22/08/2023 – MEDIA RELEASE

Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia (Gayaa Dhuwi) is excited to announce the appointment of Ms Rachel Fishlock as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention.

Rachel, a proud descendant of the Yuin Nation, has played an integral role within Gayaa Dhuwi for the past three years, previously serving as Chief Operations Officer.

Rachel has over a decade of experience in the health sector, commencing in the optometry industry whilst undertaking a Bachelor of Social Sciences and a Master of Business Management, and working within the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).

Driven by lived experience of systemic neglect as a child carer, Rachel strives to contribute to creating systemic change to the mental health system, to achieve the highest attainable standard of mental health and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Professor Helen Milroy AO, Chair of Gayaa Dhuwi expressed her appreciation, stating “On behalf of the Board and staff of Gayaa Dhuwi, I want to thank out-going interim Chief Executive Officer Tania Brown for her incredible work and look forward to working closely with Tania in the future.”

About Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia:

Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention. As a community-controlled organisation, it is governed and controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and peak bodies, working in these areas to promote collective excellence in mental health care.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Alex Garred
Senior Communications Officer
Phone: 0434 616 381
Email: alex.garred@gayaadhuwi.org.au
Website: www.gayaadhuwi.org.au