Our organisation
Structure, leadership and community connection at the heart of WNSW PHN
Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) is a not-for-profit organisation tasked by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing with improving primary healthcare across Western and Far West NSW. Our structure reflects our strong focus on accountability, collaboration and community-driven healthcare solutions.
With guidance from a skills-based Board and a highly experienced Executive Leadership Team, we work closely with advisory groups and local stakeholders to ensure our direction is grounded in local insight. From commissioning services to supporting General Practice and healthcare innovation, WNSW PHN’s success is built on partnership.
Below is an overview of WNSW PHN’s organisational structure.
Our organisation brings together governance, leadership and community voices to drive better healthcare for our region.
Our Board
WNSW PHN is guided by a skills-based Board that sets the strategic direction and oversees the implementation of our priorities. Our Board members bring a wealth of expertise in areas such as healthcare, governance, engagement, and policy development, and provide valuable insights and leadership to ensure we effectively address the health needs of our communities across Western and Far West NSW.
Dr Robin Williams
Chair
WNSW PHN’s Chair, Dr Robin Williams is a General Practitioner and Hospital Visiting Medical Officer at Molong and Yeoval.
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Dr Williams spent a year in Australia as a Doctor at Dubbo Base Hospital in 1985-86, before returning to his home in Wales. However, life as a doctor in rural NSW beckoned and Dr Williams emigrated to Australia in 1997, settling as a General Practitioner in Gulgong.
Dr Williams was Chairperson of the Dubbo/Plains Division of General Practice from 2000 to 2016. He has also served as a Director and past Chair of the Rural Doctors Network. Dr Williams was the Chair of the Western NSW Local Health District Board until his term finished at the end of 2016 and was also a member of the NSW Ministerial Advisory Committee on Rural Health. He has been a General Practitioner VMO at Molong Health Service and Yeoval UPA since 2007. Dr Williams is also currently a Clinical Lecturer, General Practice, School of Rural Health, University of Sydney, providing placements in General Practice for undergraduates, and is a member of the Charles Sturt University Council.
Ms Melina Saunders
Director
Ms Melina Saunders is a proud Wiradjuri and Gunditjmara woman who is passionate about empowering Aboriginal people to build capacity in their own communities. As a consultant at KPMG, Ms Saunders provides core governance, operations and advisory services for Government projects working with Aboriginal organisations.
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She draws on her extensive experience in facilitating workshops and stakeholder engagement to achieve this. Ms Saunders has spent her career working in Aboriginal organisations, such as the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) and the Wirrpanda Foundation, helping them to transform into strong and effective institutions to the benefit of the community. She is also a current member of the Netball Australia RAP working group.
Ms Julie Toma
Director
Ms Julie Toma is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of people and society.
Ms Toma’s career spans senior executive leadership roles for global healthcare corporations including Sonic Clinical Services, Cochlear, Kimberly-Clark Healthcare and Becton Dickinson (BD). She also has extensive experience in not-for-profit sector C-suite roles covering healthcare, aged care, allied health, mental health and social services.
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Julie provides deep expertise regarding business strategy, marketing, customer and employee experience, philanthropy, transformational growth and stakeholder engagement.
Miss Toma holds Non-Executive Director roles with Western Health Alliance Limited, Combined Dispensaries Friendly Society, the Barbara May Foundation and the RACGP Australian General Practice Research Foundation. Current committee roles include Chair of the Australian Institute of For Purpose Leaders NSW Chapter, the NSW Ministry of Health Hospital in the Home Reform Governance Group, Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Northern Sydney Local Health District Board Quality Health Care Committee and the Primary and Community Health Advisory Committee, with previous roles as Chair for the Australian Marketing Institute State Council and member of the Cancer Australia Research Grant Advisory Committee. Previous board roles include Jannawi Connections, the ADA Dental Health Foundation, LiveBetter Ltd and Asthma Australia ACT. Board sub-committee experience includes governance, remuneration and nominations, finance, audit and risk as well as community advisory councils.
Miss Toma’s tertiary education includes a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biomedical), MBA and GAICD qualifications, complimented by a Harvard For Purpose Leadership program.
Her industry recognition includes a Financial Review BOSS Most Innovative Companies Award in 2023, Australian Marketing Institute Marketing Awards for Excellence State Award Winner 2022 & 2020, Outstanding Leadership Awards Finalist 2022, CEO Magazine Marketing Executive of the Year Finalist 2017 & 2019, and she was shortlisted for the Telstra Business Women’s Awards in 2019.
- Chair of the Governance Committee
- Member of the WNSW PHN & W LHD Joint Board Committee
- Member of the WNSW PHN & FW LHD Joint Board Committee
- Member of the Western Community Advisory Council
- Member of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee
Mr Matthew Banning
Director
Mr Matthew Banning has a proven record of positively impacting and influencing organisations and industry, delivering for customers, staff and stakeholders, while maintaining honesty, integrity and respect in looking after the wellbeing of the business and its people.
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Mr Banning has strong finance and operational management experience in the private health insurance (PHI) market and in diversified markets, including mining, education, and manufacturing industries. He offers expertise in dealing with complex issues and managing key stakeholders, strategic business, and government relationships, as well as executing change management initiatives.
Ms Danielle Taylor
Director
A certified practicing Speech Pathologist, Ms Danielle Taylor’s current work with Royal Far West involves leading a large multidisciplinary clinical service delivering high quality allied health services to schools throughout rural and remote Australia.
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Ms Taylor’s experience includes working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to enhance service delivery, improve Aboriginal health, and develop strategic decisions particularly at the interface of health and education.
She also brings significant expertise in healthcare within rural and remote communities, particularly in Western NSW, ensuring that services are tailored to meet their unique needs and challenges.
Mr Michael Newman
Director
Mr Michael Newman has a broad experience in Aboriginal community engagement, service delivery and policy development across several human service sectors. His career spans sixteen years working in both NSW Public Service, and more recently in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector.
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Mr Newman has been involved in a number of Aboriginal community governance structures which began in his teens and continues with his long-standing service as board member of Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Mr Newman has been part of several reference groups attached to government reviews of services such as Child Wellbeing Units (CWU), the Aboriginal Knockout Health Challenge and the Aboriginal-led Commissioning Steering Committee with NSW Peak Body AbSec.
Mr Newman was also recently appointed to the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services of New South Wales Aboriginal Partnership Group which supports reform in the child and family sector in NSW.
- Member FARM Committee
- Member Governance Committee
Dr. Ai-Vee Chua
Director
Dr. Ai-Vee Chua is a dedicated rural General Practitioner with over two decades of experience serving communities in Western New South Wales. As one of the founding GPs of Dubbo Family Doctors, she has been instrumental in shaping the clinic’s patient-centred approach to care, innovative programs, and its delivery of a comprehensive range of healthcare services tailored to meet the diverse needs of the community.
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Beyond her clinical practice, Director Dr. Chua holds several influential roles aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery in rural regions. As Senior Clinical Editor for Western NSW HealthPathways, she contributes to the development of local clinical guidelines and referral pathways to help clinicians navigate diagnosis, treatment and specialist referrals efficiently. Dr Chua previously served as Chair of WNSW PHN’s Western Clinical Advisory Council from its inception until her appointment to the Board. She actively contributes to a range of advisory and advocacy groups, including the Australian Medical Association NSW Clinical Council and the Royal Australian College of General Practice NSW/ACT Faculty. Additionally, she is a Clinical Senior Lecturer with the University of Sydney and is committed to research as well as mentoring the next generation of rural doctors.
Dr. Chua is passionate about continuous quality improvement, cross-sectoral collaboration to optimise patient health outcomes, efficient utilisation of healthcare resources, and evidence-based health service delivery. She is currently pursuing a Master of Digital Health, majoring in health data analytics.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Chua is an accomplished musician and a member of both the Orange Symphony Orchestra and the NSW Doctors Orchestra, reflecting her diverse interests and dedication to community.
Our Executive Leadership Team
Our Executive Leadership Team is dedicated to driving WNSW PHN’s strategic vision and ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare across Western and Far West NSW. With extensive expertise across healthcare management, governance, Aboriginal health and engagement, our leadership team brings a wealth of experience and passion to their roles.
Brad Porter
Chief Executive Officer
Passionate about the health industry, Brad Porter has been a registered paramedic since 1998. Prior to joining WNSW PHN, he spent the previous 15 years working in the Central West as Associate Director Clinical Operations, Western Sector and Western Control Zone Manager at NSW Ambulance.
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Having recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at WNSW PHN, Brad has returned as the Chief Executive Officer to drive change, lead, support and strengthen placed-based co-designed changes to the primary healthcare sector in Western NSW. Improving access and outcomes for people and patients are Brad’s highest priorities, and he lives and works on Wiradjuri land in Bathurst.
Graeme Allen
Executive Manager, Corporate Services and Governance
Graeme Allen is a Dubbo local, born and bred. Graeme loves living in the Western NSW region and is a passionate advocate for health, wellbeing, and the health outcomes of local communities. Graeme has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), CPA and has over ten years of experience in business services as a tax accountant. He’s also served ten years as a Management Accountant and Executive Manager in health, demonstrating a huge commitment to the not-for-profit sector.
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As Executive Manager of Corporate Services, Graeme oversees information technology, quality and risk, finance, procurement, HR and people and culture, communications and administration functions. Outside of the office, he loves to play basketball and cricket and volunteers with the Rural Fire Service.
Donna Stanley
Executive Manager, Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing
Donna Stanley is a proud Gunggari Umbi woman living on Wiradjuri land. Donna has over 30 years of experience working in the mental health and wellbeing space and has contributed to the NSW Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Training Program by supporting many trainees and clinicians across NSW. She also made significant contributions towards Aboriginal mental health first aid, as well as the development of a grief and loss training package for Aboriginal people.
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In 2019, Donna was engaged as an expert knowledge consultant for the Mental Health Service Planning for Aboriginal People in New South Wales Report, which informed the development of the 2020-2025 NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
In 2022, Donna was recognised and celebrated for her outstanding Aboriginal mental health leadership at a national/community level by being awarded the Australian Mental Health Prize in the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander category.
With a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal communities, Donna has been a pivotal figure at WNSW PHN in developing and implementing culturally appropriate health initiatives. Her leadership and vision are rooted in a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal people in Western NSW.
Donna’s work is characterised by her dedication to community engagement, advocacy, and collaboration with various health services and organisations. She strives to create inclusive and effective health programs that honour and respect Aboriginal culture and traditions. Through her efforts, Donna continues to work to advance the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal communities, ensuring they receive the support and care they need.
Janine Dennis
Executive Manager, Commissioning and Engagement
Janine Dennis’ primary health care experience spans 25 years working across strategic development and performance, planning and evaluation and, more recently, commissioning, within the WNSW PHN.
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Prior to WNSW PHN, Janine worked as the Strategic Development Manager at Medicare Local and worked directly with GPs at the Division of General Practice across GP workforce, primary health program development and capacity building within general practice.
Key aspects of Janine’s work has involved working closely with general practice, communities and the wider health sector alongside passionate people committed to addressing local health needs and striving to improve health service gaps in rural communities.
Some key achievements that Janine has led, with the support of strong partnerships, include the development of the first After Hours Clinic in the region and establishing the first WNSW PHN Aboriginal Health Council. She obtained infrastructure funding for general practice, enabling more GP registrars and medical students to work in small regional communities and led organisational needs assessments including the foundational Regional Mental Health Plan.
Janine holds a Bachelor of Organisational Development and a Diploma in Project Management.
WNSW PHN Advisory Councils
WNSW PHN has five Advisory Councils reporting to the Board. The Advisory Councils provide strategic direction, evaluate service outcomes, and support service design to meet the needs of local communities.
Clinical Councils provide support and advice to the Board on opportunities to further develop clinical services to meet community needs.
Community Councils support WNSW PHN to understand and address health needs within local communities, including access to services and service gaps.
The Aboriginal Health Council supports WNSW PHN to understand locally relevant Aboriginal community perspectives in relation to their unique health needs, access to services and service gaps.
Far West Community Advisory Council Membership
- Richard (Dick) Wagner – Chair
- Joanie Sanderson
- Wendy Chynoweth
- Emma Moore
- Jackie Hanniver
- Michael Williams
- Samuel Greville
- Monique Purdue
- Summer Hunt
Board Liaison Director: Julie Toma
Far West Clinical Advisory Council Membership
- Dr Mary Beth Macisaac – Chair
- Dr Sarah Bird
- Paul Mackinder
- Katherine Bissett
- Chelsea Anderson
- Heather Pearce
- Vivienne Fazulla
- Dr Aliza Lord
- Michele Pitt
Board Liaison Director: Danielle Taylor
Western Community Advisory Council Membership
- Rhonda Gleeson – Chair
- Louise Johnson
- Vivian Slack-Smith
- Gordon Hill
- Ricky Puata
- Georgina Luscombe
- Michelle Steele
- Emily Mitchell
- Sheree Masling
- Karen Martin
Board Liaison Director: Matt Banning
Western Clinical Advisory Council Membership
- Dr Christopher Hayward – Chair
- Lisa Gibson
- Lynne Lambell
- Alison Amor
- Lochie Pettiford
- Dr Alexander Hoyle
- Daniel Kendall
- Gregory Shearing
- Dr Joseph Grace
Board Liaison Director: Danielle Taylor
Aboriginal Health Council Membership
- Patricia Bates-Canty
- Christine Peckham
- Max Saxby
- Robert Salt
- Paul Carr
- Corina Kemp
- Taylor Bliss
- Cory Paulson
- Jaime Keed
- Cherie Forgione
- Lesa Towers
- Julie Blackhall (Ex-Officio)
Board Liaison Director: Danielle Taylor