11 December 2025
After 15 years of dedicated service, Tony Lawson has stepped down from his role as Board Chair at CHF. We also farewelled Jan Donovan, Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and Darryl O’Donnell, Chair of the Governance Committee.
We thank Tony, Jan and Darryl for their extraordinary contributions to CHF, and extend our deepest gratitude for their commitment and service.
Tony Lawson
Tony Lawson joined the CHF board in 2010 and became Chair in 2014. He brought with him a broad range of experience in contemporary management skills, and having already been involved in the South Australia peak health consumer body had an appreciation of both the needs of health consumers and what their voices could contribute to health policy .CHF has benefited from his skills in governance and has adopted up to date practices regarding workplace safety, governance and finance committees, adoption and regular review of policies as well as demonstrating to governments the cost-effectiveness of listening to the needs of health consumers and including health consumer representatives in all aspects of government work that impinges on their lives.
Tony Lawson has worked tirelessly to lead CHF and protect its interests and reputation.
Tony has been earnest in working with CHF staff and his Board colleagues to focus on the positioning of CHF as a national organisation bringing respect and visibility to the Australian health consumer interests. Tony has always fostered consensus in his approach to leading Board discussions and decisions and maintains personal values of commitment and fairness in his approach to leadership.
Tony deserves acknowledgement for investing so much of his personal time and energy to the organisation through so many years, and his loyalty in challenging times as well as the successes! Leading a diverse organisation which has many expectations and limited resources, Tony has supported pragmatic approaches while also being a respectful collaborator. CHF has had a steady and safe pair of hands at the helm in his style and demeanour, and we have all benefited from his contribution.
Jan Donovan
Jan Donovan has been a loyal and committed supporter of CHF for decades and has brought compassion and social justice forward in all health policy considerations. Jan is passionate about embedding the community in her advocacy and input.
Jan has always been diligent and thorough, and a great supporter of her colleagues on the Board over many years, as well as through her roles and work with other health consumer networks. We have always been able to rely on Jan, and she engages in every aspect of what CHF does on behalf of our members and the broader communities. Jan embodies the spirit and values of CHF in her representation and conduct, and CHF has benefited from her service over these years.
We thank you for your tireless work on the FARM Subcommittee over the years including the additional responsibility as Chair of FARM providing steady financial stewardship. We wish you well in your new ventures in governance and leadership, and it is no surprise that Jan is already working at filling the gap with other NGO work, who will no doubt benefit from her expertise.
We have benefited from your strategic vision, thoughtful decision-making, and unwavering commitment. Your contributions have shaped our progress and will continue to influence our success.
Darryl O’Donnell
Darryl O’Donnell was elected to the Board in 2023, and we gratefully acknowledge his strong governance leadership and commitment to upholding the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and strategic oversight. Darryl’s contributions have significantly strengthened our governance framework and organisational integrity.
Darryl has contributed through his passionate interests of consumer advocacy, politics and political science, public health, health policy, health financing and corporate governance. With his long record of achievement in health leadership roles in government and community settings at state, national and regional levels, Darryl understood the sensitivities and complexities of consumer and community representation and this was reflected in his passionate engagement on the Board of CHF and as Chair of the Governance Committee in his final year.
We want to thank Darryl for his leadership, insight, and unwavering commitment which has strengthened the CHF in meaningful and lasting ways.
