Who We Are & What We Do
Lake Bolac Bush Nursing Centre is a not-for-profit, community-owned health service providing high-quality nursing, allied health, and wellbeing support. We’re here to help locals stay healthy, independent, and connected — right here in their own community.
Mission
Our mission is to provide comprehensive and compassionate health and wellbeing services to our community, regardless of their background or circumstances. We believe that everyone deserves to have access to quality healthcare and support, and we work tirelessly to make it a reality.
Vision
To be a trusted, inclusive, and sustainable rural health service that empowers our community to live healthier, safer, and more connected lives.
History
1928 - Bush Nursing Centre Formed
Early in 1928 a public meeting was organised by President of the Red Cross Branch, Mrs George Murray, with the view to establishing a Bush Nursing Centre in Lake Bolac.​
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Miss Gillies, Superintendent of the Bush Nursing Association of Victoria, attended the meeting and a Committee was formed to canvas support for a Centre. The area canvassed was from Wickliffe to Mininera.
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By September 1928 a Centre had been formed with Mr Hugh O’Rorke, the first President. In 1933 a weatherboard ‘shack’ was rented for 2/6 per week. This ‘shack’ was located in Montgomery Street next to the present Bush Nursing Centre. The building had previously been used as a fruit shop. The building was later demolished.
Meet the Team
Our dedicated team of nurses, health professionals, and support staff are at the heart of everything we do. Get to know the people providing care and support in your community.
Jan Milliken
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
NP, RN, Cert Remote Area Practice,
Nurse Immuniser, RAN, GradDip
Adv Nurse (Cancer/Pallative Care),
M Clin Nurse
Helen Bubb
CLINICAL NURSING COORDINATOR
RN, BNurse, Nurse Immuniser, RAN
Heather Phillips
CLINICAL NURSING COORDINATOR
RN, DipAppSci (Nurse),
Crit Care Nurse Cert, Cert IV TAE,
Nurse Immuniser, RAN
Fiona Meek
REGISTERED NURSE
RN, BNurse, Nurse Immuniser, RAN
Carolyn Phillips
CLINICAL SUPPORT NURSE
RN, BNurse, RIPRN,
Nurse Immuniser, RAN
Grace Liston
REGISTERED NURSE
RN, BNurse, Nurse Immuniser
Kirsten Walker
REGISTERED NURSE
RN, BNurse, GradDip Adv Clin Nurse (Emerg),
GradDip PMD, RAN
Tam Phillips
REGISTERED NURSE
RN, BNurse, GradDip Periop Nurse,
GradCert Ag Health & Med
Caroline Laidlaw
ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE OFFICER
Cert II IT, OHS Cert
Julie Rooth
ADMINISTRATION OFFICER/RECEPTIONIST
Briony Blake
SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP COORDINATOR
Cert IV TAE, Dip DT, Cert IV Aged Care,
Dip Disab
Sharyn MacLeod
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OFFICER
Cert III Health Services
Carmel O’Brien
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OFFICER
Cert III Home and Community Care
Board Members
Christopher MacRae
PRESIDENT
Elected 2013 B Eng (Mining) Primary Producer
Davina Stacy
TREASURER
Safety & Quality, Finance & IT. Elected 2016. B Com, CPA, Dip Comm Services (Financial Counselling), Graduate of AICD 2021. Commercial Manager Gorst Rural / Primary Producer.
David Hucker
JUNIOR VICE-PRESIDENT
Finance & IT. Elected 1987. BVSc (Honours). Primary Producer/Veterinary Consultant.
Kaye Blackburn OAM
Community Engagement. Elected 1997. Primary Producer,
SECRETARY
Lisa Wills
MEMBER
Quality & Safety. Elected 2013. PhD (Archaeology). Farmer & Grazier
Malcolm Sanders OAM
MEMBER
Community Engagement. Elected 2020. B.Ed, GradDip A & Entmt Mgmt. Manager, Pyrenees Community House, OAM
Owen Harris
CLINICAL REPRESENTATIVE
Safety & Quality. Elected 2024. MBBS, FRCPA. Pathologist/Clinical Microbiologist (Retired).
Patricia Higgins
MEMBER
Community Engagement, elected 2023 DipAppArts, BTeaching Farmer/Teacher
Colette Dawson
CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVE
Quality & Safety. Elected 2013. PhD (Archaeology). Farmer & Grazier.
PartnersAnd Allies
We work closely with local health services, government agencies, and community organisations to deliver connected, high-quality care. These partnerships help us offer more to our community, right here in Lake Bolac.
