Toowoomba Hospital Foundation welcomes new chair to board

A well-known Toowoomba charity has revealed who will take over as chair of the board. It comes as the former head steps down after two decades of service.

Toowoomba Hospital Foundation welcomed new chairman John Debenham this week. Picture: Kevin Farmer

New Toowoomba Hospital Foundation chair John Debenham knows he has big shoes to fill.

Mr Debenham takes over from Ray Taylor this week – a man who has been a member of the foundation board for 30 years.

“They’re very big shoes to fill with Ray having done 30 years,” he said.

“I think what he (Ray) has done is absolutely tremendous.

“But I am really excited having been involved with the foundation from a distance for a number of years through my former executive role with Suncorp who did a lot to support the foundation.

“I also have a personal connection with someone the foundation has done a lot to help so when the opportunity to join board came up I was thrilled.”

Drawing on his own business and volunteer experience, Mr Debenham said he hoped to continue and develop the great work the foundation does.

“Any time you get involved in an organisation that does such great things in the community you get an enormous amount of satisfaction,” he said.

“I am looking forward to bringing some of my experience in business and volunteer roles and adding some value to this role.

“Health care has come an awfully long way over the last 10-20 years and the more we can keep people healthy the more they can contribute to society which is a pleasing thing to be part of.”