The position was left vacant last year after Emma Kealy went on leave to campaign for the Nationals in the seat of Lowan.

Ms Kealy comfortably won the safe Nationals seat and resigned from her job at the hospital.

Mr Mills said one of the main challenges he would tackle was attracting and retaining highly-skilled staff to deliver services.

‘‘I know that Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, in partnering with other hospitals such as Naracoorte, has had a good history of being able to get good quality visiting services to be able to provide specialist services,’’ he said.

Mr Mills said he believed there were opportunities to continue and enhance the hospital’s community engagement programs.

‘‘I see some of my background as being able to advance some of those programs,’’ he said.

Mr Mills said he would look to attract investment to execute some capital works projects.

‘‘Since I came back into the not-for-profit sector, with WorkCo and Wimmera Uniting Care, it’s really been about giving back to the community, establishing a strong community, resilience and self-sustainability,’’ he said.

While Mr Mills will initially commute from Horsham, he plans to move to Edenhope eventually.

Hospital board chief executive Ron Hawkins said Mr Mills had experience in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors.

‘‘Growing up in the Wimmera community, he has strong knowledge of the region and is committed to quality community services,’’ he said.

‘‘He has a reputation for building synergies with stakeholders and, with experience in executive leadership, he has the skills to grow Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital’s operations and governance responsibilities across the organisation.’’

Anne Bates has been acting in the position since Ms Kealy took leave and resigned.

Mr Mills is a six-time premiership defender with Kalkee Football Netball Club.

He hung up the boots at the end of last season.