Our board

Ms Helen Darch OAM

First appointed: 21 August 2023
Current term: 21 August 2023 to 31 March 2026

Helen is Managing Director of Nedhurst Consulting, a company that focuses on strategic planning, guiding and mentoring. She has over 16 years experience as a non-executive director.

Helen holds the following roles:

• Ordinary Commissioner, Crime and Corruption Commission
• Chair, Research Advisory Committee, Health and Wellbeing Queensland
• Advisor, McCarthy Mentoring.

Helen has held many leadership roles. She’s worked with large not-for-profit and government boards in health, disability, and charity sectors. Helen was chair of board nominations, executive appraisal, and fundraising and marketing committees. Helen was also a director on finance, quality and risk, and research committees.

Helen has a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Library Sciences, and a Master of Education (Training and Development). She is a fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In 2022, Helen received an Order of Australia for her work in community health.

Mrs Kerry Maley

First appointed: 21 August 2023
Current term: 21 August 2023 to 31 March 2026

Kerry is a proud Kamilaroi and Mandandanji Aboriginal woman. She grew up on Barunggam country in Miles, Queensland and is deeply connected to her community and the land. Her passion for health comes from her mother and grandmother who together, worked for Queensland Health for over 55 years.

Kerry is an advanced social worker with more than 25 years experience in community services. She's worked in many areas, including health, therapy, child protection, women’s services, youth programs, and disability services. She has a strong interest in community and stakeholder engagement, and how organisations work.

Kerry empowers others by leading projects that promote inclusion, support, and independence.

She has a Bachelor of Social Work and diplomas in disability work and community services. She's also doing a Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management).

Associate Professor Luke Lawton

First appointed: 21 August 2023
Current term: 21 August 2023 to 31 March 2026

Luke is a senior staff specialist in emergency medicine at Townsville University Hospital. He was the director of the hospital’s emergency department for 5 and a half years. Luke has also worked at Redcliffe Hospital, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, RPA Hospital, and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin.

He's an associate professor of medicine at James Cook University College of Medicine and Dentistry. He's also held academic roles at The University of Queensland and the University of Sydney.

Luke holds the following roles:

• Non-executive Director, Emergency Medicine Foundation
• Chair, National Editorial Committee for the Primary Clinical Care Manual
• Member, Board Audit and Risk Committee, Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

He gives expert advice on medical and quality matters as a consultant and expert witness.

He has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biochemistry), Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Hons), and a Master of Public Health (Aeromedical Retrieval). He’s a fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Peter O’Mara

First appointed: 21 August 2023
Current term: 21 August 2023 to 31 March 2026

Professor Peter O’Mara is a proud Wiradjuri man from northeast Wiradjuri Country. He earned his medical degree from the University of Newcastle.

Peter works as a GP at Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service and started the Werin Aboriginal Medical Service. He’s also a professor and Assistant Dean of Indigenous Health at the University of Newcastle.

Peter trains Indigenous doctors to improve health in Indigenous communities. He also pushes for better health and education for these communities.

Peter has a Bachelor of Medicine, a Graduate Diploma in Rural General Practice, and a fellowship in advanced rural general practice. He’s a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practice.

Dr Maureen (Maude) Chapmann

First appointed: 21 August 2023
Current term: 21 August 2023 to 31 March 2026

Maude is a registered nurse with over 30 years experience in both clinical practice and teaching. She works at James Cook University as the site coordinator for nursing and midwifery in Mackay. Her doctoral thesis focused on leadership among registered nurses in clinical settings.

Maude has played a key role in shaping modern nursing courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students. She also supervises research students in nursing.

Maude’s passionate about using technology to improve healthcare. She’s interested in telemedicine, electronic health records, and artificial intelligence in education. One of her key achievements is developing a training program for nurses to use electronic health records.

Maude’s committed to improving patient care and giving back to her profession and community. She has a Bachelor of Nursing, a Master of Nursing Studies, and an education doctorate.

Mr William (Bill) Cooper

First appointed: 21 August 2023
Current term: 21 August 2023 to 31 March 2026

Bill is a well-known lawyer and a qualified mediator.

He currently holds the following roles:

• Director, Pioneer Valley Water Co-Operative Limited
• Director, Central Queensland Helicopter Service
• Member, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Bill has worked as an acting magistrate in Mackay and as a senior case officer for the Federal Child Support Agency. He ran his own legal practice for over 25 years.

His past roles include:

• Chairman, Skills Training Mackay
• Director, Mackay Cutters Rugby League Pty Ltd
• Director, Mackay Stadium Pty Ltd
• National Board Member, Variety
• Chairman and Life Member, Variety Queensland
• President, Mackay district law association
• President, Mackay district accountancy committee
• Member and President, Lions International club.

Bill has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business (Accounting). He’s a fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and a member of the Queensland Law Society.

Ms Monica McKendry

First appointed: 1 April 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Monica is a chartered accountant with over 25 years experience.

She currently holds the following roles:

• Director, SH Tait & Co Chartered Accountants
• Director, North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd
• Chair, Audit and Financial Risk Management Committee
• External Member, Mackay Regional Council Audit Committee.

Monica has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) with distinction from Central Queensland University. She’s a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Andrea Ranson

First appointed: 1 October 2024
Current term: 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2028

Andrea is a commercial and dispute resolution lawyer with experience in both public and private sectors. She’s worked in business and commercial law, employment and industrial relations, diversity, justice, and ethics.

Andrea is a director of North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd and chairs the Corporate Governance and Planning Committee. She’s also a nationally accredited mediator, working with state organisations, and a member of the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General Dispute Resolution Panel.

Andrea has a Master of Laws (LLM), a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University. She’s a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.