2026 Election of
Elected Members

SOPHIA AVERY

BPharm MBusAnalytics AFAIDH MPS MAICD

I am stepping forward as a candidate for the role of HCF Elected Member, and invite you to consider my candidacy. I have been a member for over ten years and welcome the opportunity to contribute to the stewardship of our member organisation. It would be a privilege to bring my professional skills and expertise to the independent HCF Elected Members team.

I bring specialist knowledge of cancer prevention and Australia’s population screening programs, having worked across cervical, bowel and breast screening. Most recently my work has focused on progressing Western Australia toward Australia’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2035, working with others across the country to help make Australia the first in the world to get there.

Alongside health programs, strategy and health communications, I have also worked extensively with large-scale population health data, and I bring skills in data governance, privacy, and analytics and insights. I have contributed to national conversations about how health data is used and protected.

I am also a registered pharmacist, and have been serving local communities since my very first after-school job as a junior pharmacy assistant in 1999.

In governance, I have served as a Councillor for member-based not-for-profit charity organisations in both Tasmania and Western Australia. I am a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and have completed the WA Office of Multicultural Interests’ Leadership and Governance Program, which prepares culturally and linguistically diverse leaders to serve on boards and committees across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Outside my professional life I am drawn to history of medicine, healthcare and pharmacy: exploring vintage pharmacy objects and antique medicine books. I also support the development of emerging public sector leaders as a mentor with the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

DARRIN BATCHELOR

For more than 30 years, I have dedicated my career to serving the community as a senior leader with the NSW Police Force, where I currently lead one of the state’s most complex police commands. Throughout my career, I have been responsible for governance, risk management, strategic decision-making and leading large, diverse teams through challenging and high-pressure environments. As Deputy Region Operations Controller for Northwest Sydney,

I provide strategic leadership in complex emergency management and co-ordinate multi-agency responses to significant events.

Healthcare is deeply personal to me. As the parent of a child who underwent cancer treatment, I have experienced firsthand the importance of compassionate, accessible and high-quality healthcare. My family’s experience has given me a genuine appreciation of the vital role HCF plays in supporting and providing reassurance to policyholders through some of life’s most difficult moments.

That experience led me to become a consumer reviewer for the Children’s Cancer Institute, where I help ensure that research funding reflects the priorities and needs of patients and families. It has reinforced my commitment to listening, asking the right questions and advocating for better health outcomes.

I believe an Elected Member should provide practical, independent oversight while always putting policyholders’ interests first. If elected, I will bring integrity, accountability and a strong focus on ensuring HCF continues to deliver outstanding value, quality healthcare and long-term sustainability for its policyholders.

I am passionate about giving back to the community and bringing a policyholders perspective to HCF’s governance. It would be a privilege to represent fellow policyholders and contribute to the continued success of Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund.

LIAM BROWNE

I am a health, governance and technology professional with experience across clinical healthcare, organisational leadership and strategic governance. I hold a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours), Graduate Certificates in Business Analytics and Data Science, and a Master of Public Health, and I am currently completing a Master of Information Technology, focusing on IT governance, policy, ethics, and law.

I began my career as a sleep technologist and clinical coordinator, gaining first-hand insight into patient care, health service delivery and the importance of accessible, high-quality healthcare, achieving the US board-certified RPSGT credential. My subsequent studies in public health, analytics and technology broadened this into health systems, evidence-based decision-making and the responsible use of emerging technologies.

I bring governance experience through Griffith University and the Griffith University Gold Coast Student Guild, where I serve as President, Deputy Chair of the Board and its Governance and Nominations Committee, Chair of the Representative Committee, and Co-Chair of the University’s Student Experience Sub-Committee. I led a redesign of the Guild’s Constitution, introducing external governance expertise and dedicated finance, risk, audit, governance and nominations oversight, and secured $114,000 in funding for a major sports facility renewal. I also contribute to university committees on learning and teaching, artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability.

These roles have given me experience in constitutional and governance reform, policy development and strategic oversight. They require me to interpret complex information, balance competing interests, work with diverse stakeholders, manage conflicts of interest, and exercise independent judgement while maintaining a boundary between governance and management.

I am confident that my combination of clinical and public health knowledge, governance experience, analytical skill and collaborative leadership reflects the skills, experience, integrity and judgement expected of an HCF Elected Member. I am an eligible HCF Voting Policyholder and meet the applicable independence and legal eligibility requirements.

DAVID FRASER

MBA GAICD FAICD FAIM AMP (Harvard)

I am seeking election as an Elected Member of HCF because I believe deeply in the strength of member-owned organisations and the responsibility we share to safeguard their purpose, performance, and long-term sustainability.

With more than 25 years of CEO, Chair and Non-Executive Director experience across ASX-listed, private, and not-for-profit organisations, I bring a proven record of strategic leadership, governance excellence, and values-driven decision-making.

My background spans financial services, insurance mutuals, risk management, sustainability, and large-scale organisational transformation. I have worked nationally and internationally with co-operatives and mutuals, giving me a deep understanding of how member-owned organisations can grow while staying true to their mission.

I hold an MBA and have completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course and Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. I am a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management, reflecting my commitment to lifelong learning and governance excellence.

I am a former Non-Executive Director of the Business Council of Co-operative’s and Mutuals, and currently serve as the Independent Chair of Tyre Stewardship Australia, and as a Non-Executive Director of Good Sammy Enterprises and Major LB Pty Ltd. I also Chair the WA Motor Industry Foundation, overseeing the Wheels for Hope charity.

These roles reflect my commitment to community impact, ethical leadership, and strong governance.

If elected, I will bring disciplined financial oversight, a strong focus on risk and policyholders value, and a collaborative approach that supports HCF’s long-term health and local relevance. I am committed to ensuring that policyholders interests remain at the centre of every decision and that HCF continues to innovate, grow, and deliver exceptional outcomes.

I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience and serve policyholders with integrity, accountability, and a clear focus on sustainable impact.

FIONA JOLLY*

Hi! I am Fiona Jolly. I have been a policyholder of HCF since 1992 and made good use over these years of hospital and extras benefits. We are an active family of 6 and live in regional NSW, just across the border from the ACT.

I bring significant member experience to the HCF Elected Member role including:

• perspective of a regional/rural policyholder;
• experience in navigating health insurance and access to hospitals and care for sporting children and aging parents; and
• understanding of the concerns of the community on current issues such as the standards, cost and quality of service provided by companies such as HCF.

I am an experienced governance professional having been on the Boards of national not-for-profit member organisations for more than 20 years including the YWCA of Australia and CHOICE, the Australian Consumers Association. This strong understanding of governance, particularly with organisations that operate for the benefit of members, means that in my role as an Elected Member I can ensure the HCF governance standards are properly implemented and maintained for the benefit of policyholders.

I bring integrity, energy and a passion for collaboration with other Elected Members. I am results driven and committed to ethical governance.

I meet the eligibility criteria for Elected Members and have no business or other relationship that would interfere with my ability to perform my role as an independent Elected Member.

ALEXANDER LEW

When you need health care, the last thing you should be worrying about is whether you can afford it, whether your treatment will be covered, or whether you’ll have access to the specialist or hospital you need.

As an HCF policyholder, husband, father and cancer survivor, I understand that personally. My family has relied on HCF through two pregnancies, specialist treatment and other significant health events. We’ve experienced both regional and metropolitan health services, so I understand the importance of having access to quality care, wherever you live.

My family lives on a mixed farming property in Northern Victoria, and I work as a prosecutor with the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions, travelling throughout Northern Victoria to serve our communities. Both have taught me the importance of responsibility, fairness and putting people first.

Throughout my career, I have been trusted to make fair, balanced and evidence-based decisions, often in complex and challenging circumstances. I understand the importance of listening carefully, asking the right questions, considering different perspectives and acting with integrity. Those are qualities I would bring to representing HCF policyholders.

I am seeking to represent you because HCF is owned by and exists for the benefit of its policyholders. If elected, I will work to ensure that every decision remains focused on delivering value to policyholders by keeping premiums as affordable as possible, reducing unnecessary out-of-pocket costs, supporting genuine choice of doctors and hospitals, and ensuring HCF continues to secure high-quality care at a fair price.

Whether you live in the city or the country, we all want the same thing: confidence that our health fund will be there when we need it. I would be honoured to represent your interests as an HCF Elected Member.

LACHLAN MACGREGOR

BAFE (Hons), CA

I wish to submit myself for your consideration as a candidate for the role of Elected Member of HCF.

My family has been a long-term supporter of HCF, and I strongly value its not-for-profit model and commitment to delivering quality and affordable healthcare outcomes for policyholders.

With a Bachelor of Advanced Finance & Economics (Honours) and a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting, I have built a career in investment analysis, financial due diligence, restructuring and strategic decision-making across a range of sectors, including healthcare.

My role has required me to assess complex opportunities, evaluate risk, review financial performance and provide recommendations to investment committees, boards and other decision-makers. This experience has developed strong analytical, commercial and governance skills, together with an appreciation of accountability, transparency and acting in the best interests of stakeholders.

I recognise that Elected Members play an important role as custodians of HCF on behalf of policyholders, helping ensure the organisation remains focused on its purpose and long-term sustainability. I satisfy the HCF Elected Member Eligibility Criteria through my professional experience, independent judgement and commitment to good governance. I understand the importance of acting independently, in good faith and in a manner that promotes the objectives of HCF and its policyholders.

If elected, I would bring a thoughtful, analytical and member-focused perspective and would be proud to contribute to the continued stewardship of HCF on behalf of current and future policyholders.

DREW MENZIES-MCVEY

GAICD

I wish to be considered as a candidate for the role of Elected Member of HCF and confirm that I meet the eligibility and probity requirements for Elected Members. Elected Members and Director Members are the formal custodians of HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit private health fund. As an HCF policyholder since 2010, I appreciate the benefits of private health insurance.

I am an accomplished former government senior executive with more than 30 years’ experience in social policy. I was trained in governance, accountability and risk management. I have worked with boards and committees and given briefings using evidence and data to influence government decision-making. I am committed to implementation that takes into account the needs of the end-user. Living in regional New South Wales has highlighted for me the challenges of accessing health care outside metropolitan centres and the vital role private health insurance plays in ensuring its policyholders can access timely treatment. My background provides me with a unique and useful perspective on the impact of government decisions on private health insurance.

I am recognised for my practical approach, energy, sound judgement and ability to bring people together. I enjoy the collaborative process of working with people whose skills and perspectives are different to mine in order to achieve more meaningful outcomes. I will bring my skills and expertise to support HCF’s ethos of policyholders first.

I have a Master’s degree in politics and international law and am a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. I also volunteer to support safe boating practices in my regional coastal community.

DR JOGNANDAN PRASHAR

I am a committed, motivated and well-rounded professional with extensive experience in the design, development, quality management and commercialisation of medical devices, medicines, biosensors and advanced manufacturing technologies.

With a Doctorate in Synthetic Chemistry, I have led and coordinated multinational collaborative projects from early-stage research and development through to manufacturing and commercialisation. I have worked with established organisations across the United States, Europe, Japan, and India, developing the ability to work effectively across different professional, cultural and organisational environments. My healthcare-related work has included applications in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for cancer, nanotechnology and biosensors. I have also developed practical experience in intellectual property, regulatory, commercial agreements and industry partnerships. More recently, I have undertaken further education in mental health and have become actively engaged with this important area of healthcare. I believe mental health remains an area that deserves greater recognition, investment and integration within healthcare.

Importantly, beyond all of this, I have been an HCF policyholder for 30 years. This longstanding relationship gives me a genuine personal connection to HCF and a strong interest in its future. I understand the importance of maintaining the trust of policyholders while ensuring that HCF remains financially sustainable, innovative and responsive to create lasting value for its policyholders and the broader community.

If elected, I would bring an independent, thoughtful, and an evidence-based approach to the Elected Member role.

I aim to constructively contribute to the governance and strategic direction of HCF, while ensuring that the interests and expectations of policyholders remain central to decision making. I would therefore be honoured and grateful

to represent HCF policyholders and be involved in an organisation that has an important role to play in shaping a sustainable, innovative and policyholder-focused future for Australian healthcare.

SUSAN RODGER

I live in regional NSW and am the mother of two teenagers. I am also an Occupational Therapist and a small business owner. My family has proudly been with HCF since 2008 because I chose a not-for-profit health fund whose values align with my personal and professional belief that quality healthcare should be affordable, accessible and focused on policyholders.

For the past 26 years I have worked as an Occupational Therapist in Australia and the United Kingdom. My career has focused on empowering people living with severe mental illness and addiction to maximise their independence and participation in everyday life. More recently, I have worked in early intervention, supporting children and their families to build skills, confidence and capacity.

I am passionate about improving equity of healthcare for people living in regional and rural Australia and helping close the healthcare gap experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Some of my most rewarding work has been building partnerships between health services, community organisations and not-for-profit services to improve health outcomes.

Living and working in a regional community has given me firsthand experience, both as an Occupational Therapist and an HCF policyholder, of the challenges of accessing healthcare outside metropolitan areas.

I am a Director of my local member-owned community club, where I have developed practical experience in governance, strategic planning, compliance and acting in the best interests of members.

I would be honoured to represent HCF policyholders as an Elected Member, bringing the perspective of a long-term HCF policyholder, regional allied health professional and community board director to support good governance, elect capable Directors and protect HCF’s values as Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund.

RUSSELL SCHNEIDER AM*

For 22 years-from 1983 to 2005 I was Chief Executive of the Australian Health Insurance Association (AHIA). During this time I was closely involved in the development and introduction of a range of measures aimed at making private cover more attractive and affordable including, among other things, the 30 percent rebate and hospital and medical gap cover. From 1989 to 1997 I was a Board member of the Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC) the then industry regulatory body which oversaw its governance arrangements.

After leaving AHIA in 2005 I was invited to join the HCF Board where I helped rewrite the company’s Constitution to improve its governance and establish the Council to ensure the Board was accountable to a body representing policyholders. I left the Board in 2017 as required by the revised Constitution.

In 2008 I was invested as a Member of the Order of Australia “for service to the private health insurance industry through a range of advisory roles and to the health care system as a contributor to the development and implementation of national policy.”

I completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Company Director Course in 2012. In 2011 the NSW Health Minister appointed me to the Board of the Southern NSW Local Health District.

I believe I have the skills, experience, and knowledge of the Australian public and private health systems as well as the regulatory environment to assist the Board in executing its role of oversight of HCF management. As an Elected Member I have provided input to the Board to ensure that the sound governance standards already established are properly maintained, and that the Board remains accountable for its leadership of the organisation to a body representing policyholders and continues providing more for policyholders in the short, medium and longer terms, and if re-elected will continue to do so.

KYLIE SMITH

As a long-standing HCF policyholder and parent of three children, I value HCF’s not-for-profit purpose and its commitment to supporting policyholders by putting people before profit.

Growing up in regional South Australia shaped my understanding that access to healthcare can vary greatly depending on where people live, what services are available, and the pressures facing families. With HCF’s strong history and presence on the eastern seaboard, my South Australian perspective supports a broader national focus that reflects the needs of policyholders across Australia. Like many policyholders, I want confidence that HCF will remain affordable, trustworthy and focused on people when they need support most.

I am a qualified allied health professional, social worker and experienced senior human services executive, with leadership experience across the health, disability, education and community sectors. I have led complex services and multidisciplinary teams in high-accountability environments, with a focus on improving outcomes, strengthening service quality, and ensuring the systems people rely on are safe, effective and responsive.

I also bring governance experience as a board director, a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee of a health organisation, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With no involvement in HCF other than as a policyholder, I bring independent judgement, integrity and a strong commitment to keeping policyholders’ needs at the centre of decisions.

If elected, I would bring careful listening, constructive collaboration and a strong sense of responsibility to the role, helping ensure policyholders have a thoughtful voice and HCF remains connected to the policyholders it exists to serve.

DR. KEN WONG

MBBS, FRACS

I have been an HCF policyholder since the 1980s, originally under my parents’ cover, and have always valued HCF’s commitment to putting policyholders before profit. As a long term policyholder and Specialist Surgeon, I understand the importance of having a health insurer that delivers genuine value, high quality care and peace of mind.

For more than 25 years, I have worked across both the public and private hospital systems, caring for patients and their families. Throughout my career, I have seen the difference that timely access to healthcare and affordable private health insurance can make. I also understand the concerns policyholders have about rising premiums, unexpected out of pocket costs, bill shock and navigating an increasingly complex health system.

I have had the privilege of serving as Head of Department of General Surgery, held leadership roles on hospital committees, and established and managed a specialist surgical practice. These roles have provided extensive experience in clinical governance, strategic leadership, risk management and financial stewardship, together with a practical understanding of healthcare funding and medical billing.

I believe HCF’s greatest strength is that it exists solely to serve its policyholders. If elected, I will bring an independent clinical perspective, strong governance experience, multi-disciplinary collaborative approach and a commitment to ensuring policyholders’ interests remain at the centre of every decision. I confirm that I satisfy the Elected Member Eligibility Criteria, including independence.

I would be honoured to have the opportunity to represent HCF policyholders and contribute to the continued success of Australia’s leading not for profit health insurer.