The Victorian Health Minister David Davis has announced the appointment of eight new members to the board of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.

 

The new board will continue to be led by Jane Fenton, who has been Chair of the organisation since 2006 and a Board member since 1999. Two other existing Board members, Peter Gordon and Belinda Duarte have also had their terms extended.

 

Former Victorian MP Mark Birrell has been appointed as the new deputy chairperson. Mr Birrell was the shadow Minister for Health when legislation creating VicHealth was passed in 1987.

 

Other new members are:

  • Professor John Catford, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and (Academic) and Professor of Health Development at Deakin University.
  • Susan Crow, General Manager Community, Melbourne Heart Football Club.
  • Margot Foster, a former athlete representing Australia in rowing at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games
  • Professor Margaret Hamilton, Vice President of the Cancer Council and a Board Member of the Victorian BResearch Consortium
  • Nicole Livingstone, swimming on Network Ten Australia and ONE HD.
  • Professor Mike Morgan Professor Morgan is the Colgate Chair of Population Oral Health, University of Melbourne and Executive Director, Oral Health Leadership, Dental Health Services Victoria.
  • Professor Ruth Rentschler Professor Rentschler is foundation Professor in Arts and Entertainment Management at Deakin University and Director of Deakin University’s External Research Program.

Mr Davis said the appointment of three MPs to take statutory positions on the board will be announced soon.

 

VicHealth is also engaged in an extensive search for a new Chief Executive Officer to replace Todd Harper who earlier this year took up an appointment as the Director of Cancer Council Victoria.

 

The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) was established by the Victorian Parliament under the Tobacco Act 1987 with a mandate to promote good health for all Victorians.

 

VicHealth's role includes:

  • Funding activity related to the promotion of good health, safety or the prevention of disease;
  • Increasing awareness of programs for promoting good health in the community through the sponsorship of sports, the arts and popular culture;
  • Encourage healthy lifestyles in the community and support activities;
  • Involving participation in healthy pursuits; andFunding research and development activities to support its activities.