| Health chairman remembered for work |
| By News Report
Bendigo Health pays tribute to Richard Clarke
THE Bendigo community is mourning the death of prominent local resident and Bendigo Health board member Richard Clarke.
Mr Clarke, aged 50, died suddenly on Monday.
Chair of the board of directors of Bendigo Health Marika McMahon said Mr Clarke would be remembered for his enormous contribution to the organisation.
“I would like to acknowledge Richard’s enormous contribution to Bendigo Health and extend our deepest sympathy to Gail and his family,” she said.
“I and the board would particularly like to thank all the staff members who were involved in the treatment and care of Richard and his family, during such a sad time and emotional time.
“An inspirational and dedicated man, Richard will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.”
Richard completed his training as a psychiatric nurse in 1979 and during the 80s worked in a variety of roles, including as a psychiatric nurse at the Bendigo Psychiatric Centre and in the then Victorian Health Department.
From 1992 until 1994 Richard was the chief executive officer of the Bendigo and Region Psychiatric Services.
This was a time of great change in that service and in psychiatric services generally in Victoria and was probably the start of Richard’s keen interest and specialisation in change management.
From 1997 to 2002 Richard was the executive director of Mental Health Services in the ACT and was proud of the significant changes he led during that time.
In latter years, Richard’s work as Steve Gibbons’ chief of staff during the past 18 months, enabled him to work with Steve on many of his areas of interest, including health, but also education and particularly on issues regarding La Trobe University Bendigo.
Richard played a key role in obtaining an election promise from the now federal government prior to last year’s election, regarding Bendigo’s Primary Health Centre and has continued to work with the organisations involved in that project.
Richard was also previously a City of Greater Bendigo councillor and board member of Bendigo Base Hospital before he was appointed to the board of Bendigo Health Care Group in March 2003.
During his time on the board he has contributed in particular by bringing his knowledge of mental health issues, management and change management, and nursing issues generally.
Richard was passionate about the provision of health services to our community and supporting our staff.
Richard was also enthusiastic about quality and quality systems and had recently become chair of our Quality Committee and had great plans for enhancing governance and quality at Bendigo Health.
Richard was also enthusiastic about the development of the hospital’s new strategic plan.
Richard’s family has a strong presence at Bendigo Health.
His wife Gail, his brother, his sister and niece are all employees of the local organisation.
|
