FHRI Fund Advisory Council member: Professor Sandra Eades AO

Professor Sandra Eades, a Noongar woman from Mount Barker in Western Australia, joined the University of Melbourne as Associate Dean (Indigenous) in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences in 2022. Professor Eades has made outstanding contributions to the epidemiology of Indigenous child health in Australia, as well as national leadership in Indigenous health research. In 2003, Sandra was Australia's first Aboriginal medical doctor to be awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy, at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, in Perth.

Professor Eades leads a NHMRC and MRFF funded program of research focused on Aboriginal child and youth health, mental health and prevention of cardiovascular disease and dementia in Aboriginal people. She currently leads a NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence focused on Aboriginal child and adolescent health and has contributed to training several current Indigenous health research leaders. Professor Eades is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences Australia.

Sandra is a recipient of the Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medical research, to Indigenous health, and to professional organisations.

FHRI Fund Advisory Council member: Ms Vicki O'Donnell OAM (Member from 2020 to 2022)

Vicki is a Nyikina Mangala Aboriginal woman from Derby, who has worked as a Strategic Leader in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health for 15 years.

At the time of her Advisory Council membership, Vicki was CEO Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) in Broome. Vicki was instrumental in the establishment of both the DAHS dialysis unit and the Kimberley Renal Service.

Vicki has been a board member of AHCWA for over 15 years (8 years as the Chairperson), and is Chairperson of the WA Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee. She is an advisor on numerous State and Federal Ministerial Committees involved in Aboriginal health issues including representing WA on the Closing the Gap Coalition of Peaks and the WA Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

Vicki has a passion for Aboriginal Health which is noted on a state, regional and national level. She has gained enormous respect for her knowledge, attention to detail, and communication skills at a grass roots level. She is a Medal of the Order of Australia recipient for her service to the Indigenous community of Western Australia.

FHRI Fund Advisory Council member (non-voting): Dr James Williamson (Nominee from 2020 to 2022)

Nominee of the Director General of the WA Department of Health

At the time he was a nominee on the Advisory Council, James was Assistant Director General leading the Clinical Excellence Division. The Clinical Excellence Division provides direction and advice to the Department of Health on clinical policies, professional and regulatory affairs, clinical leadership, safety & quality and health research.

After graduating in medicine and bacteriology from Edinburgh University Dr Williamson completed his PhD at the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne. He has served the Royal Australasian College of Physicians as Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee in General Medicine and member of the Committee for Physician Training. He is currently on the NHMRC Council.

FHRI Fund Advisory Council member (non-voting): Professor Peter Klinken AC (Nominee from 2021 to 2022)

Nominee of the Director General of the WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Professor Klinken is the Chief Scientist of WA, providing independent expert advice to the State Government.

Professor Klinken is a leading WA medical research scientist, whose previous roles include: Professor in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Western Australia; Director of Research at the Royal Perth Hospital; and the Director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

Professor Klinken was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2017. He was Western Australian Citizen of the Year (Professions) in 2008, and made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (2015) and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (2016).