2009 - 2012 Victorian Cancer Agency Consultative Council Membership
The Victorian Cancer Agency Consultative Council is comprised of 11 members. The Chair of the Council is Professor Robert Thomas.
Council members report to the Minister for Health. They are responsible for the governance of the Agency, and for setting the strategic directions of the organisation. The Victorian Cancer Agency has a Chief Executive Officer who is responsible for all operational aspects of the Agency.
Professor Robert Thomas - Chair
Professor Thomas is currently the Chief Clinical Advisor for Cancer with the Department of Health, and Distinguished Fellow-Surgical Oncology at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. He holds positions on many government cancer-related committees. He brings a wealth of experience as a cancer surgeon and researcher.
Dr Susan Forrest
Dr Forrest currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Genome Research Facility. She has a long history of working in the biotechnology and genetic sector. Dr Forrest brings experience and insight to Council on genetic testing.
Professor Peter Fuller
Professor Fuller currently holds positions as Head, Endocrinology Unit, Southern Health, and Head, Steroid Receptor Biology Laboratory, Prince Henry’s Institute. Professor Fuller is a clinician and an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow whose research interest is in the field of molecular endocrinology and endocrine malignancy. He is an Executive Committee Member and a Medical and Scientific Committee member for the Cancer Council Victoria, and was also a member of the Victorian Government Ministerial Taskforce for Cancer.
Prof Anne Kavanagh
Professor Kavanagh is Director and Professor of Women’s Health, School of Population Health, at the University of Melbourne. She is also a current committee member of the Royal Women’s Primary Care Committee. Professor Kavanagh brings an epidemiology and public health perspective to Council.
Mr Les Leckie
Mr Leckie is a consumer representative and regular speaker at cancer forums locally and nationally. He has a strong commitment to making a difference on committees, and currently works on regional development within the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.
Dr George Morstyn
Dr Morstyn is a medical oncologist. He currently serves on several biotechnology company boards, and the Royal Women’s hospital, and has previously held senior positions in large biotechnology companies. Dr Morstyn brings a wealth of experience in the biotechnology sector to Council.
Ms Maureen O’Keefe
Ms O’Keefe holds the position of General Manager, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Ms O’Keefe has a strong background in academic and scientific administration, and policy. She is a continuing member of the Victorian Cancer Agency Consultative Council.
Ms Helen Owens
Ms Owens is a Director on the Southern Health Board. She brings to Council a long history of experience in strategic planning. Ms Owens has previously held the position of Expert Strategic Advisor at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and she was a Commissioner on Productivity Commission.
Mr Andrew Way
Mr Way is Chief Executive Officer, Alfred Health. He has recently immigrated from the UK, where he had a strong interest in cancer. Mr Way brings bring a health service management perspective to Council.
Professor Bryan Williams
Professor Williams is Director, Monash Institute for Medical Research, and Head, Centre for Cancer Research. Professor Williams’ research focuses on the molecular biology of tumour suppression, and the role tumour suppression genes play in regulating cell growth, maturation and apoptosis. He is a member of various local and national committees and was a member of the Victorian Government Ministerial Taskforce for Cancer.
Professor John Zalcberg
Professor Zalcberg is Director, Division of Haematology and Medical Oncology and Chief Medical Officer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Professor Zalcberg is a clinician with a research background in both basic and clinical research. He maintains an active clinical practice in gastrointestinal oncology and is a founding member, and the current Chair, of the Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group. He is a member of various cancer-related boards and committees, locally and nationally.