Our Board of Directors

Our Board consists of volunteers with targeted professional skills and experience who oversee the governance structures of mecwacare. The Board works with the Chief Executive to ensure responsibility for mecwacare’s financial performance, strategic priorities, and quality of care and services.

Ian McHutchison OAM Chairman

Ian is Chairman of the mecwacare Board and a member of the Chief Executive Review Committee and Finance and Audit Committee. He is Chair of Unison Housing Limited and the Eva Tilley Memorial Home and is a Director of The Barnett Foundation.  Appointed 2013.

Colin Squires Treasurer

Colin is the Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee and a member of the Chief Executive Committee. He began his career as a civil engineer and, after gaining his MBA in England, returned to Australia to pursue a career in the corporate finance sector. Colin worked at Macquarie Bank, Citi National and UBS, where he was a director. Since retiring, Colin has been a director of several companies, including Chairman of Oliver J. Nilsen. He has also been significantly involved in the governance of Lauriston Girls' School in Armadale. Appointed 2008.

Susan Barton AM

Susan is a member of the Clinical and Service Governance Committee. She is the founder and director of the Lighthouse Foundation and was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll for Women in 2012. Susan has more than 30 years' experience in the not-for-profit sector. She is co-author of Build Your Teenager’s Self-Esteem and Therapeutic Residential Care for Children and Young People. Appointed 2005.

Susan Calwell

Susan is a member of the Clinical and Service Governance Committee. She is a published author, company director and Australia Day Ambassador. Appointed 2000.

Anne Court AM

Anne is a member of the Clinical and Service Governance Committee and former Chair of East African Coffee Plantations Limited, former Director of Blueline Industries and former President of Women’s Golf Victoria. Anne studied at the Melbourne University Conservatorium where she attained a Diploma in Music and shows a strong interest and support in the fundraising activities of mecwacare. Appointed 2007.

Rachel Au

Rachel is a member of the Finance and Audit Committee and has over 15 years of experience in business strategy, transformation and improvement roles, including a current position with Telstra and previous roles with Australia Post and National Australia Bank. She brings a wealth of commercial knowledge and expertise to the governance of mecwacare. Appointed 2017.

Lachlan Cameron

Lachlan is a member of the Clinical and Services Governance Committee. He brings a wealth of experience in business and business transformation having spent the past 35 years working in the property management, property development and investment management sector across Australia, the USA, Asia and Europe. Lachlan is familiar with the Home Services Sector having co-owned a business that serviced the East Coast of Australia. He is also an expert on maximising human potential and happiness. Appointed 2022.

Dr Linden Smibert

Linden is a general practitioner with many years of clinical, strategic and governance experience. She owned and operated her own medical practice for many years and simultaneously chaired a number of boards including General Practice Victoria, Networking Health Victoria and Inner East Medicare Local. Linden was a director of Vincentcare Victoria, which at the time operated numerous aged care homes throughout Victoria. She is currently a Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Rob Hand

Rob commenced his career in funds management in 1989, working at the National Australia Bank (NAB) for 15 years. During this time, he completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of Melbourne. Following his time at NAB, he was a director at K2 Asset Management for 12 years and a further 6 years as non-executive director. Rob currently runs his own funds management company. He is a board member of the Scotch College Foundation and an advisor to Scotch College's Investment Committee. He is also an advisor to Tennis Australia’s Investment Committee. Appointed 2023.

Our Life Governors

Life governorship is awarded to people who have made an extraordinary contribution to mecwacare.

Our Life Governors are:

  • Robin Syme AM

    Current

  • Barry Fenton

    Current

  • John Hood

    Current

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