Five minutes with Interim SALHN CEO Wayne Gadd

(Southern Health News, December 2021)

Wayne Gadd joined SALHN in late 2016 as Chief Financial Officer, after six years at SA Health as Director, Financial Business Advisory Service and two years as Executive Director, Corporate Services, Children, Youth and Women’s Health Services. Prior to this, Wayne spent seven years with the Calvary Health Care group in Executive Finance and Corporate Services roles.

We asked him what has shaped him both personally and professionally – and what he hopes to achieve in his role as Interim CEO at SALHN.

Tell us about your childhood

I grew up in the Adelaide suburb of Fulham, where I attended Fulham Primary School and later, to Kidman Park High School. As a family, we camped and caravanned a lot, where we enjoyed many adventures around Australia. As a kid, I enjoyed most sports, but lacrosse and swimming were my favourite sports.

You were once named ‘Local Legend of the Year’. Can you tell us about that?

I volunteered and was involved in the Norwood Swimming Club for several years where my daughter swam. In 2016, I was recognised by Swimming Australia for my contribution as a volunteer to local swimming.

What are your interests and passions outside of work?

I love watching sport, live or on television, particularly football, Formula 1 – or any sporting game! I also enjoy travelling and catching up with family and friends. I have a family that is very involved in the wine industry, and of course enjoy a wine. On the weekends, you’ll often find me eating out with my family at local cafes.

What is something about you that most people at SALHN don’t know?

Prior to health, I worked in the entertainment industry. Firstly, as a production accountant on commercial touring musical productions and then became involved in touring exhibitions, including Madame Tussauds. I also worked stints at Channel 7 and the Sydney Theatre Company.

What do you hope to achieve in your role as Interim CEO?

I have worked within SALHN since late 2016 and have witnessed the organisation stay strong and committed throughout the unprecedented challenges over the years, including continuing demand for services and particularly more recently the challenges with COVID-19.

I hope to build and grow on the work of the organisation to date, and continue to embed our operating principle of ‘to listen, act, make better, together’.

I want to make a positive contribution to improving and building the capacity of our services to the southern community; and ensure our staff are recognised and feel valued. I look forward to working with our community to build on our innovative, caring, reliable and respectful health services.

Together we can shape and build a healthcare system for our entire southern community.