9
INPUT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
An equal partner in and contributor to the growth and
change in our organisation, over the past year BUSHkids
Council members have not only had strategic input but also
provided hands-on involvement across the organisation.
Dr Neil Bartels (Chairman)
Dr Bartels is a medical practitioner with a keen
interest in children’s health issues. He also holds a
Masters degree in Law which has given him further
interest in the equity of access to health services for
more remote or disadvantaged children, particularly
those with behavioural, learning or social issues.
Dr Bartels provides valuable medical and legal
experience and immense support in the new
direction of the organisation.
Mr Ian Robinson (Deputy Chairman)
Growing up in a rural area and practising as an
agricultural economist and as a consultant with the
Queensland Department of Primary Industries has
backgrounded Ian’s understanding of the need for
access to decent services for families in rural and
remote areas; identifying them is an issue which
he regards as very important. Ian is playing a vital
role in our indigenous programs, helping ensure
our organisation reaches out to indigenous families
ensuring that their children benefit from BUSHkids.
Ms Allison McLean (Treasurer)
Allison brings her vast accounting knowledge with
many years in business advisory, accounting and
taxation to support the role of our Accountant.
Growing up on a farm worked by generations of her
family she feels an affinity for families in rural and
remote areas. Allison was originally involved with
the Redcliffe Centre at the Scarborough site through
community groups, organising games nights and
activities and outings for children who had been
brought from remote areas for treatment, and
Allison continues to support us with our events in
the regions.
Mr Julian Martin (Member)
Growing up in the bush Julian has a high regard for
what BUSHkids is contributing to the children of
rural and regional Queensland. He has over 20 years
of experience in the information systems industry
and a background of providing business-enabling
solutions to organisations. Julian supports us
greatly in regards to all areas of our IT and has been
a valued adviser for the current transformation of
our IT systems across the organisation.
Ms Gloria Ryan (Member)
Gloria is legally-trained and enthusiastically
contributes to all aspects of our contracting
matters, supporting BUSHkids with legal advice
and comprehensively advising on the new Policies
and Procedures. Throughout our changes to the
organisation’s branding Gloria has given endless
advice and is assisting with the registration of the
new BUSHkids trademark.
Mrs Karolyn Harcourt (Member)
While now retired, Karolyn practiced as a Speech
Pathologist for many years, working primarily with
children, working in Education Queensland and
Queensland Health, as well as in her own private
speech pathology practice. Karolyn supports our
clinical services and is currently working with us to
create our new Clinical Policies and Procedures and
Model of Care. She spent many hours in preparation
of our annual conference.
Ms Carolyn Searle (Member)
Having grown up in Mackay, Carolyn understands
how the needs of children and families in regional
areas are often overlooked and how, in many areas,
BUSHkids provides the only health service of its
type. Carolyn has worked in both the accounting
and legal professions before establishing Career
Path, a recruitment agency, and has provided
recruitment advice for our organisation. Carolyn
has helped increase the profile of our organisation
amongst the business community ensuring our
valuable services reach the children most in need.
Mr David Ham (Member)
David has worked for Education Queensland all
his adult life, first as a staff teacher, then principal
and inspector, and finally the Director of Human
Resources. As a young teacher/principal in outback
Queensland he was very impressed by the care
given to bush children by our organisation. David
has given invaluable voluntary assistance with the
creation and collation of our Policies & Procedures
in the areas of Governance, Human Resources and
Finance, Admin and Health & Safety and continues
to volunteer his time on further projects.
Mrs Gail Huggins (Member)
Gail is our newest Council member. She was raised
and educated in Townsville and Port Moresby and
graduated as a Speech Pathologist with her first
role involving a hospital Child Development Unit.
GM