Passionately supporting our community

Support, reassurance and choice

Shepparton Villages is a unique community-based organisation that started as a dream in 1963 through the Rotary Club of Shepparton. A leader in aged care, we are one of the largest local employers.

Our commitment to providing quality care and services, and affordable facilities reflects our dedication to supporting the elderly in our community. We are a community-focused, not-for-profit organisation with an honorary Board of Directors and employ more than 500 staff across three locations.

Our Mission

To enrich the lives of people in our care.

Board and Executive team

Shepparton Villages is presided over by an honorary Board of Directors and employs more than 500 full-time, part-time and casual staff working in Shepparton, Kialla, and Mooroopna.

Board of Directors

Kevin Boote
President
Kevin is a highly experienced director with diverse achievements gained in senior management and governance positions across a range of organisations.  He is a former director of Ambulance Victoria, a former Chair of Primary Care Direct in Shepparton, and a former Chair of the Governance, Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee of the board of Murray Primary Health Network. He served as Chair of the Clinical Governance sub-committee of the board of NCN Health (supporting the Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah communities) between 2022-25.  Kevin has enjoyed extensive further experience with other community-based service organisations, including a lengthy period as Chair of the board of Darlingford Upper Goulburn Nursing Home, a major regional care provider based in Eildon.  Kevin also holds a senior management position with Reddrop Group, which operate 27 IGA retail outlets across regional Victoria and employs more than 1300 people.

Barbara Evans
FCA, GAICD
Vice President
Barbara Evans is an experienced director of not-for-profit organisations and worked as a chartered accountant for more than 40 years in both the public and private sectors as well as more than 17 years as a Financial Planner.  She was Chief Financial Officer of Goulburn Valley Health, returning many years later to serve on the organisation’s board.  Barbara has volunteered with many local and regional organisations including Goulburn Valley Hospice Care Inc as inaugural Treasurer and board member, Australian National Piano Award Shepparton Inc as a current Board member, Sandhurst Diocese Finance Council as first lay and female Chair, and Catholic Risk Insurances Ltd as inaugural Board Chair. Recently she has been appointed as a director of the Sandhurst Diocese Development Fund.  She has been actively involved in professional education as well, working as a sessional lecturer for many years with Latrobe University.  Barbara retired from Shepparton Chartered Accountant firm Metzke & Allen Pty Ltd in 2021 and has been on the board of Shepparton Villages since 2019.

Karen Ansen
LLB, GDLP
Karen Ansen is a highly experienced legal and Human Resources professional with more than 15 years in the Aged Care and Community Care sectors.  As Principal Lawyer and Consultant at Ignite HR & Employment Law, Karen is active in employment law, industrial relations, workplace investigations, and regulatory compliance, with a particular focus on supporting aged care providers across Australia. Her strategic and values-based approach has helped many care providers to navigate complex legal frameworks and build engaged, accountable teams.  Karen brings particular insight into the operational and governance challenges faced by the sector, including compliance with latest Aged Care Quality Standards and workforce reforms.

Billie Atanasova
BHSc (Hons), MPH
Billie is a seasoned and empathetic executive leader with over two decades of experience spanning aged care, health, academia, member services and financial services.  Billie has contributed to nationally significant programs at Monash University, Eastern Health, and The University of Melbourne.  She has also held senior roles at the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) as Executive Officer for Victoria, overseeing professional development programs and establishing the organisation’s policy and advocacy arm, and Executive Director of Membership, Communications, Sponsorship, and Marketing at Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), now Ageing Australia.  Billie has also worked in the financial services sector where she has held leadership roles as National Sales Manager and Head of Business Optimisation at Prime Super.  Billie holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) from La Trobe University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Melbourne. She is a lifelong learner and passionate advocate for mental and financial wellbeing, and champions holistic approaches to health and social impact.  Billie was elected to the board of Shepparton Villages at the 2023-24 Annual General Meeting.

Joshua Freeman
BPharm, PGCertPharm (Otago), MBA (UniSA), SpecCertClinLead (Melb), GAID, FIML, MPS
Joshua Freeman is the Executive Director of Community Care and Mental Health and Chief Allied Health Officer at Goulburn Valley Health.  He has held leadership positions in pharmacy and allied health in New Zealand and Australia including as an Executive Director with Queensland Health.  Joshua holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Australia. As a registered pharmacist, he also holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy and Post Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy from the University of Otago (New Zealand), as well as a Specialist Certificate in Clinical Leadership from the University of Melbourne.  He is Chair of the Quality and Safety Committee on the Shepparton Villages board, with a particular passion for quality and safety in the provision of aged care services.

Michael Hall
BA (Econ/Accounting, Strathclyde, UK)
Michael Hall has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in accountancy and financial planning in the Goulburn Valley, as well as maintaining a range of other volunteer community-based roles.  He has been Director and Chair of accountancy firm MB+M, and Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Goulburn Valley Water. He served a period as Chair of Audit and Finance for Goulburn Valley Medicare Local.  Michael retires at the end of 2024-25 from his positions as Director of SRV and member of the Board Finance Audit and Risk Committee, which he has previously chaired. He is also a past president of SRV.

Charles Oguntade
Msc, Nsg
Charles Oguntade is a mental health clinician and manager with extensive experience in identification and management of mental health issues including risk assessment and management of emergency and crisis situations.  His professional work has involved collaboration with a range of other service providers in support of the wellbeing of individuals and the community at large.  He is currently Forensic Clinical Specialist with Goulburn Valley Area Mental Health Service, where he has previously held other senior roles.  Charles holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Nursing and a Certificate in Leadership & Management in Health and is a licensed Mental Health First Aid and Crisis Communication Trainer. As well as being a Director of Shepparton Villages he also sits on the board of Giz a Break, a registered health promotion charity for young people. He joined the SRV board in 2023.

Jeanette Powell, AM
Jeanette Powell has enjoyed a distinguished career in public life, including periods as a Government Minister, Shire President and Local Government Commissioner. She was the first woman to represent the National Party in Victoria when she was elected to the Legislative Council (Victoria’s upper house) in 1996.  She served as a Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs under the Baillieu and Napthine Governments. She was a Member of the Legislative Council from 1996-2002, before moving to the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) from 2002-2014.  Prior to entering politics Jeanette gained experience across a range of fields including as director of a family auto-electrical business.  Jeanette is President of GV Hospice and is a patron and active participant in a range of community organisations. She was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2022 for “significant service to the people and Parliament of Victoria and to the community”.  She has been on the board of Shepparton Villages since 2015, and served as President from 2022-2024.

Executive Management Group

Veronica Jamison
B.A (Psych), GDipBus, MBL, MHRM, FACHSM CHE, MAICD, MAHRI
Chief Executive Officer
Veronica is a recognised leader in aged care and community health management, having held leadership roles at organisations including Benetas (Anglican Aged Care Services), Bass Coast Health, Dianella Community Health and Boort District Health.  She has served as Victorian and Tasmanian State Manager for Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), the national peak body representing age services providers in Australia, as well as General Manager of National Member Support.  She became CEO of Shepparton Villages in 2020, after joining the board as a Director in 2018.  At Shepparton Villages Veronica leads a process of change and development across three diverse villages sites, with responsibility for responding to major changes in the operating environment arising from Government policy reforms in aged care.  She is an active participant in industry-wide activities to promote innovation and quality, including as a Director of Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA).  Veronica is known for strategic thinking and a collaborative approach to promoting innovation and engagement, both at Shepparton Villages and more broadly across the sector.

Sue Cahill
BNurs, Grad Dip (Nursing)
Executive Manager, Support at Home
Sue is a highly experienced senior manager in health services, with close to 40 years of service including 23 years with Shepparton Villages, where she has served in a range of important roles with responsibility for care, quality and compliance with standards.  These have included Executive Manager, Care Services, Executive Manager, Quality, Risk and Compliance, Care Manager and Home Care Case Manager.  Sue has made important contributions to shaping the delivery of services at Shepparton Villages through ongoing periods of reform and change, and through highly challenging events including natural disasters and a pandemic. She has played a key role in shaping and cementing the positive community reputation that SRV has come to enjoy in 2025.  Sue is a graduate in nursing from the University of New England, and has a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing from La Trobe University.

Wannapa Foytong
BSN, MHSM, DipTransInter, AdvCert Research
Executive Manager, Residential Care Services
Wannapa is an experienced aged care leader with more than 20 years’ experience across a range of not-for-profit community organisations, and with a particular passion for meeting the needs of people in regional and rural communities.  Before coming to Shepparton Villages she was Executive Director Operations for the Clifton Community Health Service in Queensland, and was Operational Change Manager for Lutheran Services in Queensland, driving key improvements in community health and wellbeing.   Wannapa has gained further important management and clinical leadership experience meeting complex care needs at organisations in Sydney, New South Wales, and across Queensland, and is bringing the benefit of this to her role at Shepparton Villages.

Belle Suwan
BNurs
Executive Manager, Quality, Outcomes & Innovation
Belle Suwan has worked for more than 17 years in nursing and aged care leader, having worked for Bolton Clarke in Queensland in a range of nursing and management positions; and for Catholic Healthcare as a Residential Manager and Regional Quality Manager for NSW and Queensland homes.  Belle has regularly managed and mentored care teams.  With her strong background in clinical governance, quality management and operations, at Shepparton Villages Belle is focused on driving excellence in care by strengthening team culture, driving continuous improvement processes, and embracing innovations to enhance the wellbeing and dignity of residents.

Hayley Webb
BCom, CPA
Executive Manager, Business Services
Hayley is a Certified Practising Accountant with deep experience in managing business and financial operations relating to aged care service delivery.  She served in the Finance Department of Shepparton Villages for 13 years prior to her current appointment as Executive Manager, Business Services.  In her present role Hayley is responsible for the professional leadership and management of a diverse range of functions critical to the organisation including technology and systems, admissions to residential care and independent living units and management of contracts to ensure smooth and effective delivery of services. She also continues to support financial functions of the organisation where required.

Cindy Welsh
FIML, DipMgt, DipHR
Executive Manager, People & Culture
Cindy Welsh has 25 years of senior executive experience across the health and not-for-profit sectors, with a proven track record in leading organisational transformation and development, having occupied General Manager, People and Culture positions in correctional and community health organisations.  Her expertise spans leadership of employee engagement initiatives, industrial and employee relations, and recruitment. Leadership development is also an area of particular passion.  In recognition of her commitment to cultivating strong, values-driven leadership, Cindy was awarded the national Outstanding Intentional Leadership Award by the Institute of Managers and Leaders in 2018.  She continues to deepen her knowledge and impact in this field through her current studies in a Master of Leadership program.

Murray Burls
Executive Manager, Corporate Services
Murray Burls officially retired in February 2025 after 30 years of dedicated service to Shepparton Villages.  His departure was marked by a good-humoured farewell event at the Tarcoola administration building – after which time he (generously) continued working informally for SRV for a time while the search continued for a suitable replacement.