Our People.
The volunteers at Anam Cara House Geelong are our gold. From all walks of life, they fulfil many roles including Office & Administration, Day and Overnight Palliative Care, Housekeeping, End-of-life Care and Transport.
Anam Cara House Geelong is governed by the voluntary Board of Directors, drawn from the ranks of Geelong's professional associations.
The large volunteer base at Anam Cara House Geelong complement the Directors and professional staff by undertaking a wide range of duties – from general administration and housekeeping to fundraising and companionship for guests. The Board provides legal, financial and marketing expertise to lead our not-for-profit organisation in the fulfilment of its mission, and our professional staff provide excellence in administrative support and person-centred palliative care.
The focus of person-centred palliative care is on quality of life, symptom management and comfort.
- Board of Directors
- Executive Team
- Our Staff
- Our Volunteers
Diana Taylor
Board Chair
Diana has over 25 years’ experience as a lawyer, director, business owner and consultant.
Diana completed her law degree at Deakin University and now operates her own business, Diana Taylor Legal Consulting, specialising in workplace relations, training, sport, strategic planning and governance.
Diana has over 22 years’ experience in Australian Rules Football administration. Diana became the first female president of a men’s AFL metropolitan football league, the Western Region Football League, and was the first woman appointed to the VFL Tribunal. In 2010, Diana became a director of the Geelong Football Club and in December 2019 was appointed as the Club’s Vice President.
Diana also has extensive board experience and is the chair of the Geelong Authority. Diana is also a trustee on the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust, a Deakin University Law Advisory Board member, a member of the AFLW Competition Committee and trustee at Doutta Galla Aged Services.
Robert Threlfall
Board Deputy Chair
Rob is a highly skilled executive with over 25 years senior experience in finance management, business strategy & planning, governance and sports infrastructure funding and delivery. He founded AQtive Sports Business Consulting in 2015 specialising in expert services to elite and community levels of sport throughout Australia. In 2019, Rob co-founded Elite Sports Philanthropy providing strategic philanthropic advice to Australia’s sporting industry.
Prior to consulting, Rob spent 15 years at the Geelong Football Club as General Manager Finance and Company Secretary.
Rob currently serves on the Boards of two further Geelong community organisations; Geelong Football Club Foundation and Thirteenth Beach Golf Club.
He’s a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has studied at Harvard Business School.
Jennifer Cromarty
Director
Jennifer’s career has included significant policy and program development for local, State and Federal governments and has advised commercial and not for profit organisations on strategic government relations and engagement.
She is the Director of her consultancy tandemVox and is regularly contracted to support organisations to drive change programs and develop projects that create impact. During 2019-2022, she was the CEO of the Committee for Geelong and led advocacy and policy priorities on behalf of members and developed strong, collaborative relationships with government, key stakeholders and community.
As an experienced Board director, she founded not for profit Creative Geelong Inc, and is a member of the Barwon Regional Partnership. In 2013 she was recognised as a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
Dr Frank Scheelings
Director
Dr Frank Scheelings is a Geelong based medical practitioner in private practice. He is a member of the Medicare Local GP Alliance- Palliative Care BSW.
Aaron Shrimpton
Director
Aaron is a lawyer working in the areas of planning, environment and local government at Harwood Andrews. His core area of practice involves advising statutory and private clients in statutory and strategic planning matters, as well as appearing as an advocate before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and Planning Panels Victoria. His particular areas of interest include developer contributions, planning agreements, heritage planning and administrative law.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws (Hons), and a Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies from Deakin University, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law.
Dr Sarah Leach
Director
Registered Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Nursing with Honours, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). MAICD
Experience: Non-Executive Director and Health Advisor with extensive strategic and operational experience in health and community services, clinical and corporate governance, research, and community leadership.
Current Directorships: InLife Independent Living (Disability Service), Active Geelong.
Consultant & Committee Members Roles: Senior Health Advisor to GMHBA; Senior Consultant OMC Group; The Geelong Authority; 10 South Advisory Committee The Geelong Football Club.
Sarah is also an Honorary Adjunct Associate Professor in the Office of the Executive Dean, Faculty of Health at Deakin University.
Jimmy Buck
Director
Jimmy is Chief Advancement Officer at Deakin University with experience leading higher education and medical philanthropy programs. Jimmy is a Regional Council Member and Laureate of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He is also an Advisory Board Member of the Deakin University Community Bank and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Boston University); Master of International Studies (University of Sydney); Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics (Deakin University)
Adrian Hart
Foundation CEO
Barry Fagg
Campaign Chair – New Anam Cara House Geelong, Project.
Bob Gartland
Founding Ambassador – Patron
Adrian Hart
Foundation CEO
Vanessa McColl
Director of Clinical Services
Caroline O'Donnell
Quality, Safety and Risk Manager
Marian Barley
Community Outreach Nurse
Brett Morris
Housekeeping
Richard Lyle
Finance and Operations Manager
Chantelle Hodgson
Philanthropic Fundraising Manager
Jenny Reeves
Financial Administration Officer
Tessa Davis
Day Palliative Care Manager
Rosie White
Training Coordinator
Alana Whitten
Marketing and Community Engagement Manager
Julie Forte
Activities Coordinator
Sue Reyment
Facilities and Administration Coordinator
Claire Walker
Volunteer and Reception Coordinator
Pip Jankowski
People and Culture Coordinator
Our Volunteers
Anam Cara Geelong is reliant on a team of volunteers from all walks of life. The volunteers at Anam Cara Geelong are our GOLD.
Volunteers fulfil many roles, including Office & Administration, Day and Overnight Palliative Care, Housekeeping, End-of-life Care and Transport.
We provide all volunteers with a 12 module training course delivered over 5 weeks; it is a Palliative Care Victoria endorsed training package to equip volunteers with the necessary skills and information required to for their volunteer role at Anam Cara House Geelong. A Certificate of Completion is awarded to each participant.
Please call us Monday to Thursday between 9am and 3pm on (03) 5222 5831 or email v.coordinator@achg.org.au
Having a choice is what the people of Geelong deserve.
Our guests are given dignity and the highest-level of comfort and care when it matters most.
Our Supporters
Anam Cara House Geelong is so thankful to the corporates, trusts and families who contribute financially and/or with their time to our not-for-profit organisation.
To be able to deliver our critical palliative care services now and in the future, we are heavily reliant on support from the people, businesses and organisations of Geelong. There are a range of ways you can support and partner Anam Cara House Geelong including financial gifts, in kind goods or services, volunteering and promotion of our not-for-profit organisation.
Our Supporters
Anam Cara House Geelong is so thankful to the corporates, trusts and families who contribute financially and/or with their time to our not-for-profit organisation.
To be able to deliver our critical palliative care services now and in the future, we are 100% reliant on support from the people, businesses and organisations of Geelong. There are a range of ways you can support and partner Anam Cara House Geelong including financial gifts, in kind goods or services, volunteering and promotion of our not-for-profit organisation.
