Board of Directors

Carol has had extensive experience in the health sectors both as a leader and clinician. She has a clinical background as a Podiatrist and has worked in a number of leadership roles within the public health system across acute, subacute, community health and aged care areas.

Her current role is a Community Health Area Manager at Barwon Health and has been instrumental in the recent service expansion in the Northern Suburbs in Geelong, establishing the Barwon Health North site.

Professionally Carol has been involved in the leadership of a number of national and state boards for Podiatry, Allied Health Professions and Weenthunga Health Network.

Carol is passionate and has a strong commitment to employee engagement and development in a values based culture and governance framework to drive high quality local based health and community care. 

Carol looks forward to what can be achieved in the already strong progressive communities of the Mallee, where together what they have accomplished is impressive. She has a link to the Mallee with having a residence in the area and is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to Mallee Track Health and local communities through the board.

Nick is a Registered Nurse with qualifications in Children’s nursing and a Masters in Business Administration. Nick has worked in Aged and Community Care for his entire career, spanning almost 30 years. Nick is the founder and CEO of one of Australia’s largest private in-home care providers and is extremely passionate about ensuring older people and those with disabilities can live independently at home.

Nick is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has Board experience in Private Companies as well as peak body associations. Nick and his wife Lisa reside in Melbourne but have a passion and connection with the rural Australia. Nick has three young children who keep him on his toes outside of the boardroom.

Nick has a unique blend of clinical and commercial experience and a deeply rooted purpose in helping vulnerable Australians. Nick is committed to bringing these skills and experience to Mallee Track Health and Community Services and the communities we serve.

Nina began her legal career in 1997 as a legal assistant in Mildura after completing a Bachelor of Arts at Flinders University. While working full-time and raising a young family, she pursued her Bachelor of Law degree remotely through the University of New England, later completing her practical legal training at the College of Law in Melbourne. Nina was admitted to practice in March 2019. Nina practices in Personal Injury law across Victoria and New South Wales.

A passionate advocate for her clients and the wider regional community, Nina understands the unique challenges faced by those in rural areas when navigating the legal system and seeking medical treatment. Her commitment to the community extends to her roles as a Board Director for the Mallee Accommodation Support Program (MASP). Previously Nina served as Vice Chair of the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Community Council (SMECC) from 2020 to 2024. Outside of work and community commitments, Nina assists her husband in the running of their family agriculture property along with their three adult children.

Nina is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria and the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

A qualified accountant (FCPA) with over 28 years’ experience in the education sector at an executive level in the role of Chief Financial Officer and Director Operation.

Frank brings insights from his experience across corporate finance, operations and governance.

He currently serves as a Director on the Board of Mildura Base Public Hospital, Mallee Accommodation Support Program, Chaffey Aged Care and is the Chair of the Finance Audit and Risk committee of Mildura District Aboriginal Services.

Steve has been employed with North West Victorian Ambulance Service since 1981 where he progressed clinically to the standard of MICA Paramedic and for last 13 years as the Area Manager for the Northern Mallee District based out of Mildura. He holds a Diploma in Management and Project Management and a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Health.

Steven has been actively involved with most community sports and is a life member of the South Mildura Football & Netball Club and currently the President of the Mildura Golf Club.

Steven brings a range of business and clinical experience to the Board. He has worked closely with regional hospitals and health services throughout his Ambulance career and wishes to continue to see the health sectors provide effective and efficient services to our communities.

For the past five years, Charles has worked as a paramedic with Ambulance Victoria, most of this time has been spent at the Swan Hill branch. In addition to his paramedic duties, Charles has taken on roles in management and education. This has fostered a passion in governance, policy development and strategic planning that has led Charles to study a Master of Health Administration/Public Health to develop and enhance his experience.

Charles also is a co-owner in a logistics company in Bendigo, delivering fabricated and natural stone to stonemasons across rural Victoria to ensure equitable access. In this role he supports truck drivers through developing strategy and policies and ensuring compliance with National Heavy Vehicle Law.

Michelle has extensive experience managing mental health and homelessness support teams in the community services sector. She has a clinical background as a Social Worker and has worked in several leadership roles and a strong background in trauma informed practice and recovery. Prior to completing her Masters in Social Work, Michelle worked as a Business academic at Curtin University in WA.

In her current role of Homelessness Alliance Networker in the Central Highlands and the Wimmera, Michelle is responsible to ensure homelessness support agencies work collaboratively to address homelessness across the regions. This includes adopting a collective impact approach to advocacy, research, data collection and policy development with state and local government. In the past year, Michelle has been instrumental in sourcing philanthropic grants to fund a homelessness project team to address rough sleeping homelessness in Ballarat.

Michelle is a passionate advocate for social justice and equitable access to resources for all Victorians and understands the challenges faced by rural and remote communities. She has a strong background in corporate and clinical governance, quality and risk management, staff training, and is committed to ensuring inclusion and diversity underpin all aspects of practice, for both consumers and practitioners.

Michelle is looking forward to working with the Mallee Track Board, team and all stakeholders to ensure the most appropriate quality outcomes are achieved for the individuals, families and communities that we serve.

Dr Jennifer Alden is a respected leader in public health, governance, and community wellbeing, with nearly four decades of experience working to improve health outcomes. She served as an Independent Councillor for Lockwood Ward in the City of Greater Bendigo for eight years, including terms as Mayor (2020–21) and Deputy Mayor (2018–19, 2022–23).

Jennifer holds a Doctorate of Public Health, a Masters in Women’s Health, an Honours degree in Science, and a Diploma of Naturopathy specialising in nutrition and women’s health. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the School for Social Entrepreneurs, and an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University.

Her career spans private health practice, policy and planning leadership at VicHealth, and CEO roles at Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and Cultivating Community. She has chaired the Bendigo Regional Food Alliance and served on the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Health and Wellbeing Advisory Panel.

Jennifer is a published author (Liberated Eating) and founder of Growing Change, focusing on food systems, climate and community placemaking. Now living on a small farm, she continues to champion healthier, more sustainable and inclusive communities — and is delighted to reconnect with the Mallee region.

Peter has resided in Ouyen for the past 8 years after being a regular visitor for 35 years.

Peter was a member of Victoria Police for 40 years, 30 of them as an operational Sergeant. In this time he gained experience in Emergency Management and OH&S. His duties included regular interaction with health services mainly in the areas of Aged Care and Mental Health.

Peter has been actively involved with community and sporting groups since he moved to Ouyen. He is an active volunteer with MTHCS and understands challenges providing quality services to a large and diverse community.

Peter looks forward to being on the Board of MTHCS and continuing the good work already performed by board members.