Mel Fernando is a proud Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi/Yuwaalaraay/Euahlayi Woman from Dubbo in Western NSW. She is now currently living and working on the beautiful unceded lands of the Birpai People in Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast. Mel was born and raised in Dubbo, before moving interstate living in Southeast Brisbane for a few years before moving back down the coast to settle in Port Macquarie for the last 6 years.
Mel has over more than 18 years of extensive experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, public health, and local health districts. Mel is a qualified an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner and Health Worker, working in various specialties such as Chronic Care, Public Health Immunisation, Palliative Care, Maternal and Infant Health, ACCHO Sector, NSW Education & NSW Aboriginal Legal Systems.
Mel’s current role at The Kirby Institute involves integrating Indigenous methodologies, cultural governance, frameworks, and principles of data sovereignty into all programs and projects she oversees, while continually advocating for these initiatives. Mel's role involves qualitative processes within the research projects and implementing and integrating Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing through processes such as Yarning Circles with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Mel completed a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion at the University of Sydney in 2018.
Mel is also an Aboriginal Artist and Digital Graphic Designer, her designs are influenced by history and the stories from her grandparents, parents, Elders, country, waterways and her deep-rooted passion and strong connection for and with community. Each artwork develops and changes along the way telling the stories or journey of the beholder. She makes these connections and is inspired by not only what the story is but also how the artwork can carry through colours, symbols and patterns.
Mel has a strong passion and dedication to supporting, advocating, and understanding the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in various areas of public and community health which will see The Kirby Institute benefit from this experience, knowledge and expertise in these areas.