Yarrawonga Health welcomes new CEO

“I have always worked on the NSW side of the border, in many varied types of health services as a regional general manager across a large geographical area,” Ms Haberecht said.

In more recent years she has been working in the private sector as the CEO at hospitals in Wagga Wagga and North Canberra. But after taking a brief break from travelling great distances for work she was asked to take on the interim CEO role to assist Yarrawonga Health.

Ms Haberecht said she is very happy to be permanently appointed as CEO of the growing health service in an area she has always called home with strong connections and association with Yarrawonga Mulwala.

“We live on a large family farm at Oaklands, and we have all our extended family including, parents in law, aunts and uncles who live in Yarrawonga and Mulwala.

“This is an area I know well, I am close to family and home and the health service has an enormous amount of opportunity.”

Yarrawonga Health Board Chair David Rokesky said Ms Haberecht’s leadership and commitment to the organisation’s mission and values, has been evident as interim CEO.

“The board feels that under Robin's guidance, Yarrawonga Health will continue to excel in delivering high-quality healthcare services to the community,” Mr Rokesky said.

“Exciting projects and initiatives are planned, aimed at further enhancing the organisation and the care provided to local residents.

“The board also acknowledged the dedication of team members during the interim transition and looks forward to a collaborative effort in this new chapter of leadership.”

Ms Haberecht said her experience in service development and growth alongside her connection with the area has enabled her to see that there was a lot more needed in the health service to support the growing communities of Yarrawonga and Mulwala.

“I intuitively look at where health services can improve and grow and what they can do to complement their local communities,” Ms Haberecht said.

Ms Haberecht said it is important for the health service to not attempt to take on services it is incapable of performing safely but look at where it can enhance and improve existing services.

“An important part of my role is to advocate for the health service and community, while ensuring we are providing a safe service for the community and we can’t lose sight of what the community needs,” she added.

Ms Haberecht said the urgent care presentations at Yarrawonga Health are ever-increasing year on year, consistent with the tourism and growth of the community.

“We need to continue to plan for further funding to support the growth in urgent care ensuring we have adequate resources and continue to recruit experienced and capable clinical teams, and this is already progressing.”

Ms Haberecht said the ‘exciting’ new $10.9 million theatre redevelopment is due to finish in the middle of 2025.

“This will enable us to support more surgery close to home,” she said.

The new theatre is expected to increase the capacity for minor and lower-risk elective surgeries from the current 1-2 days per week with the ability to draw patients who live in the local area from the regional health services elective surgical waiting lists.

Ms Haberecht also praised her team at Yarrawonga Health.

“We have many staff that have worked at Yarrawonga Health for a long time and are genuinely committed to the health service and helping the community,” she said.

“We are very, very lucky with experienced, very committed people and it is a nice environment to be in.

“Recruitment is improving, and we have been successful in attracting more people including experienced clinical staff who live in the local area.

“Yarrawonga Mulwala is a destination location, health professionals both clinical and corporate can see the diversity of care and services that we have and that’s appealing from an employment perspective.

“Good people also attract good people, and I am very privileged to be working with these good people.”