Q&A with Lawi Too, Aboriginal Environmental Health Program Officer – Shire of Halls Creek
Originally from Kenya, Lawi Too has dedicated his career to improving community health. His journey to becoming an Aboriginal Environmental Health Program Officer with Shire of Halls Creek is one of commitment, adaptability, and a passion for enhancing community well-being.
After years of working in clinical medicine and public health across rural Kenya, Lawi now plays a vital role of collaborating with individuals and communities in regional WA to support healthier lifestyles, raise disease awareness and improve environmental health practices.
We recently caught up with Lawi to hear about his journey, the highs, and the challenges of remote public health, and what makes regional Australia such a rewarding place to work.
Q. Can you tell us about your career journey and what led you to your current role?
A. I relocated to Australia in early 2023 from Kenya, where I completed my education. I hold a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery, which is somewhat similar to Aboriginal Health Practitioner (AHP) or Nurse Practitioner
In Kenya I was responsible for diagnosing, treating and managing various medical conditions, and performing minor surgeries. After graduating in 2011, I completed a one-year internship at Mukumu Mission Hospital, a busy mission-run facility. I then worked for Kakuzi PLC, a Kenyan agribusiness company with over 4,000 employees as a Divisional Manager Health for five years. Where I was responsible for diagnosing, treating and managing various health conditions and/ or referral where necessary.
During this period I was also involved in environmental health initiatives, such as health education on Communicable and Non-communicable diseases, smoke cessation, alcohol and drug abuse awareness among others.
One of the programs I led was Kitchen Garden, where company-housed employees were provided with seedlings and encouraged to grow their own vegetables to supplement their nutritional requirements, and promote food security.
Through this experience, I realised the importance of preventive health – rather than waiting in hospitals for people to get sick, I saw the need to educate communities before illnesses developed.
That realisation led me to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, graduating in 2018. After which I secured a job at the newly established Turkana University College as head of the Health Unit, treating staff, students, and their families while also leading public health outreach programs in surrounding communities.
I worked at the institution for four years before moving to Australia in February 2023.
Q. Was your first job in Australia in public health?
A. No, my first role was as a Disability Support Worker in Perth with AWA. While this wasn’t directly in public health, I was still within the continuum of care as I was involved in medication administration, and liaising with doctors on behalf of my clients for their appointments and care.
At the same time, I was actively working towards re-entering public health. After receiving a positive skills assessment, I started applying for jobs. However, it was challenging because many roles required local experience, which I didn’t have. Most public health roles in Western Australia are based in regional areas, so I had to look beyond the cities.
I applied for a role at the Shire of Derby West Kimberley and was offered a position despite lacking local experience. I explained that I had worked in remote Kenyan communities, and they saw the similarities between my background and the work required in regional Australia. I started as a Aboriginal Environmental Health Field Support Officer in February 2024, before moving into my current role at the Shire of Halls Creek in June 2024.
Q. What does your role as an Aboriginal Environmental Health Promotions Officer involve?
A. I work with communities and local stakeholders to develop Community Environmental Health Action Plans, ensuring that health initiatives are driven by the specific needs of each community.
My responsibilities include:
- Raising health awareness among individuals, families, and community groups to encourage healthy choices.
- Running training programs on hygiene, food safety, housing health, pest control, and chronic disease prevention.
- Following up on medical referrals – that is, when a hospital identifies a case needing environmental health intervention, we visit the household to discuss ways to improve health outcomes.
I collaborate with:
- Community organisations, such as Garndua, who mainly engages youth through sports and other activities.
- Aboriginal Elders and other community leaders.
- Local hospitals and medical centres, including Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation (YYMS) and Halls Creek District Hospital.
- Local schools, where I deliver health education sessions for young people.
Q. How do you ensure your work respects Aboriginal culture and traditions?
A. Respecting local culture is one of the most important parts of my role. There are culturally sensitive topics in health that need to be delivered in a culturally safe and acceptable spaces, respecting indigenous knowledge systems and incorporating traditional knowledge in our environmental interventions all these is possible through community engagement and consultation.
Before visiting any community to deliver planned services we always check in with community leaders to make sure it’s an appropriate time. Sometimes communities are observing Sorry Business, which is a period of mourning after someone has passed on. Other times, there might be Law Business, which involves important cultural or legal matters being carried out.
If either of these is happening, we often have to reschedule our visit. The key is working with the community by taking the time to understand these customs, we can build trust.
Q. What do you find most rewarding about your work?
A. Seeing behavioural change, especially exhibited by children. Health promotion doesn’t always bring immediate results, but over time, small changes snowball into lasting impact.
For example, when I teach children about handwashing and see them practicing handwashing and can explain why they are doing it, I know we’re making a difference. Kids take these lessons home, influencing their families and creating a ripple effect of better health practices.
Q. What does a typical day look like for you?
A. Every day is different. My work might include inspecting housing conditions to ensure they meet health and safety standards, pest control interventions like mosquito spraying, delivering health education in schools, and attending community meetings to discuss emerging health concerns.
I often travel more than 300km to visit remote communities. The council provides me with a fully equipped 4×4 vehicle with satellite communication!
Q. How has the Council supported your transition to regional Australia?
A. The Shire of Halls Creek has been incredibly supportive, not just professionally but personally as well. They provided cultural awareness training as part of onboarding, ongoing career development and training, including a Certificate II in Indigenous Environmental Health that I’m currently on, relocation assistance, a furnished house, free utilities, and internet access.
The Aboriginal community has also been very welcoming. I sometimes forget I’m in Australia because I feel so at home. My partner and children will be joining me here soon, which is a huge milestone after two years apart.
Q. Why should someone consider a career in regional environmental health?
A. Regional Australia is the best place to work in environmental health. You see the real impact of public health initiatives because you’re working directly with communities to address the social determinants of health.
The variety is unmatched – one day, you’re running a health education session, the next, you’re responding to an environmental health concern in a remote community. It’s a rewarding career where you can make a lasting impact.
Want to make an impact in local government? If you’re looking for a career where you can make a real difference, regional environmental health could be the perfect fit. With hands-on work, meaningful impact, and plenty of variety, it’s an opportunity to shape healthier communities. Explore current job opportunities, and start making an impact today!
