long-term commitment to supporting and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
Luke’s story with Wakai began, like many good stories do, over a coffee. From those early conversations, it was clear that Luke carried a deep sense of purpose, cultural grounding, and commitment to working with First Nations families and communities to achieve meaningful outcomes. That purpose has only strengthened over time.
One of Luke’s very first tasks at Wakai Waian Healing was no small undertaking. He took on a full chart audit of close to 1,800 consumer files, a huge piece of work for anyone, let alone someone new to the organisation. Toward the end of the process, Luke joked that he was waking up dreaming about charts and audits. That early dedication mattered. The findings from that review helped shape the Service Delivery Team (SDT) and informed key processes we still rely on today, particularly around incoming referrals and consumer exits.
It was foundational work, and Luke approached it with care, integrity, and an understanding of why strong systems ultimately support better outcomes for families.
From there, Luke became a core contributor to the development and ongoing strength of the SDT. He continues to be a driving force behind the team, consistently backing clinicians, advocating for respectful practice, and supporting colleagues in a way that reflects both professionalism and cultural integrity.
Ed Mosby, CEO, reflects:
“Luke embodies what we mean when we talk about building a sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. He understands systems, but he also understands people. That balance is rare, and it’s critical to the way Wakai Waian Healing works.”
Luke’s commitment has never been limited to his role alone. Alongside full-time work, he has remained dedicated to his studies, completing his first year of Honours and now moving into his final year as he works toward a Master’s program. More recently, Luke has also been supporting Wakai’s work across the Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) as an Aboriginal counsellor. Feedback from WQPHN staff has consistently highlighted Luke’s strength in engaging First Nations consumers and communities with respect, empathy, and cultural safety.
Julyess Jarvis, Practice Manager, shares:
“Luke is someone clinicians trust. He shows up, listens, and supports the team without ego. That kind of leadership builds confidence and keeps people connected to their work and to each other.”
Luke’s journey into this work is deeply personal. A proud descendant of the Darumbal People and an Australian South Sea Islander, Luke was born and raised in Rockhampton, Central Queensland. His childhood was shaped by time spent with family on Darumbal Land and Sea Country, camping, fishing, and learning through connection to place. Those early experiences grounded him in family, culture, and Country, foundations he continues to draw strength from today.
His pathway was not linear. Leaving school early, Luke navigated work across construction, mining, small business, and disability support, always searching for a deeper sense of purpose. That turning point came in 2017 through the CQ University STEPS program, opening the door to higher education. In 2022, Luke completed his Bachelor of Psychological Science, a milestone he holds with humility and gratitude, aware that many before him were denied access to education.
Luke’s professional experiences, including time in the Queensland Public Service supporting Indigenous children and families, were challenging and confronting. They tested his ethical and personal values but also affirmed his commitment to psychology as a powerful tool for strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Ros Mann, Workforce Sustainability, notes:
“Luke is exactly why we invest in long-term workforce pathways. He’s not just filling a role, he’s building a future. Retention isn’t about keeping people in place, it’s about growing them in the right way.”
Luke’s motivation is deeply tied to family. Becoming a father young, and the loss of his own father and other loved ones, shaped his determination to break cycles of hardship and create new opportunities for his children and community. Balancing study, full-time work, and family life is not easy, but Luke approaches it with clarity and conviction.
His vision is clear. As he continues through Honours and toward provisional psychology, Luke hopes to serve remote communities, integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary, evidence-based psychology. His focus is on empowerment, self-determination, and strengthening connection to family, culture, and spirit.
Luke speaks openly about the challenges of systems that too often profit from intergenerational trauma, and his commitment to doing things differently. His practice is grounded in identifying strengths rather than deficits, supporting autonomy, and walking alongside people as they find their own paths to healing.
Julie Mosby, Finance Manager, adds:
“From an organisational point of view, Luke understands that sustainability isn’t just financial, it’s human. He respects the responsibility that comes with the work and the trust communities place in us.”
As Luke celebrates two years with Wakai Waian Healing, his journey reflects something larger than an individual milestone. It speaks to the importance of growing our own, investing in people over time, and creating pathways that honour culture, education, and lived experience.
Luke is a credit to himself, his family, and his community. We are proud to walk alongside him and look forward to seeing him continue to grow as a clinician, leader, and role model for the next generation.
Two years strong, and many more to come.