Our Leadership

Indigenous Allied Health Australia | Our Leadership

IAHA Patron Professor Tom Calma AO

Professor Calma is an Aboriginal elder from the Kungarakan tribal group and a member of the Iwaidja tribal group in the NT. Currently the National Coordinator for Tackling Indigenous Smoking and Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Professor Calma previously served as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and the Race Discrimination Commissioner. Professor Calma has a special interest in Indigenous education, employment and training programs.

Professor Calma is a long-serving supporter of Indigenous Allied Health Australia and IAHA Lifetime Achievement Awardee. He has been a prominent advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, pioneering the Close the Gap campaign and more recently leading the national effort to tackle Indigenous smoking.

 

IAHA Patron June Oscar AO

June Oscar AO is a proud Bunuba woman from the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous Australian languages, social justice, women’s issues, and has worked tirelessly to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). 

June completed her seven-year term as Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner in April 2024. As Commissioner she published the landmark Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) Report in December 2020. In March 2024, June launched the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice, based at the Australian National University. The Institute, a global first, continues the vital work of Wiyi Yani U Thangani and advance and respond to the rights and aspirations of First Nations women and girls, inclusive of cis and trans women and gender diverse mob. 

IAHA Ltd Board of Directors

Adj Prof Nicole Turner, Chairperson

Nutrition

Nicole Turner is a proud Kamilaroi woman. She is one of very few qualified Aboriginal Community Nutritionists in Australia after completing her studies in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Community Nutrition). She is the current IAHA Chairperson and has been on the Board for six years showing leadership across the allied health and broader health sector.

Nicole has worked in the health sector for over 20 years and in Aboriginal health for over 15 years as an Aboriginal Health Worker and enrolled nurse before becoming a Nutritionist . Nicole is an Adjunct Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Canberra and has published several research papers in international journals. Nicole is the current CEO of AH & MRC. 

 

Matthew Trindall, Deputy Chairperson 

Mental Health

Matthew Trindall is a Gomeroi man with maternal Bigambul and paternal Thungutti and Gandangarra lineage, living and working on Kamiliaroi Country.

Matthew has more than 15 years’ experience within public health, including eight years in Director roles for Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network and inaugural Director Aboriginal Mental Health at the NSW Ministry of Health. In 2026, Matthew has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer, Armajun Aboriginal Health Service, Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Council and Board Member for Hunter New England Local Health District. Matthew has extensive experience across governance, strategic planning, workforce development, policy, system reform and Aboriginal health.

A strong advocate for accountability and ensuring Aboriginal voices are at the forefront of decision-making, Matthew has led and contributed to significant statewide initiatives and maintains strong networks across government, Aboriginal community-controlled and non-government sectors. 

An IAHA member since 2015 and graduate of the IAHA Leadership Program, Matthew is committed to giving back to the organisation that has supported his own leadership journey and to elevating the voices of IAHA members as they lead transformative change. 

 

Dr Stephen Corporal, Director 

Social Work

Dr Stephen Corporal is an Eastern Arrernte man on his mother’s side with family connections to many other First Nations Peoples, He was born Bwgcolman in Townsville and now lives on Jagera Country in Southeast Queensland. He has been around Southeast Queensland for many years and worked in and been on Boards of community organisations in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

After working in community for many years he ended up going to Uni and completing a Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degrees at UQ in 2003. After which he then worked as a Social Worker at Centrelink while completing a Masters of Social Policy at JCU in 2005.

Stephen started work at the University of Queensland in 2005 at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit. He enrolled in a PhD about Indigenous Superannuation in 2007 at UQ. He withdrew from the PHD to focus on Recruitment pathways of Indigenous students into the UQ School of Medicine where he was seconded to.

Stephen then left UQ to work as a Project Officer at Griffith University Health Executive to work on setting up pathways into health courses including medicine. He started and completed this PhD looking at Identity, Roles and Expectations of Indigenous Health students at a Health Faculty in an Australian University. He completed a Prof Cert in Indigenous Research at University of Melbourne and is currently completing the Grad Cert in Indigenous Leadership and Research at the University of Melbourne. Stephen is currently a Lecturer B in the School of Health Sciences and Social Work teaching First Australians and Social Justice and other Social Work courses.

Stephen has been on the Board of Indigenous Allied Health Australia for 6 years because he has an ongoing commitment to increase the Health Workforce of Indigenous people.

 

Lauren Carr, Director 

Optometry 

Lauren Carr (née Hutchinson) is a Murrawarri woman and optometrist. Lauren was born and raised on Wiradjuri country in the central west of NSW. 

She graduated from her Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry from QUT in 2017, following which, she returned to the central west, now residing back on the beautiful lands of the Wiradjuri people once again. Lauren has worked as an optometrist both in private practice and within the community-controlled sector. Lauren’s passions are in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, rural and remote and paediatric health and is committed to advocating for improving outcomes for her people in these spaces. 

Lauren has been an active and involved member of IAHA since 2015 when she joined as a student member. In this time Laurenhad served as both a student representative council member and board member on both the national and NT WD boards. 

In her spare time you can find Lauren spending time with her beautiful nieces and nephews, on a hockey field or fishing on the Galari (Lachlan River).

 

Ms Kimberley Green, Director 

Mental Health

I am a proud Yuin woman who grew up on Dharawal country, and now living on Gundungurra country in New South Wales. I have been a member of IAHA since 2018, as a student member, then a graduate member.  I came across IAHA by chance, I received a scholarship from the Charles Sturt University Three Rivers UDRH when I was a student to attend the 2018 IAHA conference in Sydney. 

My health career started when I was 17, as an Aboriginal Health Worker in an AMS. Over the past 2 decades I have since completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health), and a Bachelor of Nursing, and these 2 qualifications have given me the experience to use allied health & nursing skill sets to be able to hold and provide a unique perspective to the provision of health care. I was nominated and awarded the 2022 Southern NSW LHD Award for Outstanding Leadership in 2022 and 2017 Aboriginal Women in Healthcare award. I have extensive experience providing mental health and primary health care for mob that is culturally considered and have led district wide strategic planning and workforce development. I also have recent experience providing health care within custodial settings. 

I am passionate about creating safe and accessible pathways for mob to access healthcare that is safe and equitable, from the community level provision to the strategic planning of service delivery. 

I am a person who seeks clarification, asks questions, and considers all options in my decision—making. I am considerate of the information, and often describes as firm but fair. I have a strong connection to my ancestors and my family, and as the eldest of 4 daughters, I am solid in my personal values and ethics.

This is my first time applying as a Director Nominee. I completed the Inaugural IAHA Leadership Program and would love the chance to contribute to the IAHA family that has provided me with support and created development opportunities that have been beneficial for me both professionally and personally since I became a member. 

I believe the values and vision of IAHA aligned with my own. I am enthusiastic about creating opportunities for Aboriginal health workforce growth and development. I believe Aboriginal people working within healthcare should be valued for their cultural knowledge, their personal experiences and strengths, and I would be honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to the IAHA board to continue the work that IAHA do in providing opportunities for Aboriginal allied health workforce support, as well as celebrating the opportunities to reconnect with each other, we are stronger together.

 

Nellie Pollard-Wharton, Director 

Social Work

Bio coming soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IAHA NTWD Board of Directors

Adj Prof Nicole Turner, Chairperson

Nicole Turner is a proud Kamilaroi woman. She is one of very few qualified Aboriginal Community Nutritionists in Australia after completing her studies in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Community Nutrition). She is the current IAHA Chairperson and has been on the Board for six years showing leadership across the allied health and broader health sector.

Nicole has worked in the health sector for over 20 years and in Aboriginal health for over 15 years as an Aboriginal Health Worker and enrolled nurse before becoming a Nutritionist . Nicole is an Adjunct Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Canberra and has published several research papers in international journals. Nicole is the current CEO of AH & MRC. 

 

Shaun Tatipata, Deputy Chairperson

Shaun Tatipata is the founding Director of Australia’s first Aboriginal-owned optical and eye care provider, the Deadly Vision Centre. The Aboriginal enterprise promotes health and wellbeing, while also celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and community. Shaun trained as an Aboriginal health worker in 2001. Since graduating, he’s delivered primary healthcare services and implemented outreach programs in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, as well as with the Northern Territory Government. Until recently, Shaun led The Fred Hollows Foundation’s Indigenous Australia Program.

Shaun, who is of Wuthathi and Ngarrindjeri descent, is passionate about strengthening service coordination through improved leadership and governance.

Through the Deadly Vision Centre, Shaun is helping close the gap in eye health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians by providing access to culturally safe and socially responsive eye care – in a way that’s affordable and fashionable. Shaun is also committed to making it easier for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at risk of vision loss to get the specialist care they need.

Shaun’s interests include strengthening service coordination through improved leadership and governance, and advancing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner profession.

 

Dr Stephen Corporal, Director

Dr Stephen Corporal is an Eastern Arrernte man on his mother’s side with family connections to many other First Nations Peoples, He was born Bwgcolman in Townsville and now lives on Jagera Country in Southeast Queensland. He has been around Southeast Queensland for many years and worked in and been on Boards of community organisations in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

After working in community for many years he ended up going to Uni and completing a Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degrees at UQ in 2003. After which he then worked as a Social Worker at Centrelink while completing a Masters of Social Policy at JCU in 2005.

Stephen started work at the University of Queensland in 2005 at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit. He enrolled in a PhD about Indigenous Superannuation in 2007 at UQ. He withdrew from the PHD to focus on Recruitment pathways of Indigenous students into the UQ School of Medicine where he was seconded to.

Stephen then left UQ to work as a Project Officer at Griffith University Health Executive to work on setting up pathways into health courses including medicine. He started and completed this PhD looking at Identity, Roles and Expectations of Indigenous Health students at a Health Faculty in an Australian University. He completed a Prof Cert in Indigenous Research at University of Melbourne and is currently completing the Grad Cert in Indigenous Leadership and Research at the University of Melbourne. Stephen is currently a Lecturer B in the School of Health Sciences and Social Work teaching First Australians and Social Justice and other Social Work courses.

Stephen has been on the Board of Indigenous Allied Health Australia for 6 years because he has an ongoing commitment to increase the Health Workforce of Indigenous people.

 

Ms Madeline Bower, Director

Maddy’s mother (Nida Lowe), was a Stolen Generations (Gudanji/ Wambaya /Waanyi /Garra nations) member and her father (Mick Bower) were long term residents of Katherine. Maddy grew up in Katherine, NT and has forged a career in the health field. She currently works with Flinders University in Katherine in Indigenous Health and has a worked in community focusing on community health, research, collaboration and strengthening the cultural humility across systems. She has worked in Government and Aboriginal Health Services and sectors.

She has strong connections to family and friends in the Katherine community and has values consisting of strengthening the needs of the community and supporting solutions and keeping it real, by working with the community and acknowledging the historical context to move through issues in a positive way with family, friends, culture, environment and social aspects of our community. She is actively engaged in supporting local Elders and women’s groups.

 

Mr Riley Park, Director

 My name is Riley, I’m a proud descendent of the Eastern Arrernte peoples of Central Australia. I was born and raised on Garramilla (Darwin) on Larrakia country. I completed my Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Flinders University on Kaurna country in Adelaide. I’m currently working and living on Garramilla (Darwin) on beautiful Larrakia country as an Early Career Speech Pathologist providing speech, language, feeding and literacy assessments and therapy to children from ages 3-12 years of age. I’m also currently providing speech pathology services to children and adults in Tennant Creek on Warumungu country. I have been supported by IAHA since 2020 and they have helped me with completing my studies and continue to support me throughout my early career as a speech pathologist.

 

 

Ms Rikki Fischer, Director

Rikki is a proud Wiradjuri woman raised in Darwin on Larrakia country—Rikki is a family person and an Auntie to 8 and a Godmother to 6 children.  Rikki loves and cares for these children like her own; family is important to Rikki, as is being a strong role model for the next generation.

Rikki is a confident and highly skilled professional with over 15 years in the health sector, with a passion for seeing people grow and develop and build confidence in themselves and their career journey.

Rikki has been a member of IAHA since 2014 and was an IAHA Board director between 2018-2020, then decided to join IAHA as a staff member working in the NT Aboriginal Health Academy.  Now, working for the Northern Territory Government as the Senior Allied Health Clinical Education Officer, I get to provide Inter-professional education to the Allied Health Sector, influencing changes needed to educate Allied Health Professionals to provide better care for our patients and our Allied Health Staff across the Northern Territory.

Amongst her many significant achievements, Rikki has completed a Bachelor of Health Science (mental Health), a diploma in Quality Auditing and Alcohol and other Drugs, Training Design and Development and a Certificate IV in Human Resources.  Rikki is also the Deputy Chair of DAWIS, DAWIS is a domestic Violence shelter for women and children.

Rikki’s passion is to be an advocate and to work in a supportive way to enable those who feel that they don’t have a voice to ensure that their voice is heard and that they can contribute.  I have a strong sense of responsibility to our community and the next generation, and my interests are in supporting the need to grow the future health workforce.