Peta Rutherford

Chief Executive Officer

Peta, our Fearless Leader, lives and breathes rural health and never stops working for RDAA (even when she is on holidays and really should). She does more liaison with the Department of Health than you can imagine, is totally connected across the health sector and scores more great outcomes for rural health than should ever be possible. When she isn't at work, you'll find her overseas, because that is the only place her phone won't ring.

Ineke Kuiper

Senior Media Advisor and Project Officer & RDAA's Cultural Safety Champion

Ineke works full-time with RDAA delivering fantastic media advice and taking the lead on projects such as #DestinationRural. When Ineke isn't writing kick-ass media releases, she can often be found at events across the country doing important RDA liaison work, particularly in social settings... it's her particular talent. She lives on a property in rural south-east NSW with her family where horses, dogs and various chickens overrun the place. When she isn't championing rural health issues she skis, runs, rides and just generally has a good time.

Patrick Daley

Media and Public Affairs Manager

Patrick is RDAA's longest serving team member (he's been here 22 years now!) and has a busy role including media liaison, member communications, government engagement, and sponsor liaison. Outside the office, he runs after his two teenage sons (both of whom are now taller than him, making him feel very old). Patrick grew up in the NSW alpine town of Berridale and has been a keen skier for more than 40 years. He loves the Snowy Mountains, loves reading (he's a big John le Carre fan) and plays viola, fiddle, guitar and a few other instruments (including banjo - though this needs practice!) He still gets together regularly for a jam session with a singer songwriter from Berridale who he has known since the late-1980s.

Anita Rodrigues Macias

Senior Policy Advisor

Want policy? Ask Anita. Anita does fantastic work pulling together esoteric bits of information, sporadic input from Board members and information gleaned from discussions into cohesive and insightful policy positions and submissions on rural health. She has great insight into the rural health sector and it shows. When she isn't at work she is a footloose and fancy-free empty-nester!

Olivia Dalton

Administration Assistant

Olivia grew up in Brisbane (Meanjin) and is now a final-year medical student at the ANU. Her early life in a regional area, followed by the opportunity to travel to areas such as Darwin and rural NSW during her time at university has given rise to Olivia’s passion for rural medicine. When Olivia isn’t studying or working, you can find her practicing violin, playing water polo, or going for bush walks. She’s always up for a conversation and keen to learn from others’ experiences in the health/community outreach spaces, so reach out and say hi if you get a chance!

Jess Graves

Administration Assistant

Jess works part-time to support us with our admin and is currently in her third year of Medicine at the ANU. Jess grew up in Alice Springs, where she saw first-hand the challenges faced by rural and remote communities in accessing quality healthcare, which  sparked a passion for Rural Medicine. She hopes to one day practice as a rural GP - working at the grassroots level to deliver comprehensive care where it is needed most, and to advocate for better health outcomes in under-served areas.

External Awesome Team Members

We are also very reliant on our amazing book keeper Maya and our fabulous designer Elise, who both work externally.