Melissa Kennelly
Mildura
Summary
Community wellbeing leader with over 20 years of experience leading strategic initiatives, building partnerships, and managing programs across public health, community services, and local government in the Northern Mallee region. Skilled in developing and delivering inclusive, evidence-informed strategies aligned to organisational and community priorities and plans. Extensive experience managing multiple specialist programs, supervising diverse teams, overseeing funding agreements, and embedding continuous improvement under business excellence frameworks. Passionate about building organisational and community capacity to advance social inclusion, health equity and wellbeing.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Inclusion Facilitator
Mildura Rural City Council
04.2025 - Current
- Lead strategic establishment of Social Inclusion Action Group as a local implementation of statewide mental health reforms, aligning with Council Plan and Mildura community health and wellbeing priorities
- Conduct comprehensive asset mapping needs analysis, using local social indicators and stakeholder insights, to support development of a program logic and evaluation frameworks
- Build partnerships with Aboriginal communities to design culturally safe governance and funding processes that support self-determination and local aspirations
- Facilitate recruitment, governance development and capacity building for Action Group members – with a goal to empower community-led funding decisions to drive systemic change
- Advocate internally to integrate the social inclusion program and objectives within Council operations, influencing processes and resource allocation
- Supervise an administration staff member, support team development and contribute to branch-wide continuous improvement initiatives under the Business Excellence Framework.
Allied Health Mental Health Educator
Mildura Base Public Hospital
02.2022 - 04.2025
- Designed and led 12-month programs to build allied health workforce capacity in mental health, embedding best practice in cultural safety, trauma-informed care, lived experience engagement, systems thinking and addressing stigma
- Expanded program to integrate Art and Music Therapists, partnering with local practitioners to introduce innovative approaches to public mental health care
- Reinvigorated Aboriginal Mental Health Traineeship, securing organisational and external stakeholder commitment, achieving trainee success and recognition. This included development of an agreement with MDAS for placement opportunities for our mutual workforces
- Led quality improvement initiatives, including research on creative therapies’ impacts, shaping strategic planning and informing advocacy for sustainable funding
- Managed program recruitment, performance reviews, clinical supervision and orientation processes.
- Built strong networks with statewide peer networks and Department of Health program leads.
Project Lead – Digital Medical Record
Mildura Base Public Hospital
09.2021 - 12.2022
- Managed delivery of the hospital’s first electronic medical record system, overseeing strategic project planning, risk and change management, and cross-organisational coordination.
- Built multidisciplinary teams and engaged stakeholders (including software developers, IT and health records experts and another health service) to ensure alignment with clinical workflows and legislative requirements
- Developed local policies and training resources, delivered service-wide education, and monitored project progress across the service
- Prepared reports for executive and governance committees, and contributed to research evaluating change impacts on workforce and operations.
Field Educator (Sessional)
La Trobe University
09.2008 - 12.2022
- Provided clinical supervision, assessment and education to social work students undertaking field placements.
FaPMI Coordinator – Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness
Mildura Base Public Hospital
05.2017 - 09.2021
- Developed and led a multi-level capacity building strategy embedding family-sensitive practice across the service and broader community sector, aligned to state policy, funding requirements and best practice guidelines
- Authored local policy, audit tools and reports to monitor practice, advocate for service improvements, and meet program accountability standards
- Managed $17K brokerage fund supporting tailored consumer-focused care solutions
- Designed and facilitated group programs and workshops with community organisations, partnering to deliver peer support and early intervention programs such as CHAMPS and Drumbeat
- Led staff wellbeing initiative during COVID by conducting needs assessment and rapidly implementing new support systems — which provided a foundation for the later embedded staff wellbeing strategy
Team Leader, Continuing Care Team
Mildura Base Public Hospital
03.2014 - 05.2017
- Managed a multidisciplinary team delivering community mental health services, setting objectives, supervising staff, conducting annual performance appraisals, and developing staffing strategies
- Provided operational leadership of the Perinatal Emotional Health Program and chaired local quality and safety initiatives
- Designed and delivered whole-of-service training on the Mental Health Act reforms, ensuring compliance and protecting consumer rights.
- Partnered with Aboriginal Health Unit to embed cultural safety in care planning and staff education.
- Advocated for clients in tribunal hearings and strengthened partnerships with community agencies to enhance coordinated care.
Mental Health Clinician
Mildura Base Public Hospital
02.2012 - 03.2014
- Provided holistic, recovery-focused assessment, treatment and psychoeducation for individuals with severe and persistent mental health challenges
- Delivered evidence-based interventions (CBT, DBT, ACT), crisis response, and supported clients and families navigating complex systems
Education
Master of Mental Health Science -
Monash University
01.2020
Bachelor of Social Work - undefined
La Trobe University
01.2006
Grad Dip Industrial & Employee Relations - undefined
Monash University
01.1997
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
University of Melbourne
01.1993
Skills
- Strategic plan development aligned to organisation and Government priorities
- Leading multi-disciplinary teams & building organisational capacity
- Driving continuous improvement, quality initiatives and service innovation
- Engaging communities through partnerships, co-design and governance development
- Partnerships with Aboriginal organisations to support diversity and inclusion
- Developing and managing multiple programs, contracts and competing priorities
- Planning, budget oversight and funding agreement management
- Using data, local indicators and stakeholder insights to inform planning and reporting
- Managing sensitive issues and navigating complex stakeholder environments
- Preparing high-level briefs, reports, funding submissions and presentations for diverse audiences
Certification
- AASW Membership
- Working with Children Check
- National Police Check
- Victorian Driver’s Licence
Summary of earlier positions
- Falls Prevention Officer, Mildura Rural City Council
- Training Officer, Mildura Rural City Council
- HR Officer, Qantaslink
- Administrator in life and household insurance companies– Scotland
- Café/Bar Manager, Melbourne CBD
Timeline
Social Inclusion Facilitator
Mildura Rural City Council
04.2025 - Current
Allied Health Mental Health Educator
Mildura Base Public Hospital
02.2022 - 04.2025
Project Lead – Digital Medical Record
Mildura Base Public Hospital
09.2021 - 12.2022
FaPMI Coordinator – Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness
Mildura Base Public Hospital
05.2017 - 09.2021
Team Leader, Continuing Care Team
Mildura Base Public Hospital
03.2014 - 05.2017
Mental Health Clinician
Mildura Base Public Hospital
02.2012 - 03.2014
Field Educator (Sessional)
La Trobe University
09.2008 - 12.2022
Bachelor of Social Work - undefined
La Trobe University
Grad Dip Industrial & Employee Relations - undefined
Monash University
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
University of Melbourne
Master of Mental Health Science -
Monash University
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