NDS mourns the passing of Rosey Panelli, CEO of Goulburn Options, following a short battle with cancer.

Rosey commenced her career in healthcare, training as a general nurse after high school. After completing her Diploma of Volunteer management, she developed a special interest in epilepsy, leading her to complete a Masters of Public Health and a PhD.

Rosey then worked as an epilepsy researcher, advocate and educator in Australia and internationally, and before her role at Goulburn Options, Dr Panelli was practice manager at Seymour Medical Clinic. She had also been an adjunct research associate in Monash University’s Department of Neuroscience since 2018, with her work internationally recognised.

Over more than 20 years, she passionately pursued a mission to increase awareness and research into epilepsy-related deaths, implement initiatives to reduce these deaths and support families affected. Rosey was an active NDS member, with her passion and commitment to people with disability shining through.

Acting Chief Executive of Goulburn Options, Megan Montgomery, said “she introduced a caring, professional approach into the service delivery model of Goulburn Options. Rosey was a friend, a mentor and a constructive critic. She will be sorely missed and her legacy will live on as Goulburn Options continues to grow.”