Board Directors of Great Ocean Road Health

Chris joined the GORH Board of Directors in July 2023 and has over 35 years experience in executive roles in the healthcare and professional services sectors. Most recently he was the Managing Director of a 4,000 bed Residential Aged Care group. He has been the Chief Financial Officer of two ASX listed companies, is a chartered accountant and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

With areas of interest including Aged Care and Risk Management, Chris wanted to contribute his governance skills learned from the ASX environment and healthcare sector to a local organisation where there was a strong sense of community.

Chris lives in Aireys Inlet and feels a strong connection to the Victorian coastline.

Chris is the Deputy Chair and Chair of the Finance and Risk Committee of Great Ocean Road Health.

Dr Tiffany Symes has over fifteen years’ experience as a medical practitioner, in both the public and private health sector. She is a specialist anatomical pathologist with extensive experience in diagnostic laboratory services and multi-disciplinary cancer care. She has held clinical positions at Melbourne metropolitan teaching hospitals and has been a clinical senior lecturer with both Melbourne University and Deakin University. She is currently working as a pathologist at Epworth Hospital, Geelong.

Tiffany has lived in Colac for over a decade with her young son and spouse, a local General Practitioner. Regular visits to Lorne and Apollo Bay are a favourite family activity. Tiffany is passionate about high quality, fair and accessible local regional health care and aged care services for all.

Tiffany is the Chair of the Safety, Culture and Clinical Governance Committee of Great Ocean Road Health.

Nick Salkeld is a registered pharmacist, with experience in both private and public health sectors.

Nick is an experienced health executive with a background in pharmacy, previous proprietor of community pharmacy chain in the Geelong region and managed the Pharmacy Department  at the Epworth Hospital Geelong. Nick is the former CEO of a not-for-profit community pharmacy company and is currently Chief Operating Officer of UFS Healthcare Ltd. Nick brings over 20 years’ experience in the health sector both public and private, particularly community and primary health care and is currently an AHPRA registered health practitioner, with the following formal qualifications: Bachelor of Pharmacy, Master of Health Administration, Executive Master of Business Administration (Candidate) – RMIT.

Nick is a father of three to Harriet, Mac and Agatha and an avid AFL football fan – particularly Hawthorn Football Club. He enjoys any form of exercise – particularly running and skiing, or spending time with his children and supporting their extra-curricular activities.

Nick has served on the Board of Otway Health since January 2017, of which he Chaired for two years, and is now a director on the newly amalgamated Great Ocean Road Health.

Nick is a member of the Safety, Culture and Clinical Governance Committee of Great Ocean Road Health.

Fiona commenced her role as Board Director in June 2018. She is a Torquay resident and held a previous Board Director position as Chair of Bethany Community Support in Geelong.

Fiona has a background in law and child protection and is currently the Safeguarding Manager, for the Burnet Institute.

Fiona is member of the Finance Audit & Risk Committee of Great Ocean Road Health.

Following a nursing career in HIV, sexual health and marginalised youth, Matt Dixon’s work has  centred on public health and public service. He has commissioned HIV services in London and led on HIV and sexual health at Department of Health Victoria and helped establish the Equality Branch at Department of Premier and Cabinet, supporting LGBTIQ+ inclusion. He now lives on Gadubanud Country in Deans Marsh and works with the Western Victoria Primary Health Network on the COVID-19 response. He is loving working with First Nations partners in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health space. He’s excited about healing the land where he lives by regenerating an old pine plantation.

Matt is the Chair of the Community Advisory Committee and a member of the Safety, Culture and Clinical Governance Committee of Great Ocean Road Health.

Tali Bernard has over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer and as a Board director and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In addition to being a director of Great Ocean Road Health, she is currently serving as a Board Director and Deputy Chair of the Workplace Injury Commission and the TAFE, Melbourne Polytechnic.

Tali has a particular interest in organisational governance and culture and is committed to improving access to health, education and justice for all Victorians. Tali and her family have been part time residents of Aireys Inlet and Moggs Creek for nearly 25 years.

Tali is a member of the Finance and Risk Committee of Great Ocean Road Health.

Melinda has worked for over two decades in health, justice and community sectors, with a focus on improving access to compassionate, evidence-based care. She brings experience in public health, policy, and program design, and is passionate about creating systems that respond to people with dignity and humanity.

Melinda holds a Master of Public Health and is deeply committed to strengthening rural and regional health through collaboration and lived experience insight.

Melinda lives with her partner off-grid on 15 acres on Gadubanud Country along the Great Ocean Road, where she enjoys being able to spend time in the adjoining National Park, ocean swimming and the sounds of the bush.  

Melinda is a member of the Community Advisory Committee of Great Ocean Road Health.

Coming soon!