Hon. Rob Knowles AO

Grampians Health mourns the passing of Hon. Rob Knowles AO, Chair of our Board of Directors, and a deeply respected leader whose life was marked by service, integrity and care for others.

A person with a long and genuine connection to the Grampians region, Rob brought to Grampians Health not only significant experience in public service and health leadership, but also a deep personal commitment to rural and regional communities. A proud local, he understood firsthand the importance of accessible, high quality health care close to home, and he carried that understanding into his work with us.

As Chair, Rob made a meaningful contribution to Grampians Health through his thoughtful leadership, strong advocacy for patient safety and inclusion, and his unwavering focus on improving health outcomes for the people and communities we serve. His work made a positive difference to the lives of individuals, families and communities across the region.

Rob’s impact extended well beyond Grampians Health. Through leadership roles at state and national levels across health, aged care and mental health, he leaves a lasting legacy of reform, advocacy and commitment to better systems of care. Just as importantly, he was known as a generous mentor, trusted colleague and considered voice, valued for both his wisdom and his humanity.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Carmel, Edwina, Bob and George and their family, friends and all who had the privilege of working alongside Rob. He will be deeply missed by the Grampians Health community and by the many lives he touched across the region and beyond.