CANCER support advocate and former award-winning ABC journalist and television presenter Chris Kimball has been appointed the new Chief Executive of the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter Trust.

Chris is a media professional, television commentator, public speaker and fundraiser with a life-long affiliation with communities in Canberra and regional New South Wales. He grew up in the ACT and many of his family live in the Central West.

Chris spent his early career as a television and radio journalist and presenter at WIN and Prime News in Orange, before becoming the senior adviser for Independent State Member for Dubbo, Tony McGrane. Kimball returned to Canberra in 2004 to work as a national sports journalist and presenter for ABC TV and Radio News. He became the face of ABC current affairs in Canberra when he joined 730 ACT (formerly Stateline). Over five years he produced and presented hundreds of stories including acclaimed special programs on Homelessness in the ACT and the 10th anniversary of the 2003 Canberra fires. He recently left the ABC to become the Director of Media at the Australian Sports Commission.

He is a passionate advocate for cancer support services. He has played a prominent role in successful fundraising initiatives, particularly for the Leukaemia Foundation, a cause he has a close affinity with following his own experiences of living with advanced and aggressive cancer which he shared publicly and frankly through a series of acclaimed stories.

“My experiences have given me a deep personal respect for the professionals involved in delivering front-line medical services. Helping people at the most profoundly vulnerable and difficult time of their lives is a huge responsibility,” Chris said.

“We are delighted Chris Kimball will become our new CEO. His high profile and commitment to our life saving service will be invaluable to our fundraising efforts,” Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter Trust Chairman David Marshall said.

Marshall also praised outgoing Chief Executive, Owen Finegan. The former Brumbies captain and Wallabies representative is moving to Sydney for family reasons after serving for almost 4 years in the role.

“Owen had lifted the profile of the rescue helicopter service across the Southern NSW region, substantially increased the level of community support and helicopter sponsorships, and oversaw the construction of a new administration and training centre at the Hume helicopter base.”