New Secretary for the Department of Human Services
On Wednesday 12 August, Gill Callister was appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Human Services.
Ms Callister completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work with Honours at Monash University.
Between 1981 and 1991, Ms Callister worked in non-government services undertaking roles such as counselling and group work; management roles in foster care/residential care and early parenting support services.
Since 1991, Ms Callister has held a range of senior government roles including: Manager Child Protection Program; Manager Service Policy and Legislation and Manager Community Care.
In May 2001, Ms Callister was appointed as the Executive Director, Community Care, and on the establishment of the Office for Children in March 2005 she became the inaugural Executive Director of this new Division. Under her stewardship, the new Children, Youth and Families Act was developed which has been acknowledged nationally as cutting edge policy reform, shifting the focus of children's services to the 'best interests of the child.'
Ms Callister then led the Mental Health and Drugs Division from 2007 to 2009 as Executive Director, and led the development of the new mental health 10 year reform strategy Because Mental Health Matters.
In 2009, Ms Callister was appointed Deputy Secretary, Skills Victoria before accepting her current role as Secretary, Department of Human Services.