Croakey would like to congratulate the new Chair of the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) Lesley Barclay, Professor and Director of Sydney University’s Lismore-based University Centre of Rural Health.
Professor Barclay will be well known to many Croakey readers for her research and strong advocacy work for women in rural and remote areas, particularly around maternity and birthing services. She brings a wealth of experience, passion and commitment to her new role.
As readers will know, she will be following the three years of outstanding leadership from Dr Jenny May, doctor and academic from Tamworth NSW. During this time Dr May made a number of impressive gains in rural and remote health, ably supported by Gordon Gregory and his excellent team at the NRHA Secretariat.
Croakey also congratulates other NRHA office bearers on their appointment, including Dr Kathy Kirkpatrick who was re-elected Deputy Chairperson of the Alliance. Other members of the new Board are optometrist Phil Anderton from Manilla; remote area nurse Sophie Heathcote from Dubbo; physiotherapist Rob Curry from Darwin; and rural GP Tim Kelly from Crystal Brook in South Australia.
