Bendigo Health Foundation Board

Chair

Mr Matt Bowles – member since 2009

Matt's involvement with the Bendigo Health Foundation was initiated when, as president of the Bendigo Branch of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, he conducted a number of charity auctions for the foundation. Matt's passion for the foundation and in particular rural patient accommodation is motivated not only by his rural upbringing, but also due to his own family’s experience and empathy of the difficulties that rural cancer patients face. Matt is a director of real estate firm Dungey Carter Ketterer Pty Ltd, which has traded in Bendigo since 1900.

Ms Lois Kentish - member since 2009

Lois is a compassionate optimist and boasts a ‘give it a go’ attitude. As co-owner of local business Kentish and Hall, Lois is a regular donor to several charities throughout central Victoria and understands the gift of giving. As a wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend, Lois has had cause to use Bendigo Health’s services over the past 25 years. Lois has a strong appreciation towards the dedicated staff who work tirelessly in an ever increasing and demanding system. “This is our hospital and I am a member of the public who wants to lend a hand to make it even better, by helping to raise much needed funds and awareness to continue to make it even better.”

Ms Susan DeAraugo - member since 2009

After raising her family, Sue re-entered the business sector in Bendigo some 15 years ago. Sue has been involved in the development of several large organisations during that time including Bendigo Toyota. Her key roles included marketing, advertising, human resources and administration as well as interior designer for the new Bendigo Toyota showroom. Sue is now studying personal fitness and nutrition with the intention of working with and educating our aging population to stay fit and healthy in their senior years.

Mr Danny Clapp - member since 2009

Danny saw the opportunity to join the Bendigo Health Foundation board as a way to help make a difference in his local community. Danny, owner of The Good Guys Bendigo for 10 years, has lived an immersed himself in the community for most of his life. He is married to Tammy and has three sons aged between one and six years. Danny loves spending time on his property at Bridgewater with family and friends and is a life member of the Kangaroo Flat Football Netball Club.

Mr Scott Elkington - member since 2009

Scott arrived in Bendigo in 1984, studying part-time at the La Trobe University Bendigo while working for Sandhurst Trustees Limited. Scott graduated with a Bachelor of Business (economics major) and his career continued within Bendigo Bank. Scott’s roles within Bendigo Bank have included State Manager of Victoria and Queensland and Executive Director of Community Sector Banking – Australia’s only specialised banking service for the not for profit sector. Scott is currently Head of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s Community Solutions and Partnering. He is a member of the Bendigo Business Council and is married with five children.

Mr Peter Wiseman - member since 2009

Peter is an internet, public-relations, multimedia, marketing and digital publishing specialist. He is managing director of APP Pty Ltd, serves on a number of community committees and boards and lectures in journalism, public relations and digital publishing in a professional writing and editing course. Peter accepted the offer of a seat on the Bendigo Health Foundation board as he had contributed to fund raising activities for several organisations in the past. Peter strongly believes in the foundation’s mission to raise money to assist in improving patient care and to help develop and expand health services for the people of the Loddon Mallee community.

Mr David Walker - member since March 2012

David has been with Bendigo Health for seven years and was appointed executive director of buildings and infrastructure in 2007. Before that he was a hospital engineer, then became chief engineer in 2003. David was presented with the ‘Engineer of the Year’ award in 2005 from the Institute of Hospital Engineers for outstanding performance. Prior to this David spent 14 years as a project manager and control systems engineer working in the food, drink, pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries in the United Kingdom and Australia. David’s current role also manages New Bendigo Hospital Project and the Buildings and Infrastructure department at Bendigo Health.