The Seymour community is reflecting on the achievements of Rosey Panelli after she passed away on April 27 following a short battle with cancer.
Best known as the chief executive of Goulburn Options, the 68-year-old lived a life dedicated to giving.
Dr Panelli grew up in Northcote and was a keen netballer in high school. She represented Victoria and had a future as an Australian player.
But a career in healthcare called and she trained as a general nurse after high school.
She completed a Diploma of Volunteer Management and developed a special interest in epilepsy, leading her to complete a Masters of Public Health and a PhD.
She 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.
Dr Panelli’s work has been internationally recognised, having been presented an Ambassador for Epilepsy Award at the 29th International Epilepsy Congress in Rome in 2011 in front of an audience of 4000 people.
The nomination was submitted by International Bureau for Epilepsy president Mike Glynn and acknowledged Dr Panelli’s 16-year contribution to the Australian epilepsy community.
Dr Panelli persistently worked to improve community understanding of epilepsy through the biennial Melbourne epilepsy memorial service and the publication of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: a global conversation where she was a key member of the editorial team.
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.
Dr Panelli’s husband of 14 years Robert Peterson said she was always involved in helping people and was dedicated to her children, Hannah and Francis, and her work.
“She lived to help people. She was the greatest giver ever and she gave me the best years of my life,” he said.
“Her work was never just a job. She was deeply passionate about making a difference in people’s lives.
“Rosey knew what she wanted and wouldn’t let it rest until it was done. She went above and beyond with everything she did.
“I remember the long hours she used to work, nine to five was never her thing. When she had her mind set on something, she wouldn’t let it go until it was done.”
Joining Goulburn Options in December 2017, Dr Panelli oversaw the organisation through some significant changes.
She guided the team through the transition to the NDIS and oversaw the relocation of the Goulburn Options hub from Delatite Rd to High St, Seymour.
Extensive modifications to the High St building, including the installation of a commercial standard kitchen, sensory garden and verandah, were thanks to Dr Panelli’s tireless advocacy and fundraising.
More recently she kept the organisation running through the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when other similar organisations shut their doors.
“She introduced a caring, professional approach into Goulburn Options’ service delivery model,” acting chief executive Megan Montgomery said.
“Rosey was a friend, a mentor, a constructive critic and a person who sometimes said things that needed to be said.
“She will be sorely missed and her legacy will live on as Goulburn Options continues to grow.”