Meet our Community Advisory committee members and what has led them to being involved in the local community health care
Community Advisory Panel
The Community Advisory Panel (CAP) exists to provide the Bayside Health Regional with consumer‑centred advice on strategic priorities, key initiatives and quality improvement.
Ensuring the organisation hears and responds to community perspectives including those of diverse populations and strengthens patient and consumer experience across Bayside Health Regional services.
Another essential role for the committee is to ensure that Bayside Health partners with consumers to ensure it delivers safe, high quality, appropriate and accessible healthcare.
Health outcomes and experiences are improved if people are given an opportunity to be actively involved in their health care decisions.
Health services and individual outcomes are at their best when consumers are involved in improvement opportunities and higher-level strategic decision-making and governance.
Consumer Advisory Panel members for Bayside Health Wonthaggi and Phillip Island:
Ann Booth
Appointed October 2023
Ann has lived in Inverloch for the last 6 years after holidaying here for over 20 years with her husband and 2 children.
She was born in the UK and trained as a physiotherapist before marrying an Aussie and moving here permanently in the early 80’s. Ann has worked in the public health systems here and in the UK, then built a successful neurological physiotherapy private practice with a partner, treating clients of all ages with a range of various disabilities.
These experiences over the years in public and private health have given Ann the ability to understand and appreciate what is required to provide a person-centered approach to health care.
Ann has been on various professional committees during her working years and since moving to Inverloch she has continued her interest in local activities, being on the Friends Of Inverloch Library committee and joining the local Disabled Surfing Association, as well as being involved in many general community activities.
Toni Cornelius
Appointed July 2025
Toni was born and raised in Sydney until 1969, when she enlisted in the Women's Royal Australian Army Corp for three years, enjoying a career in varied administration roles. In 1970 she was posted to Melbourne, falling in love with the gardens, theatre life, and her future husband, Bob.
They were married for 47 years and raised four children, now in their 40s, and Toni has three grandchildren. She enjoys family history research and craft.
Toni brings skills from roles including Administrator/Bursar at Eastern (Tabor) College, administration at World Vision, and over 11 years on front desk at Maroondah and Knox Private hospitals.
Toni and Bob moved to Wonthaggi in 2017. After Bob became a dialysis and cancer patient at Wonthaggi Hospital, Toni began volunteering in administration support there, continuing after his passing in 2022. She also volunteers with Latrobe Community Health's carers group, chairs the BCH Volunteer Steering Committee, and is Secretary of the Wonthaggi RSL Sub-Branch.
Sharry Eavis
Appointed June 2023
Sharry was a regular visitor to the Bass Coast area with her two young children for many years, before eventually setting up a base in Inverloch around 2009.
Sharry is a qualified company director with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and resided on many company boards and committees throughout her career, providing expert assistant and corporate leadership to companies in Australia and the United States of America.
During her career, she has had the privilege to ensure value was added to boards, through her various roles including Chairman of Health Ability (Nillumbik Community Health Services), Advisory Board to the Minister of Small Business, and many governance, academic, risk and compliance boards in the education sector throughout Australia.
With over 25 years' experience in CEO and Senior Management roles, Sharry has a reputation for quality and results. Over the years Sharry has refined her skills, and now brings these skills and her passion for the Bass Coast community to the CAP.
Alex Jackson
Appointed July 2025
Alex moved to Cape Paterson in 2005 having lived in Newport, inner Melbourne, for many years. Alex is married and has a blended family of 5 children, 7 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. She has recently moved to Wonthaggi and is within walking distance to the hospital.
Recently retired from a sales management role, working with major corporate and government departments, Alex brings a rich mix of personal and professional experience to her role, and applies strong strategic and communication skills to every initiative.
Alex has long demonstrated her commitment to community wellbeing through roles such as committee member of the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group, Lifeline counsellor, Red Cross Telecross volunteer, aged care community visitor and BCH volunteer.
By actively gathering and incorporating community feedback, Alex strives to ensure the voices of the local community are heard and help to shape the programs and policies of Bayside Health Regional.
Maddy Harford
Appointed July 2025
Maddy Harford and her husband Harry consider themselves 'escapees' from Melbourne, having moved to Wonthaggi in 2010. She quickly became involved in numerous community groups, including Artspace, Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre, the Energy Innovation Co-operative, Bass Coast Adult Learning, Wonthaggi U3A and Bass Coast Refugee Sponsorship Group.
Calling herself an Education Tragic, Maddy spent her 45-year working life in teaching, research, evaluation, management, consultancy and policy development.
She is a passionate advocate for refugee communities across Bass Coast. Since 2021, as a member of the Refugee Sponsorship Group, she has supported three families from Syria and one from Afghanistan settling into their new country.
Years ago, Maddy, Harry and their two young children lived in Papua New Guinea as volunteers. While not refugees themselves, the experience gave them firsthand insight into settling in a new country – a different culture, a new language, and building friendships and community from scratch.
Maddy is also an avid gardener, instrumental in coordinating the annual Bass Coast Edible Gardens Weekend for four years.
Hilary Kerrison
Appointed January 2026
Hilary has lived in the Bass Coast Shire for 23 years. Hilary says she loves “…the mix and uniqueness of how our vast rural environment where it meets the water and the friendliness and caring nature of the Bass Coast community”.
Hilary was motivated to join the CAC as she felt that it would provide her with a forum to have constructive input into the current and future direction of her local healthcare provider, Bayside Health.
Hilary’s career focused on workplace-based mediation, rehabilitation and injury prevention. Prior to volunteering at BCH, Hilary has had the privilege of working as the Rehabilitation Advisor for Ambulance Victoria (AV) throughout the Gippsland Region. She says this has greatly assisted her knowledge of the challenges a vast region presents for people accessing health services.
Mim Kershaw
Appointed October 2023
Mim is a Cowes resident and has more than 31 years’ management experience in private and public listed companies.
With experience in setting and achieving budgets, strategic planning, team development and retention, ethical sourcing, and Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
Mim is a former director of Bass Coast Community Health Service and joined the BCH Board in July 2014. She was a member of the Development Council, the Quality and Clinical Governance Committee, and the Remuneration Committee.
Mim retired from the Board from June 2023 after 12 years.
Gill Scrase
Appointed September 2019
Gill has lived at Cowes since 1984, having previously lived at Ventnor for five years. She was born in England and moved to Australia in 1967. Gill is married, has two children in their 40’s and two grandchildren, a brother in Brisbane, and two other brothers living in the UK and the USA.
She has a great interest in history, how people relate to each other, and loves to travel and being involved with the community.
Gill brings a diverse range of skills and experience to the Committee, having a vast background in management, administration and book-keeping. She was the Practice Manager for Phillip Island Medical Group for 20 years, managing four locations and all facets of employing doctors, practice nurses, allied health professional and ancillary staff.
Gill is also a member of Phillip Island Medical and Health Action Group, the Phillip Island Health Hub Auxiliary and the Phillip Island Hospital Community Consultative Committee.
Don Paproth
Appointed January 2026
Don was previously a Bass Coast Health Board Director from July 2015 to October 2022 and was the Chair of the Board of Directors from March 2016 until his retirement.
Prior to that he had 48 years of experience in education, working as a secondary teacher, principal, deputy regional director and as the director of major projects in the Gippsland Region with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Don was Chair of the Council of the Victorian Institute of Teaching, the body which regulates the teaching profession across the state.
Gerry Surridge
Appointed January 2026
Prior to retiring in Inverloch 10 years ago, Gerry had a wide variety of occupational and life experiences.
Across 23 years with the Ministry of Education Victoria, he held roles including Classroom Teacher, Principal, Consultant and Administrator, training teachers and parents in managing challenging behaviours, supporting families and students with disabilities, and helping schools navigate everyday challenges.
Other experiences include small business ownership and published authorship. Immediately prior to retirement, Gerry was National Projects Manager for a conservation organisation running large environmental projects across remote, regional and urban locations in New Zealand and Australia.
He has served on multiple sporting and community groups and is currently President of Inverloch Fundraising Auxiliary – Bayside Health, committed to supporting local medical and social connectedness services.
Family is a priority for Gerry and his wife Kathie, with 6 children and stepchildren and 15 grandchildren between them.
Community Advisor: Terrence Shannon.
Contacting a Community Advisory Panel Member
If you would like to contact a CAP member we can assist you.
Email: emelia.potts@basscoasthealth.org.au
Please say "hello" if you see them in the community.