Elise Coppins

Elise is a strong Darkinjung woman who is passionate about healthcare.

She is based in Tarago, working for Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) as a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Blood Management. Her role includes clinical organisation, governance, quality improvement, patient advocacy, and leadership and consultancy services across service groups, target populations and health care professionals. Prior to working in her current role, she was Deputy Director of Nursing in Braidwood. 

Elise has lived experience as a rural and Aboriginal woman. She dedicates her time servicing other women including Aboriginal women, rural women and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women. She is a passionate member of the Reconciliation Action Plan Committee for SNSWLHD. 

Her life on her farm and as a small business owner has given her firsthand knowledge of the barriers faced by women who live and work in regional and rural areas.  

Elise advocates for community resilience programs as an alumnus of the National Rural Women’s Coalition to break down these social connectivity and health equality barriers. She is also the recipient of a NSW Rural Women’s Scholarship 2023 and was awarded Southern NSW Nurse of the Year 2023. 

Outside of work, Elise is a board member of The Sisterhood Project which provides free essential paediatric first aid training to vulnerable communities. She has also been involved with farming and education sessions in the Braidwood and Tarago areas to build knowledge in the community about agricultural skills and improving animal welfare.