Nominations are now open for Bendigo Health Board of Directors
We are seeking two nominations to join the Bendigo Health Board and help shape the future of healthcare in our community. This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping to guide and support our health services in delivering high-quality care.
You can view the Victorian Public Health Services Board Director position description here. To apply visit the Victoria Government website here.
Select 'Board Directors – Ambulance Victoria and Public Health Services' and hit apply now. In question two please indicate from the drop down list which Public Health Service boards you are currently a Board Director. Otherwise, select 'Not currently a Director'. Bendigo Health is listed in the drop down list. This is the same for questios five and six.
Submissions close at midnight Friday 24 November, 2024. For more information email [email protected]
Bendigo Health is governed by a nine person board appointed for a term of up to three years by the Governor-in-Council upon the recommendation of the Minister of Health. Sound board governance systems provide protection for the organisation, its stakeholders, the board and its directors against fraud, illegal practices and poor performance by its own members, its chief executive and staff. The board is responsible for setting the ethical framework for the organisation, defining and nurturing the organisation’s fundamental values. The board is committed to the adoption of ethical conduct in all areas of its responsibilities and authority.
Directors are committed to acting honestly and in good faith at all times. The board is required to regularly review its own performance as the basis for its own development and quality assurance. It must also ensure that Bendigo Health’s assets are protected, including development of a suitable risk management strategy.
The board appoints the chief executive officer to manage the functions of the organisation. The board meets monthly to receive financial reports, to monitor performance of the organisation in regard to patient and client care and the organisation's other functions and to consider recommendations for future development of the organisation and its services.
Dr Ewa Piejko is a General Practitioner at Strathfieldsaye Primary Health in
Bendigo and Clinical Director for St Anthony's Family Medical Practice.
Dr Piejko has extensive experience in the primary care sector across the Loddon, Mallee and Campaspe region through her work as a GP and her previous roles as Medical Advisor with Murray PHN and Director of General Practice Training for Beyond Medical Training.
In addition to professional appointments, Dr Piejko has been involved with local community organisations.
Within Bendigo Health, Dr Piejko is chair of the Primary Care and Population Health Advisory Committee and member of the Finance, Building, Quality, Audit and Risk, and Visiting Committees.
Term of appointment expires 30/6/2027.
Will Conlan, Chief of Staff and General Counsel at Bendigo Bank. 
Will has practised as a lawyer for more than 20 years and is currently an Executive at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.
He has very broad experience across the Bank including Legal, Secretariat, Strategy/M&A, Treasury, Compliance, Operations, Risk and Internal Audit. He also represents the Bank on several boards.
Will is based in Bendigo where he lives with his family.
Within Bendigo Health, Will is a member of the Audit and Risk, Renumeration and Visiting Committees.
Term of appointment expires 30/6/2026.
Trevor is a Partner/Director with Strategem.
Throughout his time in professional practice, Trevor has provided taxation and accounting services to a diverse portfolio of clients, with a focus on providing specialised support to the medical industry.
He is well respected for his efficiency and attention to detail which lends itself to his vast experience as a Business Services advisor where he provides strategic advice to businesses.
Trevor has previously led the Strategem board as Chairman and his current role as General Manager for Strategem’s Melbourne based office, has provided an opportunity for him to coach and mentor future leaders.
Trevor is a local resident of Bendigo and has been actively involved with many community organisations, holding roles such as; Director of Access Australia and Director of ARC Justice.
Within Bendigo Health, Trevor is the Chair of the Fundraising Advisory Board and a member of the Finance, Building and Visiting Committees.
Term of appointment expires 30/6/2025.
Partner at Neal Street Medical Clinic.
Umair graduated from medical school in 1998. Since then he has worked as a doctor in the UK and Australia. He has worked in both public and private hospitals. He went on to do his Fellowship in General Practice. Umair has also been involved in medical research throughout his career. He has published a thesis, journal articles and presented at scientific meetings. Umair is currently a senior partner at Neal Street Medical Clinic, which is a GP and Specialist medical clinic in Gisborne. He helped establish the clinic and works full-time as a GP at the clinic. Umair is also involved in the management of the clinic. He is a GP Supervisor and helps mentor GP Registrars and medical students at the clinic.
Within Bendigo Health, Dr Masood is Chair of the Quality Committees and a member of the Audit and Risk and Visiting Committees.
Term of appointment expires 30/6/2025.
Katerina has extensive background in Public Sector management, health issues planning, human resources and community engagement. Katerina has held a number of board directorships and committee positions and is currently a member of Greater Melbourne Cemeteries Trust and the Australian Government Professional Services Review Determining Authority. Katerina is passionate about creating health services and settings that are responsive to community need and enabling continuity of care for clients. She has a reputation for both effective advocacy and enabling community engagement in policy and service development.
Within Bendigo Health, Katerina is the Chair of the Community Advisory Committee and a member of the Primary Care and Population Health Advisory and Visiting Committees.
Term of appointment expires 30/6/2027.
Julie is a passionate, professional Company Director, supported by 23 years as a Senior Executive (Operational and CFO roles) reporting to various Boards. She is an experienced change manager in public and private sectors, across diverse industries including professional services, healthcare, transport and infrastructure. Julie was a business advisor for 10 years with chartered firms in the UK and Australia, including Ernst & Young.
Within Bendigo Health, Julie is the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Remuneration, Finance, Building, and Visiting Committees.
Term of appointment expires 30/6/2025.
B Comm, M Admin, D Health Sciences, 
LMFCHSM, FAICD, FCPA
Dr Stan Capp is an experienced senior executive and CEO in health services, health ICT, local government and the education sector. He has also conducted his own successful consulting practice since 2004.
Stan has had over 25 years as a CEO in a range of health care organisations in Australia and internationally, including Southern (now Monash) Health – the largest and most complex health service in Victoria.
Stan has led major health reforms with the creation of Barwon Health, which led him to be an advisor to the Government of Victoria in its Review of Health Care Networks, 2000.
Stan has been engaged in several consulting assignments throughout Victoria with a particular emphasis in assisting rural and regional health services. He also led a major project for the Government of Dubai that provided advice on the transformation of its public health system.
He has a strong interest and experience in delivering high quality health services that are well co-ordinated and responsive to community needs.
Within Bendigo Health, Dr Capp is the Chair of the Finance and Building Committees and a member of the Quality, Audit and Risk and Visiting Committees.
Term of appointment expires 30/6/2027.
CEO, City of Greater Bendigo.
Craig has enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career in Local Government and is currently CEO of the City of Greater Bendigo, a role that he has had for the past 15 years.
Craig has extensive administrative experience and was previously a director at the City of Greater Bendigo and CEO of Loddon Shire.
He is a trusted leader and has worked closely with other levels of government, the private sector, and local clubs and groups to deliver great outcomes for Bendigo and the broader central Victorian community.
In his time as CEO at the City of Greater Bendigo, major projects to be delivered include Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo Airport, Bendigo Stadium expansion, Bendigo Art Gallery expansion, Bendigo Library redevelopment, Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre and a range of community sporting infrastructure. He was also a passionate advocate for the Bendigo Health redevelopment and is proud of the health service’s critical role in the region.
Craig has been a great mentor to many of his staff and supported them to take on CEO roles in Local Government and key leadership roles in State Government departments.
He has lived and worked in the central Victorian region all his life.
Craig joined the Board of Bendigo Health in 2023 and is currently a Board Member of Regional Development Australia – Loddon Mallee Region, Bendigo Heritage Attractions and is a member of the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership.
Within Bendigo Health, Craig is the Deputy Chair of the Fundraising Advisory Board and a member of Quality and Visiting Committees.
Term of appointment expires 30/6/2026.
Professor of Occupational Therapy and Deputy Dean in the La Trobe University 
Rural Health School Occupational Therapy Program.
Dr Carol McKinstry is a Professor of Occupational Therapy in the Rural Health School of La Trobe University at the Bendigo Campus. She is currently Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, and Deputy Dean of the Rural Health School.
Professor McKinstry has extensive experience in educating health students, curriculum design and innovative professional education placements or work integrated learning. She currently oversees nursing, allied health, dental and biomedical rural courses. Her research is focused on rural health workforce including pre-professional education, workforce recruitment and retention and ways of delivering services such as telehealth.
Professor McKinstry is also a Board Director of Occupational Therapy Australia, Trustee of the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Foundation and Chair of the Bendigo Football Netball League. She was previously on the Board of Rochester and Elmore District Health Services and was recently appointed a Life Governor. She is a graduate with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Within Bendigo Health, Carol is Deputy Chair of the Quality Committees and a member of the Community Advisory Committee and the Visiting Committees.
Term of appointment expires 30/6/2026.
The Community Advisory Committee is a sub-committee of the Bendigo Health Board of Directors. The Community Advisory Committee has two critical roles, firstly to provide direction and leadership in relation to integration of consumer, carer and community views into all levels of the Health Service operations, planning and policy development.
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