Mario Barone Appointed as New President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch

Mr. Barone expressed his gratitude and excitement in assuming this leadership position, stating:

"I am deeply honoured and privileged to be elected President of the NSW Branch. As someone who has passionately served community pharmacy for decades, I hold this responsibility in the highest regard. Our profession is crucial to ensuring that patients across NSW benefit from the extensive knowledge and skills pharmacists and their staff bring to healthcare every day."

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Barone acknowledged the guidance and leadership of his predecessors—David Heffernan, Rick Samimi, Paul Sinclair, and Si Banks—all of whom have shaped the branch’s vision and success. Mr. Barone has been a dedicated member of the NSW Branch Committee since 2011, and he is eager to continue building on the progress made during their tenures.

As the profession continues to evolve, Mr. Barone sees immense potential for community pharmacies to expand their impact on patient care. He emphasized his commitment to working closely with healthcare stakeholders and the government to advocate for pharmacists practicing to their full scope.

He also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Branch Committee members for their unwavering dedication to keeping community pharmacy sustainable and ensuring accessible healthcare for the people of NSW.

"I am excited to collaborate with our new Branch Committee to provide value for our Guild members and continue supporting the future of community pharmacy," Mr. Barone added. "My door is always open for members who wish to reach out."

Incoming NSW Branch Committee

President - Mario Barone
District 11 - Greater Western Sydney

John Black
District 1 - North Coast

Lauren Wilson
District 2 - Mid North Coast & Hunter

Trent Playford
District 3 - Central Coast

Sunit Ruparelia
District 4 - Blue Mountains, Central West & New England

Luke Van Der Rijt
District 5 - West/Far West

Emil Demayne
District 6 - South Coast

Peppe Raso
District 7 - Illawarra & Southern Sydney

Silvi Destro
District 8 - Sydney & Eastern Suburbs

Christine Kelly
District 9 - Inner West

Catherine Bronger
District 10 - South West Sydney

Matthew Burton
District 12 - North Sydney & Northern Beaches