An executive psychologist with extensive experience driving organisational change in male-dominated industries has thrown her hat into the ring for a position on the WA Football Commission board.
From Mining to Football: A New Challenge
Melanie Fisher, who has worked with major organisations across mining, policing and aviation sectors, is now seeking to bring her expertise to football administration in Western Australia. Fisher is one of four candidates competing for two available positions on the board in elections scheduled for early December.
The board positions became available as director Amber Banfield decided not to stand for a third term, while current board member Martina Crowley, managing partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, has nominated for a second term after joining the board in 2024.
Other candidates in the race include Danielle Cattalini, who serves as acting director of corporate services at the City of South Perth, and private investigator Claire O'Donnell.
Football in the Blood
Fisher's connection to football runs deep through multiple generations of her family. Her grandfathers Vernon Bray and Duncan Martin both played for WAFL clubs - Bray with Perth and Martin with Subiaco. Her father also played country football and coached extensively throughout Western Australia.
"I grew up in a household of football where both of my grandfathers played in the WAFL and shared their passion for the game," Fisher explained. "Now my three children, both male and female are involved in community club football and in WAFL development programs."
Her children - son Hudson and daughters Liberty and Madison - keep her actively involved in community football, giving her firsthand understanding of the current football landscape in WA.
Mental Health and Governance Expertise
Fisher brings specialised skills in mental health strategy, human resources, governance and risk management that she believes are directly relevant to advancing football at all levels across Western Australia.
"My most recent role was as the global head of health and wellbeing at BHP where I led enterprise level mental health strategy and health governance across the enterprise," Fisher said. "I bring specialised skills in mental health strategy, HR, governance and risk management, and development wellbeing frameworks that can support clubs, players, umpires, and volunteers."
She emphasized that football serves as more than just a game, calling it "a powerful vehicle for social connection, community pride and individual growth" that can significantly improve mental health across communities.
Addressing Key Challenges
Fisher identified concussion and mental health as two of the most pressing issues facing Australian football today. However, she also highlighted the importance of football's role in community connection and youth engagement.
"They would be likely sitting on their devices not interacting, not getting all the activity and socialisation that they get," she noted about young people without football. "It's not just about supporting mental health in football it's about how football supports the whole community and that connection."
She expressed particular passion for fostering the game for women and girls, ensuring inclusion for all participants, and creating pathways for regional and disadvantaged youth to engage meaningfully in football.
The election process will involve a secret ballot following a postal vote, with successful candidates announced at a WA Football forum on December 4. Board members face re-election every three years and cannot serve more than three terms unless agreed via an ordinary resolution.
