Cindy Paardekooper is Kokatha woman from the far west coast of South Australia based in Adelaide.
Cindy is an Aboriginal Consultant for Palliative Care Education, Founding Director of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Palliative Care Association Inc, and involved in other Aboriginal Health affairs, both in the Northern Territory, and in South Australia. Cindy has been extensively involved in the National PEPA Program and other National and state level Palliative Care Projects.
In 203 & 2024 Cindy was the co-lead of the South Australian Approach to Aboriginal Comfort Care-Pathways to Palliative Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Cindy has been instrumental in delivering Cultural capability training to all service providers to improve the quality of palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by building capacity in frontline staff to deliver care that is culturally safe, relevant, and responsive. This education promotes access to, and uptake of palliative care services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through improved community awareness and understanding of palliative care, building capacity in frontline staff to share knowledge around palliative care services, and to be aware and equipped to support Aboriginal patients on their end-of-life journey.
She is the SA Health Representative on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Palliative Care Advisory Group and other State level committees.
Cindy maintains a strong desire to support and advocate for Aboriginal people, their families and Communities to achieve improved life outcomes and maintain strong connections to culture, kin and country.