Our executive team

Damien Jacobs
Chief Executive Officer – Alison Standen  B.Sc., M.Nutr.Diet., MBA, MAICD

Alison Standen commenced in the role of Chief Executive Officer at Corumbene in October 2021. Alison has over 25 years’ professional experience working in Tasmania with a varied career that has focussed on supporting vulnerable Tasmanians; this includes experience in health and community services, in senior leadership roles in not-for-profit and public institutions.

From 2018-21, Alison served as Member for Franklin in the Tasmanian Parliament, with roles including Shadow Minister for Housing and Opposition spokesperson for Disability Services and Ageing in the House of Assembly.

Having worked in senior Commonwealth and State Government roles for many years, and having completed a Masters in Business Administration and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course, Alison has a strong understanding of public sector decision-making processes and governance.

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Chief Operating Officer – Julie Purves  MBA

Julie started her accounting career with the NHS in the UK, and furthered her accounting skills in the UK, NZ, and WA before moving to Tasmania in 2016.

Her career has mostly been in people-centric organisations, including several years in WA at a large not-for-profit Aged Care organisation. She brings a rounded approach into the Corporate Services Arena, aided by her MBA studies.

Julie has a desire to see people develop into the best version of themselves and enjoys working with Residents, Clients and Staff. She facilitates everyone working together to help ensure that Corumbene is a sustainable Community where everyone belongs.

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Director of Care – Residential – Emma Melbom 

Emma commenced in the role of Director of Care in 2022. She has over 12 years’ experience working within the Aged Care sector in both private and not-for-profit organisations.

Being local to the area and growing up in the Central Highlands, Emma has a strong commitment to supporting people in rural and remote areas.

Emma’s focus at Corumbene is to enable growth, assure quality, strengthen clinical governance, invest in staff learning & development and ensure that we have the necessary skills, tools and support to provide outstanding care and services to our residents.

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Director of Business Excellence – Mark Cocker JP 

With over 30 years professional experience in Tasmanian public administration and the not-for-profit sector, Mark has enjoyed a long and varied career supporting our community to grow and prosper. He has developed a keen appreciation for the importance of good governance, evidenced-based decisions, community engagement and participation.

Mark’s extensive background covers a range of senior leadership roles including Residential Tenancy Commissioner, Commissioner for Corporate Affairs, Director Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading, Asbestos Compensation Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Worksafe Tasmania.

Mark understands challenges faced by the changing nature of the delivery of health services. He is committed to supporting our Corumbene community to ensure we are well-positioned for the future by providing innovative solutions and facilitating collaborative approaches.

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Business Development Advisor – Finance – Peter Woodhouse  B.Com

Peter has lived in the Derwent Valley most of his life, raised on a farm and with strong family and community values.

As a Certified Practicing Accountant with over 20 years working across government, semi-government, not-for-profit and commercial sectors throughout Australia, Peter brings both a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to his role with Corumbene.

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Director of Community Services – Kirsty Bartlett Clark B.SOC.SC. (Psych)

Kirsty has been working in the Community Services sector for over 25 years in leadership roles in health, disability, early intervention, aged care and childcare. Prior to working at Corumbene, Kirsty was Executive Manager of Community Services and Operations with an aged care facility, and before that, she was statewide Director of Allied Health at St Giles Therapy Services for over nine years.

In 2010, Kirsty moved to Tasmania from Gippsland Victoria with her family. She says she loves her “Tassie life and enjoys the clean air, access to the best beaches and bush in the world, friendly people who always smile when you walk past, and communities that are always striving to be better.”

Kirsty is passionate about working alongside teams to provide high quality services that enable people to live their best lives and she is keen to contribute to a better quality of life for people living in the Derwent Valley and surrounds.