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Mr Peter Quiggin PSM KC
LLB, BSC, Grad Dip Prof Accounting, FAICD
Acting CHN Chair (January – June 2024)
Appointed Board Director, March 2022
Peter is a highly experienced former Australian Government agency head and is a Commonwealth King’s Counsel. He led the highly respected Australian Office of Parliamentary Counsel for 17 years. As a former First Parliamentary Counsel, Peter has an outstanding understanding of legislation and legislative schemes and the operations of government.
Peter has been on a number of Boards including the Board of Taxation and not-for-profit Boards. He was President of an international association – the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel – for a record three terms. He has also been on a range of Finance and Audit Committees in both the public and not-for-profit sectors. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, was awarded a Public Service Medal for services to legislative drafting and recently awarded a Chief Minister’s Canberra Gold Award.
Ms Julie Blackburn
RM, RN, GAICD
Chair, as elected by the Board November 2020 (inactive from January – June 2024 while in Acting CHN CEO position)
Primary Health Care Clinician Director, re-elected 2022 AGM
Julie Blackburn is a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Educator, with over 25 years expertise in primary care, maternal and family health. She works as a lecturer of nursing at the University of Canberra and contributes to the Parent Education Program at North Canberra Hospital. Julie is also an experienced non-executive director of more than 10 years. Julie has direct experience in reporting to Ministers at both local and federal levels, including as a member of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council for Women 2014-2018. Julie was Deputy Chair and Public Officer for Karralika Programmes until November 2023, and has previous board experience in Private Health Insurance.
Ms Darlene Cox
BA Dip Ed, Grad Dip AppEc, B Ed
Appointed Board Director 2023 AGM.
Darlene is an experienced executive, director and advocate. She has been active in the health consumer movement and community sector since the late 1990s. Darlene has been the Executive Director of Health Care Consumers’ Association since 2008. She contributes to local and national health committees including the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, Australian Digital Health Agency and ACT Government.
Dr Niral Shah
MBBS, MS(Orthopaedic), MHSM, DCH, FRACGP
Elected Director, re-elected 2022 AGM
Dr Niral Shah is an overseas-trained doctor, obtaining his primary medical degree and specialist qualifications in Orthopedic Surgery from India. After 6 years of hospital experience in Australia, he joined general practice training in 2012. He completed his GP training in 2016 by working in rural as well urban general practice and an extended skills academic position at the ANU.
Niral is working part-time as a GP in a group practice in Gungahlin. He also is a senior medical educator with GP Synergy and has been actively involved in GP registrar training. He is also an ACT representative on the RACGP Faculty Board representing the ACT’s voice, advocating for local issues at the Federal and State level and developing various quality improvement and continuing professional development programs.
Steven Baker
BComm (Acctg), ICAA, MIIA, GAICD
Appointed Board Director, March 2021
Steven has served on numerous Boards, Committees, Audit and Finance Committees as a member and/or Chairperson, in addition to participating in many as an observer as either the internal or external audit provider. Steven has over 25 years in professional services delivery in Australia and has worked for Ernst & Young, WalterTurnbull Pty Ltd, PricewaterhouseCoopers and currently for global consulting business Protiviti Pty Ltd. Steven has many years’ experience providing professional consulting services, as well as board and committee experience within the health and education sectors.
Dr Vik Fraser
Consumer Director, elected November 2023
Dr Vik Fraser has been an advocate for LGBTIQ+ rights since they were 17 years old. They are passionate about the social determinants of health, and the role that human rights has in building good health care. The intersections they experience in their own life, including as a queer person with a hidden disability, drive Vik’s understanding of some of the complexities of health access and health needs across the community. Vik is also the Executive Director of A Gender Agenda, and has had a working life that has spanned education, research and government sectors.
Dr Jessica Tidemann
General Practice Director, elected November 2023
Dr Jessica Tidemann is a specialist GP working in roles across clinical practice, medical education and government. She has worked in several roles for the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care over a period spanning 20 years. Jess was an invited member of the CHN GP Advisory Council prior to becoming a member of the board and has held several other professional positions, including Board Director, GP Registrars Australia and multiple roles with the RACGP.
Ms Rachel Fishlock
Appointed Board Director, December 2023
Rachel is a proud descendant of the Yuin Nation and is the CEO of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. 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). 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 advocate for reforms to ensure other children do not experience systemic neglect.
Resigned
Dr Mel Deery
MBBS (UNSW)
General Practice Director, elected 2017 AGM, reappointed at 2020 AGM, resigned in November 2023.
Along with her husband John, Mel is a GP and practice owner at YourGP. She is passionate about developing YourGP to better fulfil the vision of ‘genuine care, clinical excellence’. She enjoys all areas of general practice with special interests in paediatrics, women’s health, pregnancy care and mental health.