Yesterday, the Minister for Mental Health, Ingrid Stitt, announced the appointment of the new Board for the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing.
We are delighted to welcome Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon as Chair, together with new Board members Harsh Bansal, Heather Pickard OAM and Associate Professor Simon Stafrace, who will join continuing members, Gill Callister and Sheree Lowe. The new Board will commence on 2 August 2026.
Professor Fitz-Gibbon is an experienced Board Chair with expertise across research translation, governance, policy and law. Together, the Board brings diverse experience across mental health and wellbeing, clinical and corporate governance, Lived and Living Experience, Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing, research translation and system reform.
Professor Fitz-Gibbon said:
I’m proud to be appointed Chair of the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing and look forward to working with my fellow Board members, lived experience leaders, researchers and practitioners.
The Board will guide the Collaborative Centre through its next phase of reform in collaboration with partners across Victoria, advancing the Centre’s work in translating research into practice innovation, strengthening workforce capability, and embedding Lived and Living Experience in our work.
We also want to take this moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to outgoing Chair Gerry Naughtin, Deputy Chair Amelia Walters (both pictured), and outgoing members Professor Lisa Brophy, Dr David Fenn, Associate Professor Bridget Hamilton, Phong Nguyen and Fionn Skiotis for their leadership, commitment and contributions over many years.
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Their expertise and dedication have established strong foundations for the Collaborative Centre and its future work.