Careers, Volunteers & Consumer Advisors

Andrew Macfarlane - Chief Information Officer

"Barwon Health IT stands as an exceptional place to work. It is dedicated to innovation, has a strong emphasis on employee development, and a commitment to work-life balance. As a leading healthcare organisations, Barwon Health IT provides a cutting-edge and challenging work environment where employees can actively contribute to our digital transformation, and connecting our community to the future of healthcare.

One of the most remarkable aspects of working for Barwon Health IT is its commitment to continuous innovation. The organisation is investing in state-of-the-art technology and fostering a culture of creativity and problem-solving. Employees are encouraged to think outside the box, break conventional boundaries, and drive advancements in healthcare IT solutions. This commitment to innovation not only ensures that patients receive the best possible care, but it also enables employees to build their skills and knowledge base, making them invaluable assets in the rapidly evolving world of healthcare technology.

Additionally, Barwon Health IT  prioritises employee development and growth. Employees are offered ample opportunities for professional development through training programs, workshops, and conferences. The organisation recognises the importance of nurturing talent and is dedicated to providing resources for employees to advance their careers. This focus on employee growth contributes to a work environment that is both supportive and empowering, allowing individuals to thrive and excel in their roles.

Moreover, Barwon Health IT is committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance, understanding that a fulfilled and well-rounded life outside of work is vital to overall wellbeing and productivity. With flexible work arrangements, generous leave policies, and a supportive management team, employees can maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. This commitment to employee wellbeing contributes to a positive and collaborative work culture, which ultimately leads to greater job satisfaction and higher levels of performance."

Bronwen Alsop - Director Service Support

"I joined Barwon Health/SWARH because of my deep connection to Geelong and the organisation's vital role in community service. My career here has evolved from a project officer to the Director of Service Support for SWARH, overseeing a regional IT support team. Barwon Health/SWARH has consistently supported my growth through certifications and conferences. The dynamic nature of my role, coupled with the satisfaction of contributing to community health outcomes, makes every day fulfilling. I'm proud to be part of a dedicated team committed to providing effective support services."

Deepak Dama - Senior Program Manager

“Joining Barwon Health/SWARH presented an exciting opportunity to lead the applications delivery team, contributing to the organisation's vision of achieving the best health and well-being in Victoria by 2050. Coming from diverse sectors like Banking, Finance, and Utilities, my career at SWARH has been a significant learning curve, emphasising the impact of IT decisions on community health support.

Barwon Health/SWARH has supported my career development by allowing me to leverage my experience to contribute to the organisation's strategic vision. I find fulfilment in the daily challenges of bringing about positive change, providing solutions, and exploring innovative ways of working. The shift to Geelong has offered a refreshing change, providing an unparalleled lifestyle conducive to stress management and a better work-life balance.The prospect of contributing to community health outcomes motivates me each day.”

Chris Coghlan - Director Applications

Chris is a senior technology leader with over 20 years’ industry experience in creating vision, identifying opportunities, and leading high performing teams.

Throughout his career, Chris has been responsible for business analysis, software engineering, data analytics, applications management, project and portfolio management.

Chris joined SWARH in 2018 and is focused on building innovative solutions that address the complex challenges facing the healthcare industry, while always keeping the patient's needs at the forefront.

Keith Smith - Director Projects

Keith is an accomplished Project Portfolio Director with over 20 years of project delivery experience and a strong drive to lead change throughout the project lifecycle, from strategic planning to operational delivery. He joined Barwon Health in June 2018 as the Director of the Enterprise PMO and transitioned to the SWARH alliance as the Director of Projects in January 2020. With his extensive background in project management, Keith possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in driving successful project outcomes.

Throughout his career, Keith has consistently demonstrated his ability to deliver successful project outcomes in diverse industries. His extensive experience spans across various sectors, including healthcare, government, technology, and engineering. His strong track record of establishing Project Management Offices and implementing tailored Project Delivery Frameworks has been instrumental in driving streamlined processes, reducing overhead, and achieving project objectives.

Matt Morris, Acting Director Infrastructure

Matt is a digital lead with over 20 years of Information Technology and business management experience across private and public sectors. Focused on addressing business needs in complex and outcome-driven environments across data and application disciplines.

Matt supports organisations to implement and manage analytics, information management, strategy/architecture and adaptive systems in the enterprise, ensuring client (or business) objectives are met efficiently and effectively.

Chris Punton, Finance and Commercial Manager

Chris is a finance professional, qualified with CPA Australia, and brings over 15 years of finance and accounting experience from across different industries including leadership roles.

Chris joined SWARH in 2019 to lead the finance and commercial function, with a focus on embedding strong financial decision making and governance into SWARH’s processes to ensure value for money is delivered to members. The team is responsible for finance business partnering, project support, budgeting and forecasting, day-to-day finance and accounting duties, and ensuring an equitable allocation of SWARH’s joint venture costs to members.