New CEO for Royal Far West

Dr Briony Scott has commenced as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Manly-based children’s charity Royal Far West.

Dr Scott (main image) took up her appointment as CEO of Royal Far West earlier this month (Monday, 04 May), following the departure of former CEO Jacqueline Emery at the end of last year.

Former Principal of Roseville College and Wenona School at North Sydney, Dr Scott is an educator and an advocate for girl’s education with more than 30 years’ leadership experience.

She was awarded Principal of the Year (Non-Government) in 2022 and named among the Australian Financial Review’s ‘Top 5 Most Powerful People in Australian Education’ that year.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for the charity and she will lead Royal Far West’s 2030 Strategy, ensuring every child in rural and remote Australia can access timely developmental, mental health and well-being support.

Dr Scott brings extensive leadership experience across the education and health sectors and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children living in rural and remote Australia.

She will lead Royal Far West’s ongoing work to support equitable access to high-quality health, developmental and well-being services for country children, families, and communities.

Joan Treweeke

Royal Far West Chair Joan Treweeke OAM said Dr Scott’s experience in education and the community sector made her the ideal person to assume the role of Royal Far West CEO.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr Briony Scott as the new CEO of Royal Far West.

“Dr Scott’s passion for the holistic well-being of young people and three decades of experience across education and community organisations, aligns perfectly with our purpose of improving the health and well-being of children who live in rural and remote communities,” said Ms Treweeke.

Dr Scott said she was ‘honoured’ to take up the role and her vision was to further build Royal Far West’s role in the well-being of rural children.

“I am honoured to become Royal Far West’s new CEO. This is an organisation with both a remarkable legacy and a clear future role. The challenge now is not only to continue delivering high-quality care, but to extend that impact so more children and families can access support earlier and more consistently.

“My vision is to support Royal Far West to continue to grow as a trusted national leader in rural child health and well-being, expanding access to high-quality care, whilst ensuring the organisation remains sustainable, responsive, and deeply connected to the communities it serves,” said Dr Scott.

Dr Scott will also take on the final delivery of the ‘Royal Far West Neighbourhood’ development, on the Manly beachfront at South Steyne. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, a Master of Education and a Doctorate in Education.

Dr Scott is also Deputy Chair of the not-for-profit cancer hospital Chris O’Brien Lifehouse at Camperdown, a role informed by her battle with lung cancer in 2015. She is married to Professor Mark Scott AO, former Managing Director of the ABC and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney.

Located at 14-18 Wentworth Street, Manly, Royal Far West is a specialist child development service providing vital supports to improve the health and well-being of children up to the age of 12 in rural and remote areas.

In Financial Year 2025, the charity supported more than 30,000 children, parents and carers, educators, and health professionals across four states, in more than 500 schools and preschools, and in 387 rural and remote communities.

Royal Far West’s history has been beautifully captured in the video below, which was made for the charity’s centenary celebrations in December 2024.

Images: Royal Far West, Northern Beaches Advocate
Video: Royal Far West

Established in 1924, Royal Far West is one of Australia’s most enduring and respected charities dedicated to connecting kids in rural and remote communities to the care they need. Royal Far West offers health, education and disability services for country children and their families at the Centre for Country Kids at Manly, virtually via Telecare, and in local communities.