The end of an era: Joy Gillett retires from ARH

After more than three decades of leadership and service, Joy Gillett OAM retires as CEO of Australian Rotary Health, leaving a lasting impact on medical research and mental health across the nation.

After decades of dedication, visionary leadership and tireless advocacy, Joy Gillett OAM will retire as Chief Executive Officer of Australian Rotary Health at the end of the year. Joy’s tenure has been marked by big change and increased national impact, with a major focus of improving mental health and advancing medical research
across Australia.

Under Joy’s leadership, Australian Rotary Health has grown its influence, built stronger partnerships and supported important programs from Indigenous health scholarships to ground-breaking mental health scholarships. Joy’s ability to bring together Rotarians, researchers and communities around a common goal has made a lasting impact on the organisation.

Joy began her career with Rotary Down Under as a typist, later rising through the ranks to become office manager. In 1987, she took on a part-time role with the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (now ARH), becoming its first administration officer. By 1999, Joy transitioned to ARH full-time as general manager, and in 2001 was appointed CEO.

A dedicated Rotarian, Joy joined the Rotary Club of Parramatta City, NSW, in 1992, serving as president in 1996-97 and holding numerous other club and district roles. She has been recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow and a Gold Companion and Life Member of ARH. In 2011, Joy received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her contributions to Rotary and netball.

Joy’s commitment to Australian Rotary Health, her warmth, integrity and tireless energy have inspired colleagues, volunteers and stakeholders alike. As she moves into retirement, we celebrate Joy’s extraordinary legacy and service to Rotary and Australian Rotary Health.