WA community benefits from new Healthway era

5/09/2016 

• New Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation Act
• New board with broad experience to guide revitalised Healthway 

Health promotion in Western Australia has marked a significant milestone with new legislation enacted to govern Healthway and the appointment of a new board to lead the organisation.

Health Minister John Day said the Liberal National Government's Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation Act 2016 removed Healthway's governance from within an Act relating to tobacco control, establishing it under its own legislation. 

"The community will welcome the modernisation of Healthway.  One of the key changes is the appointment of board members based on the best mix of expertise and experience required for successful health promotion activities across the State," Mr Day said.

The seven-member board will be chaired by Professor Bryant Stokes AM, as Presiding Member.

"Professor Stokes is renowned for the dedication and knowledge he has brought to his various leadership roles across the Western Australian health sector," the Minister said.

"This includes his recent work as chairman of Healthway's interim board whose stewardship has been vital throughout the transition to the new legislative and governance arrangements."

Fiona Kalaf has been appointed the new board's Deputy Presiding Member and will be joined by board members Nathan Giles, Steve Harris, Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, Dr Roslyn Carbon and Ricky Burges.

"The new legislation and board reflects Healthway's evolution and importance, especially in the face of rising health care costs," Mr Day said.

"We're aiming for a win-win, with health promotion not only improving the quality of people's lives but also helping reduce pressure on the health system.

"I congratulate the board members on their appointment and thank the interim board for their invaluable contribution during this period of transformation."

Fact File

• Healthway's role is to promote and facilitate good health and activities that encourage healthy lifestyles
• Healthway received an appropriation of $23.03 million in the 2016-17 State Budget
• The new board was appointed by the Minister for Health in accordance with the provisions of the new Act
• Expressions of interest were advertised in May 2016, attracting more than 170 registrations
• For more information, visit http://www.healthway.wa.gov.au 

Minister's office - 6552 6200

HEALTHWAY BOARD MEMBERS

Professor Bryant Stokes AM, Presiding Member
Professor Stokes was Acting Director General of the Department of Health from 2013 to 2015, and was previously Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health.  A long-standing member of the WA Board of the Medical Board of Australia, Professor Stokes is currently Chair of the North Metropolitan Health Service Board, an Emeritus Consultant Neurosurgeon and a Fellow and member of numerous medical organisations.  He has performed a variety of government health sector advisory roles.

Ms Fiona Kalaf, Deputy Presiding Member
Ms Kalaf is the Chief Executive Officer at Youth Focus Inc, and was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline WA.  With experience as former Chair of the Board of the Art Gallery of WA and a current member of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, she also has a strong background in brand strategy and implementation, business planning, performance and improvement.

Mr Nathan Giles
Mr Giles is the Executive Director, Perth Public Art Foundation, and a member of a number of arts organisations including the Chamber of Arts and Culture (WA), the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Turner Galleries Art Angels, an ART1000 Member of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and is a current Board Member of the Murdoch University Art Collection.  His background includes human resource management, communications, public relations, fundraising and arts administration.

Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin
Adjunct Professor Slevin is the Director of Education and Research at the Cancer Council WA.  He is an Adjunct Professor, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology at Curtin University, and a Fellow of the Public Health Association of Australia.  His background includes campaign management for the Alcohol Advisory Council WA and Quit for Life campaign in NSW.  He also chairs several national committees for the Cancer Council Australia.

Mr Steve Harris
Mr Harris is Chair and CEO of the Brand Agency, where he has held senior roles since 1997. He is the current President of the Fremantle Dockers and a Director at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.  His background includes oversight of major marketing, advertising, sponsorship and research investments.

Dr Roslyn Carbon
Dr Carbon trained as a General Practitioner prior to specialising as a Sports and Exercise Physician.  She is a Commissioner at the Combat Sports Commission and has a background in consultant clinical services for athletes and the general public.  She was National Medical Director at the English Institute of Sport and Director Health Services at the WA Department of Corrective Services.  She has extensive experience preparing teams for six summer and winter Olympic Games and was part of the management team for synchronised swimming in Campaign Rio 2016.  Dr Carbon also has extensive board experience in sporting and health sectors.

Ms Ricky Burges
Ms Burges is the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Local Government Association.  Her background includes positions as Director General of the Department of Culture and the Arts, Chief Executive of Perth Zoo, and a Director of the WA Tourism Commission.  Ms Burges has extensive experience in leadership and governance roles, including as a member of the interim board that governed Healthway through its transition to new legislation.