Dr Scott Davis is a long-standing health and regional development leader with over 25 years’ experience working across Northern Australia, the Pacific, and Asia. He is the Executive Director of the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC), where he leads partnerships that turn research into real-world health improvements for northern communities.

Scott is also the Founder and Managing Director of Well Balanced Care, delivering innovative allied-health services in rural and remote areas, and a Director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Northern Australia (CRCNA).

A former Deputy Chair of the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS), Scott brings deep experience in governance, collaboration, and community-led service design.

Originally from Tully, Scott and his partner Tony are proud to call Far North Queensland home. They are both active in local organisations and passionate about sailing, connection, and giving back to their community.

“COUCH has an important role in supporting people and their families and carers recovering and living with cancer. Based on the belief that community coming together can take action where government often struggles. It was an honour to be nominated to the role of Chair, and privilege to be able to serve my community in this way.”

Email: chair@couch.org.au

Vanessa holds dual qualifications in law and town planning and is a partner of national law firm Sparke Helmore.

Vanessa has managed the firm’s regional Planning, Environment and Sustainability Practice since 2018 and become the national practice leader in 2021.

Prior to joining Sparke Helmore, Vanessa was the Managing Director of a Cairns base law firm and town planning practice. Vanessa has experience working on large scale master-planned projects and has acted for local government, state government agencies, developers and publicly listed companies providing town planning and legal advice on a large range of matters in Queensland.

Vanessa is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Company Directors Course. Vanessa is also the Deputy Chair of Ports North, the Chair of the Ports North Human Resources Committee, a former Chair of the Board of the JUTE Theatre Company and has served a number of not-for-profit boards.

“I am passionate about regional Queensland and particularly the local community where I live and work. Regional cities such as Cairns face a number of challenges not even imagined by their city peers including a lack of resources, infrastructure and access to quality health services for people living with cancer. It’s a privilege to work with the COUCH Board and staff in supporting local people and providing a much-needed local service.” 

Vicky is a chartered accountant with more than 15 years’ experience in healthcare management and is passionate about healthcare and in ensuring that people have quality healthcare choices available to them within their community.

Vicky is the Chief Financial Officer / Commercial Manager for the IMS Group and is highly experienced in financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting and cash-flow management.

Vicky has held previous leadership roles in not-for-profit organisations including the Cairns Regional General Manager of Holy Spirit Care Service and oversaw the construction and commissioning of an 86-bed residential aged care facility and 52 independent retirement living units. Vicky also held the position of Chief Financial Officer for the Northern Queensland Primary Healthcare Network and was responsible for the commercial compliance and acquittal of Commonwealth primary healthcare funding contracts.

“I have a passion for contributing to community-based organisations that are committed to improving the community that we live in. As a local charity, COUCH has achieved significant improvement for the Cairns community, and I am honoured to be a part of its future.”

Michael Woodward was born in Cairns as the eldest son of Pip and Charles Woodward, the founders of COUCH, as well as the iconic CaPTA Group of tourism companies. Michael attended the University of Queensland where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce.

Michael has worked within the family business for more than 22 years. He started his career as the group accountant and moved into various management roles for the business. One of his favourite projects was overseeing the construction and implementation of the Cairns ZOOM attraction.

After the success of the Cairns ZOOM project, Michael was promoted to his current role of operations and projects director for The CaPTA Group.

Prior to joining the COUCH committee, Michael worked in a wide variety of roles within multiple committees. Within the COUCH committee, Michael is the secretary, and is on the Fundraising and Marketing Committee, and sits on the Risk, Finance and Governance committee.

Michael resides in Cairns with wife, Darlene, and two spoilt rescue dogs, Theo and Mya. He is passionate about engaging with the community, which is a trait Michael has inherited from his parents.

“Since becoming part of the COUCH committee, I have come to appreciate the immense efforts of this and previous committees. I am extremely proud of the efforts Mum and Dad have put in to lay the groundwork for the organisation COUCH is today and look forward to contributing to COUCH’s continuing success. I am particularly excited by the events and fundraising aspect of my role, as COUCH has a history of attracting entertaining, motivating and inspiring people.”

Toni is currently a project manager for Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) and has responsibility for the accreditation of all Primary Health Care Centres within the HHS. Prior to this, Toni worked in cancer care in Australia and the UK before joining Radiation Oncology Queensland (ROQ) – now part of Icon Group.  She was instrumental in establishing cancer care centres in Toowoomba and then discovered the lure of Cairns when she led the team opening Radiation Therapy Services at the Liz Plummer Cancer Centre.

Toni went on to oversee the strategic development, design, construction and operational commissioning services of multiple cancer centres both domestically and internationally.  She led the team at Icon Group to become the first Australian Healthcare company to enter the Chinese market.

Originally from Mackay, Toni is a passionate supporter for regional Australia and delivering outcomes to those outside the metropolitan centres. Both professionally and personally, she understands the importance of services such as COUCH for cancer patients in regional settings.

Toni has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Radiation Therapy and a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Project Management.

Daniel is an experienced CEO and director, with more than 15 years in sports management and the tourism industry that followed a career in defence. The outgoing Group CEO of AJ Hackett International, Daniel is skilled in leading diverse teams in international business, developing and executing strategic plans, and creating innovative and memorable experiences for customers.

Daniel enjoys new challenges and connecting with people in business and the community. His experience in business, management consulting and work growing community focused clubs have required strategic planning, a high level of accountability and demanded efficient organisation skills. He is the Chair of the Fundraising and Marketing Committee.

Daniel is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors “Company Director Course” and holds a Master of Applied Finance.

“Community focused organisations are the backbone of a healthy society and it’s a privilege to contribute to COUCH. The organisation and the amazing COUCH team are an inspiration, creating a positive impact, a sense of belonging, and a long-lasting legacy of kindness.”

Nick Loukas is a local pharmacist in Cairns and businessperson.

Nick is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor JCU College of Medicine and Dentistry. He has held several board positions including Chair of the North Queensland Primary Healthcare and President of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce. Finishing his schooling in Cairns and owning his first pharmacy at 22 in Mareeba. He then returned home to Cairns in 1995 where he has owned several pharmacies in Cairns and Smithfield. He founded and developed the V Pharmacy, Alive Pharmacy and Vitality Pharmacy Warehouse brands.

At present, Nick is the Managing Director of Vitality Pharmacy Warehouse Group with business interests in Cooktown, Cairns and Gladstone. In 2011, Nick was invited to work with JCU as Chair of the Pharmacy Advisory Committee and continues to hold this position. He also has a Bachelor of Business and has studied at Harvard Business School. Nick is a fellow of the Australian College of Pharmacy Practice and Management and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Nick is a Chair and director of the Tour of the Tropics Bicycle race and a keen bike rider and triathlete. His passions are his family and growing businesses, the Cairns region and leadership.

“COUCH is such a wonderful organisation that truly makes a difference to people’s lives at a time when they need it most. I am proud to become a director and contribute to the success of COUCH and see it as an honour to be able to positively contribute to our community.”

Manu strongly believes that his purpose in life is to make the world a better place for the next person. He is a leader in health service management, with experience across Western Australia and Queensland, and a vision to create a health-care system that delivers the level of service people who are less fortunate cannot afford but deserve.

Manu is currently Executive Director Strategy and Investment at Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS), managing a large and diverse portfolio including Infrastructure and the Care Co-ordination Service Centre, where he focuses on turning strategic plans into practical solutions that deliver real benefits for staff and patients.

His previous roles in Western Australian Department of Health and WA Country Health Service have helped Manu build a strong foundation in public health services and have strengthened his passion for supporting people within the health-care sector.  Manu is committed to developing valuable, happy staff and creating environments where teams can thrive.

Manu has a Masters in Business Administration, with a focus on project management, asset management and finance.

“Driven by a desire to give back to the community where he lives and works, Manu joined the COUCH Board to help improve access to care for people living with cancer in Cairns and surrounding regions.  Manu believes health care is one of the most impactful ways to contribute to community wellbeing and is proud to support the vision of COUCH.”