Our Board

GAICD, MPH, ProfCertHS, GradCertCommNur, BNurs, DipAppSci (Nurs)

Robyn Hayles is the CEO of Meli. Robyn brings extensive executive and CEO experience across complex organisations in health and community services. She has dedicated her career to improving wellbeing through high-quality support and care, with a strong focus on strategic leadership, governance, and empowering teams. Robyn is committed to driving meaningful outcomes for individuals and communities through inclusive, person-centred approaches.

By profession, I am an engineer with a 40 year career in the petroleum, chemicals, hydrocarbons and metals industries.

However, my LIFE is giving to my family and to my community. Amongst other contributions, I have been a volunteer Director of two Geelong area organisations (Bellarine Community Health and Bethany/Meli) for 16 years altogether.

My community is not as fair, safe or inclusive as I believe it can be.  So, I seek to use my career and governance skills to help Meli best achieve its purpose of supporting people and strengthening communities.

Lucy is an experienced health service executive having worked in senior management roles in metropolitan and regional Victoria for over 20 years. Lucy holds formal qualifications in nursing and midwifery, applied science, business management and leadership.

Lucy currently has a portfolio of non-executive director interests and uses her leadership and management skills to assist organisations develop their talent. Lucy currently holds two Board appointments in Public Health Services in Victoria and chairs their clinical governance committees. She is also a member of other Clinical Governance and Health Advisory Forums.

David has over 20 years’ experience providing tax and business services to a wide range of clients across diverse industries including the not-for-profit sector.

He has been a Director of West Carr & Harvey for over nine years and has developed a loyal following through his honest and trusted advice.

David’s passion for giving back to the community has seen him volunteer his time in a variety of roles including several years as a Director on the Board for the Geelong Kindergarten Association, as current Treasurer at St Joseph’s Football and Netball Club, Board member of Geelong United Basketball and he also regularly provides honorary (pro-bono) services and financial assistance to several local not-for-profit organisations.

David chooses to donate his time and expertise to Meli to best support the organisation which supports our community.

Christine worked for over 15 years in the corporate financial services industry in Melbourne, before moving to Geelong to take over the management and finances of the Pace Advertising Group in Geelong.

Christine is passionate about giving back to the community and has volunteered in numerous of roles, both locally and internationally.  She has served on several local not-for-profit boards and is also currently a director on the board of Volunteering Geelong.

Helen has held a number of senior management roles in communications, marketing and stakeholder management across a range of sectors including not for profit, local and state government and the health sector.

Helen is currently also Board Member of the Victorian Disability Services Commission and was a founding Board Member of Creative Geelong.

Kate has over 30 years’ experience across health and community services organisations and has held a range of leadership positions including as the former Executive Director, Strategy and Sustainability at BCYF.

With post graduate qualifications in Health and Business, Kate also has an extensive background in quality and organisational strategic development and is currently the Executive Officer at the Institute for Health Transformation at Deakin University, where she is helping to shape this new entity as a global leader in health research.

Tara is a lawyer with over 13 years of experience in professional practice. Tara has extensive experience in family law and enjoys being able to give back to the community in her board roles. Tara was a Board Member of Geelong Kindergarten Association prior to joining both the Bethany Community Support Board and the Bethany Kindergarten Services Board and now Meli Community and Meli Kindergartens. Tara is the Deputy Chair of Meli Kindergartens and also sits on the board of Meli Community’s subsidiary BAYSA.

Tara currently works as a Principal Lawyer in Family Law with Harwood Andrews. In her spare time Tara enjoys spending time with her family and travelling.

Zane specialises in Technology solution design and project management.  Zane has over 14 years’ experience in the health and aged-care sectors supporting numerous organisations such as Barwon Health and Epworth Health Care in Technology Leadership roles.

Zane enjoys keeping active through sport and spending time with his family.