Community-led transformation in remote Queensland – Debra Burden

Three struggling aged care facilities in Queensland’s lower Gulf have been transformed, giving First Nations elders the care and dignity they deserve. Under CEO Deborah Burden’s leadership, not-for-profit provider, selectAbility, brought its 27-year expertise in mental wellbeing and suicide prevention to the challenge, negotiating operational, capital, and workforce funding while prioritising cultural consultation with local councils and communities. 

Deborah has guided the organisation through major diversification, expanding beyond NDIS services into child safety and now aged care. 

selectAbility was named winner in the Organisation – Rural and Remote category at the 2025 ‘You are ACE!’ Aged Care Awards, presented by Ageing Australia. 

She explains how the team rebuilt trust, improved food quality, boosted community engagement, shifted from agency staff to local employment, and created welcoming, lively homes. The story shows that respectful consultation and proper resourcing can revitalise remote aged care services. 

selectAbility 
https://www.selectability.com.au/ 

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