Board of Heartbeat Victoria Council Inc

I am a mum of four, granny to ten under eight years old and have two fur babies. Family is a large part of my life but the bush, my 4×4 and cameras round out my retirement.

Barry is an active volunteer providing direct peer and social support to Ballarat folk living with cardiac challenges. As a lived experience educator, Barry speaks to new cardiac patients at local cardiac rehabilitation programs. His message is not to be sedentary and he lives what he teaches by walking with or leading four walking groups weekly.

Vivien worked for over 35 years as a town planner and senior manager in State and Local Government in Victoria, most recently managing strategic planning for land use and development, heritage, environment, open space, recreation and transport.

She now works part-time in her consulting business, PlanV Planning Services, is a member of two public Boards and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Vivien has been the Secretary of Heartbeat Bendigo for four years and is keen to ensure that Heartbeat branches throughout Victoria continue to be grow and be supported.

Karen has worked at Goulburn Valley Health (GVH) as the Volunteer Coordinator for a little over five years. Prior to that she was employed at Tatura Milk Industries, now known as Bega Cheese, for 19 years, where she held a variety of administration roles.

John holds a Master’s degree in Electrical (Biomedical) Engineering from Purdue University in the US.  He recently retired after 30 years with Medtronic, working in both the US and Australia in a variety of roles, including Engineering, Education, Clinical Trial Management and Marketing.

He now works part-time in his consulting business, Australian Medical Technology Consulting.

John has had a lifetime connection to cardiac disease and treatment, including a special interest in Implantable Defibrillators (ICDs) and was previously involved with several hospital-based ICD peer support groups.

Mum of five and Granny to nine, I was born and grew up in the Walpeup region of north west Victoria on a wheat and sheep property. Growing up in the country and working on the farm gave me a broad problem-solving approach to things. I was a stay-at-home mum who was involved with the Guides and running children around to sport, both of which I enjoyed.
Married to Jeff and living in Mildura has demonstrated the difficulties of receiving cardiac care in regional areas. In 2012, Jeff’s first cardiac incident saw him airlifted to Box Hill Hospital and me in Melbourne, with no knowledge of the transport, accommodation or managing in the city. Some years later we were back for a preoperative check before bypass surgery. This first trip down was to prepare and to come off blood thinners and we were due back for the bypass surgery a week later. Unfortunately, while Jeff prepared the business for him to be away for a time, he suffered another cardiac event and was rushed down to Melbourne, again.
All’s well that ends well and Jeff has made a good recovery. After a quadruple bypass he is doing well, but the long road for treatment, the unknown issues of going to Melbourne and being there alone while your partner of many years recovers comes at a cost. The hospital cared very well for Jeff, but as his wife it was hard.

I would like to raise awareness of heart disease in Victoria and make the journey easier for those from regional areas.

Professor Murphy holds a PhD in cardiovascular disease from Monash University. He has been exploring the fundamental biological process that influence atherosclerosis, the leading cause of heart disease for approximately 20 years. He has spent part of his career at Columbia University in New York extending his knowledge with world-leading researchers, and in 2013 he returned to Melbourne to establish his laboratory at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. He has previously been a board member of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance and several scientific societies. Andrew brings knowledge on the research sector and how consumers, patients (including friends and family) can interact in the fight against heart disease.

Kevin has a background in dairy farming, electronics and radio communication, and has previously held a position on a community recreation reserve committee.

Vanaja holds an BSc(Hon) in Economics and Management from the University of London. She is the General Manager at the Statistical Society of Australia and a current Board Director at the Institute of Professional Editors Limited. With nearly 20 years of membership experience, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Heartbeat Victoria.

Vanaja is keen to support and help raise the profile and awareness of Heartbeat Victoria’s mission to the wider community.