Tuesday 10 October 2017: The Board of Mercy Ships Australia, with its headquarters in Caloundra, has announced the appointment of Richard Wankmuller as Chairman.

Mr Wankmuller brings to the Board the experience of a distinguished career at senior executive and board level in Australia and overseas.

Mercy Ships Australia’s Managing Director, Alan Burrell, says the Board is delighted that Mr Wankmuller has accepted the role as he would provide important strategic leadership for the charity at an important time in its development.

Mr Wankmuller was previously the CEO of Cardno, a $1.4 billion engineering and consultancy company with more than 7,000 staff, 200 offices and operating in more than 100 countries.

Prior to Cardno, Mr Wankmuller was an Executive Director for GHD and led their operations in the Americas.

He is based in Noosa with his wife, while his children attend university in Brisbane.

“I am greatly looking forward to the role with Mercy Ships Australia. Its work is vital, bringing free health care and development aid to those who need it the most and, as part of my involvement, I intend to get to know as many of the Australians who volunteer their time on board our vessels,” Mr Wankmuller said.

Former Chairman of Mercy Ships Australia, Paul Pemberton, has been appointed as Deputy Chairman.

“I thank Paul on behalf of Mercy Ships for his great contribution and commitment to our charity over the past two years,” Mr Burrell added.

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to provide much needed medical and community development services to people in some of the world’s poorest nations.

The Africa Mercy, crewed by volunteers from more than 40 nations, arrived in Cameroon in August for a ten-month field service in the Central Africa nation.

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About Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those with little access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1.3 billion, treating more than 2.56 million direct beneficiaries. The Africa Mercy is crewed by 400 volunteers from up to 40 nations, an average of 1000 each year. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. With offices in 16 nations, Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time. For more information visit www.mercyshps.org.au

For further information, please contact:

Melissa Mason
National Office Manager, Mercy Ships Australia
[email protected]