Beth Willson AM

From 1 May 1997 until December 2012 Beth Wilson AM was Victoria’s Health Services Commissioner. She is a lawyer by training and has worked mainly in administrative law.

 

Beth has had a long-standing interest in medico/legal ethical issues and dispute resolution. Prior to becoming Health Services Commissioner, Beth was the President of the Mental Health Review Board, a Senior Legal Member of the Social Security Appeals Board and WorkCare Appeals Board and a past President of the Victorian Branch of ANZAPPL (Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law).

 

In 2007 Beth was appointed a member of the Disability Services Board. She is currently a sessional legal member of the Mental Health Tribunal. Beth is Patron for the Continence Foundation of Australia and The Satellite Foundation. Her debut novel The Lost Lovelies Foundation was published by Laneway Press in 2020.

 

Beth has received several awards in recognition of her achievements. These include:

  • 2002 – Monash University’s Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding professional achievements and inspirational leadership
  • 2003 – Centenary Medal for services to health
  • 2004 – An Honorary Doctorate from RMIT for contributions to health education
  • 2008 – Induction onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Womenfor services to women’s health in Victoria
  • 2013 – Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community of Victoria through the provision of dispute resolution in the area of health services.

Wominjeka (Welcome). We acknowledge the Yaluk-ut Weelam as the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet. Yaluk-ut Weelam means ‘people of the river camp’ and is connected with the coastal land at the head of Port Phillip Bay, extending from the Werribee River to Mordialloc. The Yaluk-ut Weelam are part of the Boon Wurrung, one of the five major language groups of the greater Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to the land, their ancestors and their elders—past, present and to the future.