Rose started working at WHG in March 2019 and brings with her extensive health and social policy experience across the not-for-profit and government sector. She has worked in women’s health promotion and advocacy, cancer screening policy, and adoption and fostering research. Rose has a combined Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Social Science (Policy and Human Services). She is committed to improving women’s health and challenging gender inequality.

Leena joined WHG in April 2021 as a Bilingual Health Educator, assisting migrant and refugee women to access CALD appropriate health information and make informed health choices. Leena has also worked as a Software Engineer in both government and private sector and is from Singapore. Leena is currently pursuing the Bachelor of Community and Human Services and working in the role as our CoRE Support Officer.

Dee became a WHG team member in 2015 after six months abroad in Cambodia as a research assistant for Deakin University exploring the sexual and reproductive health perceptions of garment factory workers, and as a health promotion worker for the National Centre for Health Promotion, increasing dialogue on maternal and infant mortality and contributing to tobacco legislative reforms. Dee has a Masters of Public Health, a Bachelor of Food Science & Nutrition with Honours and a Bachelor of Health Science. As a health promotion officer and nutritionist Dee is dedicated to improving the health outcomes of women.

Melissa has worked for local government and community sectors for over 25 years. She has extensive experience in community development, community engagement, strategic planning, policy development and partnerships. Melissa has worked in the Wimmera region for 13 years and joined WHG in 2016.

Upon joining the team in 2017, Kate brings over 14 years of experience in community development and health and wellbeing planning to WHG. She has previously developed public health plans, social policy, strategy development and community engagement. Kate has a Bachelor of Media Studies and a Masters of Business Administration and is passionate about working with organisations and communities to improve the health and wellbeing of women in the region.

Claire has worked for both state government agencies and private industry in a variety of roles from land management to web design. She has extensive experience in project management, strategic planning and community engagement. She has lived and worked in Gariwerd / Grampians for the last 10 years and has been enjoying working with the great team at Women’s Health Grampians this year.

Jane has over 25 years experience in planning , implementing and managing a range of primary care services in the community setting. She has a Bachelor of Education and is committed to genuine client participation in the design and delivery of programs that directly impact on them. She is a champion of the codesign and the recovery model.

Deb joined the WHG team in 2018. Deb commenced her career as a registered nurse and has lived and worked both interstate and overseas including third world countries. She has also worked in the primary care, corporate and education sectors. Deb has a passion for improving the lives of those in her community with a particular focus on those in marginalised communities. When she is not at work Deb loves spending time with her family, gardening, reading and exploring the region.

Ange has worked in various community, sporting and not-for-profit organisations in Australia and the UK, and has experience in project management, community engagement, event management, fundraising and partnerships. Ange has previously studied a Bachelor of Arts/Education and Bachelor of Social Sciences and is currently working on a Master of Arts (Sociology).

Katja joined the WHG team in 2022, and brings 10 years of professional experience in the community development sector including in youth, arts and intercultural settings. Holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social and Cultural Studies, Katja migrated to Australia in 2012 from Berlin, Germany. She is a passionate advocate for gender equality, access and inclusion, and increased leadership opportunities for women.

Having worked in a variety of industries Shannon has extensive experience in project management, communications, technology, and women's sexual and reproductive health. Shannon joined the WHG team in 2012, inspired by the opportunity to return to her home town, to increase community awareness and understanding of the sexual and reproductive health issues that women face across Grampians region.

Stephanie joined the WHG team in 2023 after working for 11 years as a Registered Nurse in Women’s and Children’s Services. In addition to her nursing work, Stephanie has also been involved in multiple community-based organisations and currently sits on the Executive Committee for the Ballarat Regional Trades Hall Council. As a proud and passionate feminist, Stephanie advocates for all women and gender diverse people to have access to safe, local, comprehensive healthcare.

Katrina joined WHG in 2022 as a Multilingual Health Educator, focusing on delivering COVID-19 Information sessions to the Filipino community. She uses her background in International Relations and Development to make impactful contributions with each engagement. She completed her Masters in Development Studies from the University of Melbourne in 2017 and has been curious about structures and norms that affect outcomes for women. She is committed to finding solutions, collaborating with a network of advocates, and applying best practices in her role as the Migrant and Refugee Health Equality Advisor to co-design an environment that benefits everyone.

Carly joined joined WHG as Gender & Disability Advisor after serving on the board for 12 months. Carly has recently been accepted into the Master of Public Health course at Deakin University which has a focus on health promotion with a stream on disability and ethics which is of key interest for her. Carly has experience serving on various Board and Committees including Government Liaison Officer, Short Statured People of Australia; and President, Genetic Support Network of Victoria.

For over 25 years she has been providing direct service delivery for people experiencing marginalisation and she has a deep understanding and experience of the need to apply an intersectional lens as a First Nations woman. The majority of work Lyndel has done has been with First Nations communities. The roles include engagement with youth and youth homelessness, homelessness and advocacy for improved housing and access to suitable, appropriate and safe housing. Most recently Lyndel worked with First Nations Women and children experiencing Family Violence and participated in Yarning Circles with Young First Nations People who have experienced Family Violence.

Luke has an extensive work history across health and welfare sectors including time as the Mens’s Health Co-ordinator for Nganampa Health on the remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands of central Australia. More recently Luke was the Manager of Family Services at Goolum Goolum Aboriginal co-operative in Horsham. Luke has a strong commitment to addressing gender inequality and building healthy communities.

Mika commenced with WHG in 2022. Mika has a Bachelor of Social Science and Master of Public Policy. Mika has over 25 years professional experience working in the community and human services sector including not-for-profit, local government, and university settings. She has experience in direct practice service delivery with marginalised and disadvantaged populations including people experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers, and young people. Mika has research, program design / implementation, and project management experience in violence prevention and gender equality initiatives. She is passionate about courageous innovation that challenges and changes gender inequality and discrimination, gendered violence, and structural oppression.

Belinda joined the WHG team in 2023. Belinda has a Bachelor of Development Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health and Welfare. Belinda comes from a community development background with experience working in the community legal sector, higher education, the not-for-profit sector, and the refugee youth settlement area. Belinda has a passion for empowering communities through education and welcomes the opportunity to be part of a primary prevention approach to eliminating gender inequality and violence against women.

WHG added Vernetta to their team in August 2023. Her previous employment focused on community and leadership development in Wimmera Southern Mallee. Vernetta also has experience in event management, primary health, recruitment, and training. Vernetta is passionate about educating regional businesses, organisations, sporting groups, and community groups about gender equality. She is dedicated to improving outcomes for women and children in the Grampians region and making it a great place for everyone to live and thrive.