Chief Executive
Anthony West
Anthony West is a physiotherapist with over 30 years' experience, having worked in a wide range of primary healthcare settings.
Anthony strongly believes in providing opportunities for people and communities to engage in healthy behaviours and to prevent ill health.
He's focused on improving healthcare delivery across a wide range of services. These include allied health, mental health, child health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, maternity, and sexual and reproductive health.
He's a proud co-founder of the Old Thomson River Rd parkrun in Longreach. This is a great opportunity for the community to get together and exercise.
Anthony has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, a Master of Sports Physiotherapy and a Graduate Certificate in Business. He's also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Executive Director Medical Services
Dr David Walker
Dr David Walker is a rural generalist who was appointed as Executive Director of Medical Services in January 2021. He was previously Director of Medical Services for 5 years.
David has a passion for rural and remote medicine, in particular mental health, having completed advanced training in 2008. He spent 12 years working in the Longreach community.
He provides leadership across the entire health service and appreciates the challenges delivering healthcare in remote settings. David is committed to helping deliver high quality health care as close to home as possible.
David has bachelor’s degrees in science, medicine and surgery and a postgraduate qualification in Mental Health. He also has an Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators.
David is studying for a Master of Health Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Services
Adjunct Professor Danielle Causer
Adjunct Professor Danielle Causer is our professional lead for Nursing and Midwifery services. Her nursing experience spans 19 years, mostly in rural and remote areas. She’s committed to building a strong nursing and midwifery workforce, offering safe and quality care in our region.
Danielle has served on hospital and health service boards since 2012 and is currently a Director for the CRANAplus Board.
Her extensive knowledge of complex health management systems and public hospital governance has been gained through roles from clinical to senior executive.
Danielle’s a 2022 graduate of the International Council of Nurse’s Global Nurse Leadership Scholars program.
She strongly advocates for equitable access to healthcare in rural and remote regions, proudly creating the nursing podcast, A Nurse Out Where.
Danielle is an Adjunct Professor with James Cook University and holds a Masters of Nursing. She also has qualifications in clinical education, general practice and project management.
Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Daniel Carter
Daniel has over 10 years’ experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community health, engagement and policy development.
This includes working in local and state government and in non-government organisations.
Daniel is a Ngarrindjeri/Wergaia man and grew up in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. He brings a strong passion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health to his role.
Before joining Central West, Daniel was the Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health at Monash Health, the largest health service in Victoria.
He was responsible for organisational wide strategies to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health priorities, employment outcomes, and quality and safety compliance.
Daniel has a Bachelor of Health Science from Monash University and is studying towards a Master of Public Health.
General Manager Acute Health Services
Karen McLellan
Karen McLellan has over 33 years' experience across nursing, midwifery, and project management roles.
Karen began her nursing career at Longreach Hospital as a registered nurse in 1987. She completed her nursing training at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
She expanded her clinical experience working at the Mater Mothers, Toowoomba, Warwick, Guyra and Armidale and Blackall hospitals before returning to Longreach Hospital in 1996.
Karen was appointed as Longreach Director of Nursing position in 2010 before being appointed as the Director of Nursing, Transition and Commissioning in 2017.
To support this role, she completed a Diploma of Project Management (UNE).Karen is also studying for a Bachelor of Healthcare with Professional Honours – clinical Redesign (UTAS).
She led design and construction projects at Longreach Hospital, Aramac PHC, Boulia PHC and Wellbeing Centre and for the Blackall Hospital Redevelopment.
Karen is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with Mt Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health in recognition of her long standing association with James Cook University.
Acting General Manager Primary Health
Karlee Quin
Karlee Quin has contributed to health service delivery and change management projects in lead agencies across Australia including:
- Australian Army Medical Centre
- Children’s Health Queensland
- Mater Health Services
- Children’s Advice and Transportation Coordination Hub
- Queensland Patient Access Coordination Hub
- Department of Child Safety and Youth Justice
- remote Northern Territory health facilities and NGOs.
Karlee specialises in leading restructuring projects and rebuilding teams. Her focus is investing in people and improving systems.
She’s a registered nurse with 25 years’ experience in clinical and administrative roles across public and private health care sectors.
Karlee has a Bachelor of Nursing, a Graduate Certificate in Paediatrics, and a Graduate Certificate in Management.
Executive Director Finance, Infrastructure and Support Services
Joseph Byrne
Joseph Byrne is an experienced financial professional with over 12 years' experience in leadership roles, most recently as Finance Manager of QEII Hospital.
He has extensive experience delivering financial services, leading projects and providing strategic analysis and advice in large and complex organisations.
Joe previously held roles with Children’s Health Queensland, Metro North Hospital and Health Service and the Department of Housing and Public Works.
Joe is a member of CPA Australia and has a Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resource Management.
Executive Director Workforce Governance and Information Management
Lorelle Coombe
Lorelle Coombe joined our health service in August 2015 and supports the Board leading the strategic development for workforce, governance and information management.
She works with a team of executives to develop innovative ways to deliver high quality patient care and best possible outcomes.
Before joining Central West, Lorelle was the Regional Manager, Business Services with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
This role had a broad portfolio including human resource management, workplace health and safety, finance and assets, information technology and customer service centre management.
She's also held several executive positions with Central Queensland Institute TAFE, including Corporate Services Manager, Campus Manager and Director, Human Resources.
Lorelle has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a Master of Business Administration with a focus on human resource.
Chief Information Officer Rural and Remote
Helen Murray
Helen Murray has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years and has extensive experience as a Company Director for several not for profit Boards.
She has a passion for health and IT and a solid track record delivering innovative technologies in rural and remote Queensland.
Helen was a founding member of the National E-Health Transition Authority, and instrumental in establishing key building blocks necessary for My Health Record.
She's held senior roles in private industry delivering some of Australia and New Zealand’s first nurse led triage call centres after spending several years with NHS Scotland.
In recognition of her commitment to better healthcare through innovative technology she received the 2011 Women in Technology Professional Award. She also received the Women in Technology Outstanding ICT Achievement award in 2014 and was named Women in Technology ICT Ambassador for 2014.
Helen led the highly successful ‘The Viewer’ program which has won a number of awards. These include the Excellence in eGovernment Award for the Gov2.0 category in 2015 and Australia Day Awards in 2013 and 2014. It was also awarded the Queensland iAwards State Merit Recipient in 2012.
Helen has hospital based and tertiary qualifications, including a Bachelor of Nursing and a Graduate Certificate of Information Technology. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.