Ms Mellissa Kruger

Mellissa is the Manager: Department of Rural Health (DRH). She is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure DRH management and reporting performance indicators are met. This includes responsibility for the effective day to day management of the DRH, including staffing, operations and resources. In addition, as the Manager she is the primary point of contact for other organisations, providing sound advice and project management services to current and potential stakeholders, including at community, industry partner, ministerial and chief executive levels. In 2014 Mellissa held a number of positions with the University of South Australia. These included: Mental Health Academic Project Officer, DRH; Lecturer, Foundation Studies, UniSA College; and Tutor, Foundation Studies, UniSA College. From January 2006 to January 2014 she was a Lecturer and Course Coordinator in the Social Work and Rural Practice Unit at the Centre for Regional Engagement (Whyalla and Mt Gambier), University of South Australia. During her time in the Social Work and Rural Practice Unit she coordinated and lectured in a variety of courses; Psychology 1A, Psychology 1B, Human Service Workers and the Law, Social Enquiry Methods, Child Centred Practice, Statutory Social Work, Group Work and Communication for the Human Services. Mellissa also coordinated and lectured in several courses at Magill (metropolitan campus); including Group Work and Human Service Workers and the Law. Before Mellissa joined the University of South Australia she worked as the Senior Youth Practitioner at the Port Augusta Office of Families SA, in the field of Youth and Juvenile Justice. During this time she was involved in securing funding from Local, State and Federal Governments for the Port Augusta Youth Support Strategy. Mellissa was the Program Supervisor for a year and a half and continued on the management board until she left in late 2003 to take up a research position with the University of South Australia. Mellissa has also held various positions in State Government with Housing SA and Families SA.

Awards 2016 Vice Chancellor's Awards for Professional Staff Excellence: Community Engagement 2015 South Australian Regional Awards: Winner Sport 4 Rural Health (Health) 2015 South Australian Regional Awards: Finalist Expressions: Arts and Mental Health (Arts and Creative Industries) 2015 South Australian Regional Awards: Finalist Foundation Studies Program (Education) 2013 Lecturer of the Year Rated 8th in Australia Rated 1st at UniSA 2012 Lecturer of the Year Rated 19th in Australia Rated 2nd at UniSA 2011 Lecturer of the Year Rated 2nd at UniSA 2010 Lecturer of the Year Rated 2nd at UniSA 2009 Best Paper AUCEA Conference

Qualifications

• Masters in Administrative Studies University of South Australia

• Bachelor of Science (Behavioural) Flinders University

• Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management Flinders University

• Graduate Certificate Education University of South Australia