Northern Queensland PHN (NQPHN) is overseen by a highly qualified Board of Directors who are experienced health professionals and business experts, and who have a wealth of knowledge working within our region.
Terry Mehan
Board Chair
Terry Mehan has more than 40 years of experience working in the health sector across the Torres and Cape, Cairns, and Brisbane regions, in addition to three Australian states and overseas locations in...
Terry Mehan has more than 40 years of experience working in the health sector across the Torres and Cape, Cairns, and Brisbane regions, in addition to three Australian states and overseas locations including Papua New Guinea and Tonga.
Mr Mehan was acting Chief Executive Officer of NQPHN for several months in 2020-21, and has also served as interim Chief Executive Officer of Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) and the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS), and as an administrator of the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service (CHHHS).
Tara Diversi
Deputy Chair
Tara Diversi is the CEO of Sophus Nutrition, a digital nutrition platform that improves accessibility and affordability of expert nutrition and dietetic care through the combination of evidence-based ...
Tara Diversi is the CEO of Sophus Nutrition, a digital nutrition platform that improves accessibility and affordability of expert nutrition and dietetic care through the combination of evidence-based nutrition with psychology, behavioural economics, and technology. She also holds current roles as the President and Chair of Dietitians Australia, National Dietetic Adviser to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Entrepreneurship Facilitator for Cairns.
Tara is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Advanced Sports Dietitian starting her career in Cairns in private practice in 2003 and working in almost all areas of dietetics. To complement her dietetic studies (MND, BHSc), Tara holds an MBA, two post-graduate psychology qualifications (GDipPsyc; PGDipPsyc) and Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. She is the author of four books, nine textbook chapters, and six peer-reviewed papers.
After growing up in Kunnunurra and Cairns, Tara’s initial passion and work focused on Indigenous health in Australia and Papua New Guinea which drives her continued interest in improving health and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She has also worked extensively in sports nutrition, mental health, and incorporating behavioural economics into healthcare.
Outside of work, Tara enjoys seeing people stretch their comfort zones – whether it is her daughter learning something new, clients swimming over insane distances or in extreme temperatures, or a new health professional seeing their first client. She believes in the power of individual contribution to make significant positive impact on individuals, groups, and communities.
Suzanne Andrews
Board Director
Sue is the Chief Executive of Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, a community-based health organisation that delivers holistic primary health care to the people of Yarrabah, an Aboriginal community nea...
Sue is the Chief Executive of Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, a community-based health organisation that delivers holistic primary health care to the people of Yarrabah, an Aboriginal community near Cairns.
During her time as CEO, Sue has led the drive for the transfer of responsibility for delivering primary healthcare services from the Queensland Government to Gurriny Yealamucka, a first in Queensland, with Gurriny now looking after all primary healthcare services in the community, including women’s and maternal health, sexual health, chronic disease, and social and emotional wellbeing.
In 2016, Sue was also a key driver for the establishment of the first pharmacy to open in Yarrabah in nearly 20 years, ensuring the Yarrabah community had a wider range of primary and allied health services.
Prior to her appointment as CEO in 2012, Sue was the Finance Manager at Gurriny Yealamucka for more than five years, leading and managing the day-to-day financials of the organisation with a budget of $8 million.
Sue has also previously worked with Cape York Digital Network, implementing and rolling out projects within each Cape community around the use of technology, and Gindaja Treatment and Healing Centre in Yarrabah, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residential rehabilitation service which caters for both men and women with drug and alcohol-related problems.
A proud Aboriginal woman who grew up in Yarrabah, Sue is passionate about closing the gap in Indigenous health disadvantage. Sue was appointed a director of Northern Queensland Primary Health Network in 2017.
Jeff Stewart-Harris
Board Director
Jeff is an experienced Chair, Director, Chief and Senior Executive with a passion to see individuals, teams, organisations, their boards, communities, and regions thrive - now and into the future. He ...
Jeff is an experienced Chair, Director, Chief and Senior Executive with a passion to see individuals, teams, organisations, their boards, communities, and regions thrive - now and into the future. He has been Chief and Senior Executive for 26 years of his 32-year Queensland local government career. In addition, in an almost 10-year career in the ports sector, he held Chief and Deputy Chief Executive roles, accountable for half of Queensland’s trade by tonnage though the ports of Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point, and Weipa. His initial professional discipline was in public and environmental health which fuelled the thread of community health, wellbeing, prosperity, and sustainable futures to be an enduring focus throughout both careers. He has deep expertise in community advocacy, engagement, and participation, including a strong focus on mental health, suicide prevention, and first peoples’ engagement. As a strong advocate for the regions, Jeff lives in Mackay, is interim Chair of Regional Development Australia – Greater Whitsundays, and an enthusiastic participant in the Northern Australia (Qld, NT and WA) Alliance of RDAs. He has also held board roles on the Australian Mining Cities Alliance and several other regional, community and industry organisations. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in several disciplines and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jeff was awarded a Public Service Medal in the 2022 Australia Day Honours for outstanding service to state and local governments in Queensland.
Dr Konrad Kangru
Board Director
Dr Konrad Kangru B.App Sci, MBBS, FRACGP gained his MBBS from the University of Queensland in 2000, has been in private rural General Practice in the Whitsundays region of Queensland since 2005, where...
Dr Konrad Kangru B.App Sci, MBBS, FRACGP gained his MBBS from the University of Queensland in 2000, has been in private rural General Practice in the Whitsundays region of Queensland since 2005, where he has been a GP Supervisor and Medical Educator since 2009. He has remained a very active advocate for improving the support of rural doctors, currently as Co-Chair of the Queensland Rural and Remote Clinical Network, and Medical Advisor to the Office of Rural and Remote Health, together with prior roles as President and prior Conference Convenor of the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland.
Dr Kangru has also undertaken and presented his research on the self-care of rural doctors, and has special interests in medical education and diabetes management, particularly in up-skilling colleagues about this important condition. He is passionate about reducing the disparity in outcomes for patients living in rural and remote communities, and ensuring that every clinician providing care to these areas is as well supported as they possibly can be.
Sharon Kelly
Board Director
Sharon has more than 42 years of experience working in the health sector across a range of rural regional and tertiary health care services in the public sector for both Queensland and South Australia...
Sharon has more than 42 years of experience working in the health sector across a range of rural regional and tertiary health care services in the public sector for both Queensland and South Australia. She is an experienced and professional health leader who has delivered senior leadership, strategic, and operational expertise with strength and knowledge around corporate governance, community engagement, community and institutional (forensic) mental health, strategy and planning underpinned by years of primary, secondary, and tertiary health delivery and leadership. Having recently retired from her role as Executive Director People Strategy and Governance with Townsville Hospital and Health Service, she is a passionate advocate for strengthening partnerships and the delivery of health services to people across northern Queensland. Sharon is a Registered Nurse and Midwife by background, holds a Masters Degree in Health Administration, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has most recently been a member of the Cootharinga North Queensland Board.
Topaz McAuliffe
Board Director
Topaz McAuliffe is the founder and CEO of 15 Times Better, a 100% Indigenous owned company focused on empowering every organisation in Australia to make their greatest contribution to Indigenous enga...
Topaz McAuliffe is the founder and CEO of 15 Times Better, a 100% Indigenous owned company focused on empowering every organisation in Australia to make their greatest contribution to Indigenous engagement.
Topaz was the driving force behind Coles Group’s award-winning Indigenous participation program, assisting Coles to become the largest corporate sector employer of Indigenous Australians and one of Australia’s largest supporters of Indigenous businesses, gaining recognition from Fortune, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Topaz has a proven track record of delivering significant social and business benefits through some of Australia’s largest corporate sector partnerships, including Bunnings, Coles Group, Wesfarmers, and Qantas. She also has significant experience working closely with Indigenous businesses to build capability and capacity, including a particular focus on supporting the growth of Indigenous suppliers as part of the aquaculture, agriculture, and bush food supply chain.
Topaz is highly regarded and extremely passionate about her work. She appreciates what it takes to build voice, equity, and mutual benefit at the partnership table and brings these skills to all her work in Indigenous affairs.
Luckbir Singh
Board Director
Luckbir is a Director at MacDonnells Law, one of the leading Queensland law firms. He has been recognised for his legal skills and client outcomes by Lawyer’s Weekly as a finalist in the 2016 Australi...
Luckbir is a Director at MacDonnells Law, one of the leading Queensland law firms. He has been recognised for his legal skills and client outcomes by Lawyer’s Weekly as a finalist in the 2016 Australian Partner of the Year Awards.
Luckbir has over the last 20 years been involved in many of the most significant, highly publicised and complex corporate law matters in North Queensland. His areas of expertise are corporate advisory, governance and mergers and transactions.
Mr Singh is also the Deputy Chair Cairns and Hinterland and Hospital Health Service and Queensland State Council member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Luckbir was born and raised in North Queensland, with his family having lived in the region since the late 1890s.
Ben Tooth
Board Director
Ben is an Executive Manager with over 15 years of experience in executive management, finance, and accounting roles. Ben is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Ramsay Health Care’s Cairns facilit...
Ben is an Executive Manager with over 15 years of experience in executive management, finance, and accounting roles. Ben is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Ramsay Health Care’s Cairns facilities; the Cairns Private hospital, the Cairns Day Surgery, and The Cairns Clinic (inpatient mental health facility).
Ben is currently a company director of Cairns Penny Bank Limited, and is Chair of the Audit Committee. Ben is also a director of the Cairns Catholic Diocese Development Fund and has previously held board roles including Far North Queensland Regional Development Australia.
Ben is a chartered accountant having gained many years of experience at KPMG.
Ben’s primary interest outside of work is spending time with his wife and two children.
