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Ms Julie Blackburn
RM, RN, GAICD
Chair, as elected by the Board November 2020
Appointed Board Director, September 2025.
Julie Blackburn is a respected leader in health care, education, and governance. A Registered Nurse and Midwife, she lectures in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Canberra. With over 15 years of experience as a non-executive director, Julie has contributed to boards across private health insurance, veteran and family health research, and drug and alcohol programs. Her multidisciplinary background informs strategic decision-making and values-driven leadership. Julie is passionate about creating environments and opportunities that promote health and wellbeing for people of all ages, and is widely recognised for her integrity, collaborative approach, and ability to foster meaningful engagement across sectors.
Mr Peter Quiggin PSM KC
LLB, BSC, Grad Dip Prof Accounting, FAICD
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 Darlene Cox
BA Dip Ed, Grad Dip AppEc, B Ed
Appointed Board Director, October 2023.
Darlene is an experienced advocate, executive, and board director. She has been active in the health consumer movement and community sector since the late 1990s and been the Executive Director of Health Care Consumers’ Association since 2008. Darlene has extensive skills and experience in consumer engagement, health literacy, clinical and corporate governance, policy and research, and regulation of the health workforce. She has a long-standing interest in improving the quality and safety of heath care and the delivery of person-centred care, and has contributed to the work of the Australian Medical Council, Australian Commission for the Safety and Quality of Health Care, Ahpra, NPS and the Australian Pharmacy Council.
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 30 years in professional services delivery in Australia and has worked for Ernst & Young, WalterTurnbull Pty Ltd, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Protiviti and currently for global business RPS Consulting. Steven has many years’ experience providing professional consulting services, as well as board and committee experience within the health and education sectors specialising in finance, governance, risk and assurance.
Dr Vik Fraser
Consumer Director, elected 2023 AGM
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 2023 AGM
Dr Jessica Tidemann is a specialist GP working in roles across clinical practice, medical education and government. She is a lifelong Canberran and completed her medical training in the ACT and surrounding regions. She has also worked in several roles for the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing over a period spanning 20 years.
Jessica is an active member of the general practice community, committed to the provision of quality and effective primary health care in the ACT. Jessica 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, February 2024
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 Niral Shah
MBBS, MS(Orthopaedic), MHSM, DCH, FRACGP
Elected Director, re-elected 2022 AGM, resigned December 2024
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 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.