First Nations Strategy Group

The First Nations Strategy Group was established to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance overseeing the project from design through to evaluation, and that the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are met throughout the project from research co-design to dissemination of any findings. The Group also lends its expertise and advice to the project.

This committee is chaired by Associate Professor Emma Walke. The committee comprises 13 members and the Chair, all of whom identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

First Nations Strategy Group Members:

Chair – Emma Walke: Nyangbul Bundjalung woman, Head of Indigenous Health at USYD Sydney Medical School. Public Profile: https://profiles.sydney.edu.au/emma.walke

• Anne-Marie Eades: Noongar woman, Associate Professor in School of Nursing at UTS Faculty of Health. Public Profile: https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Anne-Marie.Eades
• Chastina Heck: Nywaigi, Bidjara, and Mamu woman, Clinical pharmacist, Chair of ATSIPP CSI, Lecturer UQ
  Public Profile: https://www.pharmacycouncil.org.au/who-we-are/governance/Improving-Indigenous-Health-EAG/
• Donna Stanley: Gunggari Umbi woman, Executive manager of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing, PHN Western NSW
  Public Profile: https://wnswphn.org.au/about-us/our-organisation/
• Joel Matysek: Meuram man, mental health educator
• Karen Bates: Barkindji woman, Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid at MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID®
  Public Profile: https://www.mhfa.com.au/about-us/our-leadership
• Kelly Tanner: Noongar, Yamatji, and Mardu connections, Indigenous Engagement Officer at The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
• Kirra Natty: Gamilaraay woman, Community pharmacist at Carters Pharmacies Gunnedah.
• Michael Mitchell: Yamatji man of Nyamal and Malgana descent, Community Cultural Expert at Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Program.
  Public Profile: https://timhwb.org.au/about-us/
• Patrick Ahkit: Wellbeing Coach at Neami National
• Russell Smith: Ngarrindjeri man, Professional actor and drama teacher
• Associate Professor Stacey Kim Coates: Wiradjuri woman, Associate Dean Indigenous Strategy and Services at USYD Business School
  Public Profile: https://profiles.sydney.edu.au/stacey.coates
• Timothy Hockam: Worimi man, Pharmacist at Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service
• Tom Brideson: Kamilaroi and Gomeroi, Deputy Chair at Suicide Prevention Australia
  Public Profile: https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/our-board/tom-brideson