Our Board of Directors
CHA benefits enormously from the wisdom and guidance of our Board of Directors. We acknowledge and thank all of our directors who so generously donate their time and expertise to CHA.
Leadership & Governance
Meet our Board
CHA is a not for profit Company Limited by Guarantee. CHA is committed to meeting the highest standards of governance and accountability to our members, and to the children and families they serve. You can find more information about how we work, our processes and policies in our Constitution & Governance Charter.
CHA is registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission. See our latest Annual Report –
Our President
Mr John Stanway
As President of CHA John brings many decades of experience both in children’s healthcare and in health system governance & leadership.
John was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at The Royal Children’s Hospital from April 2017 until his retirement in July 2021. Prior to commencing in this role, John was the Chief Operating Officer at The Royal Children’s Hospital for more than ten years, overseeing clinical operations. From 2012, John also held the position of Deputy CEO.
Before joining The Royal Children’s Hospital, John managed Monash Medical Centre, was Chief Executive of the Transport Accident Commission and held various senior management roles at General Motors Holden.
John has a double major in Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. John was also President of the Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association and Chairman for 10 years. John is a former Board Director of The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Ltd, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Before joining The Royal Children’s Hospital, John managed Monash Medical Centre, was Chief Executive of the Transport Accident Commission and held various senior management roles at General Motors Holden.
John has a double major in Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. John was also President of the Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association and Chairman for 10 years. John is a former Board Director of The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Ltd, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Vice Presidents:
Ms Maeve Downes
Nursing Director, Lyell McEwin Hospital, SA
Maeve is currently a Nursing Director, Women and Children’s Division in NALHN, with a portfolio that includes Neonatal, Paediatric and Perinatal Mental Health, together with operational leadership of nursing and midwifery for the Women and Children’s Division.
Maeve trained as a Nurse in Ireland before emigrating to Australia in 1987. She has worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Nursing Manager in NSW Sydney and Armidale, where she completed her post graduate studies in Health Management at the University of New England.
Maeve subsequently worked at the Tertiary Women and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide from 1994 to 2008 where she managed the paediatric cancer services. Maeve was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2007 to undertake a study of models of care for adolescent cancer. Maeve is most proud of the opportunities she had in her career to establish a Virtual Adolescent Young Adult Cancer Service for South Australia, establishment of a paediatric Nursing Practice Development Fellowship, and the planning of a child protection service NALHN, following the Nyland Royal Commission.
In 2008 Maeve joined the Department of Health and Ageing team for 5 years up until her current appointment in NALHN, where she worked across multiple cancer, statewide planning and workforce Reform portfolios.
Maeve trained as a Nurse in Ireland before emigrating to Australia in 1987. She has worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Nursing Manager in NSW Sydney and Armidale, where she completed her post graduate studies in Health Management at the University of New England.
Maeve subsequently worked at the Tertiary Women and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide from 1994 to 2008 where she managed the paediatric cancer services. Maeve was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2007 to undertake a study of models of care for adolescent cancer. Maeve is most proud of the opportunities she had in her career to establish a Virtual Adolescent Young Adult Cancer Service for South Australia, establishment of a paediatric Nursing Practice Development Fellowship, and the planning of a child protection service NALHN, following the Nyland Royal Commission.
In 2008 Maeve joined the Department of Health and Ageing team for 5 years up until her current appointment in NALHN, where she worked across multiple cancer, statewide planning and workforce Reform portfolios.
Dr Julie Green
Director, CHA & Queen Elizabeth Centre
Julie has extensive experience in child and family health and evidence-based parenting over a 40-year career. This informs her deep understanding of the continuum from primary prevention to tertiary health care and the diverse child health workforce in our healthcare systems.
She has experience with not for profit and government-funded organisations in child and family health: including the Queen Elizabeth Centre, the Raising Children and the Parenting Research Centre (2012-2021).
She holds concurrent appointments with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics, and the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University.
She has experience with not for profit and government-funded organisations in child and family health: including the Queen Elizabeth Centre, the Raising Children and the Parenting Research Centre (2012-2021).
She holds concurrent appointments with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics, and the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University.
Board Members:
Dr Neil Archer
Clinical Director of Paediatrics,
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, QLD
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, QLD
Dr Neil Archer is the Clinical Director of Paediatrics for CHHHS and has been practicing Paediatrics for over 20 years. He completed specialist training in Australia and the UK. He has specific training and special interest in respiratory medicine, allergy and paediatric rheumatology.
He has a keen interest in system approaches to improving service provision in terms of effectiveness and equity for all children in regional Australia, communication and Safety
He has a keen interest in system approaches to improving service provision in terms of effectiveness and equity for all children in regional Australia, communication and Safety
Ms Cathryn Cox
Chief Executive, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, NSW
Cathryn Cox has many years’ experience as an Executive within the NSW Ministry of Health with responsibility for a range of health policy, planning, infrastructure and strategic reform programs. Her early role as a physiotherapist at RPA paved the way for a long-term career in health which included leading Health Infrastructure as its interim Chief Executive.
Cathryn is passionate about the role of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network in providing world-class patient-centred care for children and young people, and their families.
Recently, Cathryn led the COVID-19 System Planning stream of the Ministry’s coordinated COVID-19 response, which included the establishment of the COVID-19 Clinical Council and Communities of Practice and oversight of the infrastructure planning, in partnership with Health Infrastructure.
Cathryn is passionate about the role of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network in providing world-class patient-centred care for children and young people, and their families.
Recently, Cathryn led the COVID-19 System Planning stream of the Ministry’s coordinated COVID-19 response, which included the establishment of the COVID-19 Clinical Council and Communities of Practice and oversight of the infrastructure planning, in partnership with Health Infrastructure.
Dr Paul Craven
Executive Director, Children & Young People and Family Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, NSW
Dr Paul Craven, having trained in the UK as a Paediatrician and then Paediatric Neurology, he moved to Australia in 1999 to NETS NSW. From 1999-2003 completed FRACP and neonatal training. He commenced as a Neonatologist at JHCH in 2004 and was actively involved in developing a number of programs.
Dr Paul Craven became the Director of Newborn Services in HNE including the NICU at JHCH and then co-Director of the Children’s Hospitals in Newcastle in 2017. In 2019 He was appointed permanently to the position of Director of the Children, Young People and Families Service for Hunter New England LHD in 2019.
He believes it is important to not only be involved in provision of health services locally but to share with and learn from others in order to provide world class care to children throughout Australia
Dr Paul Craven became the Director of Newborn Services in HNE including the NICU at JHCH and then co-Director of the Children’s Hospitals in Newcastle in 2017. In 2019 He was appointed permanently to the position of Director of the Children, Young People and Families Service for Hunter New England LHD in 2019.
He believes it is important to not only be involved in provision of health services locally but to share with and learn from others in order to provide world class care to children throughout Australia
Dr David Fuller
Director Women's & Children's Directorate,
Barwon Health VIC
Associate Professor David Fuller is a general Paediatrician working in Geelong Victoria. Dave completed his paediatric training though RCH, Melbourne, with early career interests in infectious diseases and public health, completing an MPH (Monash University) during that time. He worked as a General Paediatric consultant at RCH for 3 years, before starting work in Geelong in 2005. From 2007 to 2015 he was Director of Paediatrics at Barwon Health in Geelong and from 2015 has been Clinical Director of the Women’s and Children’s Directorate at Barwon Health. He also works part time as Barwon Health’s Executive Medical Director. Dave maintains his work in paediatric clinical work in public and private settings in Geelong, as well as conducting regular outreach clinics in Apollo Bay. Dave has been Chair and then Deputy Chair of the Clinical Examination Committee of the FRACP between 2018 and 2022. Dave has a growing interest in leadership and governance and is completing an MBA, specialising in Leadership through Deakin University.
Dr Andy Lovett
Executive Clinical Director - Women & Children and Acute Specialist Clinics,
Eastern Health, VIC
Andy Lovett qualified as a General Paediatrician in 2003. Most of his working life has been spent in rural and regional Victoria, before taking a role in suburban Melbourne as Executive Clinical Director of Women, Children and Acute Specialist Clinics at Eastern Health three years ago. He maintains a small private paediatric practice in Bendigo, Victoria, where he also lives.
Andy established the Rural Child Health Training Module- providing educational content to Advanced Trainees in General Paediatrics around Australia in 2007. This module continues to operate. Andy has been involved with the Advanced Paediatric Life Support organization since 2001- initially as an instructor, then later as a course director. He is an active instructor of the NeoResus course. He was chair of the Paediatric Division of the state committee of the Royal Australian College of Physicians for around 6 years and has sat on many state and federal advisory and governance bodies. He holds a Masters Degree in Health Economics, Policy and Management from the London School of Economics and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He sits on the Therapeutic Treatment Board of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Victoria.
Andy established the Rural Child Health Training Module- providing educational content to Advanced Trainees in General Paediatrics around Australia in 2007. This module continues to operate. Andy has been involved with the Advanced Paediatric Life Support organization since 2001- initially as an instructor, then later as a course director. He is an active instructor of the NeoResus course. He was chair of the Paediatric Division of the state committee of the Royal Australian College of Physicians for around 6 years and has sat on many state and federal advisory and governance bodies. He holds a Masters Degree in Health Economics, Policy and Management from the London School of Economics and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He sits on the Therapeutic Treatment Board of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Victoria.
Dr Fiona Thomson
Director- Emergency Clinical Directorate,
Children's Health Queensland Hospital & Health Service, QLD
Dr Fiona Thomson is the Director of Paediatric Emergency at the Queensland Children's Hospital and has over 20 years of consultant clinical experience as a Paediatric Emergency Physician with dual fellowship of ACEM and RACP.
She has 17 years of leadership experience in a tertiary paediatric emergency setting and is committed to supporting teams to fulfil their potential. She sits on the Children's Health Queensland's Clinical Council which represents clinicians on issues of strategic significance and acts in an advisory role to the organisation.
She has experience with not for profit and government-funded organisations in child and family health: including the Queen Elizabeth Centre, the Raising Children and the Parenting Research Centre (2012-2021).
As the inaugural Co-Chair of Statewide Emergency Care of Children Working Group, Dr Thomson demonstrated strong advocacy for the delivery of reliable care to children throughout Queensland. She led a diagnostic project to identify factors impacting the ability of clinicians to provide care and worked collaboratively to deliver online resources, assisting clinicians and ultimately children and their families across the state. Dr Thomson also chaired the Joint RACP/ACEM Training Committee in Paediatric Emergency Medicine through which she has established collegiate relationships and connections with clinicians and departments throughout Australia and New Zealand.
She has experience with not for profit and government-funded organisations in child and family health: including the Queen Elizabeth Centre, the Raising Children and the Parenting Research Centre (2012-2021).
As the inaugural Co-Chair of Statewide Emergency Care of Children Working Group, Dr Thomson demonstrated strong advocacy for the delivery of reliable care to children throughout Queensland. She led a diagnostic project to identify factors impacting the ability of clinicians to provide care and worked collaboratively to deliver online resources, assisting clinicians and ultimately children and their families across the state. Dr Thomson also chaired the Joint RACP/ACEM Training Committee in Paediatric Emergency Medicine through which she has established collegiate relationships and connections with clinicians and departments throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Prof Frank Tracey
Chief Executive,
Children's Health Queensland Hospital & Health Service, QLD
Adjunct Professor Frank Tracey has over 40 years’ experience working in health systems, including executive roles in large health organisations and the non-government sector. He is currently the Chief Executive of Children’s Health Queensland.
Frank has a clinical background in nursing and holds advanced qualifications in health management and governance. His extensive experience in health commissioning and service provision in clinical and community settings is complemented by strong executive management and leadership skills. He has an applied interest in population health planning and translational health research. He has focused on delivering sustainable health strategies that serve the best interests of children & families, health professionals, the broader health system and the community.
Frank has a clinical background in nursing and holds advanced qualifications in health management and governance. His extensive experience in health commissioning and service provision in clinical and community settings is complemented by strong executive management and leadership skills. He has an applied interest in population health planning and translational health research. He has focused on delivering sustainable health strategies that serve the best interests of children & families, health professionals, the broader health system and the community.
Ms Nicola Scott
Clinical Nurse Manager, Christchurch Hospital, NZ
I have worked for the CDHB for 34 years and in that time have worked in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary care. All these positions were within the Paediatric Sector.
I have held leadership positions in all these services and have a good understanding of how services work separately and together. I have been project lead for the Collaborative Care Project, the Transition Project and will next year lead a governance group of representatives from Adult and Paediatric services to explore how we can work more collaboratively. I am member of five different CHA SIGs and value the opportunity this has given me personally and the service as a whole.
I have held leadership positions in all these services and have a good understanding of how services work separately and together. I have been project lead for the Collaborative Care Project, the Transition Project and will next year lead a governance group of representatives from Adult and Paediatric services to explore how we can work more collaboratively. I am member of five different CHA SIGs and value the opportunity this has given me personally and the service as a whole.
