Ashlee Williams-Barnes has used her lived experience as an Aboriginal woman, cancer survivor and consumer advocate to drive positive change across healthcare, education, research and the community. Through her long-standing volunteer work, she has influenced policy reform, strengthened cultural safety and helped improve Aboriginal health outcomes in NSW and nationally.
As a volunteer consumer representative with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD), Ashlee ensures Aboriginal voices help shape decision-making, service design and system improvement. She contributes to many governance and advisory groups, including the ISLHD Consumer and Community Advisory Council, Shoalhaven Hospital Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Dharawal Aboriginal Corporation Community Association and Illaroo Aboriginal Corporation. Ashlee has also supported nationally significant initiatives, including the National Elimination Project Cancer Prevention and Vaccination Sub-Advisory Group and Australia's National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer. She has also contributed to medical education reform through work supporting First Nations Health and Cultural Safety Accreditation Standards and emerging decolonising research.
Through media and educational campaigns and the internationally acclaimed documentary How to Poison a Planet, Ashlee has amplified Aboriginal voices, challenged inequity and inspired change with courage and generosity.
The 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award is proudly sponsored by Aware Super
