Board members

Mr Matthew Cooke

First appointed: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2028

Matthew is a proud Aboriginal and South Sea Islander from the Bailai (Byellee) people in Gladstone, Central Queensland.

As well as being chair of our board, he's also the CEO of Gladstone Region Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Service Limited t/a Nhulundu Health Service.

Matthew's actively involved in all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs at national, state, regional and local levels. He's spent over 10 years serving the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Sector in Director and CEO roles.

Matthew was named Young Leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in 2007, and received the Deadly Vibe Young Leader Award in 2008.

In 2011 he received the Australian Institute of Management 2011 Young Manager of the Year Award – Gladstone.

Matthew is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Anna Vanderstaay

First appointed: 1 April 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2028

Dr Anna Vanderstaay is a local general practitioner living in Yeppoon. Born and raised in Rockhampton, she has worked clinically across the state, mainly in rural, regional and remote areas.

In addition to her clinical work across the private, public and non-for-profit sectors, she is experienced in medical education and governance, including over five years of board experience.

Dr Vanderstaay currently works in both urgent care and general practice.

She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, where she was recognised as a Future Leader in General Practice. She also holds a Masters in Public Health and Tropical Medicine from James Cook University, awarded with Distinction.

Ms Kate Veach

First appointed: 1 April 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2028

Kate is a registered nurse and healthcare leader who has worked in public, private and commercial health care environments in clinical, management, administrative and policy roles.

She is the former Secretary of the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union and has held Nursing Director and Assistant Director of Nursing positions within Queensland Health, including in the then known Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer.

She is also an International Council of Nurses Global Nursing Leadership Institute Scholar.

Kate has been a Senior Vice President and Executive Member of the Queensland Council of Unions and member of Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Board.

Kate believes passionately that safe work environments and well-supported frontline health workers are central to healthier communities. She particularly enjoys working with frontline nurses and midwives to assess and develop their practice environments, processes, and resources to improve the delivery of safe, high-quality nursing and midwifery care.

Ms Michelle Webster

BCom, GAICD

First appointed: 1 April 2022
Current term: 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2026

As well as a being a member of our board, Michelle holds the following positions:

• Interim Chief Executive Officer Hinchinbrook Shire Council
• Member, CQHHS Finance and Performance Committee
• Member, CQHHS Risk and Audit Committee
• Member, CQHHS Investment, Research and Planning Committee.

Michelle has over 30 years’ experience working in local government, including senior executive roles with Central Highlands Regional Council.

Having lived and worked in Central Queensland for many years has given her a good understanding of the benefits and challenges our communities face living in rural and remote areas.

Michelle has also managed a number of commercial and housing portfolios, including Emerald Airport, Saleyards, Quarries, Property Acquisitions and Disposals.

She understands the importance of service provision to the community having been responsible for the delivery of extensive capital works programs.

Michelle has qualifications in accounting, leadership, project management and planning, and is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Tina Zawila

CA, GAICD, BBus(Acct) CQU, GradDipFinPlan Kaplan, FIML

First appointed: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2026

As well as being a member of our board, Tina holds the following positions:

• Non-Executive Director, Gladstone Area Water Board
• Non-Executive Director, Gladstone Airport Corporation
• Chair, CQHHS Finance and Performance Committee
• Chair, GAC Finance and Audit Committee
• Member, GAC Nominations, Remuneration and Human Resources Committee
• Member, GAWB Audit and Risk Committee.

Tina is a chartered accountant, business advisor and professional director with over 35 years’ experience in the finance industry. She's also a director of a public practice accounting firm in Gladstone.

She sits on several local not-for-profit boards including Gladstone Area Group Apprentices Limited and Yaralla Sports Club.

Tina is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders.

Ms Leann Wilson

First appointed: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2026

Leann sits on a number of state and national boards and holds the following positions:

• Managing Director, Regional Economic Solutions (RES)
• Non-Executive Director, Aboriginal Hostels Limited Board
• Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair, The Healing Foundation
• Non-Executive Director, Gallang Place
• Non-Executive Director, Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council
• Non-Executive Director, Timber Queensland.

Regional Economic Solutions (RES), is a majority Indigenous owned business in partnership with the global engineering and project management company Ausenco.

As the Managing Director of RES, Leann's focus is to identify opportunities to connect local businesses and employment into project supply chains. She supports business, government and Indigenous groups to create sustainable economic and social development outcomes.

In 2016, in recognition of her influence, Leann received the Premier’s Reconciliation Award. She also joined the Australian Government and attended the 61st Commission on the Status of Women held in New York in 2017 as a non-government representative.

Leann was recognised by the Financial Review as one of the top 100 women of influence in 2019.

Ms Ryl Gardner

BA (Econ & IR), GDip Management, GAICD, MAHRI

First appointed: 1 April 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2028

Ryl is an experienced leader and Human Resources specialist who has worked across a range of industries and Government sectors.

As well as being a member of our board, Ryl holds the following positions:

• Non-Executive Director, Gladstone Ports Corporation
• Chair, Gladstone Ports Corporation People Performance and Culture Committee
• Non-Executive Director, Roseberry Qld
• Member, CQUniversity Gladstone Region Growth and Advisory Group
• Member, CQUniversity Ceremonial and Honorary Awards Committee

Ryl has managed her own management consulting and Business Performance Coaching business for more than 20 years. She has significant experience in designing and managing change processes and in-depth knowledge of best practice and business improvement in employee management. She is a strong advocate for regional Queensland with strong family ties to Central Queensland.

Ryl is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Australian HR Institute.