Foundation’s Story
The establishment of the foundation started with a bequest from the late Gordon Wyndham McKeown, whose family had moved to the area in 1900. His bequest included a house, an art collection and share valued at $770,000.
Gordon’s family owned a bakery and much of the land in Watton Street, Werribee. Gordon was a Director of the Conservatory of Music at University of Melbourne.
An engaged and involved Board of Directors and WHF’s dedicated team work to build community and private partnerships, to raise vital funds and awareness for the continued development of health promotion, research, education, equipment, facilities and special projects at Wyndham’s public hospitals. By doing so we are ensuring the Wyndham community has the public hospital services that our community needs.
In response to Wyndham’s rapidly growing population, in 2022, a decision was made to increase the reach of our support to include Wyndham’s public healthcare services. To better reflect the Foundation’s evolved mission, we underwent a rebrand and are now called Wyndham Health Foundation.
The WHF is a tax-deductible gift recipient (DGR 2 status), which can receive tax deductible donations. It is established as a Health Promotion Charity under the Australian Tax Office law. In addition, WHF is registered with the ACNC.
Mission
To enhance healthcare in the City of Wyndham by providing strategic funding that improves the well-being of the community
Vision
To create a community where every resident of Wyndham has equitable access to healthcare services, supported by research, education, and innovation. We envision a future where health literacy empowers individuals to make informed choices, and preventative care reduces the burden of chronic illness. By focusing on the intersection of health equity, education, and research, we aim to improve long-term health outcomes for all.
Values
We are committed to supporting fair and equitable access to high-quality public healthcare services for all residents of Wyndham, focusing our efforts on reducing disparities in access to mental health, chronic illness care, and preventative health.
We foster partnerships with local public hospitals & health care providers, research institutions, and community organisations to drive innovative and comprehensive solutions that improve healthcare access and outcomes.
We are dedicated to open communication, accountability, and transparency in all our operations, ensuring our community understands how resources are utilised and how our initiatives contribute to improving public healthcare services.
We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our community, ensuring that our efforts support inclusive, respectful, and responsive healthcare initiatives that benefit all residents, regardless of race, gender, age, class, physical/mental ability, or ethnicity.
We recognise the trust the Wyndham community places in us, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of responsibility, ensuring that our actions align with community needs and deliver measurable improvements in local healthcare outcomes.
Our Team
Christine Thornton
General Manager
Christine is a distinguished senior executive, consultant, and Non-Executive Director (NED) with over 15 years of leadership experience across the non-profit and private sectors. Renowned for her ability to drive strategic growth and successfully lead organisations through transformational change, Christine brings a wealth of expertise to the Wyndham Health Foundation.
As an International Coaching Federation Credentialed Coach, Christine excels in strategy and innovation, business development, change management, marketing and communications, research, and service design. Her strategic insight and coaching proficiency empower organisations to achieve impactful and sustainable outcomes.
Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), majoring in Psychology (Clinical) and Philosophy, a Graduate Diploma of Community Sector Management (Non-Profit/Public/Organisational Management), and a Graduate Certificate of Applied Coaching. She has also earned an International Coaching Federation Level 2 Coaching Education Certificate and has completed the Company Directors Course.
With a deep passion for advancing community health outcomes, Christine is committed to making a meaningful impact in the non-profit sector. She specialises in strategically growing and transforming organisations across public, private, and community landscapes, fostering innovation and resilience.
Beyond her professional achievements, Christine is a dedicated mother of two daughters and an active community member, driven by a mission to create positive change and uplift community well-being.
Our Board
Guided by a dedicated team of professionals, the Wyndham Health Foundation’s Board of Directors brings a wealth of experience in leadership, community health, and strategic development.
Darren Reynolds
Board Chair
Nik Tsardakis
Founding Director
Dr. Callum Scott
Investment Committee Chair
Angelique Zammit
Board Director
Jamie Munton
Board Director
Tully Smith
Board Director
Jeeva Sanjeevan
Board Director
Our Staff
Driven by passion and professionalism, the staff of the Wyndham Health Foundation plays a vital role in advancing our mission. With diverse expertise in healthcare, administration, and community engagement, they work collaboratively to ensure our programs and initiatives create lasting, positive impact.
Ready to get involved?
Contact our friendly team to see how you can help support our mission today!
