Board and Staff
The Foundation is guided by a Board of Directors, comprised of individuals who live and work within the Colac district.
They willingly give their time without being paid. There is one paid staff member (Executive Officer) working 3 days per week.
Wayne O’Brien (Treasurer)
Wayne is a Chartered Accountant and a partner of Crowe Horwath, a local accounting firm. Crowe Horwath is part of Findex, a national financial services group. He joined Crowe Horwath in 1987. Wayne is an active tennis player and avid walker and has a wide involvement in community committees.
Leigh Rich (Chair)
Leigh Rich, an experienced business owner and builder with over 40 years of expertise shaping communities, is a devoted Colac community member. Leigh serves as the Chair of the Colac Bowling Club, fostering sportsmanship and community spirit. His current focus lies in crafting a remarkable retirement estate at the historic Balnagowan Homestead on the Colac Lake foreshore—an endeavour that blends modern living with historical charm. Drawing from extensive service on diverse boards and committees, Leigh brings invaluable experience to the Colac Area HealthFoundation. His commitment extends to the betterment of healthcare in the region, collaborating with Colac Area Health to enhance services and facilities through the Colac Area Health Foundation. Leigh and his wife Jan enjoy bowling, sailing, and restoring their heritage homestead in their spare time.
Wayne O’Brien (Treasurer)
Wayne is a Chartered Accountant and a partner of Crowe Horwath, a local accounting firm. Crowe Horwath is part of Findex, a national financial services group. He joined Crowe Horwath in 1987. Wayne is an active tennis player and avid walker and has a wide involvement in community committees.
Max Arnott (Director)
Max is from a family of eleven, growing up on a local poultry farm, instilled with the importance of family and community. Max, a certified financial planner, retired from his business practice, Adviser Group Financial Planning, in 2014. His community passions include Apex (Life Member), Rotary, Hesse Rural Health Board and Colac Area Health Board (Chair 2013 - 2016) including commissioning of the Youth Health Hub, Frank Minchinton oncology centre and teh Specialst Consulting Rooms at CAH. Currently Colac Area Health Foundation Board member (Chair 2018 - 2023). Max stood for election in 2020 as a Coucillor to the Colac Otway Shire, and was subsequently appointed to Council in March 2023 after a count back of votes to fill a vacancy. Max enjoys time with friends and family, espcially his grandchildren. He has a passion for cars, using skills gained from his first vocation as a motor cechanic to fix many things, as grandads can.
Richard Riordan (Director)
Richard is an active community participant; former Chair of Colac Area Health and current board member for Colac Area Health Foundation. He has been a driving force behind the establishment of con.ceit Corangamarah Art Prize and Colac Area Health Foundation. He was former board member for the Corangamite Catchment Authority and previously served as school councillor at Sacred Heart Primary.
Richard worked for 25 years in his family retail and service businesses. In October 2015 Richard was elected at a by-election to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as State Member for Polwarth.
Paul Cunningham (Secretary)
Paul Cunningham is the Area Manager, ANZ Small Business for South West Victoria covering Geelong, Colac, Warrnambool and Ballarat regions. Paul is a 29 year career banker currently leading a team of Business Banking Managers and Small Business Specialists servicing the Commercial, Health and agriculture markets of South West Victoria. Paul’s passions revolve around customer relationships and adding value to customers business by partnering them with high levels of service, and striving to assist customers to fulfil their Business and Personal visions.
Paul, via ANZ, is a member of the Colac Otway Chamber of Commerce, sponsors a number of business events and is involved in other charitable initiatives. His passion is powerboat racing, having achieved a number of awards. Paul is married and has 2 daughters Paige and Hannah.
Richard Riordan (Director)
Richard is an active community participant; former Chair of Colac Area Health and current board member for Colac Area Health Foundation. He has been a driving force behind the establishment of con.ceit Corangamarah Art Prize and Colac Area Health Foundation. He was former board member for the Corangamite Catchment Authority and previously served as school councillor at Sacred Heart Primary.
Richard worked for 25 years in his family retail and service businesses. In October 2015 Richard was elected at a by-election to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as State Member for Polwarth.
Paul Cunningham (Director)
Paul Cunningham is the Area Manager, ANZ Small Business for South West Victoria covering Geelong, Colac, Warrnambool and Ballarat regions. Paul is a 29 year career banker currently leading a team of Business Banking Managers and Small Business Specialists servicing the Commercial, Health and agriculture markets of South West Victoria. Paul’s passions revolve around customer relationships and adding value to customers business by partnering them with high levels of service, and striving to assist customers to fulfil their Business and Personal visions.
Paul, via ANZ, is a member of the Colac Otway Chamber of Commerce, sponsors a number of business events and is involved in other charitable initiatives. His passion is powerboat racing, having achieved a number of awards. Paul is married and has 2 daughters Paige and Hannah.
Maree Lamanna (Director)
Maree is a retired Primary School Teacher. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Colac and has been recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow, a prestigious award for exemplary work in community service or helping those in need. Maree is also a member of VIEW, supporting the local community. Maree is a joint director of Cobden Buslines, married to husband Rocci and has a son, Aaron and daughter, Carlene.
Sue Mulder (Director)
Sue is a registered Nurse and Nurse Immuniser and also holds a Diploma of Management. She has spent many years working with community groups as a Public Health advocate and volunteering with junior sports groups, Colac Turf Club and Meriba Service Club. Married to Terry, she has 3 daughters and 8 grandchildren. Her main hobby is gardening.
Jack Barclay (Director)
Jack is the proprietor of the Water Supply Specialists business in Colac which retails, installs and maintains water supply systems for agricultural farming enterprises. He has extensive experience as a General Manager and CEO in manufacturing, primarily in the food industry. Core competencies include leadership, corporate governance, sales and marketing, cost management and innovation and project management.
Married to Patricia, he has a daughter, Harriette. He is also active in various sports including rowing, cycling and tennis.
Debbie McCarthy (Director)
Debbie is the Office and Finance Manager at Victorian Group Training. Debbie saw the opportunity to join the Colac Area Health Foundation as a way to help make a difference in her local community, she has always had a passion for the Colac community and been involved in school and sporting committees.
Debbie has three sons, Hayden, Lachlan and Isaac.
Debbie McCarthy (Director)
Debbie is the Office and Finance Manager at Victorian Group Training. Debbie saw the opportunity to join the Colac Area Health Foundation as a way to help make a difference in her local community, she has always had a passion for the Colac community and been involved in school and sporting committees.
Debbie has three sons, Hayden, Lachlan and Isaac.
Meagan Compton (Director)
Born and bred in South West Victoria, Meagan is lawyer and has been a director of local firm SLM Law since 2005. She is the secretary of the Western Eagles Football Netball Club and has served on other local boards including the Sacred Heart school board and the Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Board. With two daughters Paige and Mia ,who go to school in Colac and her husband Troy who also runs a local business, Meagan is committed to the Colac Otway region and is eager to bolster the local health care services available to regional Victorians.
Minnie Constan (Director)
Before her time in events Minnie assumed the position of Group Sales Manager with APN News and Media, at the time, Australia’s largest operator of radio broadcasting and outdoor advertising as well as being Australia’s leading regional publisher. Minnie is a recognised advocate in the industries she serves and enjoys giving back to the community through her work with the Foundation. Interests include design, architecture and gardening.
Minnie Constan (Director)
Minnie Constan is an Event professional with over 20 years experience delivering world class events in numerous markets, both for and not-for profit.
Before her time in events Constan assumed the position of Group Sales Manager with APN News and Media, at the time, Australia’s largest operator of radio broadcasting and outdoor advertising as well as being Australia’s leading regional publisher.
Constan is a recognised advocate in the industries she serves and enjoys giving back to the community through her work with the Foundation. Interests include design, architecture and gardening.
Sally Richardson (Director)
Belinda Dexter (Director)
Belinda Dexter is a Certified Practising Accountant (Finance Manager) at Australian Lamb Company. Her desire to become part of the Foundation Board was driven by her governance knowledge, support for Colac Area Health and supporting best outcomes for her local community. Belinda lives locally to Colac on a beef cattle farm.
Elle MacLeman (Executive Officer)
Elle has worked in healthcare for the last 15 years, working in both clinical and community-based contexts. Having more recently stepped into the commercial world, gaining skills in marketing, strategic planning and event facilitation, Elle understands both Colac Area Health's clinical context and the workings of the private sector.
Part of what drives Elle to return to the public healthcare system is the ability to service her new community. 'Community is an essential part of human nature and finding ways to foster and serve the Colac community is a major driver for taking on this role.'
Ami Hillege (Executive Officer)
Ami and her husband Frans moved to the Otways in 2011 after escaping the corporate world in Melbourne and established themselves on a small property close to Colac. Since coming to the region, Ami has immersed herself in promoting the Otways as a destination for food lovers through the Otway Harvest Trail. Ami is also a member of the Polwarth CWA and values the importance of supporting families in our area and volunteering within the community.
Ami is a seasoned professional with a background in retail and wholesale management, bringing her valuable expertise to the Colac Area Health Foundation. Eager to promote the commendable services of Colac Area Health, she is dedicated to spearheading fundraising efforts for the Foundation. With a keen sense of community and a commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes, Ami plays a crucial role in advancing the mission of the Colac Area Health Foundation.
