( Click here for an interactive map)
Disabled parking is available but limited. There are three spaces in front of 65 Carrington Rd and one not far beyond 43 Carrington Rd. Short term only.
Train, bus and tram services are very close.
Buildings are wheelchair accessible
]]>CHSs are diverse organisations that range from relatively small agencies to large and complex organisations that manage multi-million dollar budgets and employ significant numbers of staff. CHSs are required to manage multiple programs each with specific policy directions and budget reporting requirements. The type and scope of services managed and delivered by CHSs may involve a range of target groups, service requirements and varied geographic areas often spanning multiple local government areas. As a result of the increasingly complex role of CHSs, Board responsibilities have become more difficult and complex, requiring a range of skills and experience necessary for effective governance. There has been a significant change in the role of Boards to one focusing on governance rather than the day-to-day management of centres.
Overview
This section contains information and resources about the governance issues relating to community health services.
(extracted from the Department of Health > Governance)
The Health Services Act was introduced in 1988 to provide a new framework for community health centre governance and accountability which comprises a voluntary registration scheme and performance standards to ensure that quality services are provided to the Victorian people. The size, scope and nature of community health centres and the services they provide have changed significantly since the Health Services Act, which regulates them, was introduced.
Hence, the Health Services Legislation Amendment Act 2008 was passed in the Victorian Parliament on 4 December 2008. The date of proclamation is 31 March 2009.
The Act follows a review of community health centre governance and accountability undertaken by the Department of Human Services in 2008. The review was supported by consultation with community health centres, peak bodies, such as the Victorian Healthcare Association and unions.
Community health services that choose to register will be eligible to receive community health and dental funding and will be subject to the new monitoring and governance framework.
Whitehorse Community Health Service Limited is a registered community health centre under the provisions of Section 48 of the Health Services Act 1988 with effect from 29th June 2009.
You may also wish to refer to our Constitution under our Publications.
Governance is the way an organisation is directed and controlled. Good governance includes the establishment and maintenance of systems and processes to set strategic direction, striving for above average performance taking into account risk management and monitoring performance. Good governance for CHSs should ensure:
WCHS Ltd is now incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981. Incorporated associations are a separate legal entity which are not for profit and have limited liability. For more information on the characteristics and governance of such bodies, you may wish to refer to the following links.
Click to see our existing Board of Directors
The Board normally meets ten times a year with additional meetings scheduled as required. Forums are held where the Board and the executive team examine various strategic issues. The Board has established a number of committees which are responsible for considering detailed issues and making recommendations to the Board.
Board Subcommittees include:
To assist the full board in discharging its duties of monitoring and assessing both the financial and non-financial performance of the organisation by:
Membership: Garfield Lee, Marilyn Forde
The Quality Committee is a Sub-Committee of the Whitehorse Community Health Services (WCHS) Board of Management. The Quality Committee is to be responsible to the Board for ensuring that:
Membership: Frances Mirabelli, Charissa Feng
]]> Chairperson
Dr Kathleen Brasher
More info
Deputy Chairperson
Marilyn Forde
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Treasurer
Garfield Lee
More Info
Director
Frances Mirabelli
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Director
Charissa Feng
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Director
Greg Oliver
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Director
Dr Catherine Dale
Pending
Dr Kathleen Brasher has extensive experience in the health sector, working as researcher, nurse, midwife, lecturer, parent educator and project officer. Her qualifications include a PhD in the sociology of health and illness, a Bachelor of Applied Science (Nursing) and a Certificate of Midwifery.
As a member of the local community, Kathleen brings to the Board a rich understanding of the issues surrounding the promotion of health and mental health, and the importance of community-based primary care.
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Marilyn Forde joined Whitehorse Community Health Service in 2004 and became Deputy Chairman in 2010.
She has over 20 years experience as a CEO and as a non-executive director of private company and government boards. In addition to her role as a non-executive director of Whitehorse Community Health Service, past director roles have included the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, the Curriculum Corporation, the Centre for Strategic Education, Education Impressions, as well as superannuation fund trusteeships.
In addition to pro-bono and paid consulting, Marilyn is an executive search consultant with Fish & Nankivell Ogilvie Watson, Australia’s oldest, locally owned search firm. Marilyn has lived in the City of Whitehorse for more than thirty years. Her academic qualifications are Bachelor of Arts/ Dip Ed and Bachelor of Education.
Marilyn's interests in health and the community are wide-ranging, but she has particular interests in access and equity.
Garfield Lee has a Bachelor of Business and currently works as an Associate Financial Controller for a Pharmaceutical company. His vast experience also includes a senior finance position in the Avaiation and Manufacturing industry. Garfield developed an interest in the health sector whilst working for a Health Care company and has always had an interest in community service. Garfield has been a member of the Lions Club and held a position of President and Vice-President.
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A member of the Australian College of Health Service Executives, Frances Mirabelli gained her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Monash University in 1997, and also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Frances is the Deputy Chair of Yarra Community Housing, which provides accommodation for single people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and in 2009 completed The Colloquium at the Cranlana Programme.
Following several years’ experience as a medical scientist, Frances began her career in public hospital administration with roles at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, the Royal Womens’ Hospital, and the Victorian Department of Human Services, where she gained experience in health service delivery, human resources, finance and industrial law. An early career highlight was an international study tour scholarship which afforded Frances the opportunity to observe and report on the health care models of other countries.
In 1999 Frances broadened her professional experience by joining Wintringham, an organisation which provides housing and care to elderly, frail homeless people. Five years as Wintringham’s Chief Operating Officer enabled Frances to develop expertise in the provision of quality aged care and proficiency in the accreditation process, with Wintringham twice achieving ‘Commendable’ merit status, the highest possible level of achievement.
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Charissa Feng joined the Whitehorse Community Health Services board in November 2011, and had served on the board as an observer and a co-opted 
board member for 2 years prior. She brings marketing communication knowledge to the organisation from her work in various international and boutique PR consultancies for technology, not-for-profit and healthcare organisations. Charissa is currently the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Parenting Research Centre, driving the corporate communication strategy for the PRC and managing marketing activities for various programs. She is currently undertaking studies for a Master in Public Health, with a focus on evidence-based health communication, health promotion and health policy.
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Greg Oliver (BA, LLB) has been practicing law since 2001. After a stint in the country, Greg has worked for several well regarded suburban firms, before joining Moores Legal in Box Hill in 2008. He has a solid background in general practice but since joining Moores has focused on Family Law. He was appointed a senior lawyer in 2010. Greg is also a committee member for the Inner East branch of Life Education, a not for profit organisation that promotes and delivers health and drug awareness programs to primary school children.
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Chief Executive Officer
Ronda Jacobs
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General Manager, Corporate Services
Deb Miller
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General Manager, Health Development
Olive Aumann
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General Manager, Oral Health & Quality
Stuart Margison
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General Manager, Primary Health Care
Janine Scott
More info
Manager, Strategic Projects
Carina Martin
More info
Manager, Business Development
Ella McEwan
More info
Executive Assistant
Stephanie Chia
More info
WCHS welcomed Ronda Jacobs as their interim CEO on 23 April 2012. Ronda has over 10 years experience as Managing Director for Australia and South East Asia, demonstrating her capability to drive strategic direction and implement change to optimise business outcomes.
Her long history in Consumer Health and Pharmaceuticals spans several business structures, including family owned, global multinational and private equity; and included full P&L responsibility for the AUD$100m business. She has a depth of Business to Business experience, and a background in Marketing, Business Development and Innovation, and Manufacturing.
Her reputation as a visible, energetic and strategic Leader, with the ability to foster drive, determination and excellence within the leadership team, is supported by her special interest in Strategy Development and Change Management.
Ronda’s interest in change and strategy also led her to an Interim CEO role with a Government / Not-For-Profit agency prior to WCHS.
She is a graduate of the AICD, and is currently Vice President of Relationships Australia (VIC). Her external board experience includes President of the Industry Board and Chair of Strategy Committees. Her specialities are Business Development and Innovation; Communication and Stakeholder Relationships; Change Management; Strategic Vision, Leadership and Alignment.
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Deb Miller is General Manager, Corporate Services at Whitehorse Community Health Service. She is responsible for managing the Corporate Services Team which handles Finance, IT, Human Resources, Reception, Site and Fleet Management.
Deb has been with the organization since March 2005. She joined the organization as the Reception Team Leader after spending the previous 10 years as the Practice Administrator for the Southern Health Public Dental Clinics. She started her community career as a dental nurse and after nursing for 10 years with School Dental Service and Community Health Dental Services, moved into the administration side of community health.
Deb has a Diploma in Business Management and has had extensive training in customer service and people management.
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Olive Aumann is General Manager, Health Development at Whitehorse Community Health Service. Olive’s professional background as a registered nurse included experience in acute, aged care, community health and remote area settings. She commenced in her role as community health nurse at WCHS in 1998 and has been in her current role as General Manager of the Health Development Program for the past 6 years with responsiblity for the health promotion, counselling and casework, Men’s Shed and Baby Makes 3 portfolios, and the eastern region Needle and Syringe Program.
Olive is President of the Victorian Community Health Nurses Special Interest Group, Chair of the Deakin University Health Academic Advisory Board and a past tutor in the Melbourne Consortium Master of Public Health Program.
Stuart Margison is General Manager, Oral Health & Quality at Whitehorse Community Health Service. Stuart was appointed to the position in March 2010. He comes from a clinical background in Pharmacy, gaining a Bachelor of Pharmacy from University of Tasmania in 2001.
Stuart has extensive experience in management in hospitals and community pharmacies in Tasmania, Victoria and in the UK. Most recently, Stuart was the Manager of St George's Hospital Pharmacy. During his time, he rolled out many quality initiatives including staff education. Stuart contributed significantly to the successful implementation of the Council of Australian Government Long Stay Older Patient (COAG LSOP) initiative at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. The project continues to be rolled out across the nation.
Stuart’s key interests are in information technology in health and improving the health of the ageing population. His aim is to further develop and integrate the Oral Health Service within the organisation and within the community as a whole.
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Janine Scott was recently appointed to the role of General Manager, Primary Health at Whitehorse Community Health Service. Janine’s professional background as an Occupational Therapist includes experience in the aged, disability and community health sectors. She has over nine years experience in Community Health during which time she worked as a Senior Clinician with an interest in driver rehabilitation, Allied Health Program Manager and Senior Manager, Children, Youth and Family.
Janine has completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Management and has managed allied health, counselling and youth programs, Maternal and Child Health and immunisation services as well as integrated health promotion and community development. Janine has extensive knowledge and experience in chronic disease management which is a key focus of the services provided at WCHS.
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Carina Martin is Manager, Strategic Projects at Whitehorse Community Health Service, a position created in July 2007 focused on partnerships and strategic alliances.
Carina has a work history practicing as an occupational therapist across acute, subacute and community health sectors both here and in Canada. The majority of her work has been within the field of community health and she was one of two clinicians involved in the initial establishment of a now fully functioning and successful community health service in the outer east. During this time Carina has worked in clinical roles and in several diverse management positions involving a range of allied health, counselling, nursing and project focused teams. Her initial secondment to WCHS was in the role of Primary Care Manager in July 2006.
In addition to holding an Occupational Therapy degree, Carina has completed a Masters in Occupational Therapy, with a thesis examining the time use and job satisfaction of community health occupational therapists.
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Ella McEwan has taken up the new (temporary) position of Manager, Business Development at Whitehorse Community Health Service. She has worked in a number of not-for-profit health organisations as an education consultant and program manager over the past eight years, and was the General Manager – Education Services at Alzheimer’s Australian Vic for six years.
Her experience in business development has been gained through taking opportunities to create new products and services where there was demand, and by developing networks and partnerships with other organisations.
Originally a secondary school teacher, Ella has also worked in labour market programs, as a careers counsellor, in quality improvement and as a workplace trainer and assessor. She has experience in aged care, dementia care, alcohol and other drugs, community care and disability services.
Stephanie Chia officially joined WCHS in June 2008 after a temporary assignment with the organisation. She provides executive and administrative support to the CEO and the Management Team. Hailing from Singapore, Stephanie is bilingual in English and Mandarin. She completed a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Exeter University in the UK, and subsequently, a Postgraduate Bachelor in Primary Education from Murdoch University.
Stephanie has previously worked in organisations including multinational corporations, law firms and in the Singapore Civil Service in varying roles such as Legal Executive, Personal Legal Assistant, Paralegal, and in her previous role, a Prosecutor in a legal team representing a Singapore Government Ministry.
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Leading and working in partnership to reduce health inequalities in Whitehorse Community.
WCHS Ltd will promote and enhance the health and well-being of the Whitehorse Community in collaboration with the community in the context of the broader environment. This will be achieved by applying the principles of comprehensive primary health care, population health and health promotion.
EQUITY
We proactively work to reduce health inequalities and promote access to services in our community.
INNOVATION
We provide quality services that are innovative and responsive to the needs of our community.
INCLUSIVENESS
We embrace and respect the background, diversity and contributions of each other and all in our community. We provide a safe and supportive environment for staff, service users and visitors.
COLLABORATION
We foster partnerships and collaborative activities to achieve the best outcomes for our community.
INTEGRITY
We operate within a trustworthy, ethical culture and are accountable to our community, and encourage an organisational culture of evidence-based practice and quality improvement.
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