Celebrating nursing leadership and legacy

Inspiring the next generation

Professor Greenhill said Ena’s story continues to resonate strongly with Southern Cross University nursing students, particularly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. 

“Southern Cross University is deeply committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in nursing and creating pathways into healthcare,” Professor Greenhill said. 

Southern Cross University's new awards program and the Ena Williams Symposium will be held annually on International Nurses Day, creating a permanent fixture that honours Ena’s legacy and celebrates nursing excellence.  

Symposium keynote 

The symposium featured Rod Williams, nephew of Ena Williams, who reflected on his aunt’s legacy in nursing and Indigenous health and the importance of bringing her story more widely into public recognition. 

“The family is excited and proud my aunt’s nursing story has been recognised by Southern Cross University’s Faculty of Health through this symposium as well as the Ena Williams Award for the Indigenous Student of the Year,” he said.  

“My Aunt’s story adds to Aboriginal nursing and midwifery history of New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory where she has become a role model.”  

The symposium also featured keynote speaker Kym Yuke, a Yugambeh woman from the Gold Coast with more than 30 years’ experience across Indigenous health. She is currently Project Manager of the SISTABIRTH initiative at Southern Cross University and has a strong focus on women’s health and wellbeing, including extensive experience as a tobacco treatment specialist in Indigenous primary health care. 

Awards recognise leadership and care  

The awards program recognises contribution across the full nursing community, including students, graduates, clinical educators and academics across the University’s campuses. 

“Nursing education is like giving a vaccine and a dose of steroids all mixed together,” Professor Greenhill said. “It prepares graduates to protect their communities and advocate strongly for the underserved.” 

Professional recognition plays an important role in strengthening nurses’ voices within the health system, and awards highlight contributions that might otherwise go unnoticed. 

“Those who are often the most humble and least likely to speak up are the ones making the greatest difference. Recognition helps amplify those voices and ensures their work is heard and valued,” said Professor Greenhill.  

“It is about seeing how people make a difference in their communities and giving them recognition they would never seek for themselves,” she said.