10 July, 2009
MEDIA RELEASE
Paul Robertson Announced as Chairman of St Vincents & Mater Health
Chairman of St Vincent’s Health Australia, Associate Professor John Gurry, today
announced the appointment of Mr Paul Robertson AM as Chairman-Elect of the
Board of St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney. Mr Robertson will succeed the
present Chairman, Mr Nicholas Curtis when he steps down on 31 October 2009.
St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney comprises St Vincent’s Hospital, St Vincent’s
Private Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospice, St Joseph’s Hospital, St Joseph’s Village
and the Mater Hospital, North Sydney and associated medical research and
community health services. The Organisation was established in 2001 by the
merger of the Sisters of Charity health facilities at Darlinghurst and the Mater
Hospital which was previously owned by the Sisters of Mercy, North Sydney.
“In his relatively short time on the Board of Directors of St Vincents & Mater
Health, Paul has provided outstanding guidance and support; he is highly
respected within the St Vincent’s and broader Catholic community as well as the
Australian business sector. No doubt as Chairman, Paul will ensure that the
Organisation’s endeavours continue to flourish in keeping with our mission and
values as a leading Catholic health care provider in Australia,” said Professor
Gurry.
Echoing these sentiments, outgoing Chairman Nicholas Curtis said “I’m extremely
pleased with Paul’s appointment. Under his leadership, the Organisation will be
in safe hands to continue to support the community within the framework of the
Sisters’ values. Paul has a rare ability to combine great vision with an unwavering
sense of mission.”
Paul Robertson has extensive experience in banking, finance and risk
management. In 2003, he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for
his service in the area of children’s health and welfare. Mr Robertson was
previously an Executive Director of Macquarie Bank Ltd serving as Global
Treasurer for 24 years. He holds Board and Committee positions with a variety of
organisations including St Ignatius College Riverview, the Jesuit Province of
Australia, Ursuline Sisters Province, Mercy Foundation, Social Ventures Australia,
Cheviot Bridge Limited and the Financial Markets Foundation for Children.
In making the announcement, Professor Gurry also acknowledged retiring
Chairman, Nicholas Curtis for his exceptional contribution to St Vincents & Mater
Health, "Nick has made an outstanding contribution over the last ten years,
initially as a Board member and Deputy Chairman of the Mater Hospital and then
as an inaugural Director of the St Vincents & Mater Health Board when it was
founded in 2001. He will remain a member of the National Board of St Vincent’s
Health Australia as well as a Director of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.
“Nick’s commitment and passion for the mission and values is most evident in his
contribution to the areas which supported the poor and marginalized, epitomized
by his vision to establish the Urban Mental Health Research Centre. His major
legacy as a Director and Chairman would have to be the extraordinary growth he
has overseen during his five-year term; including the O’Brien Redevelopment
housing one of the first integrated mental health, community health and drug &
alcohol facilities. He has been a key driver in establishing what will be the largest
research hub in NSW with construction of the Packer Lowy Building (Stage 1 of
the St Vincent’s Research Precinct), planned construction of the Garvan St
Vincent’s Campus Cancer Center (Stage 3) and UNSW Center for Virology (Stage
2).
“Similarly, the Mater has undergone a significant transformation during his
leadership with a major Hospital redevelopment, construction of both the Mater
Medical Centre and the Melanoma Institute Australia. Nick also oversaw the
move of St Joseph’s Hospital and Aged Care into the broader St Vincents & Mater
Health family,” said Professor Gurry.
_________________________________________________________________
For more information or to coordinate an interview with Mr Robertson
please contact David Faktor on 8382 2866
NEWS 
