Melanie holds qualifications in Law, Social Work, International Development, and Arts, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She was elected as Mayor and Councillor of St Kilda in her twenties and has since served on numerous boards, including Star Health, Hanover Welfare, Prahran Mission, the Epilepsy Foundation, Hepatitis Australia, and Alfred Health. She was the inaugural Chair of both Respect Victoria and the Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria. Melanie currently chairs the latter and also serves on the boards of St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research and the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust, and is a Trustee of the John F Marriott Trust for HIV. She is a former CEO of Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL and has held roles across the public, private, and union sectors. Melanie has also undertaken volunteer assignments in Timor Leste, Cambodia, Zambia, and the Amazon.
