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Get your race on! Five unmissable sporting challenges in country Victoria

One of the fantastic things about living in country Victoria is the number of sports that you can participate in. No matter if you prefer solo pursuits or team sports country Victoria has an event for you. These are our top five must-do sporting events that will test your training, let you see the state and have you raving for months:

Run Forrest – 10km/21km Trail Run (Includes a 6km kids run)
When: June Where: Forrest 

Get lost in the ferns at Run Forrest: www.runforest.com.au

Held in the small town of Forrest in the heart of the Otway Ranges, the race is one of the most beautiful trail running experiences in Australia. Admire the natural beauty of the bush, the undulating hills, flowing rivers, dense fern gullies and the cool, fresh air of the Otway Ranges from this world-class course. Give your knees a workout and enjoy the country race atmosphere that includes fires at the starting line to keep you warm and BBQ at the finish. Forrest is also known for its dining, so make sure your post-race recovery includes a meal in the town. www.runforest.com.au

Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride –  204km/145km/60km bike race
When: 18 April 2020 Where: Starting and finishing at Torquay 

A great day out on the bike: www.greatoceanotwayclassic.com.au

The Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride is one of Australia’s most spectacular rides and one not to be missed. It sells out every year with a route that has over 90km of road closures through the picturesque farmlands of the Otway ranges to Lorne and then back along the famous Great Ocean Road to Torquay. You think the Great Ocean Road looks beautiful from a car, see how incredible it is to ride your bike along it! Finish with a post-ride surf at Torquay’s world-famous surf beach. www.greatoceanotwayclassic.com.au

Massive Murray Paddle – 5-day adventure race
When: November  Where: Starting at Tocumwal 

Five days of perfect paddling: www.massivemurraypaddle.org.au

The Massive Murray Paddle is a time commitment, but it is also a paddling adventure that you won’t experience anywhere else. The race is in its 51st year and is run each November.

Paddlers raise money for local charities or community-driven programs. Travel 404 km starting at Tocumwal and finishing five days later at Swan Hill. Along the way, you will get to enjoy the scenery of the Murray River, camp each night, and make new friends. You will feel your arms burn and test your endurance. www.massivemurraypaddle.org.au

Kangaroo Hoppet – 7km/21km/42km – Cross Country Skiing
When: 24 August 2019 Where: Mt Beauty 

The ultimate snow weekend: http://www.hoppet.com.au

Try XC skiing at the Kangaroo Hoppet at Mt Beauty. The Hoppet is Australia’s largest international snowsports event, attracting over 1,200 competitors and the world’s best elite skiers. Traditionally held on the last Saturday in August, this event is a spectacle that creates one of Falls Creek’s most popular weekends. The Kangaroo Hoppet has events for all levels of participants, from beginners to elite. From newcomers to cross country skiing, these events are a great opportunity to meet skiers of all shapes and sizes and see what the sport can offer. Enjoy a snow-filled weekend and clock up some kilometres on world-class trails while enjoying the community of cross country skiing. http://www.hoppet.com.au

Summit Survivor – 5km Obstacle Race
When: November Where: Mt Beauty 

You will get muddy: www.summitsurvivor.com.au/

Summit Survivor is the most obstacle-dense mud-run course in Victoria. There are an epic 39 obstacles across five kilometres. Summit Survivor will challenge every part of your body, and like chess-boxing, it tests your mental concentration just when you least expect it. Go from crawling in the mud to climbing over walls to balancing on beams and using your wet, muddy hands to traverse monkey bars. Walk, run or sprint your way through this epic course. Watch out for the zaps! www.summitsurvivor.com.au/

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F E E D B A C K

Msc (Fin), FCCA, FGIA, CA

Shay brings over 20 years of financial
management experience in commercial and not-for-profit organizations. He has a
rich and varied experience in multiple finance and leadership roles in the
United Kingdom and Australia, including CFO, GM Finance & IT, Commercial
Manager Operations, Finance Manager and Accountant.

His extensive leadership experience is
augmented by an FGIA, FCCA, CA, a Masters in Finance and an undergraduate degree in
accounting and finance.

RN, GradDip(Health Promotion), PRINCE2, Mini MBA

Kate is a Registered Nurse highly experienced in health promotion and project management. Her people and program management skills enable her to be agile and adaptable while maintaining an outcomes focus on improving quality access to primary healthcare.

Kate’s extensive experience working with all levels of government, the community and stakeholders across the sector have provided her with insights into the challenges rural communities and health professionals face. Kate has led the design and delivery of many innovative and strategic health promotion and grants programs, supporting better access to health services, health information and activities across communities. Whilst at RWAV, Kate has led the transformation of the RWAV grants program, enhanced the administration of a number of programs and developed the RWAV allied health portfolio. She has also led the development of the RWAV research program of activities.

Having worked at RWAV since 2020, Kate will continue positively influencing the rural healthcare workforce and access to services.

Social Work (BA Hons), DipSW

With a background in social work and a proven record in recruitment, project management, and business development, Jo brings strategic leadership and a wealth of experience in driving positive outcomes within the health, human services, and State Government sectors.

Jo specialises in managing health professional recruitment and outreach programs, including the More Doctors for Rural Australia and 3GA programs. Her focus is on implementing innovative workforce strategies and clinical governance to bolster RWAV’s mission of enhancing healthcare accessibility in rural and regional Victoria.

Having previously excelled at RWAV, Jo spearheaded successful internal change initiatives while fostering strong relationships with external stakeholders. Her efforts consistently align with RWAV’s strategic direction, ensuring a cohesive approach to driving impactful change.

Beyond her professional expertise, Jo’s passion lies in uniting communities and championing positive transformations in rural healthcare in Victoria.

Martin is a governance professional and lawyer with experience in private practice and in-house legal roles. He has been a company secretary for public and private sector organisations across a range of industries including VicTrack, Regis Healthcare Limited and Dairy Australia Limited. He holds Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA) and is a fellow of the GIA.

With a rich background of consulting and in-house people and culture roles with the corporate, government and community sectors, Andrea is responsible for leading the implementation of RWAV’s People and Culture strategy, policies, processes, functions and team.

Andrea has significant experience in leading teams across culture, capability, diversity, equity, leadership, organisational development and learning programs as well as core human resources partnering.

With a strong focus on building and maintaining psychologically safe organisations, Andrea’s team is dedicated to ensuring that RWAV is a place where people can work well and be well at work.

B Comm MPP EdD DipEd MAICD

Rosemary has had a varied career as an academic teaching economics, public policy and industrial relations, and as a consultant, advocate, health union official and as a director.

She brings strong governance and strategic skills to the Board, as well as knowledge and depth of experience in health policy, economics and investment.

Rosemary was a Director of Aware Super for nine years, and Chair of the Investment Committee for three years. She was also a member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, the Governance Committee and the REM and HR Committee. Rosemary is currently a member of the Investment Committee of Cbus.

She was the Secretary of the Victorian Psychologists Association Inc for 20 years and knows first-hand the difficulties in attracting and retaining health professionals in rural and regional Victoria.

Dr Louise Manning is a rural GP Obstetrics trainee practising in Central Victoria where she delivers general practice, obstetric and sexual health services. Growing up in a small town she has lived experience of the difficulties accessing healthcare in rural and regional areas, and is dedicated to advocating for equitable health outcomes regardless of geography.

Louise is also a Board Director of the Rural Doctors’ Association of Victoria.

BAppSci GradDipBus MBus GAICD FIML

John Biviano is an experienced senior executive who has held many senior roles in government (Health Dept) and also in professional associations related to healthcare. Until recently, John was the CEO of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, where he oversaw the digitisation of a range of Member offerings, including aspects of training. 

BA (Politics/Philosophy) BEc GDipBus MBA GAICD FGIA

Roger is an accomplished CEO, Non-Executive Director and Chair with experience in the health, human services, law enforcement, education, transport, and environmental industries – across private, public sector and not-for-profit organisations

.He brings strong governance experience, commercial acumen, risk management and strategy skills combined with a passion for innovation and business development having also been Chair of numerous Finance, Audit, Risk, Investment and Community Advisory Committees.

BMBS MBA FRACP FRACMA FAICD FIML

Assoc Prof Phelps has practiced as a Gastroenterologist and Acute Physician in regional Victoria for more than 20 years.

He trained in safety and quality at Dr Brent James’ Institute at Intermountain Healthcare in the US and has held management and leadership roles in Victoria and Tasmania. More recently he completed a two-year project as Director of Clinical Governance for Central Adelaide Local Health Network.

Grant currently works as an independent consultant providing advice to hospitals and organisations on clinical leadership and safety and quality

LLB BSc MMgt (Strategic Foresight) GAICD

As a lawyer and business consultant Jane has worked with company boards and senior management across a range of areas including IP commercialisation, internet-based businesses, healthcare products/services, privacy and data/IT security. Jane is currently general counsel for .id Consulting – population demographers, economists and forecasters.

Jane served as a director of BreastScreen Victoria for 10 years, is a current director of Ballarat Health Services and chairs RWAV’s Governance Committee.

BMed MMedSci FRACGP FARGP FACRRM DipPractDerm DipMedHyp DipFP DipBusAdmin GAICD

Assoc Prof Rawlin is an experienced General Practitioner and medical educator. He is currently in clinical general practice in suburban Melbourne and previously practiced in rural Victoria for 10 years.

Assoc Prof Rawlin is Chair of the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaborative and a past Chair of the Mental Health Professionals Association and is a board member of the Mental Health Professionals Network. He is also the Medical Director of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Victoria.
He is a member of the RACGP Victoria Council.

CPA
Albert Giorgini is the Senior Advisor to CEO at RWAV.

As an experienced finance executive, with an extensive career in public transport and in the automotive and industrial gas sectors, Albert has honed his skills in driving financial performance improvements with a commercial and business transformation focus.

Through his strategic financial skills, Albert has demonstrated an exceptional capacity to lead and develop large teams in complex and changing environments to achieve the financial and regulatory requirements of the business. His extensive experience has given him a deep understanding of the industry and its challenges, equipping him with the expertise to drive impactful change.

Albert has highly developed communication and stakeholder management skills to support his strong planning, analytical and financial performance improvement acumen, always striving to create innovative solutions that drive growth and success.

BBus(HRM)

Lauren commenced in the role of Manager People and Culture in August 2018 and is responsible for leading the implementation of RWAV’s People and Culture strategy, policies, processes, functions and team.

Lauren’s team is committed to implementing activities and initiatives to support the achievement of RWAV’s strategies and strengthen RWAV’s position as an ‘Employer of Choice’.

Lauren is an experienced Manager and HR professional, with a career spanning the professional services, automotive, defence, and not-for-profit sectors.

BHlthSci(Hons) MPH PostGradDipMgt GAICD AFCHSM

Lauren Cordwell commenced in the role of Chief Executive Officer in August 2023. She took on the role of Acting CEO in April 2023 and previously served as the General Manager since February 2020.
Lauren has leadership responsibilities for strategy, communications, data, stakeholder engagement and program delivery.

Lauren’s team is committed to supporting communities in rural and regional Victoria to have timely access to affordable and safe health care.

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