Ms Melanie Eagle has been appointed as the new Board Chair of The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital effective 1 July 2025. Ms Eagle brings extensive experience in governance, policy reform, and strategic leadership across various sectors, including government, healthcare, and the not-for-profit sector.
“I am honoured to join the Eye and Ear as Board Chair and look forward to supporting its mission and continuing its reputation for excellence in healthcare. Together with the dedicated team, I am eager to drive innovation and enhance patient outcomes, ensuring we continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.”
Ms Eagle’s impressive experience includes:
- Inaugural Chair of Respect Victoria (2018-2021): Led Victoria’s first independent agency dedicated to the prevention of family violence and all forms of violence against women, creating state-wide research and behaviour change initiatives in response to the Victorian Family Violence Royal Commission.
- Inaugural and reappointed Chair of the Disability Worker Registration Board (2018 – Present): Established the regulatory framework for the Disability Worker Registration Scheme, ensuring safer services and a higher quality workforce for people with disabilities.
- CEO of LiverWELL (formerly Hepatitis Victoria) (2012-2022): Transformed the organisation into Australia’s first consumer-focused initiative in liver disease, doubling the operating budget and securing multi-year social impact investment to educate workforces about hepatitis risk.
- Director at Alfred Health (2015-2024): Oversaw a $1.4 billion budget, 10,600 employees, and 800,000 patients per year. Chaired key committees on Quality, People & Culture, and Primary Care & Population Health.
- Board Member at St Vincent’s Medical Research Institute (2022 – Present): Contributes to advancing research on disease causes, prevention, and treatments, while serving on committees focused on commercialisation and national serology.
Ms Eagle takes over the role from Dr Sherene Devanesen AM who is stepping down as the Eye and Ear’s Board Chair after 10 years. In welcoming the new Board Chair, Dr Devanesen said she was pleased to be able to welcome Ms Eagle to the role.
“I am delighted to be welcoming Melanie to the Eye and Ear. I am confident that both the hospital and the health sector will greatly benefit from her extensive experience,” Dr Devanesen said.
In welcoming Ms Eagle, Eye and Ear CEO, Mr Brendon Gardner also expressed his thanks to Dr Devanesen saying:
“We welcome the announcement of Ms Melanie Eagle’s appointment as the new Board Chair of Eye. Melanie brings a wealth experience and has a proven track record of leadership and innovation. At this time, I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Sherene Devanesen’s dedication and vision leading the Eye and Ear over the last decade. Dr. Devanesen’s contributions have made a lasting impact on the Eye and Ear, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”
