Meet Rachel Fishlock

Rachel is a proud descendant of the Yuin Nation and is the Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, being a part of the organisation since its commencement. Driven by lived experience of systemic neglect as a child carer, Rachel aspires to contribute to creating systemic change to the mental health system, especially for children and caring arrangements to achieve the highest attainable standard of mental health and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Rachel has over a decade of experience in the health sector including the optometry industry and community-controlled sector at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and senior roles at Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Social Policy) and Masters of Business Management from the University of Wollongong.

Rachel was recognised by Lifeline Canberra as the 2022 Rising Woman of Spirit for her outstanding community spirit and resilience in the face of adversity, through continuing to push for reforms to ensure other children do not experience the same systemic neglect.

Rachel is a board member of Fearless Women and an Independent Member of Capital Health Network’s Audit and Risk Committee.