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When I first asked Matt Sharp about “having a chat”, I was looking for his back story — after a couple of months of stories not about GV Health or Ambercourt.
However, before I contacted him again, I read that he was leaving.
Perhaps I didn’t need the back story as much as the tomorrow story.
So, I shot through an email — and the following pretty much covers our conversation.
Was there something, other than the challenging job, that attracted him to Shepparton?
He said “yes” because it felt like a place he and his wife, Chelsie, could call home.
Matt had grown up in Tarrawingee, just outside Wangaratta; and Chelsie had grown up in Bridgewater, just outside Bendigo.
The Shepparton community felt similar.
So, in 2019, the Sharp family moved to Shepparton; Matt commenced mid-2018.
It wasn’t an easy start for the new GV Health chief executive.
Although the organisation was fundamentally stable, it wasn’t a happy workplace for many of the people involved, from the board down.
It was not easy to discover where the problems truly lay or where strings were being pulled.
Matt told me that it took close to two years for things to settle down.
And two years after his starting date was 2020 — and COVID.
Ahead were two of the most difficult years for GV Health and every other hospital on the planet.
Matt strongly felt that local people should be kept informed about the true situation; that we had a right to know — and this wasn’t popular with the powers that ran the state.
Other decisions that had to be made were more than difficult; sometimes they were heart-breaking.
How would it feel to put in place bans and restrictions so that loved ones couldn’t visit a dying parent?
I find it painful to think and write about this; and the look on Matt’s face told me he would never forget having to make the decisions.
Although the stress eventually eased, it was not over when most of us thought it was.
In fact, it was 2023 before the situation became more bearable for the staff of our hospital.
We talked about staff numbers, which have increased by around 47 per cent since 2018.
Sourcing them, and keeping them, is not easy.
Matt said GV Health and all hospitals had been dependent upon immigration and, if immigration was reduced without some preference given to the areas which depend on it, it would be extremely difficult for many businesses and organisations.
We also talked about the ways to help new staff settle in — by introducing them to the appropriate people.
You could call this “bedding down”, but it would be better if you didn’t.
Somewhere around now, I asked Matt where he was going.
And his answer was “Nowhere, right now. I’ll be taking a break to recharge, travel a little, and determine where I will next invest my energy. We will be in Shepparton for the next three years, at least.”
His younger boy has just started a three-year program, with a local golf course and, naturally, his parents don’t want to disrupt this in any way.
You all know me by now — I felt a bit emotional at this point.
Delighted because the young man’s program is the work of his dreams, and devastated because I suddenly realised how tired Matt is right now.
A short break would not have restored him; he has given his all for as long as he can.
I’ve been sitting here, attempting to find the appropriate wishes for Matt and Chelsie.
GV Health has not been an easy gig.
Perhaps peace, contentment, with an interesting and challenging future ahead? (I think he’d tell me that he can do without the challenges for a while.)
Join me again for my column on October 27 as we learn about sharing — and blending — art, music and culture.
Take care and may it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187