About us Who's who Patron & Board Patron and Board Patron Raelene Boyle AM, MBE Patron Board Michelle McGrath Chair Michelle has worked in the not for profit sector for over 25 years including 14 years as CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia ACT. During that time, Michelle participated in a range of advisory committees at the Commonwealth and State/Territory level. Michelle’s work with people with dementia, their families and carers was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2011. In 2010 Michelle and her husband moved to the USA, during the two years they lived there Michelle became an active volunteer with a local charity which supported people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and fund raised for research into metastatic breast cancer research. Michelle was a long-distance carer for her father, mother and grandfather who all had a diagnosis of cancer. Michelle and her husband Alan moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2013. Through the Old Post Office they were directed to Bloomhill. Michelle and Alan participated in the Bloomhill Volunteers program, Alan is a volunteer driver for Bloomhill. Michelle is currently an independent director of War Widows Qld. “Bloomhill is a haven of peace and support for people with a diagnosis of cancer and their families. As Bloomhill grows to meet the ever increasing needs of our community we must ensure that our services adapt while maintaining the support and professionalism that every person who walks through the door of Bloomhill deserves.” Michael Wise Treasurer His background in banking, business consulting and on community boards makes Michael Wise a valued member of Bloomhill’s board of directors. Michael spent most of his working life in senior management with Westpac in Tasmania and Victoria. In semi-retirement he worked as a business consultant with a community-based organisation in Mandurah, WA. When he fully retired in 2011 Michael moved to Buderim. He has worked on community boards such as a small business advice organisation, Chamber of Commerce, a 700-seat performing arts centre, a community-based disability services employment agency and community-based funding source agency, mainly as treasurer. A keen bowler he was Mandurah Club vice-president before moving to the Coast where he joined the Mooloolaba Club and was elected to the Board of Management as Secretary in April 2012 and Treasurer in 2013. Michael has been with Bloomhill as a board member and treasurer. His proven banking and business acumen are essential as Bloomhill plans for future financial sustainability and continuation of its services to cancer survivors their family and carers. Jason Hope Director I am fortunate to call myself a cancer survivor. I was given a very short period of time to live back in 2011, and it was only through finding a cancer support association similar to Bloomhill that I was able to inform myself of the different ways to heal and the options I had. I am now in full remission and have committed to help in any way shape or form, fellow cancer survivor's and their support team. I was lucky enough to be elected onto that association’s board and served there for three years as we pulled the organisation out of financial hardship into a more stable and financially secure group. Bloomhill offers so much to both cancer sufferers and their partners that I feel passionate about wanting to ensure that the group can continue to offer its existing services and as it becomes more financially secure look at further expanding its service offering. Jason was appointed as a Director on the Bloomhill Board in February 2019 and is Chair of the Business Development Sub-committee. His previous work with a cancer support association and his understanding of the needs of cancer sufferers, their family and close ones make him an ideal board member. Lisa Willson Director A strong background in occupational health and safety and law mean Lisa brings essential skills to the Bloomhill Board. A Director of Bloomhill since October 2018 and a member of the Governance and Risk Sub-committee Lisa has demonstrated a strong commitment to Bloomhill. Lisa is a Nationally Accredited Mediator, through the Resolution Institute. Currently, Lisa’s work includes appearing as Counsel in workplace health and safety matters, actions under the Fair Work Act, discrimination matters including sexual harassment, civil claims including personal injury, disciplinary tribunal and general matters in the Magistrates Court (Qld) and the Federal Circuit Court. Lisa is a member of the professional advisory panel at University of Queensland for the Bachelor of Occupational Health and Safety Science Program and holds the honorary position of Adjunct Associate Professor within the school. Lisa was Deputy Chair of the Board of the Brisbane Montessori School from 2010 – 2015. She has held executive positions on the Management Committee of the Safety Institute of Australia (Qld Division), Qld Education Committee 2000 – 2006 and State SIA Conference Organiser 2002 and 2006. She is a previous Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) and of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Lisa started at the private Bar in February 2008 and has completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Health and Safety). A Barrister-at-Law in Brisbane she has a property at Marcus Beach on the Sunshine Coast. Jon Holmes Director As project director for the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion Jonathon is committed to the Sunshine Coast community and its future. A civil engineer, he has many years’ experience in the construction industry working on complex and challenging projects. He has also held executive roles in both the John Holland Group and Decmil Australia - an ASX200 company where he held the role of Executive General Manager for the construction business with an average annual turnover of $600M. He is also currently an advisory board member for Cook Brothers Construction, a mid-tier national building company based in New Zealand. Jon is comfortable leading large, high-performing teams in complex environments, setting strategic direction, driving the culture and performance required for teams to achieve safety, quality and environmental targets, developing and maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships. He is also adept at HR and IR management, resourcing large-scale complex projects and the timely resolution of issues in line with project objectives. Jon is excited about the opportunity of being on the Board of Bloomhill Cancer Care and being able to support the organization with the skills and knowledge he has developed over his working career. Nicky Jardine Director Passionate about the health industry and her home region, Nicky looks forward to making a difference at Bloomhill, an organisation she knows is important on the Coast. Originally from the UK, Nicky arrived in Australia in 1987 and has lived on the Sunshine Coast for 25 years. Since 1987 she has worked in the health industry in administration and management primarily in general practice, allied health and specialist roles including plastic surgery and ears, nose and throat surgery. Nicky won the Sunshine Coast Outstanding Business Person of the Year in 2009 and The Australian Institute of Management Medal for Outstanding Management and Leadership in 2008. The medical centre she managed in 2009 won Sunshine Coast Business of the Year 2009 and was awarded RACGP Practice of the Year 2009. Three other practices she has managed have been nominated for RACGP Practice of the Year. For the past ten years Nicky has operated her own business primarily working with general practice setting up and managing medical centres all over Australia. She is often asked to provide presentations for Primary Health Networks and managers’ workshops. Nicky holds a Bachelor of Health, Aged Care and Community Services, Diplomas in Medical Management as well as certificates in training and assessment. Adrian McCallum Director Dr Adrian McCallum has led a life of adventure and exploration around the globe as an expert in remote area science and engineering. Closer to home he has served as Discipline Leader for both Science and Civil Engineering at the University of the Sunshine Coast and currently manages courses in soil mechanics, geotechnical engineering and climate change adaptation.He holds a PhD from the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge and degrees in oceanography, meteorology and civil engineering. In 2002 he was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal for his stewardship of the 2001 Australian Army Centenary Everest Expedition. He is a Menzies Scholar and previous Director of the Menzies Foundation, a non-profit, non-political organisation created to promote excellence in health research, scholarship and postgraduate study by Australians. During twenty years’ service across the Australian Defence Forces he served as helicopter navigator, meteorologist and civil engineer and has led or participated in scientific expeditions around the globe. He orchestrated Sir Ranulph Fiennes' ground-breaking 2013 winter Transantarctic expedition and owns a company specialising in remote area science and engineering.More recently he has been instrumental in business development roles, particularly on the Sunshine Coast, working with internal and external stakeholders to maximise collaborative business and research opportunities. He is an empowering and gregarious communicator who readily forges valuable partnerships. Steve Prasser Director Steve Prasser specialises in growing businesses through the development and implementation of sound commercial strategies. His experience in executive roles spans business development, domestic and international tourism, commercial strategy, infrastructure project management, contract negotiation, events management and marketing. Steve currently provides consulting services to airports in Australia and abroad. In his two years at Sunshine Coast Airport, Steve developed and implemented strategies that made it the fastest-growing airport in Australia, increased revenue-per-passenger by more than 40%, and made significant progress in securing international services for commencement once the new runway is completed in 2020. This follows his time in North Queensland Airports in 2013 and his 2015 role as Director of Commercial and Aviation Development with Northern Territory Airports. In this role he was accountable for around 90% of group revenue, spanning aeronautical revenue, retail and commercial, ground transport and advertising media. Steve holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Griffith University, a Master of Commercial Law and an MBA from Deakin University, and a Diploma of Project Management from the Australian Institute of Management. A proud local “well, a Gympie boy anyway”, Steve lives in Buderim with his wife and their three daughters. Lawson Katiza Director The skills Lawson developed during twenty years international experience in the building, construction and property development industries will be of great assistance in energising Bloomhill’s expansion and development aspirations. His networks in Local and State Governments can benefit Bloomhill in expanding its strategic focus and brand to a more tactical audience better positioned to deliver on the organisation’s aspirations. Lawson is an Associate Director of the Project Management division of Savills, a global integrated property solutions company and is a member of its senior management team in the Savills Queensland office. His experience is underpinned by qualifications across architecture (UNSW), property development and valuations (UTS) and engineering (C&G Institute of London) disciplines. Lawson specialises in developing property strategy, major project business cases, highest-and-best-use feasibility analyses for social infrastructure as well as private commercial infrastructure. He is an expert in connecting commercial, research and educational expectations from both supply and demand. Industry awards span innovation, architectural design, construction, thought leadership and project delivery. Lawson’s thought leadership has been published in industry journals and he has been invited to present at various global forums and industry workshops. Lawson and his family swapped the city life for part-time hobby farming in the Sunshine Coast hinterland and enjoy the community lifestyle and opportunities that the region provides. Dr Kiran Varma Director With a passion for all areas of General Practice, Dr Varma has a keen interest in complex cases, chronic pain, mental, women’s health and lifestyle medicine. Currently, he’s pursuing his Fellowship in Metabolic Medicine through the Metabolic Medicine Institute and if that’s not enough, he is also completing a Masters in Integrative Medicine through George Washington University. Dr Varma also has university accredited Advanced Certificates in Aesthetic Medicine. The health of the wider community and primary healthcare delivery models are also a strong focus for Dr Varma together with promoting dynamic, progressive and supportive workplaces. Dr Varma brings a wealth of experience as our newest board member for Bloomhill Cancer Center where he advises on a clinical level. He has also partnered with The Cannabis Center and established the only Medicinal Cannabis Center here on the Sunshine Coast and currently the Clinical adviser for Pharmacann Global. His favourite saying is, “Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Memberships Society of Cannabis Clinicians Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine Australian & North American Menopause Societies Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Cosmetic Physicians College of Australasia.