Health chair farewelled

The outgoing chair of Bass Coast Health, Don Paproth, is passing the baton to Deputy Chair Ian Thompson after seven years at the helm of Bass Coast Health.

Mr Paproth said one of his proudest achievements is the Cancer Centre that opened at Wonthaggi Hospital in April 2021.

The centre was funded with support from the Federal government, plus a huge donation from the Rigby Family.

“About a decade ago we watched a dear friend of ours, Kevin O'Halloran, struggle through a long battle with pancreatic cancer which he eventually lost. We took turns driving him to Traralgon,” Mr Paproth said.

“The journey was not easy for him and I always thought what a wonderful thing it would be if his chemo could have been delivered in Wonthaggi.

“Well now it is. It's too late for Kevin but it won't be for anyone now or in the future.”

Stage one of the Wonthaggi Hospital Expansion (WHE) – due to open in December – follows as a close second on Mr Paproth's list of achievements.

"I look at the magnificent new facilities at Wonthaggi Hospital and I'm so thrilled that this is happening.

“Apart from the obviously impressive building itself, the new operating theatres and sterilising area, the new Emergency Department and the wonderful inpatient facility are brilliantly designed.”
Mr Paproth said he was stepping down from the Board due to personal family reasons.

He stated his pride in BCH's local focus in the services it offers and the economic boost it gives. With more than 1200 employees, BCH is the largest single employer in the local region and is continuing to grow.

"In addition, both the Government and the Opposition have pledged over $250 million to build stages two and three of the WHE," he said.

“We have also received extraordinary support from the Department of Health as we have grown as a sub-regional health service and we earnt that support by delivering what we were asked to deliver: growing our workforce and growing the number of services.”

Mr Paproth spoke of the staff of BCH in glowing terms.

"The fact that our staff kept this place together over the last few years during Covid is astonishing. I take my hat off to them,” he said.

"It is difficult to leave but personal circumstances have made it necessary. There are two factors that make it a little easier to go. First, we can look back with pride at what we have achieved over these last seven years and, secondly, I am handing over to someone I trust and believe in completely.

"Ian will do a wonderful job."

As incoming chair, Mr Thompson has pledged to continue the work of the Board developed by Mr Paproth, including the construction of the Phillip Island Community Hospital, the second and third stages of the WHE, and a continued focus on quality and safety.

“I am honoured and enthusiastic to be appointed Board Chair. We have a talented and experienced Board and I will be ably assisted by Deputy Chair Nicky Chung.

Mr Thompson joined the BCH Board in July 2016 following more than 30 years’ experience in financial markets in Australia and the United Kingdom.

His community service also extends to being a member of the board of the Snowdome Foundation – a charity that funds blood cancer research – an independent member of the State Sport Centre

Trust’s Audit and Risk Committee, and a member of the Uniting Church’s (Victorian and Tasmanian Synod) Risk Management Committee.

Mr Thompson is also a board member of the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses, and the Finance and Risk Committee of the Australian College of Optometry.

Mr Thompson and his family have a house in Cape Woolamai. He said joining BCH’s board was a great way to contribute to, and be a part of, the thriving Bass Coast community.

“It is so rewarding. We have an amazing group of volunteers and auxiliaries, coupled with strong support from local business and community groups,” he said.

“I really think that it’s our community that makes our service strong and sets us apart. Our staff are our greatest asset, many of whom are locals, or like me, have chosen to join our community.”

Mr Paproth’s board position is being filled via a process to fill vacancies on health service boards across Victoria.