Latest News

Wishlist welcomes new manager

27 Jul 2022

With 21 years of leadership experience under his belt in a senior executive position with the Sunshine Coast Council and a proven commitment to collaboration and making a difference in the community, Wishlist is in good hands with Brendan Hogan at the helm as the new general manager.

Working alongside Wishlist’s longtime CEO Lisa Rowe, the dynamic duo is the perfect match to continue to engage the community and help support the changing face of the Sunshine Coast’s public health services for the benefit of the local community.

Reflecting on his long history with the Sunshine Coast Council, Mr Hogan says he is excited to join the exceptional Wishlist team of volunteers, supporters, staff and board members in a role that will utilise his leadership skills and passion to make a positive contribution to our region’s hospital and health services.

“I’ve been with council over 21 years and have always thought so highly of the organisation. I think the Sunshine Coast is very fortunate to have a council that is progressive and strongly community connected while at the same time leading the way with innovative approaches and managing growth across the region,” Mr Hogan says.

“Having had the good fortune to be a part of that has been a privilege. However, there comes a time when you start to think about your next personal and professional challenges.

“My decision was based around where I could transfer my skills from an organisational and community connection point of view and when the general manager role came up with Wishlist it was the ideal opportunity at the right time.”

After two decades with Sunshine Coast Council, Brendan Hogan is taking on a new leadership role at Wishlist.

With a focus on the operational side of the business, as well as working alongside Ms Rowe to continue to build partnerships and connection with community, Mr Hogan says the charity’s biggest challenge is to ensure it continues to best support patients and families not only in hospital but also in the wider allied health environment.

“Wishlist embodies a much wider and innovative approach to support health care within our hospitals and health services and sees the coming together of alternative medical provision models,” Mr Hogan says.

“Once you go inside the doors at Wishlist, it’s a much larger operation than perhaps a lot of people might be familiar with, especially in terms of the accommodation services it provides for patients’ families who are accessing their hospital and health services.”

Wishlist supports Reed House in Nambour, which provides emergency accommodation for family with loved ones in Nambour, Selangor and Sunshine Coast University Hospital and more recently Wishlist House at Birtinya.

Wishlist Centre, located conveniently opposite the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, is the most recent addition and will offer a unique circle-of-care for those experiencing a health crisis, away from the clinical environment of a hospital.

Wishlist’s fundraising efforts, including events, all add to Wishlist’s ability to contribute over $1 million annually to the local community.

With a strong focus on their partnerships with community and their governance, Mr Hogan says they are “blessed to have a skilled and energised board”.

Although Mr Hogan has just got his feet under the desk in his new role, he says every day brings an inspiring story of hope and appreciation.

“Cliché as it may sound, every day I have been in this role there has been a heart-warming story or a connection with the volunteers and patients,” he says. “What our medical and health staff do on a daily basis is quite phenomenal and it’s so rewarding to be part of something so important.

“Helping to make people’s experiences during what is often a very tough time a little better is a great feeling. The families who are in various ways impacted by their circumstances are so appreciative of the help Wishlist provides.”

Follow Us!