Our Team

The Management Team

Kerry Scarlett

Chief Executive Officer

Kerry’s extensive experience in leadership and HR spans more than 25 years across a range of fields. In 2023 she brought her expertise to Melaleuca’s Committee of Management and found a deep affiliation with our mission and values.

Excited at the prospect of building on Melaleuca’s enduring legacy, Kerry was appointed CEO in 2024 and is embracing the opportunity to lead an organisation with a reputation for celebrating each resident’s uniqueness and supporting them to live their best life.

Dean Weston

Finance Manager

Dean is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over twenty years’ experience in financial and accounting management.

He has worked in the aged care sector for twelve years.

Dean joined the Melaleuca team in 2024.

Kellie Ward

Facility Manager

Kellie joined the Melaleuca Team in 2025. She has extensive experience in aged care management, having achieved outstanding results in meeting accreditation targets.

Kellie is a qualified Registered Nurse. Before moving into management, she worked at the care level and well understands the needs of aged care residents. She is committed to ensuring our residents have the high quality, individualised care they deserve.

The Committee of Management

Peter Francis

Peter has lived on Phillip Island for 25 years.

His background is in management and counselling.

He has a Bachelor of Social Work and worked in Occupational Rehabilitation for fifteen years. He has 30 years’ experience as a manager across all levels of government, most recently as Business and Tourism Manager with Bass Coast Shire Council.

He has extensive Board experience across a range of fields and community organisations and is committed to improving the quality of life for local residents.

Peter has been on our Committee for 4 years and values being part of an effective team. He loves working with our staff to ensure our facilities and systems are the best possible and he’s passionate about constantly improving our quality of care, the conditions for our staff and our infrastructure.

Neil Buttery

Neil and his wife have owned a home on Phillip Island for 18 years and started living here full-time in 2020.

Neil’s background is as an insurance broker and risk adviser. He is a qualified Insurance Broker and Fellow of the National Insurance Brokers Association.

He has vast experience in the not-for-profit sector, including the Anglican Diocese (NT), Anglicare Tasmania, Baptist Church Australia, Salvation Army, Uniting Church (NT) and Vision Australia.

Neil has acted as a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Board member of the Owners’ Corporation Risk and Finance Sub-Committee and Vice-President of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok.

A member of our Committee since 2023, Neil relishes the opportunity to give back to the community. He is passionate about ensuring sustainable and dignified quality of life and care for our residents.

Glynne Mahon

Glynne has lived on Phillip Island for 40 years.

He has a background in property management and development.

Having served as General Manager of a number of large not-for-profit organisations, Glynne has extensive experience of corporate governance and financial management.

Glynne has been a member of the Committee for 5 years. He values the chance to enhance the comfort, safety and happiness of our local elderly citizens and further build our caring, safe and viable community.

Joy Niven

Joy has lived and worked on Phillip Island for over 50 years and joined the Committee in 1978.

She has a background in customer service for local government and a passion for improving care for the elderly.

Joy values the chance the Committee gives her to help provide quality care for the island’s elderly residents and she feels fortunate to have been part of the growth of our facility. She loves hearing the positive feedback about our facility and services.

Joy wants elderly members of our island community to be able to receive quality care without having to leave Phillip Island.

Treasurer

Trevor Ware

Trevor has lived on Phillip Island for most of his life and has a background in investment and small business management.

Trevor was touched by the quality of care his parents received when they were residents at Melaleuca so, nine years ago, he brought his entrepreneurial spirit and management skills to the Committee to give back to the hardworking team.

He derives satisfaction from knowing that the Committee works hard to maintain effective management, transparency and a happy working environment for the care team at Melaleuca.

Patrick Kissane

Patrick has lived on Phillip Island for 20 years.

He has a Masters degree in Cyber-Security and a background in I.T. Patrick owns and manages a tech business.

He joined the Committee in 2021 after a close relative had spent some time living with us and he was so impressed by the quality of care he wanted to give back to Melaleuca.

Geoff Marks

Geoff has lived on Phillip Island for 45 years.

He has owned and managed several businesses and has extensive experience in quality customer service.

Geoff has been on our Committee for 4 years and loves working with the other members and our management team to make a practical contribution to the community.

Valuing the ideals of the founding Committee members, Geoff sees Melaleuca as a template for other aged care facilities.

Sally Ann Matthews

Sally has lived on Phillip Island for 40 years and has a background in management and education.

Having a strong sense of community, Sally values the opportunity the Committee gives her to support the island’s community.

She would like Melaleuca to be the benchmark for aged care in Bass Coast, by providing a stimulating environment for our residents and making their days full of meaning and kindness.

Kate Mitchell

Kate has lived on Phillip Island for 5 years, after coming to holiday here for many years.

With a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Education, Kate taught at secondary school-level and was a School Principal for 10 years.

Kate joined the Committee in 2024 and relishes the opportunity to serve the local community. Through her role on the Committee, Kate strives to help ensure a wonderful, caring and safe environment for our residents.

Andrew Phillips

Andrew grew up on the island and has lived here for most of his life.

With qualifications and background in Pharmacy, he co-owns and manages a pharmacy on Phillip Island.

Andrew has an interest in health care and helping people to be as healthy and happy as possible.

He has been on our Committee for 8 years and values the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives. In particular, he relishes the chance to contribute to the not-for-profit sector by helping to provide quality, respectful and comforting care for those who may not be able to afford private care.