Our Team

Dr Ernest Hunter - HITnet Founder

Dr Ernest Hunter is an Australian medical graduate who trained in psychiatry (adult, child and cross cultural) and public health in the United States, returning to work in remote Indigenous Australia in the late 1980s.

He has spent most of the last twenty-five years engaged in research and clinical care in northern Australia, for the last eighteen years as Regional Psychiatrist covering remote communities in Cape York.

He initiated the introduction of health touch screen technology to improve Indigenous health literacy in Queensland in 2001.

Helen Travers - Program Director

Helen has worked in Indigenous Population Health interventions for fourteen years, primarily in remote communities in Cape York, managing projects across Aboriginal community-controlled, government and academic sectors to address priority health issues.

In 2001 she evaluated the introduction to Australia of a pilot project using touch screen technologies to provide health information to Aboriginal people compromised by low literacy, remote geography and limited access to information and technology - with positive results.

After ten years of development, she is now leading HITnet's transition to a sustainable social enterprise. This includes expanding the national digital network to deliver quality digital health information and to support the corporate sector in need of creative change management interventions.

Julie Gibson - Technical Manager

Julie worked in the Corporate IT sector for 15 years before she relocated to Far North Queensland in 2005. Here she joined HITnet and discovered that technology had many more creative and innovative applications. Now working back in Melbourne she is part of HITnet's national virtual operation with her role as its Technical Manager.

About to complete a Masters in Business & Technology (UNSW) she is assisting in HITnet's transition to a sustainable social enterprise and is committed to finding new and engaging technological ways to bridge the 'digital divide'. She has also recently qualified as a PRINCE2 Project Management practitioner.

Evan Wyatt - Network Manager

Evan Wyatt brings twenty-five years experience as a remote area technical consultant and broadcast professional to his role as Network Manager at HITnet. Evan's extensive knowledge of broadcasting communications, electronics, computing and networking technologies has enabled him to offer imaginative and context-specific solutions for corporate and community-based organisations across Australia.

For the past fifteen years he has worked closely with Indigenous media organisations providing technical support and broadcast installation for radio, television and media services in remote areas of Australia and East Timor.

Recently completed projects include the installation of a radio studio in Dili for the East Timor Education Department, the design and installation of 14 broadcast studios in the Torres Straits region, the establishment of a satellite radio network and internet broadcasting solutions for TSIMA (Torres Strait Island Media Association), Larrakia Radio Darwin and Transpacific Radio in Los Angeles. Previous clients include TEABBA Radio (Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association), Radio Goolari, 2CUZ FM Bourke, 6DBY Derby, 4MBS FM Brisbane, BHP Pilbara and Groote Eylandt.

Anita Jones - Creative Media Consultant

Anita has a background in corporate ICT Management, Training and Digital Design. A ten year stint spent in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait has added to her appreciation and respect for cultural knowledge transfer via storytelling and visual art. Her interest lies in combining aural and visual content with digital technology to produce engaging, interactive learning resources for those with limited access to vital information.

Since 2007, Anita has contributed to HITnet's Integrated Media strategies, content production, and the development of the new HITnet platform and reporting systems. Now based in South East Queensland, Anita consults for HITnet on content development, user interface design and training materials for the new HITnet platform.

Samantha Lopez - Finance & Office Manager

Samantha has had a unique opportunity to travel, having spent her childhood years in the remote areas of PNG, Indonesia and Malaysia, and part of her adult life travelling the remote regions of Australia. Her career has been varied working for a cross-section of private, public, artistic and entrepreneurial enterprises. She is a firm believer in social justice and an advocate for Global Harmony and Healing.

Samantha therefore brings to HITnet her personal and unique understanding of cultural diversity and sensitivities as well as a solid background in management and organizational skills. In providing the team with a high level of support she enables them to produce sustainable, consistent positive outcomes.