THE role of Western District Health Service (WDHS) Board chair has been filled by local farmer and consultant, Anna Sweeney, who will work alongside deputy chair, Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) chief executive, Rowena Clift, making it the organisation’s first ever female Board leadership team.

Mrs Sweeney has a background in environmental management and international development and has been employed in a number of government and not-for-profit roles throughout her career.

She currently works as an environmental and community engagement consultant, as well as working on the family farm near Cavendish, where she and her husband, Jarrod, have been transitioning to regenerative agriculture over the last four years.

Mrs Sweeney said although it wasn’t an obvious fit for her initially, she has loved her time on the WDHS Board thus far.

“When I was approached by another Board member in 2018, I wasn’t sure what to expect and whether I would be the right fit, but when I read the application I realised that it really suited my skillset,” she said. 

“I’m a strategic, big picture thinker, and I was really looking for an opportunity to give back to the community.

“I have absolutely loved being involved so far.

“It’s a fabulous Board, with a great culture and all but one of our members is from the region and very engaged in the community.

“It’s also fantastic to have Rowena as deputy chair, with over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, she is a great asset to the Board and the organisation.”

Mrs Sweeney said although COVID-19 had been the dominant focus for the last couple of years, the Board was keen to progress with its five-year strategic plan.

A number of big projects are already in the pipeline, including the installation of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at the Hamilton Base Hospital (HBH) and the $6.8 million Penshurst campus redevelopment.

The Board will also continue its advocacy for a long-awaited revamp of the HBH Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit.

“I think if someone had said to me when I signed onto the Board that we were about to enter three years of a global pandemic, I might have questioned my application,” Ms Sweeney said. 

“However, although the last few years have been tough and our entire worlds have revolved around Covid, we have learnt so much.

“I take my hat off to the staff, management and executive team at WDHS.

“When I compare what we have experienced locally, to what has occurred in other areas, I think we are extremely fortunate.

“Listening to the stories of friends and family in other parts of the state and overseas, I can’t congratulate the WDHS team enough for their foresight in planning and setting up services, which has meant that we haven’t had the access issues they’ve had in many other places.”

Mrs Sweeney said she would also like to congratulate outgoing Board chair, Darren Barber, whose term finished at the end of June.

“Darren was a fantastic chair, during one of the most critical periods in the organisation’s history,” she said.  

“He was always calm in the face of great uncertainty and we are very grateful for his leadership and commitment to the Board over nine years (two as chair).”