David joined the Yarrawonga Health Board in July, 2021.  

David has worked primarily in the private sector across multiple industries for nearly 25 years and has been a member of different corporate boards during this time. With a background in human resource management and employment law, he is currently employed as a Director of Human Resources for an international program management business and has been in this role since 2008.

Based in Yarrawonga, David is passionate about giving back and supporting community, particularly in relation to healthcare accessibility for the community. David likes being active in community sports and enjoys assisting other charities with volunteer activities.

David is currently the Board Chair.

Andrew joined the Yarrawonga Health Board in July, 2023. Andrew is a Solicitor with Maddocks Melbourne.

Andrew is practicing as a partner in Maddocks Commercial group, and has worked with the Commonwealth Department of Health on many projects.

Andrew enjoys tennis, gardening and travel.

Andrew resides in Riddles Creek and forms part of the Yarrawonga Health Board, Finance and Audit and Risk Committees.

He is the Chair of the Finance Committee.

Melissa joined the Yarrawonga Health Board in July, 2022. Melissa is a Manager in Strategic Partnerships and works alongside Victorian public healthcare.

Melissa holds a Masters in Business with the Australian Institute of Business.

Melissa enjoys maintaining a healthy lifestyle and spending time with her young family.

Melissa resides in Yarrawonga and forms part of the Yarrawonga Health Board, Corporate Governance and Clinical Governance Committees.

Melissa has recently been appointed to the position of Consumer Engagement Officer for 2024 – 2025.

Robyn joined the Yarrawonga Health Board in July, 2023. Robyn is currently the Regional Client Lead - ACT, Central West and Southern NSW of Vision Australia.

Robyn has working in public health for 15 years and has held positions of CEO and COO in a Regional Health Service. She also has over 20 years experience on a health service board.

Robyn holds a Masters in Health Service Management as well as a Bachelor of Science. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Robyn resides in Howlong and forms part of the Yarrawonga Health Board, Finance and Audit and Risk Committees.

Kirsten made Bundalong home in 2012, embracing the opportunity to live and work in a regional community.

Kirsten has over 20 years’ experience working in the public sector mainly in intelligence, policy, strategy and service delivery transformation. Kirsten’s current role is the Director of Innovation and Programs at Victoria Police.

Kirsten holds undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Criminology, post graduate qualifications in Criminal Intelligence, and most recently Executive Leadership. Kirsten was awarded the Chief Commissioner’s Medal for Merit in 2011.

Kirsten has held various roles on not-for-profit boards in the Region and is keen to contribute towards enhancing health services and support for the local community.

Cara Hammond joined the Yarrawonga Health Board on 1^st July, 2024. Cara has a Degree in Applied Science (Health Promotion) and Nursing along with a Post Graduate Certificate in Critical Care. Cara is employed at Benalla Health as the Operational Director Performance Improvement.  She has extensive experience in Clinical Governance, Patient Experience and Clinical Operations.

Cara has a passion in improving local health services and ensuring community to access care closer to home. She is born and raised in the Northeast of Victoria.

Cara forms part of the Yarrawonga Health Board and Clinical Governance Committees.

Chris Howe joined the Yarrawonga Health Board on 1^st July, 2024. Chris is a Chartered Accountant and partner in Belmore’s Accounting Yarrawonga. He has extensive experience in corporate governance and finance management in Not for Profit Companies.

Chris lives in Yarrawonga and joins Yarrawonga Health Board, Finance and Audit and Risk Committees. 

Erin joined the Yarrawonga Health board in April, 2022. Erin is a registered Occupational Therapist and holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy as well as a Masters of Advanced Occupational Therapy. Erin is the current Operational Director – Mental Health at Albury Wodonga Health.

Erin is based in Yarrawonga and forms part of the Yarrawonga Health Board and Clinical Governance Committees. She is the Chair of the Clinical Governance Committee as well as the board representative on the Helping Hands Committee.

Robin is the Chief Executive Officer of Yarrawonga Health.

Robin is an experienced CEO / General Manager in the health care industry having held these roles in Canberra, Wagga and across the southern western NSW region for many years. Robin brings her vast experience and expertise in capital development, health service strategic growth, corporate and clinical governance to Yarrawonga Health. Robin has been the interim CEO of Yarrawonga Health since November, 2023.

Robin resides at the family farm in Oaklands however most of her extended family live in the Yarrawonga / Mulwala community and enjoys spending many social times in the community. She is an avid reader and never goes anywhere without a book, and also loves to cook with fresh produce from the markets.

Chris Gartside is a personable and solution-focused Nurse Leader committed to driving clinical excellence through strong workforce engagement and governance leadership. With 20 years of experience across rural, regional, metropolitan, and tertiary public health settings, Chris brings a comprehensive understanding of healthcare complexities and a strategic approach to service improvement.

Since 2015, Chris has held senior nursing leadership roles, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and patient-centered care. Known for his analytical, data-driven approach, Chris makes informed decisions that enhance clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and service delivery. His leadership is built on authenticity and empathy, ensuring strong relationships with staff, clinicians, and stakeholders at all levels.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Nursing and a Postgraduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing and is currently finalizing a Master’s in Health Administration. Passionate about governance, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership, Chris is dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality care in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Rita’s qualifications include Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting, Diploma of Accounting, Executive Certificate of Corporate Governance and Certificate of Training and Assessment

Rita is a qualified accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants with 14 years’ experience in the health sector in senior management roles from 2001 to 2015.

Rita commenced as Finance Manager in disability and aged care services in local government then progressed to health care as the Regional Finance Manager with Mercy Health, Finance Manager for Inner South Community Health and Manager of Financial Analysis and Reporting for Albury Wodonga Health.

Rita has gained extensive experience in community health and health care service areas which provided programs and services, including public dental, alcohol and drugs counselling, child, youth and family services, home care packages, health promotion, GP Clinic, sub-acute care, respite, age care, community care, palliative care services, acute-care and allied health services.

Rita has developed a proven track record in delivering rigorous business analysis, strategic planning, and project management activities. Possessing a comprehensive understanding of health care systems to support the executive and operational teams by providing strategic advice, support and guidance.  Rita is passionate about continuous improvement and team development and has established highly efficient cross-functional teams that have driven a number of initiatives and significantly improved productivity, capability, and growth.

Rita has also been a Lecturer at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE for approximately thirteen years where she delivered numerous business subjects, and she is also a member of the Audit Advisory Committee for Benalla Rural City Council since 2011.

Fiona has worked in both public healthcare and Local Government, and has a particular interest in linking strategic organisational objectives with the necessary day-to-day work practices. She loves the challenge that comes with working in healthcare, and the wonderful diversity of the people she works with – she finds the growing of a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion as rewarding as it is necessary.

Fiona is an experienced leader, with substantial experience in leadership in people and culture, organisational development, safety, wellbeing, customer experience, strategy, policy, and process development. 

Fiona prompts transparency, ethical decision-making, and responsible business practices. She has passion for engaging and supporting teams to perform at their best, and a strong commitment to building leadership capability to get desired results.

The Director People and Culture role is responsible for all human resources (HR) management and reporting requirements including employment and industrial relations, recruitment, planning and performance, assists with strategic management, operational budgeting, training and provides managers with generalist HR advice and support. This role also oversees the Occupational Health and Safety, Payroll, Communication and Marketing and Volunteers