Chief Executive
Rowena Clift
The Chief Executive leads the day‑to‑day operations of acute, aged care, community health, primary care and outreach services across all campuses. They deliver the Board’s strategic direction, ensuring both short‑term stability and long‑term planning reflect community needs. The role maintains financial sustainability while upholding service quality, fosters a positive work culture aligned with WDHS values, ensures compliance with all legislation, regulations and accreditation standards, and represents WDHS to the community, sector partners, government and South West Local Health Service Network.
Executive Director Finance and Corporate Services
Nicholas Starkie BBus, MIPA, AFA
The Executive Director Finance & Corporate Services has overarching responsibility for the commercial and financial management of the health service and ensures the delivery of high-quality corporate and support services across WDHS.
The portfolio includes oversight of Budget & Finance, Improvement & Innovation, Facilities & Maintenance, Health Information, Information Technology and Support Services. The role also serves as the health service’s Chief Procurement Officer.
Director of Primary and Preventative Health
James ‘Mac’ McInnes BA(SW), DipSW, PCHSM
The Director of Primary and Preventative Health leads the design and delivery of programs that prevent illness and promote wellbeing within the community to support chronic disease management, injury prevention, improve nutritional health and encourage an active lifestyle. They also oversee a wide range of services such as Allied Health, Preventative and Community Health, Youth Services, Complex Care, Continence, Diabetes Education, District Nursing, Palliative Care, Discharge Support Services, Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Stomal Care.
Director of Nursing – Hamilton Base Hospital
Lorraine Hedley RN, Bachelor of Nursing
The Director of Nursing provides leadership and direction for the Nursing Division at Hamilton Base Hospital to ensure high‑quality, efficient care that meets community needs across all inpatient and outpatient services. They monitor policies and procedures and oversee Medical/ICU & Rehab, Emergency, Cancer/Dialysis and Consulting, Maternity Services, Surgical Theatre & Planned Surgery, the Clinical Access & Resource Unit, Infection Prevention & Control, Education, and the Sleep Centre.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Western District Health Service & Casterton Memorial Hospital
Affiliate Associate Professor, Dr Sophie Ping BA, BSc(Hons), PhD, MBBS, AFRACMA, ARCPA
The Chief Medical Officer oversees the provision of Medical and Pharmacy service and supports Pathology and Radiology Services. The office of the CMO also supports: the Quality and Risk team to ensure best practice and legislative compliance; the Health Information Management team to ensure privacy, confidentiality and respond to medicolegal matters; and Quality Improvement and Research activities.
The office of the CMO supports both Junior and Senior Medical workforce through recruitment, rostering, contracting, credentialing, and ensuring that clinical governance processes are in place to ensure that patients and the community receive safe, timely and high-quality patient-centred care.
Director, National Centre for Farmer Health
Dr Alison Kennedy BBSc(Hons), PhD, PostGradDipArts (Criminology), Grad Cert HighEd, PhD
The Director leads, plans and manages all National Centre for Farmer Health programs across education, research, service delivery, reputation building, business development and governance. They oversee training for students and rural professionals and support research that improves health, wellbeing and safety outcomes for farmers, farm workers, farming families and agriculture-dependent communities. The Director is supported by a core team of multidisciplinary professionals and works at state, national and international levels to strengthen recognition and grow evidence-based sustainable programs through partnerships and funding.
Executive Director Aged Care
Alison Richmond GAICD (Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors) Grad Certificate in Management
The Executive Director Aged Care is responsible for delivering safe, high‑quality aged care services across WDHS, including residential care, independent living units, Support at Home and community programs. The role provides strategic direction, ensures compliance with aged care legislation, and fosters a culture of respect, accountability and empathy. They provide strong operational and financial management to ensure efficient service delivery, responsible resource use, and high‑quality care.
Executive Director People & Wellbeing
Dylan Billington BMgt(HR), CPHR
The Executive Director People & Wellbeing leads our HR, OHS, Wellbeing, Return to Work, Professional Development, Inclusion & Diversity and workforce engagement functions within People & Culture. This role supports our people across the organisation from attraction and retention to development and engagement.
Last updated: 17 March, 2026