NSW LGBTI+ health organisation ACON has appointed Michael Woodhouse as its new chief executive officer.
ACON president Justin Koonin said it was important to appoint a candidate with a strong record in community health as the organisation looks at its next chapter.
“With more than 20 years’ experience in public health and human services, along with his deep community heritage and strong commitment to ACON’s values of inclusion, equity and excellence, Michael is extremely well positioned to meet the challenges and build on the successes and opportunities of the organisation," Koonin said.
Woodhouse joins ACON from Australia's first charity, the Benevolent Society, where he held the role of executive director of disability, ageing and carers.
In that role, he led a team of more than 500 staff providing ageing, carer support and disability services across multiple states.
He has also served as general manager of Fairfield Hospital, led ageing services for the NT government and also held a number of senior roles in both the NSW government and federal government. He previously even worked at ACON from 1998-2001.
“Many years ago, ACON taught me about the powerful ways people’s health can be improved when organisations are truly led by the needs and experience of their communities. I am excited to have the chance to lead an organisation that has achieved so much into its next stage,” he said.
Woodhouse has been involved with LGBTI+ organisations in the past, including serving as co-chair of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and as part of the nomination committee for Sydney WorldPride.
“What I enjoy most in my career is working with clients, communities and staff to find ways to improve health and wellbeing," he said. "ACON has led this kind of work for decades. I am grateful to the ACON board for the opportunity to rejoin the organisation and continue that legacy.”
Outgoing ACON chief executive Nicolas Parkhill, who has been in the role for the last 15 years, said that the organisation was in good hands with Woodhouse at the helm.
“I congratulate Michael on his appointment and I acknowledge his strong health and human services experience that he brings to ACON,” Parkhill said.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: [email protected]
