Meet our Board Members

CHAIR

Michelle grew up in a small mining town in South Australia and from an early age, she was driven by a desire to help people. Over the years this desire expanded into a passion for social justice and to Michelle pursuing a career in law.

Michelle studied at Flinders University, and upon completing her degree, she was determined to apply her skills and knowledge to support people living in regional communities, who historically, have had less access to quality services. This led her to Mildura, Victoria.

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

As a young child, Zorica migrated from Bosnia to Australia and has lived in the Mildura area since 2007. After completing high school, she moved away to study speech pathology in regional NSW. Since graduating, Zorica has worked in the special education sector and a local early intervention service and since 2017 has spent time developing her private practice.

Through personal and professional experiences, she developed her passion for advocacy for people with complex communication needs and the importance of having a voice. Zorica is a family and community orientated person and has for a long time wanted to extend her contribution to her local community and being part of Rural Care Australia Limited has started this journey.

BOARD MEMBER

Originally from Adelaide, South Australia, and following a 10 year career in higher education, Julia moved to Sunraysia in 2005 to join her life partner, a third generation Merbein dry fruit farmer. This was the start of her love for rural life and strong commitment to community.

Julia’s move to Sunraysia was also the start of a new career in the health industry which lead to more than 15 years senior leadership experience in acute and community health services in both public and private settings. Julia’s proudest career achievement is as Chief Executive Officer of Mildura Base Hospital from 2016-2020 which included major hospital upgrades and service expansion.

With qualifications in accounting and human resources, and a Master of Business Administration, Julia has a passion for strong leadership and continuous improvement.

As a board director, Julia is committed to using her skills and experience to help ensure strong strategic direction, good governance and sound oversight of the organisation she leads.

BOARD MEMBER

Peter is a retired accountant after a career of 39 years in public practice, including the final 20 years as owner and principal of his own accounting firm. He brings to the Board his extensive experience in accounting, taxation and business.

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.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

A Registered Nurse with clinical and business acumen, Darren is well regarded within health and business circles. Darren is the Chief Executive Officer of Rural Care Australia Limited, which operates Chaffey Aged Care, Bingarra Units and Generations Early Learning in the rural town of Merbein located in North West Victoria. Darren is passionate about delivering innovative services that support and empower his community, helping people be at their best.

Darren holds a Masters of Business Administration, Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, Diploma in Management, Bachelor of Nursing, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Darren is highly regarded for his expertise in health, strategic planning, business growth and development, marketing, leadership and governance. Darren is a graduate researcher with LaTrobe University’s John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research and is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Public Health. Darren's research will explore the benefits of an Intergenerational Program for older people in residential aged care and children attending child care in a rural shared site facility.

Darren chairs the LaTrobe University Rural Health School External Advisory Committee and is a Director on Sunraysia Community Health Services board.

Darren is driven by his ambition to build a bright, diverse and successful future for his community through growing social, intellectual and resource capital.