Media Releases
About our board members - Part 1
 Susan Madden |
 Vicki O'Connor |
 Peter Woodward |
 Andy Single |
Did you know Macquarie Home Stay is a local not for profit registered charity? And, did you know we have a volunteer board of Directors who give their time and expertise to make us the very best we can be? We interviewed a few of our Directors:
Why did you choose to join the board of MHS?
Vicki O'Connor: I wanted to give something back to a community that has been very kind to me throughout my working life. My parents have always been big on supporting others in the community and set me a great example of good citizenship.
Peter Woodward: I felt I had a wide knowledge of the organisation since its inception, and could offer insights from the health industry perspective. I had a strong background in HR Management, Financial Management and had been involved in the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment Program since 1997.
Andrew Single: A friend of mine suggested that my skillset could compliment the Board of MHS. I thought I could add some benefit and that MHS was too important not to be involved.
Susan Madden: I thought it would be a great opportunity to use skills and experiences I'd obtained on other boards, while learning about a new industry and contributing to a great local cause.
What makes you proud to be associated with MHS?
Vicki: To be associated with MHS, that helps people with where to stay at their most vulnerable moment, makes me incredibly proud.
Peter: The reviews from our guests tell us that we do a great job, and I'm also proud that we are dramatically expanding our capacity to reduce the impact on those we have had to turn away, because of limited available space.
Andy: I take great pride in how we do things with care and compassion, and to benefit people in need. I am also proud of the positive reactions to MHS from our communities.
Susan: That we get behind our vision of providing better health outcomes for the people and communities of western NSW.
What's the best part of being on the MHS team?
Vicki: I find that the entire team is committed to this service. This is apparent when talking to people - from volunteers and donors to the on-the-ground staff through to the Board Members. It makes me feel good seeing their focus on helping people at this time of vulnerability.
Peter: That we are a high functioning team. We can have robust discussions about contentious things, and then get on with the job. We have a great range of backgrounds as Directors and each of us reflect different parts of the expertise required to run our complex organisation.
Andy: The joy of being a cog in enabling the service delivery to our clients.
Susan: Connecting with and learning from a great bunch of community-minded people.
What have you been surprised to learn about MHS?
Vicki: Everyone can articulate clearly what they do day to day and how much they love being able to help during patients' and families' time of need.
Peter: That we are able to continually run at near full capacity, even with changing circumstances such as drought, bushfires and COVID, the redevelopment of the Dubbo Hospital and the introduction of new services.
Andy: The surprise for me has been the ownership many Dubbo Community groups feel towards MHS. Not my line, but MHS is Dubbo's gift to the Region.
Susan: The extent of its reach is incredible, but it's the little things that Rod, his staff and volunteers do to provide the 'home away from home' experience that creates the lasting impact.
And finally - what are your housekeeping skills like? Can you do a hospital tuck when making your bed?
Peter: I have changed my share of Hospital beds, moved patients in beds and wheel chairs, driven to banks and shops... As a Manager I believe that you should never ask a staff member to do something, that you aren’t prepared to do yourself.
Vicki: I can certainly do a hospital tuck. I can also assist with anything around the house. Like Peter I believe that you should be able to do anything the team is asked to do.
However, I cannot cook!
Andy: I went to Boarding School - yes to the hospital tuck. I am a reasonable cook and housekeeper, and a good gardener under supervision!
Susan: Despite 9 years of boarding for school and uni, and a mother who was a registered nurse - no, I'm no good at the hospital tuck!