About Us

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 CEO of the North Central Catchment Management Authority and 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

Chris White

Chris has been on the REDHS Board since 2018, and was REDHS Board chair between 2023 – 2026. Chris continues to Chair REDHS Medical Credentialing and Scope of Practice committee.

A former Rochester local, and with extended family residing in Rochester, Chris 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

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 worked with DJAARA.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 1 July 2019

Anne-Marie Kelly

Anne-Marie joined the Board on 1 July 2023 and since February 2026 is the Chair of REDHS Community and Consumer Advisory Committee. Anne-Marie works as the Senior Health Promotion Manager (Loddon Mallee) at the Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (CERSH), University of Melbourne and was 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

Melissa Silk

Melissa joined the Board on 1 July 2024 and since February 2026 is the Chair of REDHS Clinical Governance Committee. Melissa 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

Jenna Matthews

Jenna joined the REDHS Board in March 2025 and from February 2026 is the Chair of REDHS Corporate Governance Committee. Jenna, originally from Queensland, has a finance background, working previously in the dairy industry, now lives in Bendigo working at the City of Greater Bendigo as their Team Leader Rates and Revenue.

Jenna is looking forward to being able to use her financial knowledge to help assist and create a positive outlook for the community and their healthcare system.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 12 March 2025

Narelle Lindsay

Narelle, originally from Red Cliffs, also has a finance background, working previously in the water industry. Narelle now resides in Rochester, working as the Head of Service and Business Development at Foodmach.

Narelle, with her local knowledge, understands that regional areas like ours rely so much on local services, and is looking forward to contributing in a meaningful way to the strategic objectives of REDHS ensuring that REDHS services continue to thrive.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 12 March 2025

Colleen Petrie

I am honoured to join the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service Board. I currently live in Bendigo with my family, and we frequently stop/travel through Elmore and Rochester on our way to visit family in rural New South Wales. I am excited about the opportunity to work with the Board, Executive team, and the Rochester and Elmore communities.

As a Registered Nurse with 23 years of experience across acute, sub-acute, critical care, and community health settings, I have developed a broad understanding of healthcare delivery and community needs. Currently employed as the Manager of Community Nursing at Bendigo Health. My nursing background also includes education, quality improvement and leadership/management roles, enabling me to support high-quality care, workforce development, and service improvement.

My educator roles provided opportunities to work across the Loddon Mallee region, giving me an appreciation of the unique strengths, challenges, and healthcare needs of rural and regional communities. The resilience demonstrated by REDHS and the wider community during and following the 2022 floods highlighted the strength of local partnerships, community spirit, and a shared commitment to supporting one another in times of adversity. I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to the community and support innovative, forward-thinking approaches that strengthen healthcare services and deliver positive outcomes.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 1 July 2026

Jane Reid

Jane Reid is the Executive Officer of Campaspe Cohuna Local Learning and Employment Network (CCLLEN), where she leads partnerships and initiatives that support stronger outcomes for young people and communities across the Campaspe region.

Born and raised in Rochester, Jane has a strong connection to the local community and a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing rural Victoria. Her career has spanned education, workforce development, community services and health, including previous roles at Echuca Regional Health in community engagement, fundraising, volunteer management and executive support. She also brings experience in governance, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and organisational leadership.

Jane currently serves as a Director of Committee for Echuca Moama and is passionate about supporting strong, sustainable local services that contribute to the health, wellbeing and resilience of rural communities.

Date appointed to the REDHS Board – 1 July 2026