Our Board

Chairman, Mr Robert (Bob) McCarthy AM

Mr McCarthy has more than 30 years' experience in high-level positions in the private sector, as well as Federal and Queensland governments. He has a wealth of experience as a member and chairman of a number of statutory boards and corporations.

Mr McCarthy holds a Bachelor of Economics degree (honours) from the University of New England, has been a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Associate Professor, Dr Ruth Stewart

Dr Stewart is Associate Professor of Rural Medicine and Director, Rural Clinical Training and Support at James Cook University. She also has been a member of the Cape York HHS board since 2012. Dr Stewart has chaired the Cape York HHS’s Safety and Quality Committee and served on the Audit Committee and brings extensive management and clinical experience to the new board.

Mrs Tracey Jia

Since 2012, Mrs Jia has been a member of the Cape York HHS board. She is well regarded for her work with the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. In this role she has assisted people with a disability and their families in Weipa and the West Cape communities of Aurukun, Napranum and Mapoon.

Councillor Fraser (Ted) Nai

As a member of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and respected councillor for Masig (Yorke) Island, Mr Nai brings leadership and local government experience, as well as a wealth of local knowledge to the role.

Mr Horace Baira

Mr Baira is a member of the Torres Strait Regional Authority and was previously  a member of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council as the Councillor for Badu. He is committed to delivering better services to his community and to preserving the environment. He will provide strong local input to the board.

Mr Brian Woods

Mr Woods is a Cairns based accountant and auditor with long experience of working with business entities across the region.  He provides consultancy services and advice to government departments including the Torres Strait Regional Authority and the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations as an examiner and special administrator.  He brings extensive financial, business and management expertise to the Torres and Cape HHS Board.

Councillor Karen (Kaz) Price

Ms Price lives in Cooktown and has been involved in community and regional-based roles including management of regional projects in that town for the past 12 years.  She is currently Director of the Cooktown District Community Centre and is a Councillor with Cook Shire Council with portfolios across community, arts and education.  Ms Price previously worked for Cape York Hospital and Health Service as manager of the Learning and Development Unit.

Dr Scott Davis

Dr Davis is based in Cairns and has a strong interest in regional development and Indigenous health, working on issues which impact on rural and remote Indigenous communities. He has more than 20 years’ experience as a senior leader within the health, education and research sectors and more than 15 years of board experience. He is currently the Director of Greater Northern Australia Regional Training Network and is a committee member of the Regional Development Australia’s FNQ&TS sector. He holds a doctorate from the University of Sydney in Indigenous Community Capacity (economic and social development).

Ms Tina Chinery

Ms Chinery is the Executive Director of Cairns Services at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service. Tina is an experienced chief operating officer with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and health care industry. Tina is skilled in government, program evaluation, strategic planning, organisational development and stakeholder management. She has a Masters of Public Administration and qualifications from Australian Institute of Company Directors.