Board of Directors

Peter Stephenson

Chair

Peter was born in Darebin and, except for his time in the army, has lived here for his whole life.

Peter has retired from full time work having most recently worked as an adviser to the Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. He has more than 25 years’ experience as a Board Member and Chair including ten years as a local government Councillor and two terms as Mayor.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Community Services Administration, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  Peter is committed to his work as a Board Director and wants to make a positive difference to the lives of local people by reducing the impacts of disadvantage. For Peter, the team at Your Community Health are special people who really care about our community and what they do.

Director since 2009.

Mark Darmody

Deputy Chair

Having worked in human services and health, Mark maintains an interest in the social welfare sector. He has worked as a Chief Finance Officer, holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is a CPA qualified accountant. He has extensive experience in large infrastructure and service delivery programs, as well as organisational governance.  

Having lived in Darebin for 24 years before moving to Whittlesea, Mark shares the mission and values of Your Community Health. Mark is impressed with the enthusiasm the staff and volunteers and the empathy they have for the community, which makes volunteering for the Board all the more worthwhile.

Director since 2014.

Ben Moodie

Treasurer

Ben grew up in Reservoir, and has lived and worked for several years in Darebin. When he’s not attending to Your Community Health Board business he works full time at Alkira as Manager, Business Systems and Finance. Ben holds a Bachelor of Business Accounting, he is a Registered Tax Agent, is CPA registered, and he brings significant finance, taxation, information technology, governance and risk expertise to the Board.

Ben and his family and have experience with significant health issues, and he wants to give back to the health system that has supported them so well. He believes that primary health care is the heart of a great community, and that developing the capacity of communities to stay healthy is a more important focus than treating illness.  He wants to help people have access to a great health service, and improve their general wellbeing.

Director since 2007.

Alison Brown

As a graduate researcher at the University of Melbourne, Alison is exploring how organisations and Boards can improve healthcare delivery. She also runs her own business advising organisations on governance and service delivery.

Alison is a member of Women on Board and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She holds a Masters of Public Health, Bachelor of Science, and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy).

Having long worked in community health, she has seen the important differences dedicated community health workers can make. She uses her skills in healthcare and governance to contribute to Your Community Health’s reputation as a great place to receive care and a great place to work.

Alison has lived in Darebin for close to twenty years where she has been an active part of the community through childcare, school and community activities.

Director since 2016.

Stephen Gagen

Stephen has lived in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and worked in the City of Darebin for the past 20 years.  He works at the office of Robin Scott MP, the Member for Preston and serves on the Board of Governance of Merri Outreach Support Service, a homelessness support service which services Darebin.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Post‑Graduate Diploma in Entomology and Insect Pathology. As a former biological scientist he has a deep interest in epidemiology, public health, preventative health and community health. He brings considerable political, administrative and scientific skills to the Board, along with a strong commitment to social justice. He sees Your Community Health as a committed group of talented people working to improve the health of the local community.

Director since 2007.

Cate Grindlay

Cate is an experienced and accomplished healthcare leader and business manager.

As Integrated Care Manager at Sonic Clinical Services, her focus is to lead integrated care strategy, delivering a range of primary care services and interventions, including patient centred medical homes, to improve care quality and patient experience, whilst reducing the cost of healthcare delivery.

Cate brings extensive experience in the healthcare sector and a demonstrated capacity to conceptualize, create and deliver innovative services, engage stakeholders and lead high performing teams.

Her prior work experience includes healthcare management consulting at EQ Health, Clinical Lead, Integrated Care at Medibank and National Clinical and Development Manager and National Preventative Health Manager roles at Australian Unity.

Cate is a qualified nurse, with a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Practice (Midwifery), and is currently undertaking a Masters in Healthcare Leadership (Southern Cross University).

Director since 2017.

Andrew Hitchen

Andrew is a senior sales, marketing and business development leader, with a track record of exceptional performance delivery and strategic thinking.

Andrew is currently Head of Sales for Telstra. His career has spanned senior business development, sales and marketing roles, including as Head of Merchandise Operations, and Category Director roles at Coles Group, and Marketing and Strategy Manager leadership roles at BP Australia.

He brings expertise in leadership, development and motivation of large culturally diverse teams to Your Community Health, as well as strategy development and management of safety and risk in complex environments.

Director since 2017.

Alistair King

Alistair is a communications, marketing and engagement specialist and is currently Communications Manager at the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

He brings expertise in both strategic communications and the public sector, having previously held senior roles at the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources; Department of State Development Business and Innovation; Department of Primary Industries; Department of Premier and Cabinet, and Department of Justice.

Alistair holds a Bachelor of Economics (Monash University) and a Graduate Diploma in Marketing (RMIT).

Director since 2017.

Mary Zhao

Mary is an Accountant and runs her own accounting firm, advising businesses and or individuals on their financial, management and tax matters. She also works in quality control for the leading accountancy firm, HR Block. Mary has an MBA and is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA Australia), and member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

A former resident of Reservoir, Mary values the idea of providing for society’s needs without maximising revenues at the expense of the community.  She grew up in a remote, below average income household in China and remembers a lack of access to proper medical treatment and medication and is passionate about Your Community Health’s focus on good health and wellbeing for all and the provision of integrated health services that consider social, environmental and economic factors.

In her spare time, Mary is a keen photographer and a reader of health, financial magazines, tax news, Chinese history and philosophy. She enjoys swimming, Tai Chi, yoga and gardening.

Director since 2016.