Latrobe Health Assembly
Ellen-Jane Browne
Executive Officer
What is your connection to the Latrobe Valley? Do you live, work or play here?
I have lived, studied and worked in the greater Latrobe Valley since the late 1980’s. I initially came to Gippsland to work with the Education Department in the Gippsland Regional Office. I have bought up two children in Gippsland, one of whom now resides in South Gippsland. When the children were young, I returned to full time study at Monash Gippsland, before heading to Melbourne for Post Graduate studies. Work kept me in the city of and on for a decade, but Gippsland kept drawing me back, thus I returned to Gippsland to live almost 18 years ago, commuting to the city for work. Almost a decade ago, the opportunity arose to again work in the Latrobe Valley to set up the Latrobe Health Innovation Zone in my role as the Department of Health’s Principal Advisor for the Innovation Zone. The opportunity arose to take on the Latrobe Health Assembly Executive Officer role in early 2019… and as the story goes the rest is history.
What inspires you to work with the Latrobe Health Assembly?
I formally retired in December 2026 but committed to working as a volunteer with the Assembly, during its transition from a public sector entity to a community led, not for profit. Circumstance has meant that I have returned to the Assembly as its Executive Officer on a volunteer basis. I do this as I am passionate about the Assembly’s ability to reshape health outcomes in one of Victoria’s most disadvantaged communities. For me it compliments my other community interests in Land Care and the CWA. It also sits comfortably with my passion for social justice and equity and provides me with the opportunity to give back.
What brings you joy outside of work hours?
Many things bring me joy.. my children, my family and my community. My love of classic vehicles sees me a member of the Gippsland Historic Automobile Club, the Triumph Car Club and the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria. My love of sailing and wooden boats sees me a member of the Victorian Wooden Boat Association and my retirement has seen me building a bigger shed for the cars and boats!!! My commitment to community sees me active in the Country Women’s Association and Land Care. I am hopefully that in time my garden and perhaps some reading time might find a space in my diary!
Where is your favourite place to visit in the Latrobe Valley?
Mowell River National Park and the Morwell River Falls is perhaps one of the Latrobe Valley’s best kept secrets. I have led many a Land Rover group on tours of our secret waterfalls and this would have to be one of the better places to visit. Likewise, anywhere in the Stezlecki ranges!
What gives you hope for the future of health and wellbeing in Latrobe Valley?
One only has to stand on any one of the hills surrounding the Latrobe Valley to appreciate its outstanding beauty, its size and its diversity. For me, the Latrobe Valley is an incredible space and one with which I am proud to be associated. And yet… we have deep disadvantage hidden in plain sight. For me, the work of the Latrobe Health Assembly provides the opportunity to redress some of this disadvantage and it is the vehicle by which hope for the future can be amplified and bought to life. We are the voice of community, and the most powerful vehicle for change are those who live, work and study in their community… they are after all our future.