Executive Team

Our people are at the very heart of Grampians Health. They are led by a dedicated team of chiefs reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, who together form our Executive team.

United by a shared commitment to improving health outcomes across the Grampians region, this team brings broad expertise and strategic focus to every decision.

Collectively referred to as the Executive Team, they lead Grampians Health in addressing key challenges such as life expectancy gaps, rising mental health concerns, drug and alcohol-related harm, and disparities in First Nations health outcomes.

Through their leadership, our services remain responsive, equitable, and aligned with the evolving needs of our communities.

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Dale Fraser - Chief Executive Officer

MBA FCPA BBus FHSM 

Dale has worked exclusively with regional health services for the past 30 years, including time within the Hume, Barwon and Grampians region. 

He holds a number of external directorships associated with education, research, community engagement, and health workforce, and is an active contributor to the development of State health policy. 

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Ben Kelly - Chief Operating Officer

GradDipBus Leadership, Bachelor Psych Nursing

Ben has worked exclusively in public health services throughout his career, commencing in mental health before moving to acute and subacute public health environments. 

Having grown up in country Victoria himself, Ben and his wife Sarah moved from metropolitan Melbourne in 2005 and have raised their own children in the Grampians region. 

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Claire Woods - Chief People Officer

BAppSc (AppChem), LLB GDipEd 

Those who know Claire will attest to her passion for – and dedication to – fostering an engaged and safe workplace, where communication is encouraged and the desire to learn is supported. 

With more than 15 years of leadership experience in human resources, Claire has worked in both public and private healthcare, and has a particular interest in linking strategic organisational objectives with the necessary day-to-day work practices.

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Leanne Shea - Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer

RN Dip PMAN AdvDip Bus Mgt 

As Board Director for the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program, Leanne is passionate about the health and wellbeing of nurses and midwives, and the need for ongoing investment in this space. 

Her advocacy makes her a role model and mentor to junior and senior teams, who respect her down-to-earth and caring nature, and her understanding of the significant challenges faced by those who care for the community. 

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Dr Matthew Hadfield - Chief Medical Officer

MB ChB (Hons), FRCS (England), FRACS (Vascular), AFRACMA Affiliate Professor, Deakin University 

Originally from the United Kingdom, Matthew attended medical school at St Andrews and Manchester and completed training as a vascular surgeon through the North of England Training scheme.

He was appointed as consultant vascular surgeon at Pennine Acute NHS Trust in Oldham (his hometown) and later, Clinical Director of General Surgery before relocating to Australia. 

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Dr Rob Grenfell - Chief Strategy and Regions Officer

MBBS, MPH, FAFPHM 

Rob has lived in the Grampians region for most of his life, having grown up in Horsham and returning to Natimuk where he practiced as a rural General Practitioner in the early days of his career. 

Rob’s career has focused on public health with extensive experience in government, not-for-profit and private sectors.

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Eric Kochskamper - Chief Financial Officer

Dip. Bus (Accounting), Bach. Comm (Acc/Law), CPA 

Eric – who hails from Ballarat and attended local schools and university – began his career in payroll, steadily progressing in positions that have inspired him to grow in the Finance and Information Technology streams. 

Throughout his 16-year tenure in finance, management, and governance within the Victorian Government sector, Eric has been a driving force in implementing innovative financial strategies, leading systems transformation, and refining finance and business processes. 

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Veronica Furnier - Chief Redevelopment and Infrastructure Officer

BEng (Hon), GradDipEng(ConstrMgt), GAICD 

Veronica enjoys living on a few acres in regional Victoria, having grown up in the Western suburbs of Melbourne after emigrating from Argentina as a child. She enjoys camping with her two children and spending time in our wonderful parks within Victoria. 

Veronica’s career commenced as a site engineer with Baulderstone Hornibrook delivering major Melbourne infrastructure projects such as CityLink, Marvel Stadium and Docklands Marina. 

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