Peter Craighead OAM: A Life of Service, Leadership and Community

The Yarram and District community was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Craighead OAM.

For many throughout Yarram and the wider Gippsland region, Peter will be remembered as the steady hand who brought stability and vision to local health services during some of their most challenging times. To others, he was simply a good mate — a familiar face on the tennis court who enjoyed the camaraderie, conversation and good-natured banter that followed in the clubrooms.

Peter dedicated his life to ensuring people had access to the healthcare they deserved. His remarkable career in health administration spanned more than three decades and left a lasting impact on rural and regional communities across Victoria and beyond.

Peter served as Executive Director of Yarram and District Health Service from 1989 to 2006, a period during which he helped guide the organisation through significant financial challenges and secure its future. It was the first of several leadership roles where he earned a reputation as a man who could tackle difficult problems and restore confidence to struggling organisations.

Often described as a "fixer" within the health sector, Peter went on to serve as Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of Central Gippsland Hospital from 2004 until 2008 before taking on one of the biggest challenges of his career as Chief Executive Officer of Latrobe Regional Hospital in 2008.

At the time, LRH was grappling with a $5 million deficit and the complexities of transitioning from a privatised-public operating model. Difficult decisions were required, and Peter never shied away from making them.

Reflecting on that period upon his retirement, he famously said: "My job is to equally disadvantage everyone" — a philosophy he adopted while making the tough but necessary decisions needed to secure the hospital's future.

Through strong leadership, clear communication and an unwavering commitment to the community, Peter and his team transformed LRH into the thriving regional health service it is today.

Among the achievements he was most proud of were securing funding for the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre, expanding rehabilitation and allied health services, delivering new maternity facilities, enhancing mental health services, establishing MRI and PET scanning capabilities, and overseeing the development of a new emergency department, theatres and inpatient wards.

During his time at the helm, LRH also faced some of the region's most significant challenges, including the Black Saturday bushfires, major flood events, cyber-attacks, infrastructure failures and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through each challenge, Peter's calm and decisive leadership helped guide the organisation forward.

"I think they would say I was firm, but fair," he reflected at the end of his career.

"For me it is all about the team around me, nurturing good communication and not being afraid of the hard decisions."

Alongside his executive roles, Peter operated Alberton Consulting from 1997 through to 2026, conducting reviews and health needs assessments for state and federal governments, rural health services and even Australia's Indian Ocean Territories. He also served for 18 years on Wellington Shire Council's Audit and Risk Committee and contributed to numerous community organisations throughout his career.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to rural health administration, Peter was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2021.

Despite facing a number of personal health challenges throughout his life, Peter approached them with the same determination and resilience that defined his professional career.

Away from boardrooms and hospitals, Peter was a passionate tennis player who valued friendship, laughter and community. Long before men's sheds became commonplace, Peter and his mates gathered each Monday night for tennis. While the tennis itself was enjoyable, it was often the conversations afterwards — solving the problems of the world, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company — that created the strongest memories.

Peter Craighead leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of service, leadership and community spirit. His contribution to rural healthcare improved countless lives, while his friendship and generosity enriched many more.

He will be remembered as a man who faced challenges head-on, made difficult decisions when required, and always acted in what he believed were the best interests of the communities he served.

Yarram and District has lost one of its most respected and influential sons, but Peter Craighead's legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.