Fran Thorn
IPAA President

Fran Thorn was appointed Secretary of the Department of Health, which was created in August 2009 to ensure a truly integrated approach to health, mental health and aged care. The new department is pursuing an enhanced focus on prevention and early intervention, as well as addressing the demands on the Victorian health system occurring as a result of the ageing population and complexity of clients.

Between 2007 and 2009, Fran was Secretary of the Department of Human Services, predecessor to the Department of Health. DHS encompassed health, community services, housing, aged care, disability and emergency management.

Grant Hehir
Secretary, Department of Treasury & Finance, IPAA Victoria Fellow, IPAA National Fellow

Mr. Grant Hehir, FAIM, ACA (NZ) has been Secretary of the Department of Treasury and Finance at Victorian government sector since June 2006 and is responsible for advising on and delivering a range of education and training reform initiatives. As Secretary to the Department of Treasury and Finance, Mr. Hehir provides leadership in economic, financial and resource management across the Victorian government sector. Mr. Hehir has an extensive experience in strategic financial management and the provision of fiscal, economic social policy advice to both the Victorian and Commonwealth governments. Mr. Hehir was the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Education and Training from 2003 to June 2006. Mr. Hehir has been a Director at Treasury Corporation of Victoria since October 17, 2006.

Diana Taylor
Executive Director / General Manager Commercial Development, CT Management Group

Diana is the Executive Director/ General Manager Commercial Development of the Geelong based company CT Management Group, a management consulting, placement and recruitment business supporting Local Government across Australia. She is also the Director of Taylor Chapman Consulting, a sports and workplace consultancy practice.
Diana is currently a director on the boards of Doutta Galla Aged Services Limited and AFL Victoria's Development Advisory Board, VicHealth's Alcohol Advisory Committee and chairs AFL Victoria's Fair Game: Respect Matters reference group.

Elaine Carbines
Chief Executive Officer, G21 Alliance

Elaine Carbines (BA Monash, Dip Ed Monash, GAICD) is the CEO of G21 – The Geelong Region Alliance. G21 is the Regional Strategic Planning Committee covering the municipalities of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Golden Plains and Queenscliffe.

Elaine’s career has been diverse. She worked as a humanities teacher in Victorian State Schools during the 80s and 90s before entering State Parliament. From 1999 - 2006 Elaine was the Member for Geelong Province. During this time she held the positions of Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Environment. Elaine oversaw key government projects including:

• The Cutting Red Tape in Planning Report
• The Live Music Taskforce
• The Great Ocean Road Regional Strategy
• The Coastal Spaces Report.

Following her parliamentary career, Elaine worked as the Manager of Strategic Relations at Parks Victoria from 2007-2010. She currently holds the following positions:

• Deputy Chair of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust
• Bethany Community Support Board
• Barwon South West Regional Development Committee
• Alfred Deakin Research Institute Advisory Board
• Karingal Foundation
• National Celtic Festival Committee
• Geelong Business Club Committee.