Our Staff

We employ over 40 staff (which equates to 17.4 full time equivalents), in various areas of the organisation.

Our Volunteers

Volunteers are involved in all areas of Hospice and contribute to every service we provide.  In addition to practical assistance in the Guest Wing, volunteers work in the office and reception areas, fundraising, kitchen, and in the maintenance of the building and grounds.

Board of Directors

The elected Directors come from a diverse range of professional and community backgrounds, and have a hands on approach to ensuring that Hospice provides a centre of excellence for terminally ill people, their families and bereaved members of the community.

Melinda Parcell
Director, Chair

A Health Care Executive, Virtual Health Transformation Specialist, with 30 years of experience in nursing and midwifery. Is passionate about healthcare and the provision of clinical services that are consumer focused. Has served on several health service and community not-for-profit Boards and committees in the local region.

Pat Evatt OAM
Director

Worked as a psychologist in the disability sector before moving into the corporate sector where she specialised in organisational psychology. Pat was Director of Livingstones Australia for over 15 years and has held numerous Board positions in a variety of organisations, including the West Moreton Hospital & Health Services Board of which she is a current serving member.

Gary Gilchrist
Director, Vice Chair

Grew up in Ipswich and began working life in Ipswich City Council as a Cadet Civil Draftsman. Forty year involvement in the sport of Volleyball holding numerous Board positions at both state and national level. Forty plus year history of volunteer involvement with various community groups. Currently working for Urban Utilities in a customer facing role.

Dr. Rob Illingworth
Director

A General Practitioner and Musculoskeletal Medicine Practitioner in Ipswich as well as a Visiting Medical Officer for Ipswich Hospice. Takes an active role in the medical community.

Rosie Laidlaw
Director

Has over 50 years in healthcare from two states in Australia. Rosie came to Queensland in 1995 and worked at Ipswich Hospital for 18 years in Nursing Services. She has a broad and diverse clinical background with specialties in cardiac, intensive care and studies in palliative care. Has travelled widely with health including being part of a World Health team. In the later years of her career, introduced Advance Care Planning into the health arena in Queensland.

Pam Lane
Director

Was the District CEO of the Darling Downs West Moreton Health Service District and held senior leadership positions within the public health system for 17 years. Pam has a clinical background in Nursing and Midwifery and a commitment to the continuous improvement of the quality of health services.

Lynda Maybanks
Director

Lynda has over 8 years’ experience in both Aboriginal Community Controlled and the public health sector, in public policy and program management roles. Lynda also has over 12 years’ experience in various community governance roles in Ipswich, as a Traditional Custodian of the Yugara peoples. Lynda now runs a family business in conservation and land management and a First Nations health community engagement consultancy where she continues to advocate for the First Nations voice in the health sector.

Gerard Pender
Director

Is a partner in the region’s largest legal firm, Walker Pender Group, and has been actively involved in community affairs for many years, participating in numerous community organisations. He is a former Councillor with the Ipswich City Council and has been the President of the Rotary Club of Ipswich North. He has a passion for and strong interest in community affairs in the Ipswich region.

Paul Saba
Director / Treasurer

Retired from a career in public accounting that spanned almost 35 years. Commencing as an employee in local and Brisbane based firms before commencing as a sole practitioner in the Ipswich area and then merging his practice with RW Ramsey & Co where he became a practicing partner for approximately 17 years. Paul brings business and accounting knowledge together with an ethic of service to the community.

Dr. Mark Waters
Director

Over 30 years’ experience in both public and private health sector management, including various positions at Ipswich General Hospital. Mark and his family lived in Ipswich for 18 very enjoyable years during which time he was involved with the community through both schools and sporting organisations.

Management

René Adams
Chief Executive Officer / Director of Nursing

Tyson Walker
Business Manager

Our Medical Team

Dr Ross Cruikshank

Dr. Ross Cruikshank
Palliative Care Physician

Dr Jason Dawson

Dr. Jason Dawson

Dr Tu Huynh

Dr. Tu Huynh

Dr. Rob Illingworth

Dr. Scott Kirton

Dr. Nyree Swan

Dr. Geoff Mitchell

Dr. Evie Rank