QAIHC's new Board. Image: Various/QAIHC

QAIHC Members voted for a new Board of Directors at the June AGM, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s leadership journey.

Eligible voters selected leaders to advance the Queensland ACCHO sector, to advocate for community priorities and drive forward health equity.

The newly elected Board brings a strong mix of experience, cultural knowledge, and community connection to guide QAIHC’s strategic direction into the future.

Dorothy Smith

Chairperson

See story here.

Rachel Atkinson

Deputy Chairperson

Rachel Atkinson is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and long-time advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. With over 25 years’ experience as a CEO of community-based organisations, she has led the Palm Island Community Company (PICC) since 2007, guiding its growth into the island’s largest service provider and employer.

Rachel’s governance and advocacy work spans child protection, health, and social services. She is Co-Chair of Family Matters Queensland, and a Director of the SNAICC National Executive.

She also serves on the Queensland First Children and Families Board and is the Deputy Chair of QAIHC. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to self-determination, equity, and improving outcomes for First Nations people.

Andrew Malcolm

Far North Queensland Director

Andrew Malcolm, raised between Yarrabah and Palm Island, brings deep community insight and over 30 years of experience in Indigenous health, governance, and infrastructure. A former board member of Wuchopperen Health Service and Okola Corporation, Andrew has held numerous leadership roles across regional and national organisations.

He is currently Chair of NATSIHA and Gindaja Board of Directors, where he champions culturally responsive, community-led healthcare. Andrew’s governance style is collaborative and strength-based, rooted in transparency and equity. A qualified carpenter and registered builder, he has worked across government, community, and private sectors, combining his knowledge of infrastructure, environmental health, and innovation to drive sustainable solutions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and well-being.

Matthew Cooke

Central Queensland Director

Matthew Cooke is a proud Aboriginal and South Sea Islander from the Bailai (Byellee) people in Gladstone, Central Queensland. Matthew has a background in serving the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector as both a Director and CEO over the past 15 years.

Mr Cooke is currently the Chief Executive Officer for the Gladstone Region Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Service Limited, t/a Nhulundu Health Service and Executive Chairperson of the First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda People Aboriginal Corporation.

Matthew is actively involved in all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs at national, state, regional and local levels. In 2007 he was named Young Leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, in 2008 received the Deadly Vibe Young Leader Award and in 2011 received the Australian Institute of Management 2011 Young Manager of the Year Award — Gladstone. He was the Chairman of QAIHC from 2020-2025.

Mr Cooke is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Director of the Institute for First Nations Governance Professionals.

Elizabeth Adams

South and South West Queensland Director

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Adams is a proud and passionate Mardigan and Budjiti woman from south west Queensland. She is CEO of Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Co Ltd in Toowoomba, Executive Director of the Jaydon Adams Memorial Foundation and Chair of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak.

Lizzie has always been fuelled by a passion for improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She got her start in the healthcare sector through her training and work as a nurse, before moving into healthcare administration. As CEO of Goolburri for more than two decades, Lizzie has grown the organisation from humble beginnings to a thriving service with eight office locations and a wide range of health services including GPs, wellbeing services, oral health, aged care, early childhood education and child wellbeing services, employing more than 80 people.

As Executive Director of the Jaydon Adams Memorial Foundation, set up in memory of her son, she seeks to address the social determinants that impact Aboriginal youth and families. The foundation provides mental health first aid training, cultural safety training, social and emotional wellbeing services and the Strong Minds, Strong Spirits Program.

Lizzie has been QAIHC’s South and South West director since early 2025.

Renee Blackman

South East Queensland Director

Renee Blackman, a proud Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) woman, is a passionate advocate for the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Starting her career as an Aboriginal Health Worker in the early 1990s, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Nursing in 2000. With over 30 years’ experience, Renee has worked in urban and remote settings as a Registered Nurse and held leadership roles across primary, acute, and community health. Since 2016, she has served in executive positions at ATSICHS Brisbane and is now its Chief Executive Officer. Renee’s leadership continues to drive culturally safe, high-quality care for communities across South East Queensland.

Position vacant

North and Northwest Queensland Director