The new Mackay Hospital and Health Board came together on Thursday, 5th October to introduce themselves to health service personnel, appointed to set the strategic direction and oversee the management of Mackay Hospital and Health Service.
The event was kickstarted with a Welcome to Country and traditional smoking ceremony conducted by Elder Uncle Phillip Kemp, to the sound of the didgeridoo, played by Toasie Cora. Alongside this was a performance by the Tchundal Malar Dance Company.
This was followed by a traditional Torres Strait Islander prayer by Aunty Matilda Christian, asking for support and guidance on behalf of the new team of Board members to provide governance for the health service, in both Merian Mir and English languages.
Members include Board Chair Helen Darch, Deputy Chair Kerry Maley and Members Maud Chapman, Bill Cooper, Dr Luke Lawton and Dr Peter O’Mara.
Board Chair, Helen Darch OAM is an experienced board member in both government and not-for-profit sectors, with over thirteen years in the industry.
When Helen received the opportunity to apply for the Mackay Board, she was excited to come in with a broader experience to a team of exceptional people.
Helen’s aim is, “To try and unpack some of the challenges of regional Queensland and its health, and to advocate for change for our community.
“In this first phase, our key focus is to go and listen to staff, to our community, to our politicians to actually understand what is really not working well, what people really need and how best to step in and work together to fix it.
“The past is the past, we must learn the lessons from that to make sure that we are building a far better future for our community.
“I can’t undo what’s happened, but I am absolutely determined that we are going to change things.”
The six-member Board brings a vast range of experience across the fields of emergency medicine, business, nursing and law. This newly assembled team strives to create positive change for the future of Mackay Hospital and Health Service.
The new Mackay Hospital and Health Board
Mackay HHS Chief Executive Susan Gannon
Tchundal Malar dance group
Smoking ceremony. Photos supplied by Mackay Hospital and Health Service
