Dr Peter Sharp

Indigenous health practitoner

2008 ACT Local Hero

Peter Sharp is Medical Director of the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service.  Established in 1988 to provide a culturally safe and holistic health service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding areas. He is their longest serving staff member. At first he travelled from Sydney every weekend to run a clinic and then took on home visits. He now runs clinics at local and regional correctional facilities and at Narrabundah Primary School, works with older people affected by alcohol and substance abuse, and trains other medical professionals in Aboriginal health. Peter has a high level of understanding of the complex health, social, emotional, and cultural needs of his patients. In return he is held in high esteem by the local Indigenous community.