Board members

Mr Matthew Cooke (Chair)

First appointed: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2028

Matthew is a proud Aboriginal and South Sea Islander from the Bailai (Byellee) people in Gladstone, Central Queensland.

As well as being chair of our board, he's also the CEO of Gladstone Region Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Service Limited t/a Nhulundu Health Service.

Matthew is actively involved in all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs at national, state, regional and local levels. He has spent over 10 years serving the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Sector in Director and CEO roles.

Matthew was named Young Leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in 2007, and received the Deadly Vibe Young Leader Award in 2008. In 2011 he received the Australian Institute of Management 2011 Young Manager of the Year Award – Gladstone.

Matthew is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Tina Zawila (Deputy Chair)

CA, GAICD, BBus(Acct) CQU, GradDipFinPlan Kaplan, FIML

First appointed: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2030

Tina is a chartered accountant, business advisor and professional director with over 35 years’ experience in the finance industry. She is also a director of a public practice accounting firm in Gladstone.

Tina is Chair of our Finance and Performance Committee. She is a Non-Executive Director of Gladstone Airport Corporation, where she also chairs the Finance and Audit Committee and is a member of the Nominations, Remuneration and Human Resources Committee.

She serves on local not-for-profit boards including Gladstone Area Group Apprentices Limited and Yaralla Sports Club.

Tina holds qualifications in accounting and financial planning, is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Anna Vanderstaay

First appointed: 1 April 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2028

Anna is a general practitioner with experience working across rural, regional and remote communities in Queensland. She is based in Yeppoon and grew up in Rockhampton.

She has experience across the private, public and not for profit sectors. Her work includes clinical care, medical education and governance. She also has over 5 years of board experience.

Anna currently works in urgent care and general practice.

She holds a Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and was recognised as a Future Leader in General Practice. She also holds a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine from James Cook University, awarded with distinction. Anna is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Kate Veach

First appointed: 1 April 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2028

Kate is a registered nurse and healthcare leader, and currently serves as CEO of a women’s health organisation in Central Queensland. She has experience across clinical, management, administrative and policy roles in public, private and commercial healthcare.

She has held senior leadership roles within Queensland Health, including Nursing Director and Assistant Director of Nursing positions. She is also the former Secretary of the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union.

Kate is an International Council of Nurses Global Nursing Leadership Institute Scholar.

She has served as a Senior Vice President and Executive Member of the Queensland Council of Unions, and as a member of Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Board.

Kate is passionate about safe workplaces and supporting frontline health workers. She enjoys working with nurses and midwives to strengthen practice environments and improve care delivery.

Ms Michelle Webster

First appointed: 1 April 2022
Current term: 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2030

As well as a being a member of our board, Michelle holds the following positions:

• Member, Central Queensland Health Finance and Performance Committee
• Chair, Central Queensland Health Audit and Risk Committee

Michelle has over 30 years’ experience working in local government, including over 10 years as a senior executive at Central Highlands Regional Council and Chief Executive Officer roles at Hinchinbrook Shire Council and Barcoo Shire Council.

Having lived and worked in Central Queensland for 11 years she holds a good understanding of the benefits and challenges that communities face living and working in rural and remote areas of Central Queensland.

Michelle has also managed a number of commercial and housing portfolios, including Emerald Airport, Saleyards, Quarries, Community and Staff Housing Assets, Property Acquisitions and Disposals.

She understands the importance of service provision to the community having been responsible for the development of Capital and Operational local government budgets and the delivery of extensive capital works programs in delivering community infrastructure.

Michelle has qualifications in accounting, leadership, project management and planning, and is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Leann Wilson

First appointed: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2028

Leann is the Executive Director, Business Development and Innovation of Regional Economic Solutions, a majority Indigenous owned business partnered with the global engineering company Ausenco. She has expertise in economic development and connecting local businesses and employment to major project supply chains.

She works with business, government and Indigenous groups to create sustainable economic and social outcomes.

She is a Non-Executive Director of Aboriginal Hostels Limited Board, Queensland Indigenous Business Network and One Basin CRC. She is also a Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair of The Healing Foundation.

Leann received the Premier’s Reconciliation Award in 2016. She attended the 61st Commission on the Status of Women in New York in 2017 as a non-government representative. She was recognised as one of the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Women of Influence in 2019.

Ms Ryl Gardner

First appointed: 1 April 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2028

Ryl is an experienced leader and human resources specialist with a background in organisational change, business improvement and employee management.

She has worked across a range of industries and government sectors and has run her own performance, leadership and wellbeing coaching company for more than 20 years.

Ryl is a Non-Executive Director of Roseberry Queensland and Chair of its Human Resources Committee. She has previously served as a Non-Executive Director of Gladstone Ports Corporation and Chair of its People, Performance and Culture Committee. Ryl is also a member of the Central Queensland Health Finance and Performance Committee and the Central Queensland Health Audit and Risk Committee.

She is actively involved with CQUniversity, contributing across a range of committees, mentoring, and advising on courses and curriculum.

Ryl is a strong advocate for regional Queensland and has strong family ties to Central Queensland.

She holds qualifications in economics, industrial relations and management, is a member of the Australian HR Institute, and is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Gulam Khandaker

First appointed: 1 April 2026
Current term: 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2030

Gulam is a public health physician with extensive experience in clinical care, public health medicine and medical leadership. He has worked across health services and academia in Australia and internationally.

He is the Associate Director and Head of Global Health at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. He previously served as Executive Director of Medical Services for Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, where he led medical teams and supported the delivery of high quality, evidence based care.

Gulam has also led Public Health services in Central Queensland as Director of Public Health, focusing on communicable diseases and health risk prevention. He began his medical career as an intern at Rockhampton Hospital and has a strong connection to the region.

He has contributed extensively to research, with over 200 publications and a focus on vaccine preventable diseases and childhood disability. He is also an Adjunct Professor at CQUniversity and the University of Sydney, and leads a global cerebral palsy research program.

He is a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in infectious diseases and a Master of Public Health.

Ms Margaret Strelow

First appointed: 1 April 2026
Current term: 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2030

Margaret is a former Mayor of Rockhampton with extensive experience in local government and community leadership.

She served as Mayor for 16 years and led a range of infrastructure and community initiatives supporting economic development and major regional events.

Margaret is a strong advocate for Central Queensland and has a long-standing commitment to community development, including supporting services that improve outcomes for local communities.

She holds a Master of Education Studies in literacy and language education, a Graduate Diploma in Local and Applied History, a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Teaching (Primary).