Our Board of Trustees
Philip Hammon - Chair
Philip is the son of Mary Hammon, the original creator and founder of the Blue Mountains Health Trust. Philip grew up and raised his family in the Blue Mountains. Philip completed his electrical apprenticeship at ScenicWorld. He then worked for Snowy Mountains Authority, Metropolitan Portland Cement, and Simpson Pope, before returning to work at ScenicWorld. Philip stepped in the role as CEO, after his father Harry Hammon the original founder retired. Philip developed the Scenic Railway and Skyway, into what is now ScenicWorld. He built the cableway and the forest boardwalk, and rebuilt the Skyway and the surrounding infrastructure.
Philip has been involved with Biznet and Family Business Australia. Now retired, Philip is still a Director on the Board of Hammons Holdings, and gives back to the Blue Mountains community with his various associations including Rotary, Blue Mountains Historical Society, Radio Plays. Philip has also co-written a book “The Burning Mists of Time”.
Mark Jarvis - Treasurer
Mark Jarvis is a partner and co-owner of The Carrington Hotel in Katoomba. Under the leadership of Mark and his partners, they have passionately restored the iconic hotel, upgrading facilities both within and surrounding the hotel. They are also leading the local business community in the improvement of infrastructure and enhancing tourism facilities to support growth and opportunities within the Blue Mountains community.
Mark was also instrumental in establishing the Katoomba branch of Bendigo Bank and remains heavily involved in the ongoing operations of the bank in his volunteer role as treasurer. Mark is extremely proud that the Bendigo Bank has donated $798,000 to date back to the local community. To acknowledge Mark's outstanding contribution and financial support to the local community the Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club presented Mark with a Paul Harris Fellowship.
Mark is also extremely active in many local community organisations, presiding over the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Community and treasurer of the Blue Mountains Health Trust.
Alexis Viles - Secretary
SSRN BA HM (OP) JP
Alexis is a retired Senior Nurse Manager and has a degree in Health Administration. Alexis brings with her a depth of knowledge working in health since 1963. She started at the Young District Hospital and has worked in palliative care, emergency nursing and operation theatre.
In 1980 Alexis also began a long working partnership with Cardiologist Dr John England establishing his stress testing clinic and facilitating the clinical trials Dr England undertook with the National Heart Foundation. Alexis was privileged to travel to several countries to present the findings of these trials. Alexis is a trustee of the Blue Mountains Health Trust / Director of Greystanes Disability Services / Director of the Blue Mountains Retirement Village (Chair) Member of Save the Children Fund.
Christine Killinger OAM
SRN RM JP
Christine has recently retired from the Hospitality & Tourism industry. Prior to this, Christine enjoyed a long career in Nursing. Following her general and midwifery training in Australia, she completed a Postgraduate Supplementary Nursing and Observation Diploma at Saint Luke's Hospital, New York. In the intervening years Christine worked in nursing administration before moving to the Private Health Care Branch of the NSW Department of Health.
Christine is a Director of the Board of the Blue Mountains Retirement Village and committee member of the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce, Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and Board member and Volunteer Coordinator of Blue Mountains Cancer Help. Christine was awarded Blue Mountains Woman of the year in 2013.
Pam Seaborn
Pam has lived in the Blue Mountains for 18 years. Pam's career focused in the communications industry. Specialising in the corporate sector. Her first love, however, was publishing, in which her considerable experience crossed several fields. She has also had success as a Literary Agent, bringing authors and publishers together resulting in the publication of high-profile autobiographies, biographies and works of fiction.
Pam takes great pleasure in her widespread voluntary work, spanning many years. She has helped raise significant funds for worthwhile causes. She continues her voluntary work and is Chair of Plate Up BM, the GBM Food and Wine Development Advisory Group.
Colin Semmler
Raised on the family Riverina farm at Moombooldool, after attending Yanco Agricultural High School, Colin completed his tertiary studies at Wagga Wagga. After teaching in the Sydney and Wollongong areas, as well as involvement with the hospitality industry, Colin eventually arrived in the Blue Mountains in 1990 to take up a teaching position at Katoomba Public School.
Colin retired from Katoomba and Blaxland Public Schools in 2010, continuing with teaching on a casual basis until his health required full retirement. Colin has served on the committees of several local organisations, mainly arts-based and is a life member of Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM. He has been a member of the Blue Mountains Hospital Auxiliary for several years, serving as honorary secretary since 2016.
Decalie Brown
Decalie is a registered nurse/certified Midwife and IBCLC. She is an experienced Clinical Specialist nurse of 45 plus years in working various clinical roles within hospital and Primary Care and Community Health in NSW Australia. She has volunteered extensively for International Lactation Consultant Association ILCA including as a BOD member, a past President, is a Fellow of ILCA and continues as ILCA’s BFHI Liaison.
Decalie has the privilege of being a current Baby National Friendly BFHI assessor and a Core member for the World Breastfeeding trends Initiative WBTiAUS. Her love is supporting mothers, babies, and families in her local community to achieve their breastfeeding goals. Joining with the Blue Mountains Health Trust has been an honour to continue to support the next generations of health professionals.
Maurice Cooper OAM - Patron
Maurice has been a Patron of the Health Trust for over a decade. Maurice began his nursing career in South Australia in Psychiatric Nursing followed by General Nursing at Concord Hospital (RGHC), Coronary Care Nursing at Royal Melbourne Hospital. On secondment from RGHC he obtained his Diploma Nursing Education and created the curriculum for Intensive Nursing Certificate in 1977.
Maurice has lived in the Blue Mountains for 48 years, and has been a Regional, State and National Judge in Tourism. His Order of Australia Medal was awarded in 2009, for his Contribution to the Blue Mountains Community.