34th Annual National Conference
Institute of Hospitality in HealthCare Ltd
Brisbane, Queensland
12th - 14th October 2015
“Innovate, Integrate, Motivate – Making it
Happen”
Conference Bio`s and Photographs
Speakers Biographies
Master of Ceremonies (MC)
Ray McGhee, Journalist, Mortgage Broker, MC, Quiz Night Master
Until his change of direction in 2007, Ray McGhee was one of South Australia`s most experienced
television journalists. His career spanned well over three decades, for 28 of those years Ray was a
journalist with Adelaide`s Channel Nine where he was highly respected by his colleagues and viewers
for his professionalism, integrity, humour and sharp interviewing style.
His work took him across the state and over the border covering all aspects of human life and
endeavours, including floods and major bush-fires. The long list of people he has interviewed
includes all Prime Ministers from Gough Whitlam through to John Howard, former US President Bill
Clinton and South Africa`s Bishop Desmond Tutu, one of the leading critics of apartheid and
campaigner for Nelson Mandela`s prison release.
During this time, Ray also produced a number of corporate and award winning charity videos.
Seeking new challenges in 2007, Ray studied at TafeSA before venturing into his growing Mortgage
Broker business. He still has trouble keeping away from his computer keyboard and has written
several real estate articles.
Ray also continues with his long standing enjoyment and experience as a Master of
Ceremonies and hosting charity and community group quiz nights.
Councillor Adrian Schrinner, Deputy Lord Mayor of Brisbane
Adrian has served as the local Councillor for Chandler Ward since September 2005 and in April 2011
he was elected by his colleagues as Brisbane’s Deputy Mayor - the youngest in the city's history.
Adrian loves Brisbane and is passionate about his local area. He believes that the south eastern
suburbs are the best part of Brisbane to live in, and he is working to help make them even better for
the future.
Following the 2012 Council election, Adrian was appointed as the Chairman of Council's
Infrastructure Committee. Prior to this, he served as the Chairman of the Finance, Administration
and Economic Development Committee between April 2008 and May 2012. Together with the Lord
Mayor and the six other committee chairs, he is also a member of Civic Cabinet.
Adrian is actively involved in supporting and assisting a wide range of local community groups and is
honoured to be the patron of the Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association (BMTA) and Vice Patron
for the Queensland Target Sports Inc. In September 2012, Adrian became a board member and
Director for the Hope Foundation Ltd.
Terry Grimmond
Terry is an Australian microbiologist with 47 years experience in the health care industry. He is an
international speaker on Sharps Injury Prevention, Healthcare Waste Management and
Sustainability. He serves on Sharps Container Standards in four countries, was Canada’s
representative on the ISO Sharps Container Standard and chaired the review of the US Standard. His
research also embraces sustainability and Life Cycle Assessments of sharps containers and their
impact on healthcare greenhouse gas emissions.
Terry is author of some 50 papers and has spoken at 150 assemblies in 16 countries and for his work
has received five awards for Distinguished Teaching, Outstanding Innovation and Outstanding
Research.
Terry recently was invited by the CDC/WHO to work in Sierra Leone for 2 months to assist with the
Ebola crisis. The humanitarian task is close to his heart and he considered it a great privilege to be
asked to be involved in the initiative. Terry was part of a 10 member cohort who were involved in
“Train the Trainers” in infection control and safety procedures. His experiences will make for a not to
be missed presentation.
Wendy Favorito - Director & Consumer Representative, Arthritis Australia
Wendy is well-versed with what it means to live with arthritis through her personal and professional
experiences with the health system. She currently holds a position as a Senior Speech Pathologist at
St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney.
Zdenka Fuller, Business Support Manager, Food and Patient Services, HealthShare NSW.
Zdenka is responsible for providing support and help drive innovation on matters concerning
packaging, purchasing and supply of food. She works closely with Strategic Access, Arthritis Australia
and manufacturers to make packaging of single serve food products easier to open. Zdenka holds a
Diploma of Business in Health Management and has been working in Health for over 25 years in both
regional and large metropolitan hospitals, in the areas of Dietary Supervision, Food Service
Supervision, Food Service Management, Purchasing and Project Management.
Fergal Barry, Director of Strategic Access and is a Senior Adviser to HealthShare NSW on food
packaging accessibility/sustainability and collaboration with industry.
Fergal helped develop the Initial Scientific Review accessibility design report as well as contributing
to the Design for Accessibility section of the Australian Packaging Covenant. Fergal has over 20 year’s
management experience working in Australia, USA, Asia and the Middle East working in multiple
sectors including health and government. Fergal is passionate about building bridges between
industry, government and retail to help improve outcomes for consumers and deliver competitive
advantage for industry.
Alison Farrington is the National Manager of the Researching Effective Approaches to Cleaning in
Hospitals (REACH) Project, a partnership project between Queensland University of Technology and
Wesley St.-Andrew’s Research Institute, based in Brisbane. Alison is a Registered Nurse, has a
Bachelor of Education, a Master of Professional Education and Training, and 15 years experience in
health, education and research project management.
Bill and Glad Forward
To follow
Bianca Guthrie, Senior Dietitian – Food Service, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth
Bianca graduated as a Dietitian in 2001. She has worked in a variety of hospitals since that time as a
clinical dietitian and as a Nutrition and Dietetics Service Coordinator. During her Coordinator role
she worked with closely with Patient Catering Services to improve the hospital menu. She has always
had an interest in the area of Food Service which prompted her to accept her current position at
Fiona Stanley Hospital as the Food Service Dietitian, the first position of its kind in WA, in a brand
new hospital. It is an exciting and challenging role. Outside of work she is a mother of 3 who enjoys
relaxing with family, eating out and travelling.
Bill Bassett, Managing Director, Interclean Australasia Pty Ltd
Bill Bassett has pioneered Best Practice cleaning systems within the aged care and hospital sectors
for the last 20 years. Most recently he has focussed on TouchPoint cleaning with a focus on
identification and compliance, utilising the use of TouchPoint markers and UV torches to educate
cleaners. This session will give you an overview of what tools and systems are now available to lift
your cleaning from a visual clean to a hygienic clean.
Sandra Gunner
Sandra Gunner is a Registered Nurse with 25 years’ experience in Aged Care in a variety of
Management roles, presently the Group care Manager of NoosaCare.
Sandra’s two passion pits are Dementia Care and providing food for her residents that is
flavoursome, nutritious and that fosters an enjoyment of food. She is a Committee Member of the
Lantern Project, which is a shining light on the issue of food in aged care. She believes that people in
aged care need to “DO SOME LIVING.”
Murray McDonald, Director of Duplex Cleaning Machines
Murray McDonald has over 25 years experience in the distribution of healthcare cleaning equipment
as Director of Duplex Cleaning Machines. Duplex is an exclusive distributor of the Duplex and
Tecnovap brand of steam cleaning equipment in the Asia-Pacific Region. Murray has worked closely
with hundreds of hospital and aged care facilities in solving cleaning issues and improving cleaning
standards. Infection control is a key area of specialisation for Murray. He has run various seminars
and workshops Australia wide on infection control cleaning processes for aged care facilities and
hospitals.
Murray is author of the book 5 Steps to Chemical Free Cleaning in Healthcare. It acts as a step-bystep guide for infection control specialists, environmental services managers and directors of nursing
to implement a chemical free cleaning program in their facility. With over 30 articles published in
various industry publications, he is a regular “go to” expert for the media on healthcare cleaning
topics, and has written on issues such as:

The cost of a poor cleaning process in the healthcare sector

Prevalence and dangers of C difficile in residential aged care

Sustainable infection control processes
 The importance of infection control education in the healthcare sector
Murray is passionate about healthcare cleaning education, and developed an Australian first “elearning” program for customers to take a self-paced, online course in sustainable infection control.
Sharryn Yelland, Accredited Practising Dietitian & Project Manager – Food Services, Country
Health SA Local Health Network
Sharryn has over 25 years’ experience in the area of Food Service. Her initiation to hospitality saw
her working as front of house, cleaner, wait staff and self-taught cook in the private sector. With a
passion for quality she embarked on a journey of learning, starting with a Diploma of Restaurant and
Catering Management. A move to Country Health SA as a kitchen-hand, and later as a cook,
provided Sharryn with hands on experience of working in the hospital kitchen environment. Her
growing curiosity for how food relates to health and healing resulted in her studying nutrition,
completing a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics from Flinders University, SA in 2005.
Sharryn then moved into the area of health as an Accredited Practising Dietitian, gaining experience
in recipe analysis, menu reviews, staff training and nutrition consultancy for aged care, where she
developed a particular interest in Food Service from a systems management perspective. Sharryn
returned to Country Health SA in 2008 and has recently been awarded the opportunity to become
involved in Food Services as a Project Manager. She is currently enjoying integrating all her previous
experiences into the tasks and challenges of improving Food Services in Country Health SA facilities
from an organisational perspective.
Steve Garland
Steve Garland id a cleaning industry professional with over 20 years of industry experience. An
electrician by trade, since joining the cleaning industry, Steve has enjoyed being a part of the ever
evolving hygiene supply industry. This has presented many exciting opportunities to advance his
career and to work with and learn off a broad array of cleaning professionals.
Steve is a results driven professional with a highly successful background in business management,
technical sales and new product development. Steve’s priority is to provide outstanding hygiene
solutions and a superior customer experience.
Today Steve works at XO2 - Australia’s leading supplier of professional cleaning products, hygiene
solutions and washroom innovation. The core to XO2’s success comes from product innovation,
service excellence and good old fashion hard work
Nanette Taylor, ACT Health Directorate Change Manager for the MyMeal Integrated Food Services
Management System Project.
Nanette has worked intermittently with the Canberra Food Services since completing a review of the
facility in 2008 and was seconded to the role of Food Services Project Manager in 2009 to implement
the review recommendations and is now undertaking projects in Aged Care and Building and
Infrastructure IT implementations.
Prior to working with ACT Health, positions in NSW Health have included the Food and Volunteer
Services Manager at the Liverpool Hospital, Food Services Manager at Canterbury Hospital and Hotel
Services Manager at War Memorial Hospital plus has significant exposure to international healthcare
operations and trends. As a past Board and Life Member of the IHHC tasked to lead the overseas
study tours, the sharing of the knowledge gained in collaboration with food, nutritional and clinical
teams has allowed the latest trends to be shared with fellow members as considerations when
determining the ‘best fit’ for future business solutions to improve service outcomes in the lives of
our valued consumers.
A/Professor Robyn Littlewood; Director, Dietetics and Food Services
Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, Children’s Health Queensland.
Dr Robyn Littlewood is currently the Director of Dietetics and Food Services, Lady Cilento Children’s
Hospital and the Professional Lead for all nutrition and dietetics-related services within 5 sites across
Children’s Health Queensland. Dr Littlewood holds an Adjunct Associate Professor position with the
Queensland University of Technology and has completed both a Masters of Medical Science and PhD
in the area of Paediatric Nutrition and is currently completing an MBA.
Dr Littlewood is currently the Chair, Paediatric Obesity Working Group, Secretariat, Queensland
Health Nutrition and Dietetics Statewide governance group, Dietitian and Nutritionist Strategic
Coalition as well as Chair, National Paediatric Dietetic Management Group and has held several
editorial board membership positions in the area of paediatric dietetics and has published many
international papers in the area of paediatric nutrition and rehabilitation, chronic disease, head
injury, malnutrition and obesity.
Dr Littlewood continues to maintain a clinical position in the area of tertiary Paediatric Obesity and
maintains special interests in the area of Paediatric Food Services and neonatal nutrition.
BILL KLEIN, President and CEO
Bill is a graduate of Florida International University with a B.S. in Hospitality Business Management.
He has over 30 years in the food service industry.
Bill’s diverse work history includes culinary and managerial positions in airlines, restaurants,
hospitals, and nursing homes. He has been an Administrator over food services, for a multi-campus
health system and a Food Service Director responsible for many, multi-location health campuses,
while working for a major food management company. He also owned his own consulting firm that
focused on training teams and addressing specific needs of long-term care operations and regulatory
preparedness. Bill continues to speak at events all over the world, most recently: Australia, Canada,
and Malaysia.
He is Partner, President, and CEO of DM&A. During his tenure, Bill has led the development of many
new, exciting and client beneficial programs, making DM&A the largest combined Food Service, EVS,
and Design Consulting and Coaching firm in North America. From revenue growth and profitability to
systematic budget reductions, he provides clients with powerful tools that lead to a clear path for
sustained success. His passion for operational excellence is evident in the results he helps our clients
achieve.
Cherie Hugo
Since completing a Bachelor of Health Science and Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics, Cherie's goal
has been to simplify the healthy eating message by providing practical and enjoyable nutrition
strategies in the community. She managed the dietetics departments at John Flynn Hospital for 10
years and Pindara Private Hospital for three years. In 1999 Cherie established her private practice
clinic, My Nutrition Clinic. Over this time she has written weekly nutrition columns in newspapers
(over 650 columns published), as well as feature articles for magazines such as Healthy Food Guide
and Diane, and radio and TV appearances spreading the importance of good food. In the past 2
years, Cherie has founded The Lantern Project – a National collaboration designed to bring back the
joy of good food in Residential Aged Care Facilities.
The Lantern Project is a group of innovative experts, including Maggie Beer, Peter Morgan Jones,
David Sinclair (StewartBrown Accountants) from diverse backgrounds coming together to create
novel ways to improve the food experience for residents. As part of this process, Cherie is
completing her PhD to quantify the value of good food in aged care and as part of this journey has
developed the EXPLORE app designed to gain unique insights in the dining experience. After hours,
Cherie has spent the last decade developing her green thumb and enjoys managing an extensive
organic vegetable garden, orchard and native timber plantation with her husband and children on
their hinterland property.
Gary Wright - Director Infrastructure Support
For the last twenty five years Gary been employed within the public health system in senior
corporate support service management positions. During this time there has been a sustained
period of major structural & organisational change within the public sector particularly in the
provision of health services. His role during this period has been to lead and drive the change
process as a strategist, key change agent and operational manager. This has enabled him to gain
extensive experience and knowledge in the management of services in complex health
environments at a senior level. Gary is currently employed in ACT Health as the Director
Infrastructure Support.
Cathy Di Bella, Special Projects Officer, Coeliac Australia
Cathy has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over twenty years and is now leading the Coeliac
Australia Gluten Free Accreditation Program for the Food Service Sector. Cathy previously was
Executive Officer for Coeliac Queensland before moving to Melbourne in 2013.
Cathy understands the challenges people face when they medically require a gluten free diet as she
was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2006. Coeliac Australia has to date developed a Gluten Free
Standard as well as a Gluten Free Accreditation Program for the Food Service Sector and is currently
developing an online training program. Three McCafe stores in the Hunter Valley have successfully
trialled the Coeliac Australia Gluten Free Accreditation Program and it will soon be launched to the
wider market.The Coeliac Australia vision of people who live with coeliac disease being able to ‘eat
with confidence’ whether in a restaurant, hospital or in fact anywhere out of their home is the
driving force behind this vital project.
Karen Kingham
Karen Kingham is the Nestlé Professional Brand Nutritionist. Karen completed her Bachelor of
Science and Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Sydney, and has experience
working as a clinical dietitian both in public and private hospital systems. Karen has spent time as a
consultant to the food industry and also writes regularly for the food media in both print and online
mediums. Karen is advises on new product development and oversees nutrition communications for
Nestlé Professional in Australia and New Zealand.
Peter Morgan Jones, Food Ambassador, Executive Chef, HammondCare
Peter started with Hammond Care in 2012, after five years as Head Chef at the Art Gallery of NSW.
He was also head chef of the Sydney Opera House and other career highlights include working in the
palace kitchens for the Royal Family, managing 120 chefs on-site for Wimbledon Tennis
Championships and cooking in top restaurants in Bermuda, Germany and London. He has also
cooked in some of Sydney’s most iconic restaurants such as Gay Bilson’s Bennelong, the three-hat
MG Garage and his own one-hat Clock Hotel Restaurant. Now he brings to the aged care sector his
vast restaurant experience along with his passion for fresh, seasonal and sustainable produce as well
as innovation in modified meals and the dining experience for people living with dementia.
Maryanne Kerin, Food & Beverage Manager – The Whiddon Group
Maryanne completed her apprenticeship in cooking at the William Angliss College in Melbourne
more than 25 years ago and has established her career, in Melbourne hotels and in such iconic
venues as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Town Hall, Taronga Zoo,
Sydney Olympics and many more.Maryanne has been part of the Whiddon team for more than 6
years now , and has implemented several innovative and award winning food and dining programs,
developed team structures and training systems for catering staff and introduced new styles of
menus and food consultation for aged care residents.
Tara Quirke
To Follow
Kirsten Webster
Kirsten Webster (PGDip) is a registered dietitian, teaching foodservice management at the University
of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand). She has a keen interest in understanding how foodservice
influence the nutrition of captive audiences, who rely on the foodservice for most or all of their
nutritional requirements. Her presentation will describe results from her master’s research.
Alfred Matthews Manager Food Services and Support Services Manager - Monash Medical Centre
Clayton and Moorabbin Hospital
Having spent over 20 years in hospitality as a Chef and Restaurant Manager at large food & beverage
operations like Crown Casino, Sheraton Hotel, Melbourne (now Langham Hotel) and the Sydney
Olympics, I joined Monash Health (formerly Southern Health) in 2006, the largest metropolitan
Public Health Service in Victoria, as the Central Production Kitchen Manager, a year later as Group
Manager for Food Services and recently taken on the portfolio of Support Services Manager, Monash
Medical Centre, Clayton & Moorabbin campuses.
I have a passion for innovation and strongly believe that healthcare facilities need to proactively
adapt itself to the changing environment in order to be successful. I have recently graduated from
RMIT University with a MBA with distinction, and a Bachelor’s degree in Arts.
Imran Hanif, Support Services and CPK Manager, Monash Health
I have been working at Monash Health for 7 years as the Support Services & CPK Manager. Before
joining Monash health I was part of the 2006 Asian Games organizing committee, Qatar and during
the games the Catering Venue Manager of the biggest indoor hall in the world-Aspire.
I have worked in 4 countries and all aspects of hospitality business including 5 star hotels,
organizational catering, restaurants and hospitals. I am a catering college graduate, MBA and PhD in
Economics. I love squash and reading.
Maria Said, Anaphylaxis Australia Inc, National President
Maria Said has been a member of Anaphylaxis Australia Inc (AAI) since 1993. Her interest evolved
when her second child was diagnosed with a potentially life threatening food allergy. She became
National President of the organisation in 2000 and continues to hold this title. Since that time she
has spoken nationally and internationally on the recognition, management and emergency
treatment of anaphylaxis. She has presented on the mission of the organisation, the consumer
perspective and food allergy and anaphylaxis to teaching & health professionals, the food industry,
federal and state government departments and others.
As president of AAI, Maria forwarded submissions to both NSW and Victorian Coroners after the
deaths of two peanut allergic children whilst in childcare and school. The unfolding of these stories
has resulted in change throughout the country. In April 2010 Maria was called as an expert witness
for a Coronial Inquest to investigate the death of a woman who died after purchase of food from a
cafe in Western Australia. AAI continues to increase awareness of anaphylaxis throughout the
community by way of education, research and support.
Maria, a member of the Allergen Forum since its inception, speaks for food allergic consumers in an
effort to increase awareness of the reality of food allergy and therefore work toward improving safe
food choices for those who need to read each and every food label, every time they put food to their
mouth. Maria also is a member of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
(ASCIA- the peak body of allergy specialists in Australia) and is a passionate member of Anaphylaxis
Working Parties and project groups across Australia.
Maria is a registered nurse with experience in emergency and paediatric nursing.
Sharon McNulty, Director Support Services, Monash Health
Sharon has a Bachelor of Applied Science, a Professional Certificate in Health System Management
along with over 20 years experience in Victorian Health. Commencing her career in Food Services
Sharon has worked in a number of health services including Western Health, North Western
Healthcare Network, Melbourne Health and Northern Health. Sharon is currently the Director of
Support Services at Monash Health, Victoria’s largest health service. Support Services is responsible
for the provision of non-clinical services across 46 sites within Monash Health.
With a passion for environmental sustainability Sharon has lead a number of environmental
sustainable initiatives in the healthcare arena and has won a United Nations of Australia Award for
some of this work. With a constant challenge to provide responsive, flexible and efficient nonclinical services which complement clinical requirements Sharon has lead a re-engineering of the
way cleaning services are delivered across Monash Health including establishing new Quality
Assurance Parameters and Staff Training
Denise Cruikshank
To Follow
Troy Litzow
To Follow
Gary Kennedy, Director, Correct Food Systems
Gary graduated University of New South Wales in 1984. He has worked in quality assurance and
product development roles in the meat, transport and cook chill industries, within the healthcare
sector, and as a food safety trainer, consultant and lead food safety auditor.
He is a Past President of the Australian Cook Chill Council, advising the food service, aged care and
acute care industries on food safety and as a representative of this organisation advised the
organising committee on food safety for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
He has written over 30 papers, and has written or co-written guidelines and codes for the Cook-Chill,
Sous-Vide, Smallgoods, Hospitals, Child Care and Refrigerated Transport Industries. In Sydney, he
manages a food safety consultancy business, Correct Food Systems, providing food safety advice,
and Correct Training a registered training organisation.