Imagining Indigenous Imaging Differently - NAB
Feature image above: Des Headland, Carol Thompson and Pete Tually at the Spartan First Imaging launch event
30 May 2025
First Nations Affairs
Spartan First Imaging is making waves in the healthcare sector with the launch of their new CT imaging service.
Becoming Australia’s first Indigenous-owned medical imaging provider was only the first hurdle. Encouraging the local community to use it was a whole other story.
Des Headland, a proud Noongar-Yamatji man, Spartan First’s director and chief executive (and former AFL great) believes in the power of healthcare when it’s designed with community and culture at its heart.
“[The scanner is] a game-changer for our business in the sector,” said Mr Headland.
Located in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the clinic, which serves customers across an 800,000 square kilometre footprint, focuses on Indigenous health and aims to address the health inequalities faced by Indigenous Australians.
Indigenous artist Carol Thompson at work
For many Indigenous Australians, there are various challenges that make it difficult to receive adequate healthcare. On top of physical hurdles, like distance to the nearest clinic, Indigenous people often face systemic barriers that hinder their access to quality medical treatment, which is especially troubling given the rising prevalence of health conditions among young Indigenous Australians, such as diabetes, heart disease, and mental health issues.
Additionally, clinical environments can feel cold and unfamiliar. Spartan First Imaging is changing that narrative.
To help make the experience less daunting for the local indigenous community, the CT scanner itself is a work of art, featuring contemporary Aboriginal artwork painted directly onto it.
“In what we believe is an Australian first, we have incorporated contemporary Aboriginal artwork painted directly onto the scanner, we’ve created a space that feels safe, welcoming, and grounded in culture,” said Mr Headland.
“Through the gifted hands of local artist Carol Thompson, our imaging environment is being transformed into a space of cultural expression and healing.
“It’s making sure every person who walks through our doors feels seen, respected, and cared for.”
NAB Executive for Indigenous Business, Noel Prakash, believes supporting customers like Spartan First Imaging, in partnership with TeleMed Health Services, is at the core of empowering First Nations communities to prosper.
“Our aspiration is to be the bank that backs First Nations business. We are committed to supporting First Nations Businesses and helping them to thrive. We are delivering on this commitment by more than doubling our lending to First Nations businesses and community organisations to at least $1 billion to the end of 2026,” said Mr Prakash.
“First Nations businesses like Spartan First Imaging are a key pillar of their community and when they succeed, so too do their customers and communities.”
The painted CT scanner is ready for Indigenous patients
This year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week is ‘Bridging now to next’. We all can play a role in learning more about First Nations histories, cultures and achievements, and exploring how each of us can contribute towards achieving reconciliation in Australia.
For all media enquiries, please contact the NAB Media Line on +61 3 7035 5015
