Lisa Barnes is a proud Wiradjuri woman born in Griffith NSW with family connections in Leeton, Cowra, Wagga Wagga and Euabalong.

Lisa has spent majority of her working career within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Sector, working closely with the community on the ground, as well as at a state and national level. Lisa began her journey at National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) as the Receptionist, which then led to a position as Senior Administration Officer. Prior to joining GDPSA, Lisa spent three years as a Drug and Alcohol Counsellor at Winnunga Nimmityjah Health and Community Services. Lisa has also completed a Certificate IV in Government and a Certificate IV in Business Administration. Lisa is currently midway through her Diploma of Business.

Lisa has worked at Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia as the Administration Officer and Executive Assistant since the organisation was established in 2020. For the first few months of Lisa’s employment at GDPSA, the CEO and Lisa were the only employees of the organisation. In this time, Lisa worked closely with the CEO to establish the secretariat and setup a functional office space. Currently, her main responsibilities include assisting staff with administration tasks and anything IT related, managing and responding to external enquires/correspondence, IT system implementation and support, organising travel, managing the CEO’s diary, organising board meetings, board papers and managing board correspondence.

Lisa’s combination of experience in Administration and her work providing Social, Emotional and Wellbeing support to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is what made her excited to join the GDPSA team. She is excited to bring her skills acquired over the years and make significant contributions to GDPSA’s goals, and to ultimately grow with the organisation.