23 April 1969 – 10 June 2024

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers should be warned that the following article contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.

Former QAIHC CEO Cleveland Fagan, who passed away on 10 June 2024, was well-known and respected in the ACCHO sector for his deep passion for health equity and improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

A proud Djabugay man with traditional and historical connections to Cairns, Yarrabah, Kuranda, Mareeba and Cape York, Cleveland always knew he wanted to make a difference.

Throughout his career, Cleveland played an instrumental role in championing the cause of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including empowering communities to share decision-making with governments on health matters that impacted them.

“The biggest challenge in the health sector is being told what is best for us — without truly listening to us,” he told Sector Leader in 2021.

Cleveland’s achievements in reshaping the health system were significant and will benefit Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples for generations.

He advocated for Gurriny Yealamucka in Yarrabah to transition from a government-run entity to a community controlled managed health service. Cleveland also helped revise Wuchopperen’s constitution and served on its Board.

He was the CEO of Apunipima Cape York Health Council for 12 years from 2005-2017, guiding the organisation’s transition from an advocacy organisation to primary health care provider.

Cleveland was a founding member of the Yarrabah Leaders Forum (YLF); his hard work and dedication recently paid off, with the YLF becoming incorporated last month.

He was the CEO Of QAIHC from 2021-2023. During his tenure, Cleveland worked tirelessly on initiatives like Making Tracks Together, the Queensland Government’s strategic framework aimed at driving health equity, eliminating institutional racism across the public health system, and achieving life expectancy parity for First Nations people by 2031.

His leadership was also instrumental in partnering with Queensland Health to design a joint response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to drive its First Nations health reform agenda.

Cleveland’s proudest achievement; however, was his family. He was a beloved husband to Ruth, father to Clevanna and Sarah, and his grandchildren. Cleveland was also son to Dr Uncle Bernard Singleton Sr and brother to Jason, Royden, Louise and Bernie.

His profound impact on the sector, and his unwavering compassion, dedication and gentle nature will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.