Leading change in Aboriginal health
Culture. Community. Country. More than just words, these pillars unite our people and guide their work – today, and every day.

Committed to Community health and wellbeing
At VACCHO, our people come from a range of backgrounds – we are Cultural leaders, health professionals, policymakers, advocates and more. But together, our main goal is to ensure Aboriginal health is in Aboriginal hands.
United by a commitment to self-determination, we’re about driving positive change in the healthcare sector to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
Meet our CEO, Dr. Jill Gallagher AO
Aunty Jill is not just a CEO. She’s a force of nature.
A proud Gunditjmara woman from Western Victoria, Jill has dedicated over 20 years to advancing Aboriginal health at VACCHO. Under her leadership, VACCHO’s team and membership has grown to support over 30 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCOs) across the state.
But Aunty Jill’s true strengths? Her unwavering commitment to Community, her Cultural expertise and bold advocacy. Jill is a respected leader who knows how to drive change – and who has been recognised with accolades like the Order of Australia and induction into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll and Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
In other words, she’s the leader you want on your team. And we’re proud she’s steering ours.

Our unit leaders
Meet the people championing change across VACCHO’s business units.
Jim O’Shea
Chief Operating Officer, Company Secretary
Jim is a proud Gumbaynggirr man – and a legal and financial powerhouse.
With decades of experience in business management across government, private and not-for-profit sectors, he brings invaluable knowledge and expertise to VACCHO.
Sheree Lowe
Executive Director | SEWB, The Balit Durn Durn Centre and Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal Families Wellbeing
Sheree is a Djab Wurrung and Gunditjmara woman with strong ties to Southwest Victoria – and has lived most of her life on Wadawurrung Country.
With over 20 years of advocacy in Victoria’s Aboriginal community, Sheree’s career includes consulting for PwC on cultural safety and organisational transformation.
Stephanie Kilpatrick
Executive Director | Policy, Advocacy and Communications
Stephanie’s policy and communications career spans various health portfolios and key roles in the Victorian Government, including advising the Premier.
She excels at building strategic relationships and delivering on broad policy agendas while centring people at the heart of the outcomes.
Abe Ropitini
Executive Director | Population Health
Abe is a proud Māori man of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Maniapoto iwi, with ancestral links to Palawa Country, Tasmania.
Not one to pigeonhole himself, Abe has worked in health, disability, aged care, digital technology and Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing.
Through it all, he weaves his knowledge of medical anthropology and international development.
Melanie Dooley
Executive Director | People, Operations and Workforce
Melanie is an established, driven and collaborative Business, Finance and HR Manager. She has worked across the health, not-for-profit/Community and corporate sectors.
Melanie’s skillset lies in financial management, leadership, business operations, governance and compliance, policy and strategic development, and Executive and Board support.
Ready to discover more of our work?

Student Stories: Keely Ah-Kit on turning personal pain into purpose
VACCHO would like to advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that this article may contain images, voices,...

Victorian 2025 State Budget delivers some wins for Aboriginal communities
VACCHO welcomes some funding wins for Victorian Aboriginal communities in today’s budget announcement but acknowledges...

VACCHO celebrates three years of the Balit Durn Durn Centre
VACCHO congratulates the Balit Durn Durn Centre on three years of pioneering change. Sheree Lowe, Executive Director...

VACCHO congratulates Senator Larissa Waters on her appointment as leader of the Australian Greens
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) congratulates Larissa Waters on her...

Yappera Children’s Service becomes VACCHO’s newest Asssociate Member
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is excited to announce that Yappera...

VACCHO congratulates Sussan Ley on becoming new Liberal Party leader
VACCHO extends its warm congratulations to Sussan Ley on her appointment as the new leader of the Liberal party. As a...

VACCHO urges the re-elected Labor government to make Closing the Gap a priority
VACCHO congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party on their election victory over the weekend....

OPINION: Stop using Aboriginal people as a political football
by Dr. Jill Gallagher AO, VACCHO CEOWe live in a country that prides itself on “a fair go for all,” and yet racism...

Urgent infrastructure investment needed to support the health andwellbeing of Aboriginal Victorians
Urgent investment in Aboriginal Community-Controlled health infrastructure is needed to deliver safe and effective...

VACCHO launches powerful new ad campaign ahead of Federal election
VACCHO is proud to announce the launch of its Speak Out campaign, a bold new initiative encouraging Australians to...