NWMPHN is a unique organisation in a complex health system. As a result, the roles required in the organisation are many and varied. Our staff come with diverse lived experiences, career backgrounds, age, culture and gender identities.
During 2025-26, we invested more than ever in understanding the most valued aspects about working here, our unique differences that make us unique and the benefit of working at the PHN. We worked together to create an Employee Value Proposition (EVP), which described our work, people and purpose that binds all the 139 people that work here.
‘Enabling healthier futures’, one of the main pillars of the EVP - it rests on the proposition that every role in NWMPHN contributes to driving real impact by enabling health service providers to deliver effective care.
The aim was to ensure our people, culture, employee support, recruitment and onboarding practices continue to reflect industry best practice and the diversity within our workforce that enable us to provide an enriching employee journey and a supportive, values driven, progressive work culture.
As part of this consultative process, we spoke to many of our people behind the day-to-day work and asked for their reflections on their workplace experiences. Here are some highlights from their responses.
The best part about working at NWMPHN is the supportive work culture. The workplace is very accommodating when team members may be experiencing professional or personal challenges. I’ve been supported through opportunities to grow and develop, allowing me to build my skills, take on leadership responsibilities and contribute meaningfully.
Snehal Shah, Acting Manager, Integration, with NWMPHN since 2024
What keeps me here are the people and the supportive conditions. There’s a genuine sense of collaboration in the way we work together towards a common goal, and I feel very fortunate to be part of such a committed team. I also really value knowing that our work makes a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of children and young people in our region.
Kerry McKenzie, Manager, Young People and Families, with NWMPHN since 2024
Since joining I’ve performed a couple of roles here, including as a program officer within the quality improvement and AOD programs. For me, the best part about working here is contributing to the provision of services to various communities. I enjoy connecting with primary care and AOD providers about their experiences when it comes to navigating service provision.
Shurfa Buhary, Program Officer, Commissioning, with NWMPHN since 2022
I was born in the region and have lived here all of my life. Working at NWMPHN is my way of contributing more directly to my community while still having an impact on the broader health system. While working in government, I heard lots of great things about NWMPHN as well, and it looked like somewhere I would like to work.
Ariana Mancarella, Director, Strategy Implementation and Engagement, with NWMPHN since 2022
When I reflect on what keeps me here today, it would have to be the strong work-life balance, the positive and supportive workplace culture, and the people I work with. Having a role where I can see the impact of my work, while being part of a supportive and values-driven environment, is highly rewarding.
Dhwani Patel, Program Officer, Digital Health Projects, with NWMPHN since 2022
In my previous career I was a journalist, and when I was thinking about my next career step I was looking to move into a role where I could use my skillset, was aligned with my values, and that moved beyond daily or weekly deadlines. I found that NWMPHN offered that.
David Schout, Digital Communications Adviser, with NWMPHN since 2024
Photography acknowledgement
Employee portraits featured throughout this report were captured by
Tiffany Garvie, a Gunggari woman and professional portrait photographer specialising in authentic, natural portraiture.
