The Board

Linda has been a Board Member since 2016, serving as Chairperson for the past 6 years. With over 30 years of experience in the health industry as a Nurse, Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Clinical Educator, Linda is dedicated to providing the local community with access to high-quality Aged Care services.

Zoé has a Bachelor of Nursing with Distinction, previous experience working within the private non-for-profit aged care sector, and currently practices clinically in the public hospital system in emergency care. Zoé was born and raised in South Gippsland and an avid member of the local community. Zoé joined the Board in 2022 with the primary interest of improving quality, safety and governance. Zoé is a member of the Clinical Governance Committee, Medication Advisory Committee and Quality Care Advisory Body.

Nicole, a Leongatha local, joined the Board in October 2019 and currently serves as the Secretary and a member of the Finance Committee.  She is a Partner at a local law firm with over three decades of experience as a lawyer.  Nicole brings a wealth of legal expertise to the Board, contributing her skills and knowledge to benefit Woorayl Lodge.

Peter joined the Board in 2019 and now serves as the Treasurer. With 23 years of experience as an Insurance Broker in Leongatha, Peter’s dedication to community service is evident through his roles as Treasurer and Committee Member for various local organisations. Peter and his family have a longstanding connection with Woorayl Lodge dating back 60 years to the original building.

Leo, a lifelong resident of the area, has been the proud owner and operator of a successful dairy farm for more than three decades and is now exploring various business ventures.  With a wealth of local expertise and connections, Leo is an active member of the Rotary Club of Leongatha and serves as their representative to Woorayl Lodge.  He holds a strong commitment to community service and believes we all have an obligation to care for the elderly.

Robert became a member of the Woorayl Lodge Board in 2017 and is actively involved in the Finance Committee and the Boag’s Road Building Committee. A lifelong resident of the local area, Robert has dedicated over fifty years to the CFA and has served in various leadership roles within the Lions Club for over thirty years. With a successful track record of running small businesses for over five decades, Robert prioritises ethical business practices. He is committed to enhancing the quality of aged care in the community.

Bronwyn believes that a community must make provision to take care of those in need of assistance. She is excited about the prospect of the new developmental stage of the Lodge at Boags Road. Her qualifications in Agricultural Economics and Law and experience in project development and business ownership place her in a position to contribute with excellence to the Board.

Jim obtained a bachelor's degree in commerce and worked as an accountant in the local area from 1984 until his retirement in 2021. He held positions on the Boards of Gippsland Southern Health Service and South Gippsland Water, as well as serving as a Councillor and Mayor at the South Gippsland Shire Council. Jim has a strong appreciation for Woorayl Lodge due to the exceptional care they provided to his mother during her residency there for many years.

Justine joined the Board in November 2023. Originally from Leongatha, she has 30 years' experience as an Occupational Therapist.  Justine is dedicated to helping people enhance their function and independence in daily life. With a strong connection to Woorayl Lodge, with her late father being a Life Governor, she brings her wealth of knowledge in health and safety, clinical experience and management expertise to the Board.

Sara, a qualified dietitian, has accumulated over ten years of valuable experience working within health organisations in both Australia and the UK. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Sara has also been working and studying in the field of health leadership for nearly three years. Sara's contribution to the Woorayl Lodge Board is characterised by her comprehensive knowledge of health systems, clinical governance and quality.

Mary has had various nursing roles in Canada and Australia including in coronary/intensive care, community health, and management. For two decades, she has been a palliative care clinical nurse consultant and has been involved in palliative care education through her work with the Gippsland Region Palliative Care Consortium. Mary was an Adjunct Lecturer at Monash University, and advocates for improved palliative care services that are accessible and equitable for all people living with a terminal illness, particularly rural and regional clients.

Dennis joined the Board in January 2021 and is currently leading the Capital Project Building Committee for the development of the new 120-bed facility at Boags Road, Leongatha. With over 35 years of experience as a Registered Building Practitioner specialising in industrial and commercial property development and construction management, Dennis brings valuable expertise to the project. Having retired in 2016, Dennis is passionate about expanding Woorayl Lodge's capacity to meet the growing aged care needs in the community.