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The Nepean Foundation connects supporters, like you, with talented clinicians, researchers and educators who are making a real difference in the lives of people locally and around the world.
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We raise funds exclusively for medical research, clinical innovation, staff education and training. The Foundation is a registered charity and all donations are tax deductible.
Where we started
Experienced and committed champions of health care have joined to establish the Foundation.
For over 100 years hospital services have had a presence in the Nepean Blue Mountains region with Nepean Hospital opening in Penrith in 1860 and the Blue Mountains District ANZAC Memorial Hospital operating continuously since 1927.
The Foundation is dedicated to supporting a long tradition of patient-centred clinical innovation, medical research and education.
A close community connection has always been and continues to be a strength.
We understand firsthand the health challenges the community faces. Being on the frontline of health means there is a focus on practical solutions that can deliver maximum impact to the health and wellbeing of patients and their families. NBMLHD has a vast resource of health data and ready infrastructure to tap into for clinical trials; population, public health, mental health, paediatric and adolescent research; and, pilot projects for innovations.
Greg Allchin
Chairman
Greg Allchin has been involved in healthcare delivery within his local community for more than 30 years. During this time, he served on the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Board for over three decades, holding the positions of both Chairman and Deputy Chairman. Greg has also served on the Board of the Australian Foundation for Disability and is the current Chairperson of The Quarter P ...
Joseph Grassi
Treasurer
Joseph is a lawyer and the Principal of Joseph Grassi + Associates, a law firm based in Penrith. Penrith is home for Joseph and his family, and he has a keen interest in the local community and a strong desire to see the region prosper. Over the years, he has contributed to a number of community and professional organisations. Joseph was a member of the Sydney West Area Health Service Research an ...
Marlene Shipley
Secretary
Marlene was elected at the Local Government election in December 2021 and is serving her first term as councillor. Marlene has raised her family in the Penrith Local Government Area and worked locally for decades. She is well-known in the community, largely due to her role as CEO of St Marys Diggers and Band Club. Marlene first joined the club as Senior Financial Manager and was later appointed CE ...
Murray Austin
Director
Drawing on decades of experience in health, scientific and university positions, Murray is focused on effective, patient-centred, care that is informed by solid research. He is on the NBMLHD Board, started his career in pathology at Nepean Hospital but has since held senior roles in remote and rural health services and internationally-recognised, research-intensive universities.
Ian Seppelt
Director
A/Prof Ian Seppelt is a senior specialist in Intensive Care Medicine at Nepean Hospital, Sydney and the University of Sydney Medical School, and Clinical Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University and Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of NSW. He is an active clinical researcher and teacher in intensive care medicine and is Honorary Profe ...
Richard Fox
Director
Richard is the Owner/Director of Fox & Co, a consultancy business in the sports and community sector. Originally from the UK, Richard moved to Penrith with his family prior to the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Following a long career in high-performance sports as an athlete, head coach and performance director, Richard is now leading a revitalisation project to transform the Penrith Whitewater Stadium. Wi ...