Board chair
Joined Board of Directors in August 2016
She has been heavily involved in supporting the not-for-profit and community sector. Past appointments, advisory board member of the Curtin University School of Economics and Finance, director of Foundation Housing Ltd (Perth WA), committee for the Supported Accommodation Group and chair of the LeadOn Bendigo Youth Driving Program. Vicki is currently a director of the Bendigo Art Gallery, a board member of The Ulumbarra Foundation and a Trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria(NGV). She is also a committee member of the White Ribbon Foundation in Bendigo, a member of the NGV Audit and Compliance Committee and Victorian Foundation for living Artists Committee. Outside of this Vicki spends time with family and friends and looking after her two young Grandsons.
Joined Board of Directors in May 2017
Katie is a founding director of ESE Consulting, a Recruitment, Human Resource and Training company based in Bendigo. She holds a degree in Business and has qualifications as a MBTI and DISC Facilitator and is a qualified OH&S Supervisor. Katie is also a Director of The Discovery Centre and is passionate about contributing in the not-for-profit sector. Katie is very excited about being involved in BCHS’s future direction, to continue to assist in improving people’s health and the disparity within our community.
Board member
A highly passionate, community focused, technology and sport enthusiast who wants to make a difference. Throughout my career I have managed and been involved with a number of key projects across several varied industries including Information Technology, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Banking and Finance, Telecommunications and Health. As well as my working history, I'm also currently a Director of the Bendigo Business Council as well as a shareholder in Bendigo Community Ventures. Specialities: Business Analysis, Project Management, Release Management, Technology, Marketing, Community Engagement, Corporate Strategy. Board member
Joined Board of Directors in November 2020
Board member
Joined Board of Directors in November 2020
As a strong marketing and management professional, Mark brings a deep experience in developing and delivering projects, policy, maintaining good governance and managing large budgets and teams. He has honed this through experience in government, the private sector, and in my personal capacity with various charities.
Mark has served as a senior Australian diplomat in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and India, and led teams across six posts in places with difficult operating environments. These operating environments required discretion, hard work, and a high level of personal integrity, conviction, and expertise in working with diverse communities. Board member
Joined Board of Directors in April 2021
With an extensive background in healthcare I am aware of the challenges faced across the sector and am committed to assisting Bendigo Community Health Services achieve their vision of better health and wellbeing across generations. I have a young family and therefore a keen interest in developing the local community. Commencing my work life as a physiotherapist I have held a range of roles in private practice, hospitals and sporting teams before entering the Aged Care sector. Through this role I transitioned into a more operational focus around business development and staff management/support. Over time I have also gained experience in occupational rehabilitation as well as educating in the health finance sector. I believe I bring a diverse experience both from a clinical and business perspective and I am excited by the prospect of being involved and contributing to the fantastic work already being completed at Bendigo Community Health Services.
Joined Board of Directors in November 2021
Lauren possesses a wide range of skills gained from a variety of senior roles within broadcast media, finance, corporate affairs and health and community services.
Acknowledged by her peers as a strategic thinker with solid experience in governance, risk management and community development, Lauren has held a variety of board positions including Remembrance Parks Central Victoria, Community Sector Banking, Community 21 and Bendigo TAFE.
Lauren is currently the General Manager for the Community Bank National Council, acting on behalf of the Community Bank network in partnership with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. Council to manage the interests of Community Bank directors and independent community enterprises, united by the common goal of giving back to local communities.
Lauren prides herself on being an active listener, always open to new ideas and solutions and puts people at the heart of decision-making. She is also a skilled communicator, event manager and fundraiser with strong community connections and networks.
Vicki Pearce
Katie Johnson
Melanie Eddy
Josh Pell
Danielle Couch
Abhishek Awasthi
Mark Morley
Michael Carney
Lauren Bean
Board of Directors
Board member
Board member
Joined Board of Directors on January 29, 2019
Melanie Eddy has joined the Bendigo Community Health Services Board of Directors.
The director at Tyndall Eddy Partners accounting firm in Bendigo has joined the board to further passions around equality, social justice, family, health and wellbeing.
“The health, both physical and mental, of myself and my family has always been very important to me. Because of this I have always placed a high priority on putting effort into preventative health and wellbeing measures," Melanie said.
"This includes utilising local health services, participating and being involved in local sporting communities, creating and fostering relationships within our school community and implementing healthy eating habits.
"I have also always had a strong sense of social justice in the past.
"I have tried to work out a way to utilise my finance expertise to help those that need it most.
"Being a BCHS Board Director is a perfect way for me to act on my belief in equality for all by using my finance experience and also my passion for health and wellbeing.”
Board member
Joined Board of Directors on November 26, 2019
Danielle Couch is a Public Health Researcher who brings a strong interest in public and rural health, media, health workforce, communities and social models of healthcare.
She is excited about getting involved in BCHS with its social model of health and focus on providing accessible, quality health and social services.
Danielle holds a Master of Public Health and a PhD in public health with her work recognised by the inaugural Violet Vines Marshman Postdoctoral Fellow in Rural Health at La Trobe University in Bendigo.
She has an extensive history working in population health, health promotion and primary prevention with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, funding and commissioning organisations, digital health and peak consumer health bodies.
Danielle has worked with Murray PHN, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative and Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group.
She is an Associate Editor with the Journal of Bioethical Inquiry and a member of the Public Health Association of Australia and The Australian Sociological Association.
Board member
