First Nations Strategy Group

The MH-SPACE First Nations Strategy Group 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 people.  

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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Practice Community of Special Interest group for PSA, 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 Engagement Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, UQ.
• 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