Kate Redwood’s passion for rural communities is undeniable! Her past and present appointments demonstrate her passion for supporting her community to thrive through governance, sport, health, housing, media, finance, sustainable energy sourcing, land management and the local neighbourhood centre. Kate’s ability to rally the community is due to her infectious optimism and “can do” attitude coupled with her expertise in leadership and strategic governance.
Since 2016, Kate has served as a Board member for Hepburn Health Service which became part of Central Highlands Rural Health in 2019. Her contribution to the health service is remarkable serving as Deputy Chair of the Board, Fundraising Chair and member of the Audit and Risk committee. Through these roles, Kate’s expertise and experience in governance and strategic planning were well utilised to enhance access healthcare for rural Victorians.
Kate recently announced that she would complete her term on the Central Highlands Rural Health Board of Management to focus on new projects closer to home. She reflected on her time with the health service stating,
“It has been a privilege and a joy to lead the fundraising efforts for Central Highlands Rural Health, over the last eight years. Central Highlands Rural Health provides wonderful health services to folk from Daylesford, Kyneton, Creswick, Clunes and Trentham regions – respecting local traditions and community wishes. Our fundraising efforts have seen funds raised locally used in the townships where the funds were raised. Community support has been wonderful and continues to bring happiness to many people. There are so many people both within the staff of Central Highlands Rural Health and in the community who I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart.”
Central Highlands Rural Health’s Board and CEO reflected on Kate’s contribution to the health service.
Maree Cuddihy, CEO said,
“We are incredibly gratefully to Kate for her energy, passion and determination to maintain and improve healthcare for rural Victorians. She has an incredible network due to expansive involvement in community projects. Her focus on local solutions and her contributions across all of our campuses has been exceptional. She has been an inspirational mentor to our fundraising manager and has a lasting impacting on all who have the pleasure of working with her. We wish Kate all the best.”
Phillip Thomason, Board Chair said,
"Kate has been an exceptional contributor to the board. Kate's engagement with the Hepburn Shire community has been long and deep and across many facets of community life. This unique background and experience has seen Kate's contributions delivered through the unwavering lens of the local community. Kate ensures that all governance decisions and guidance is made with the community's best interest in mind, and the voice of the customer loudly heard. Kate's unique and valuable contribution and insights will be missed, but her legacy of achievement and engagement of our community will live on to benefit the health service for years to come"
The Hon. Mary Delahunty, Board member said,
“Whether it is raising funds for specialist beds in our new aged care facility in Creswick, driving donations to assist allied health programs across the community or working effectively with local leaders to develop designs and support for the Daylesford Hospital rebuild, Kate is a powerhouse. She is a highly respected member of the Central Highlands Health Board who generously provides her time and expertise to assist other Board members and the staff of our Health Service.”
Bronwyn Malignaggi, Board member said,
Kate is a staunch advocate for the CHRH constituents and consumers. Demonstrated best from her time as chair of the Fund-raising Committee where she has devoted a lot of personal time and efforts in achieving outstanding results. The Daylesford and Creswick fund raising drives are just two recent examples. She is a force to be reckoned with and will be sorely missed. While she won’t be on the Board, I have no doubt she will remain a passionate supporter.
Some highlights from Kate’s time as Fundraising Committee Chair was the Daylesford Night Market in 2017; the Daylesford Hospital Upgrade Appeal that raised funds to create a masterplan to re-develop the hospital, aged care and community health facilities; the Creswick Health Upgrade Appeal to cover the increase in cost of upgrades to the aged care facilities; the Wooling Hill Runs that funded a cuddle bed and care van for Kyneton Health; the Trentham Easter Art & Craft Show donation that went towards a dementia-friendly mural in the aged care dining room as well as the plans for a wellness garden at Clunes Health.
It is rare to encounter someone so willing and able to fulfil so many roles within a community in order to address present and future needs of its residents than Kate Redwood. She has been able to transfer her skills in governance at an international, national and state-wide level to a local level across the Central Highlands region.
Her impact is in her leadership – she empowers others to take-action whilst leading by example to get the job done. Her inspirational leadership style is key to her success in addressing community needs with the support of its members. She has a belief that action creates positive change and she uses her powerful communication and community engagement skills to rally others for a good cause and the results have been amazing.
Photos:
- CHRH Board: Sandy Herriott, Pauline Stanton, Sally Kirkright, Ken Gray, Louise Thompson, Kate Redwood, Phillip Thomson, CEO Maree Cuddihy & The Hon. Mary Delahunty
- Kate Redwood, former Board Member
- Fundraising Committee: Kathryn Kosloff, Maree Cuddihy, Pauline Stanton & Phil Catterson (Absent, Bronwyn Malignaggi, Brenda Rooney and Cornelia Wende)
