VACCHO Welcomes New Board Members Jacki Turfrey And Dallas Widdicombe

Nov 4, 2021

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) are pleased to announce the appointments of Jacki Turfrey and Dallas Widdicombe to the VACCHO Board. 

Both Jacki Turfrey and Dallas Widdicombe commenced their roles as VACCHO Board Directors from 20 October, 2021. 

VACCHO’s Board is committed to assisting Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation’s (ACCO’s) to achieve and maintain good governance practices. 

Jacki Turfrey is a proud Palawa woman who joins the VACCHO Board with a wealth of experience providing important leadership in the legal and governance space. After thirty years serving her community, Mrs Turfrey became the CEO of Mallee District Aboriginal Services in 2020. 

“I am honoured to be part of the VACCHO board, an organisation that in its 25-year history has made significant progress in tackling challenging health issues and providing important advocacy for our Community,” said Jacki Turfrey 

Dallas Widdicombe has over a decade of experience to improving the health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community. Mr Widdicombe has carried out some incredible work for the Bendigo community in his role as Executive Director at the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative. 

“I am extremely pleased to be able to join the brilliant team at VACCHO as the organization continues to strengthen its foundations to secure the sustainability, efficiency and impact of an Aboriginal self-determining future,” said Dallas Widdicombe 

VACCHO CEO Jill Gallagher is thrilled with the appointment and is looking forward to seeing Jacki Turfrey and Dallas Widdicombe make valuable contributions to the organisation. 

“Jacki and Dallas are very welcome additions to VACCHO. They are passionate advocates for the health of our Community and bring a wealth of experience and dedication to the role. We are looking forward to working with them to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria have high quality health and wellbeing.”

For media inquiries contact Michael Lynch on 0427 760 936 or media@vaccho.org.au

BACKGROUND

VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal health and wellbeing in Victoria – the only one of its kind – with 32 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations as Members. VACCHO Members support over 25,000 Aboriginal people in Victoria, and combined are the largest employers of Aboriginal people in the state.

Media enquiries

For further media enquiries please email communications@vaccho.org.au or contact our media unit on (03) 9411 9411.

Background 

VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing in Victoria – the only one of its kind – with 33 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations as Members. VACCHO Members support over 65,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, and combined are the largest employers of Aboriginal people in the state.