Welcoming our new Board members

The pair bring decades of experience in the mental health sector, including clinical and research expertise and share a deep commitment to lived experience perspectives and leadership.  

Dr David Fenn is the Medical Director of Royal Melbourne Hospital Mental Health Services and brings over 30 years’ experience in public inpatient and community-based psychiatry.  He is committed to working with lived experience representatives and other partners to transform the mental health and wellbeing system. 

Director of the Centre for Mental Health Nursing at the University of Melbourne since 2016, Bridget was awarded the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) Ally of the Year Award in 2018 for her support for lived experience workforces and upholding human rights. 

Our twelve Board members bring a diverse range of skills and perspectives, including lived and living experience leadership, research excellence and clinical expertise, to their roles in leading transformative change across Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system. You can read more about them here.

The appointments of David and Bridget recognise the Collaborative Centre’s partnership with the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne, which are leading a consortium of 18 health and wellbeing organisations to drive high-quality mental health and wellbeing research and better treatment, care and support for Victorians. 

Collaborative Centre Board Chair Terry Laidler said the appointments of David and Bridget will support the next phase of the Collaborative Centre’s growth, including its partnerships with services, community organisations and researchers, and the implementation of its forthcoming Research Strategy and Lived Experience Strategy. 

“We’re delighted to welcome David and Bridget to the Collaborative Centre Board. With their extensive leadership experience and commitment to transforming how mental health and wellbeing services and supports are delivered in Victoria, I know they will make an invaluable contribution in steering the exciting work that is underway at the Collaborative Centre,” Terry said. 

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