Our Governance and Committees
Who we are
Bringing diverse expertise
Rural Doctors Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors who are either rural doctors or business people selected for their specific skill set.
The Board are supported by various committees who are guided by our Constitution which sets out our purpose, operation, and decision-making. We make decisions in line with approved policies as defined in our Governance Framework.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and Australian Taxation Office recognises the Foundation as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). We have held this status since 2015.
Not only do we have a committed Board passionate about rural health, we have a diverse bunch of people who give generously of their time to serve on our committees.
Our Committee members bring a wide range of skills and expertise to our decision making and provide significant support to the Board and the executive team.
Innovative thinking excites us yet it is always supported by robust governance. This inspiring group of professionals challenge us to be better than we thought we could be!
Passionate people making a difference
At the heart of Rural Doctors Foundation are a group of people with a love of everything rural and remote.
What drives us is an understanding of the challenges and needs of those living in these communities. And a commitment to make change.
Building trust through strong governance
We understand that trust is paramount when you donate to charity. You want to know your hard-earned money is making a genuine impact. At Rural Doctors Foundation, we are absolutely committed to ensuring good stewardship of donated funds. We believe in complete transparency. This is not just a promise; it’s how we operate every day.
Our board governance adheres to the highest ethical standards. We have a robust framework in place. It ensures every decision aligns with our vision and purpose. We operate with integrity and accountability. This is something we take very seriously. You can review our Governance Framework and Governance Structure for full details. We believe in being open.
We are also proud of our ACNC registration and compliance. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is our national regulator. Their oversight ensures we meet strict governance and reporting requirements. This gives you peace of mind. Your donation is in safe hands.
Strong governance through Committee oversight
Our Finance, Risk and Investment Committee
The Finance, Risk and Investment Committee review all financial matters and risk issues and provide regular reporting to the Board
Stephen Buchanan
Glenda Colburn
Ross Ole
Mark Scales
Mark Seemanpillai
Jason Vaughan
Our Program Committee
Our Program Committee provide governance oversight to major programs including allocation of grants. It will monitor, make recommendations, and advise the Rural Doctors Foundation Board on matters relating to our key programs. They ensure all programs and grants are delivered in line with our purpose and commitments, and fit within our current resourcing and budget.
Associate Professor Sue Harrison , OAM
Dr Tony Brown
Courtney Coyne
Jenny Johnson
Dr Konrad Kangru
Leanne Patton
Dr Michael Rice
Prof Tarun Sen Gupta
Our Fundraising Committee
Our Fundraising Committee brings their diverse and extensive skills to secure the future of the Foundation by monitoring our fundraising activities. They work collaboratively with our Executive Team to develop innovative approaches to fundraising and ensure that all activities are reflective of our values and policies, and relevant legislation.
Glenda Colburn
Dr Jean Littlewood
Karin Barron
Mary Jane Streeton
