A ‘half a chance’ that changed lives: UniSQ alumnus Floyd Leedie awarded AM

Long-standing Indigenous health leader and UniSQ alumnus Floyd Leedie has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2026 Australia Day Honours for his contribution to Indigenous health.

The honour reflects a journey that began well before his career in health leadership and long before he ever set foot on a university campus.

“I knew from the age of six that I wanted to do something with my life but did not know what that was until hitting high school and then attending university,” he said.

While attending school, Mr Leedie faced strong peer and cultural pressures that shaped expectations of First Nations students in the classroom.

Rather than accept those expectations, he made a deliberate choice.

“I decided to give myself half a chance,” he said. “Anyone can do it. You can achieve what I’ve achieved. It’s up to you. It starts here.”

That decision led him to UniSQ, where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting). Graduating from university marked a turning point – reinforcing a belief that education could open doors that once felt out of reach.

Since then, Mr Leedie has built a career spanning more than two decades in Indigenous health leadership.

He has served as CEO of Goondir Health Services since 2008, leading the organisation as it delivers culturally safe, holistic primary health care across regional and rural Queensland.

Under his leadership, Goondir has expanded services and programs focused on prevention, early intervention, and wellbeing.

Alongside his professional work, he has returned to schools – including Murgon High – to speak with students about backing themselves.

“I want young people to know they can do something big with their lives,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s just about giving yourself that first chance.”

On many occasions Mr Leedie has stressed that education holds the key to intergenerational change and Closing the Gap.

“I believe that changing the mindset and mentality of our youth on the importance of education will have more traction on Closing the Gap then many of the current and past government policies, but we must give time a chance as this is generational change”.

The Australia Day honour recognises Mr Leedie’s sustained contribution to Indigenous health and his journey shaped by resilience, leadership and the belief that education can be transformative.