Board

Jane Williams

Appointed: 29 June 2012
Board Chair: 18 May 2016 
Current term: 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2028

Jane is an experienced Board Chair and Director across several sectors including Health, Water and NFP Organisations.

Jane holds Qualifications in Management and Community Engagement and has 30 years experience in health and an extensive background in rural and remote emergency nursing.

Jane has developed a wealth of transferable skills, networks and experiences. These include building
strong partnerships and relationships, leadership, governance, operational and financial management, stakeholder engagement and negotiation, strategic planning and connecting people.

Jane is a team player and looks for the good and opportunity in every situation. She is driven to
improve the health and wellbeing of people in regional and remote Australia.

Having lived and worked in various communities in the Central West for thirty years, Jane has a strong understanding of how important it is for the people to have access to safe, quality and consistent health care services.

Boyd Johnstone

Appointed: 1 April 2026
Deputy Chair: 1 April 2026
Current term: 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2030

Boyd is a Central Western local and has had seven generations of his family live in this region. Whilst also a small business owner in Blackall, Boyd is a solicitor by profession and works from within the region as an associate solicitor with a Brisbane based firm.

He has been an elected councillor of the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council since 2016 with his primary focus being on livability and community which he believes translates into his role with the CWHHB. He has also served as the Council's Internal Audit Committee Chair since 2024.

Dr Christopher Symmons

Appointed: 1 April 2026
Current term: 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2030

Dr Symmons is involved in clinical governance at a state and national level through his participation in the Queensland Clinical Senate, which provides strategic advice on system-wide health issues, and the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Advisory Committee, an independent clinician-led committee advising Government on improving access to high-value care. He also brings non-clinical governance experience through his involvement with the Desert Channels Queensland Board and as owner of a local birdwatching tourism business, supporting regional economic and community development. He is committed to strengthening rural health systems and ensuring services are responsive to the needs of remote communities.

Morgan Gronold

Appointed: 1 April 2026

Current term: 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2030

Morgan has spent the last 10 years with the Central Western Remote Area Planning and Development (RAPAD) Board and was made CEO in 2026. RAPAD brings together local government representatives from across our region to drive regionally focused opportunities in Central West Queensland.

Previous to this role Morgan spent over 15 years in the central west region with the Queensland Government focused on the international marketing & export of meat and agricultural products which saw him spend time in Latin America, the USA & China.

Elizabeth (Liz) Fraser

Appointed: 18 May 2016
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Previous work in local, state-wide and contracted delivery of human and educational services has provided Liz with a wealth of experience in shaping and assessing the benefits of government programs and leading organisational change in pursuit of better outcomes.

A key focus for Liz in this context is ensuring people in rural and remote areas can access and be participants in shaping the health services they need.

Her time as Queensland Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child Guardian and in social work advocating actively for the rights, safety, and wellbeing of people as well as her senior executive leadership roles in government effecting service delivery, public service innovation, collaboration and performance improvements have all enhanced her capabilities to provide strategic oversight and development of the Central West Hospital and Health Service through her role as Board Member.

Liz actively champions the importance of stakeholder engagement and effective strategic management practices to secure agreed outcomes and foster inclusive practices.

Leisa Fraser

Appointed: 18 May 2016
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Leisa Fraser has more than 25 years professional experience in finance, human resource management, workplace health and safety and quality improvement across the Health and Community Services Sector.

Leisa has undertaken extensive work in the Aged Care and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Environment and works tirelessly to ensure that the needs of rural and remote people in relation to accessing health services in-line with their needs are achieved. Leisa currently works for the Western Queensland Primary Health Network as the Head of Primary Heath and Commissioned Services.

Leisa lives in Winton and works across the vast Western Queensland Primary Health Network region spanning an area encompassing approximately 55% of Queensland. Leisa is passionate about providing comprehensive primary health care and support services to the people of Western Queensland and when she is not working, she spends time with her family and serving the Winton Community through various community groups. Lesia has a Certificate IV in Mental Health (Non-Clinical) and a Certificate IV in Business and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kieran Chilcott

Appointed: 18 May 2021
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Kieran Chilcott is an Aboriginal man from the Yugarabul people in South East Queensland. He is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and board director primarily in the health and human services sector.

Kieran has been employed by Kalwun Development Corporation Ltd, an Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation on the Gold Coast, for over 15 years. He is a founding director and the current Chairperson of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, and a board director of Check Up Australia and Ohana for Youth.

Kieran attained a Bachelor of Education majoring in behaviour management from Griffith University in 2006. In addition to his education degree, Kieran has completed a range of other tertiary qualifications including: Diploma of Management, the Australian Institute of Company Directors Company Directors Course, Certificate IV in Mental Health, Certificate IV in Project Management, Certificate IV in Business (Governance) and Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training.

Brett Walsh

Appointed: 1 July 2024
Current term: 1 July 2024 to 31 March 2028

Mr Brett Walsh has served as the Longreach Regional Council CEO since October 2022 and has spent many years in the Central West, previously holding various senior executive positions with the Barcaldine Regional Council.

Brett has a managerial finance and strategic leadership background, holds a Bachelor of Commerce, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

In 2008 Brett received a Department of Local Government Community Hero Award, as well as the Butch Lenton Memorial Bush Heritage Innovation Award in 2018.