A Visionary Manager And True Mentor

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday May 2, 2006

Bill Lawrence

Milton Noble

Health administrator

1934-2006

MILTON NOBLE was always passionate about his profession of health services management. It was also something at which he excelled. Importantly, he caused others to excel in his chosen field.

Noble, who has died aged 72, was a real contributor. He achieved excellence in what he did, but as with all managers blessed with vision, he set the scene for the future.

This he did in terms of the innovative way he approached what others might see as fixed circumstances. Noble could see improvements waiting to happen and he went about achieving them. More than this, he inspired, mentored, coached and developed literally hundreds of individuals to achieve more in their health management careers.

People younger and older became better at what they did because they met Noble and they watched, listened, learned and took the advice that was generously offered. He was a great role model and natural teacher.

Noble was born in Parkes, NSW, the son of Stanley and Emily Noble. He had all his schooling in Parkes and later became an accountant before moving into health services management, first in his home town and later in Sydney.

His professional career in health management spanned nearly 40 years, after an initial 10 years in public accountancy.

In 1961 he was appointed chief executive of Parkes and Peak Hill hospitals, which became The Parkes Hospitals, with responsibilities covering Parkes, Peak Hill, and Trundle hospitals, as well as a group linen service.

Innovations in management structures that Noble pioneered in the 1960s are still best practice in a number of rural settings. In addition, in troubled times in the health service in the town of Cobar in 1974, Noble was appointed by the NSW government to assume the responsibilities of the Cobar Hospital board and settle conflicts. This he did with distinction.

In 1979 he became chief executive of Manly District Hospital and Area Health Service. Again he demonstrated his capacity for innovation and leadership with an ability to get what were disparate services to come together and enhance their capacities to provide more to the community.

Noble had that special attribute that perhaps not all in public administration carry so well: he engendered trust in all those around him.

In 1987, he moved to Diabetes Australia as NSW executive director, a position he held until retirement in 1999.

His career with Diabetes Australia is a snapshot of what characterised him professionally: he started with an organisation struggling with few staff, stretched accommodation and gaps in what it wanted to provide.

In 1987 there were 6000 members, and 10 staff in small rented premises. By 1999 there were 58 staff, 32,000 members, a freehold modern office and warehouse in Glebe, and a greater range of targeted services.

Noble could make things happen. People worked with him. He could help shape a future and act with others using his great judgement and a capacity for deep reflection.

But for all his great career achievements, there was one place that Noble made special for many and that was his professional body, the Australian College of Health Service Executives.

In 1967, after completing his Hospital Administration Diploma at the University of NSW, he joined the college.

From 1971 to 1989 he held one of the five executive positions in the NSW branch council of the college, including the presidency. For much of this time he also served on the college's federal council and was its treasurer for two terms.

He was a leader in the college and this was recognised by his receipt of the prestigious ACHSE Gold Medal at the 1992 annual general meeting for outstanding services and achievements.

In 1994 Noble was awarded life membership of the college. Five years later on his retirement he received the NSW President's Award in recognition of his achievements

In the college, he made that extra effort that distinguished him from others. It was really his sense of contribution. He also had a great sense of collegiate behaviour.

He was a confidant to many people, a real friend who went out of his way to help anyone facing any sort of personal or career problem. He brought humour and some wickedly funny jokes when they was required.

At the college's monthly council meetings, he sported a range of extravagantly coloured and patterned shirts and ties that defined the memorable fashion of the 1970s and early 1980s. Noble developed people and opportunities for education. He was a leader in the creation of a rural-based health management academic program at Mitchell College in Bathurst, now Charles Sturt University.

He also believed in guided career experience, maturing the talents of young people and providing them and all health managers with reasonable reward for effort. He was a long-term executive member of the Hospital Officers Association of NSW throughout most of his health career.

He was also selected as a foundation surveyor for the Australian Council on Health Care Standards, when it began surveys in NSW in 1977.

He later became the NSW council's preceptor for administrative surveyors.

There was much to Noble in his many professional achievements. He was blessed with great talents and energy and he used them to help others. He also had an open personality, strong in humility and based on an enormous faith in people. His contributions endure. He has left a professional legacy.

He is survived by his wife Kate, their children, Julie, Clayton and Sharon, their spouses and eight children, and Kate's children, Jane and Sarah and their spouses and four children.

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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