About Us

Chris White – Board Chair

Chris has been on the REDHS Board since 2018, and 2023 sees him in his first term as Chair. Chris has previously been the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Medical Credentialing and Scope of Practice committees.

A former Rochester local, and with his family residing in Rochester, Chris has continues to have strong connection to the Rochester and Elmore communities.

Chris has held several senior leadership positions over the past 15 years at Bendigo Health, including Business Director – Clinical Operations, Business Director – Psychiatric Services and Non Clinical Divisions; and currently holds the position of Director – Cancer Centre at Bendigo Health.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 1 July 2018

Qualifications: Bachelor Business (Economics), Bachelor Computing, Graduate Diploma Business (Management), Graduate Certificate Health Systems Management, FACHSM CHE, CHIA

Current role: Director Cancer Centre, Bendigo Health

Brad Drust – Deputy Chair

Brad joined the REDHS Board on 1 July 2020 and lives locally in Elmore. He has over 20 years of experience in public sector natural resource management working in both technical and management roles and is passionate about creating public good outcomes. Brad is also on the Board of Directors for the Elmore, Lockington and Rochester Community Bank and the Elmore Swimming Pool Committee Inc.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 1 July 2020

Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Geography), Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) and Master of Business Administration

Current role: Chief Executive Officer, North Central Catchment Management Authority

David Rosaia

David has been on the board since 2017 and is a former Board Chair, concluding his third term as Chair in 2023. With local links to the community David grew up in Elmore and attended schools at both Rochester and Elmore. He enjoys watching all sports, traveling and spending time with his family. With a very strong and enhanced background in clinical/cooperate  governance, senior leadership and management.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 26 April 2017

Qualifications: RN, Grad Dip (Health Sci), FACHSM, CHE, MACN

Current role: Chief Operating Officer, Bendigo Health

Emma Millard

Emma joined the Board on 1 July 2022 and works as the Executive Leader for Risk, Quality and Compliance at Bendigo Community Health Services. Emma has a strong interest in health service governance, recognising the important role effective governance plays in the delivery of high-quality and safe services that meet the needs of a community. Born and raised in Bendigo, Emma now lives just outside of Bendigo with her husband, and feels very lucky to live in a regional city. Emma is aware of the challenges that exist for many in accessing health services in regional, and particularly rural areas. As a Board Director, Emma hopes to support REDHS’ vision of caring for our (Rochester and Elmore) community and ensuring access to essential health services.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 1 July 2022

Qualifications: Bachelor Podiatry, Specialist Certificate in Rural Paediatric Practice, Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management, Certificate in Governance and Risk Management, Australian Institute of Company Directors – Foundations of Directorship Course

Jim Brooks

Jim joined REDHS Board on 1 July 2019. Jim is a lawyer with over 30 years’ experience who managed his own legal practice, regional offices of the National Native Title Tribunal, the Anti-Discrimination Commission, the Cape York Land Council and the national Stolen Children Inquiry.  He is an accredited mediation specialist, a farm debt mediator and a member of the Land Court’s mediation panel. 

Jim has experience as Chair and member of several Boards and the Thancoupie Scholarship Fund and works with DJAARA.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 1 July 2019

Qualifications: LLB

Current role: Lawyer/Manager

Anne-Marie Kelly

Anne-Marie joined the Board on 1 July 2023 and works as the Senior Health Promotion Manager (Loddon Mallee) at the Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (CERSH), University of Melbourne and a Strategy, Planning and Analysis Senior Advisor at Bendigo Community Health Services. Anne-Marie lives just outside of Bendigo and has the privilege of working across Victoria, loving the strong sense of community and sense of belonging that comes with rural and regional areas, and can often be found by the river fishing and camping with her partner or hanging with their two dogs.

Anne-Marie is deeply passionate about rural and regional healthcare services, and strongly believes
every individual, regardless of their geographical location deserves equal opportunities to experience positive health and wellbeing. Having a strong interest in strategy and planning, Anne-Marie is honoured to be involved in strategic planning, policy development, and decision-making processes to the improvement of healthcare services for rural Victorians.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 1 July 2023

Qualifications: Master of Business Administration, Graduate Certificate of Commerce, Graduate – Australian Institute of Company Directors, Bachelor Health Science

Melissa Silk

Melissa joined the Board on 1 July 2024 and is the co-founder of Adapted Consulting leadership and personal coaching service. Melissa has over 25 years of experience in the public health sector and has held various management and leadership roles including Manager of Social work; Aboriginal health; Cultural diversity and Interpreting services. Melissa is also on the Board for Women’s Health Loddon Mallee.

Melissa has a strong belief in the importance of accessible health care and supports and has long been a steadfast advocate for ensuring that regional townships have the resources they need to thrive, and is looking forward to collaborating with dedicated health professionals and fellow Board members to strengthen REDHS as a cornerstone of our community’s health and wellbeing.

As a dedicated mother of two and supported by a loving husband, Melissa balance’s family life, work and and active lifestyle, being an avid hiker who finds joy in exploring nature’s beauty, often accompanied by her dear hiking friends.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 1 July 2024

Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Sociology), Bachelor of Social Work, Diploma Business Management, GALLOP Strengths Leadership Coach

Current role: Co-founder of Adapted Consulting leadership and personal coaching service, Board Director Women’s Health Loddon Mallee