Rural Health Research Foundation celebrates leadership legacy and new chapter

The Rural Health Research Foundation (RHRF) has paid tribute to outgoing Chair Peter Treseder, recognising his significant contribution to bringing the Foundation from an ambitious idea to the organisation it is today.

Peter was one of the original driving forces behind RHRF and played an important role in turning the early vision for a Foundation dedicated to improving health and research outcomes in regional Australia into reality.  As Chair, Peter helped guide RHRF through its establishment and early growth, supporting the development of an organisation that now invests in community led health and research initiatives and builds partnerships across regional, rural and remote Australia.

RHRF Executive Cassandra Wilson said Peter’s contribution extended well beyond his role as Chair.

“Peter has been there from the very beginning. Before there were grant rounds, partnerships or projects, there was an idea about doing things differently for the health and wellbeing of people living in regional Australia, and Peter was one of the people who believed in that idea and helped make it real. He has given an enormous amount of his time, experience, and support to the Foundation. I have personally valued his guidance, his belief in what we are building and his willingness to back us to be ambitious about what a regional organisation can achieve”.

“We are incredibly grateful for what Peter has helped create and he leaves RHRF with very strong foundations for its next chapter.”

Reflecting on his time with the Foundation, Peter said he was proud to see how far the original vision had come.

“Helping establish the Rural Health Research Foundation and serving as its Chair has been enormously rewarding. We started with an idea and a belief that there was an opportunity to do things differently for regional health.

“The Foundation has grown enormously since those early conversations, but its purpose remains the same to support research, help translate evidence into practice, listening to regional communities and backing good ideas that can make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing. I am incredibly proud of what has been built and delighted that Madeleine has accepted the role of Chair. I look forward to watching RHRF continue to grow, strengthen the connection between research and community, and make an even greater impact across regional Australia in the years ahead.”

Dr Madeleine Lawler appointed Chair

RHRF is pleased to announce that Dr Madeleine Lawler has accepted the position of Chair, taking over from Peter as the Foundation enters its next phase of growth.

Madeleine is CEO of Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast and a Board Member of the Mid North Coast Local Health District. She brings extensive experience in regional leadership, community and economic development, partnerships and advocacy, together with a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing regional communities.

Her connection to the regional health sector is particularly valuable to RHRF. The Mid North Coast Local Health District continues to be an important partner of the Foundation, with both organisations sharing a commitment to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for regional communities.

Ms Wilson said Madeleine was an exciting appointment for the Foundation.

“Madeleine understands regional Australia, she understands the power of partnerships, and she understands that the people living in our communities need to be part of shaping the solutions that affect them.

 “We have built strong foundations over the past few years, and we are ready to be ambitious about what comes next. I am really looking forward to working alongside Madeleine, our Board, and our partners to continue growing RHRF’s reach, influence and impact.”

Madeleine said she was excited by the opportunity to help lead the Foundation into its next chapter.

“Regional Australia is full of people with great ideas about how to improve the health and wellbeing of their communities, but too often those ideas struggle to attract the investment, connections or opportunity they need to grow.  That is what I find so compelling about RHRF. It can connect community knowledge with investment, evidence and influence, and helps demonstrate new ways of improving health outcomes in regional Australia”

“I am excited to take on the role of Chair and work with Cass and the Board on what comes next.”

RHRF will continue to focus on supporting community led approaches to improving health and wellbeing across regional, rural and remote Australia, while developing new partnerships and attracting greater investment into regional health innovation.

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*IMAGE: Dr Madeleine Lawler, incoming Chair of the Rural Health Research Foundation.