MEDIA RELEASE
23 November 2015
Hunter Primary Care appoints new Directors at Annual General
Meeting
Hunter Primary Care presented its Annual Report to its members at the organisation’s Annual
General Meeting on Friday evening.
At the meeting Chair Dr Trent Watson told members that he would be stepping down from the Hunter
Primary Care Board to continue his Board position on the newly formed Hunter New England Central
Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN). Trent will be replaced with the newly elected Chair Dr
Peter Hopkins.
At the meeting members were told by the outgoing chair, Dr Watson that “The pace of change in
primary health care accelerated this year with the creation of Primary Health Networks across the
country and the end of Medicare Local funding at 30 June. It has been a year of significant change
but despite this the outlook for Hunter Primary Care for the next year remains strong. We expect a
total revenue exceeding $23m, with $12.5m of this being from non-PHN sources. We have a solid
foundation from which to deliver high value, quality services that meet the needs of the community”.
Dr Watson said that while flagship programs such as GP Access After Hours and headspace
Newcastle continued to perform strongly it wasn’t just the headline programs that were delivering
value to the community and the organisation’s members.
“It is the day to day services that we deliver to our community and our members that are just as
critical in consolidating our reputation as a leader in the provision of primary health care services
across the Hunter. Over the coming months it will become increasingly important for us to push for
greater recognition of these services and the role they play in keeping people well and out of
hospital”, Dr Watson said.
Dr Watson thanked and acknowledged the substantial contribution of outgoing Board members, Dr
Belinda Guest, Kelly Jones and Bob Horne. He also congratulated and recognised the staff for their
ongoing commitment and support.
The four new Board Appointed Directors for the next two years were announced to the membership,
one of these Directors being re-appointed. They are:
Richard Anicich – a partner of Sparke Helmore, a national law firm with its origins in Newcastle. He
is a director of Hunter Business Chamber and was President of the Chamber for 3 years until late
2014. Richard is a Conjoint Professor of Practice in the School of Law at the University of Newcastle,
the Chair of the Australian Institute of Company Director’s Hunter committee and a member of the
Port of Newcastle Community Liaison Group.
Jennifer Hayes – a certified practicing accountant with over 20 years’ experience working in senior
roles for national and international organisations. Jennifer formerly held positions with Mars,
Incorporated, as Finance Director Central Europe and Group Financial Controller Australia/New
Zealand. She was also Executive Manager for North East Water where she was responsible for
Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Marketing and Communications, Customer Services and
Human Resources.
Jennifer is a member of the University Council of Charles Sturt University, the Upper Hunter Shire
Council Audit Advisory Committee, BHP Billiton Mt Arthur Coal Community Consultation Committee
and City2City Community Foundation for the Albury Wodonga Region Ltd (Border Trust).
Jennifer is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of
Business (Accountancy) and a Master of Business.
Scott Puxty – a lawyer with 20 years’ experience working in the areas of commercial dispute
resolution, workplace relations, compliance and risk management.
Scott was a partner of two national law firms for almost 10 years and presently is a partner at
Newcastle based law firm, Cantle Carmichael Legal.
Throughout his career Scott has worked with a diverse range of local and international corporate
clients in the areas of health and disability services, hospitality, IT, infrastructure, manufacturing and
engineering, mining and property development, as well as state and federal government agencies and
NGOs.
Scott presently serves as a Public Officer for the Barkuma Neighbourhood Centre, a Hunter based
Aboriginal NGO.
Steven Adams (re-appointed) – a senior professional with a background in engineering,
construction, defence industry, vocational education, health and community enterprises. Board
appointments include NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, Mandurah Hunter Indigenous
Business Chamber and Indigenous Communities Alliance.
The four appointed Directors will join Member-nominated Directors Dr Peter Hopkins, Dr Mark Foster,
Dr Milton Sales and Ben Wilkins who will continue their term of office for the next year.
Ends
A copy of the Annual Report can be found at www.hunterprimarycare.com.au
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Sophie Williams D 4935 3171 M 0407 956 861