Australia of the Year 2013

Jillian Skinner was notably the Deputy Leader of the NSW Parliamentary Liberal Party, Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research. She retired from state politics in 2017 after 20 years, famously having held more experience in the health field than any other politician in Australia.

Ms Skinner began her career as a journalist and in addition to her honourable political career, she has also run her own business, worked in the public sector and served on many community and advisory boards including the NSW Women's Advisory Council and the NSW Youth Advisory Council.

Since leaving politics, Ms Skinner has continued to make instrumental contributions to health-related matters and her  experience, drawn from not only her decorated political career, but also her experiences as a mother and through her passion and support for areas of health and research makes Ms Skinner the ideal Patron for Karitane. 

"I am proud to join Karitane as Patron. I have long held Karitane in high regard and know well the tremendous benefit the organisation has brought to so many families, in particular, the innovative expansion of its evidence-based services through use of digital platforms, expanded partnerships and focus on new models of care - with particular attention to Perinatal Infant Mental Health Services. Karitane genuinely transforms the lives of so many Australian families and I look forward to supporting the great work that they do."