Rachel Atkinson

INDUCTED 2022

Rachel is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and Elder from Mooroopna, Victoria, and grew up at the Rumbalara Aboriginal Reserve. She has dedicated her working life to improving the lives, and striving for empowerment, of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She has a strong commitment to self-determination and supporting the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices nationally.

Rachel has extensive lived experience in working in rural, remote and regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes over 25 years’ experience as CEO of large community-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations delivering health and social services. She has also held various positions, including as Chairperson, on the boards of state and national peak bodies and government advisory structures. She has built an extensive professional, political and personal network and has been pivotal in highlighting issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities through media, parliamentary and judicial inquiries. She has been CEO of Palm Island Community Company Ltd since its incorporation in 2007 and is considered to be a leader in the field of innovative service delivery and community capacity building. Rachel has overseen its growth to become the larger service provider and employer on Palm Island. In 2021 Rachel oversaw the transition of PICC to a communitycontrolled governance structure, becoming the major primary healthcare organisation on Palm Island. Rachel is currently Chair of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak, a board member and community representative of the Queensland First Children and Families Board, Co-Chair of Family Matters Queensland and a Director of the SNAICC National Executive. She has previously served as the Chair of QAIHF/QAIHC from 2003-2007.