Meet our Board Members

CHAIR

Angela has recently moved to Mildura from South Australia.

She has a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Australia and completed the Company Directors Course.

Angela has held a number of different senior leadership positions, within the South Australian public sector including human resources, operations and corporate services. She has also been a Board Director and Deputy Chair on a Not for profit board for 5 years.

Angela has a strong passion to give back to the community and improve outcomes in our community.

DEPUTY CHAIR

Linda has lived in Mildura for nearly 30 years, following a moving around Australia as child. She graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 1995 from University of South Australia and has had extensive experience as a Clinician and Manager in community, public and private health care sectors.

Linda has a passion for health care equity and prevention, with post graduate qualifications including a Master’s in Public Health, Diploma in Management, Graduate Diploma of Hazard Management and Certificate in Ergonomics.

Linda enjoys contributing to the local community through actively committing to school advisory committees and a local soup kitchen for many years.

BOARD MEMBER

Married with two adult daughters, Neale has been owner/manager of his family orchard since 1995, after commencing work full-time in partnership with his parents in 1983. Almost 10 years later, in 1992, their dried fruit block was converted to almonds. In 2002, Neale established a contract almond harvesting business and in 2006, they were approached by a company based in the USA that manufactures nut harvesting equipment to become their Australian spare parts agency.

This has now grown to incorporate a machinery repair service where the business now supports three companies based in the USA. The business employs five service mechanics as well as three administration staff and a store man.

BOARD MEMBER

Graeme is married with three grown up sons. Graeme lives locally and has been very involved in local education and sporting clubs for a number of years.

Graeme was the President of Merbein Primary School and Merbein Secondary College for over 17 years and Vice President of the amalgamated P-10 College. Graeme has been the owner of a local electrical business for over 35 years, has a Diploma in Teaching and is also an electrical instructor at SuniTAFE.

Graeme is currently the President of Merbein Cemetery Trust and is still involved on the school council at Mildura Senior College and continues to be community minded.

BOARD MEMBER

Phil has over 30 years’ experience in the water sector, working with water utilities and other organisations in Australia and overseas. His career includes senior Executive roles and Board positions.

Phil is currently working as a consultant, he was previously CEO of Murray Irrigation and before that Managing Director of Lower Murray Water in Mildura.

Phil has experience in management, strategy, culture change and stakeholder management. In each of his roles Phil has invested much effort inbuilding and collaborative culture between organisations to build better outcomes.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The Board of Directors of Rural Care Australia are delighted to announce that Gerard José has been appointed as our Chief Executive Officer as from 5 December 2023.  Gerard is excited to step into the role on a permanent basis and is looking forward to working with the Board and staff in shaping the future of Chaffey Aged Care and Generations Early Learning in the coming years. He is also keen to work with the residents and committee that is supporting the Bingarra Residential Units in Merbein.

With his appointment as CEO, Gerard brings his significant senior management experience from his extensive career in local government and community healthcare.  This experience includes the last 16 years at CEO level.  Gerard recently concluded his time as CEO with Bendigo Community Health Services and brings the knowledge of healthcare with him to this role.

Many in the Mildura region will remember Gerard from his previous position as the CEO of Mildura Rural City Council from 2014 to 2019.  He is delighted to have been able to return to the district that he grew to love in his last stint here.

As CEO, Gerard is responsible for the implementation of Board decisions; providing strategic advice to Board Directors; working with the Board on the Strategic Plan and the day-to-day leadership and management of all RCA services and activities.

Gerard has four children and two grandchildren, and shares his home with his adopted Greyhound Sandi.    Outside of RCA he is a Board Member of Haven Home Safe; and he has also recently joined the Board of Rural Financial Counselling Service. He is a tragic Collingwood Football supporter, enjoys woodworking, reading, writing, social research and watching most sports.