Galbally began her career in the early 1970s as a teacher at secondary and tertiary levels. In the late 1970s to 1982 she was senior policy analyst for the Victorian Council of Social Services.
Career
In the early 1980s Galbally was appointed CEO of the Sidney Myer Fund and the Myer Foundation. During that time she was Chair of the Australian Association of Philanthropy. Since the mid-1980s, Galbally has been the foundation CEO of five new Australian organisations, including in the mid 1980s the Australian Commission for the Future. In the late 1980s for ten years Galbally was CEO the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. During this time under Galbally's leadership, VicHealth established a number of cutting edge research centres including the Centre for Adolescent Health at the University of Melbourne, the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, the Centre for Research into Mother and Child Health at La Trobe University, Onenda VicHealth Koori Health Centre at the University of Melbourne. In the late 1990s, Galbally established the Australian International Health Institute in the faculty of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. In 2000 Galbally was appointed as the Independent Chair of the Review of Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Legislation. From 2000 to 2010 Galbally was the co-founder and CEO of Our Community Pty. Ltd. In 2004 - 2013 Galbally was Chair of the Royal Women's Hospital. During that time the hospital established the Research Centre for Women's Mental Health funded by the Pratt Foundation. In 2005 Galbally was a member of the expert four-person panel that developed the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. In 2011, Galbally was appointed as the establishment CEO of the Australian National Preventive Health Agency. From 2012 to 2015 Galbally chaired the International Evaluation Committee for the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. From 2008 to 2013 Galbally was the Chair of the NationalPeople with Disability and Carer's Council. In 2012 Galbally was a member of the independent Advisory Panel for the Productivity Commission Inquiry into a lifetime care and support scheme for people with a disability and chronic illness. From 2013 to the present Galbally has been a board member of the National Disability insurance Agency and Principal member of the Independent Advisory Council.
Community service
In addition to being a member or chair of boards as outlined above, Galbally was a member of the Veterans Review Board; trustee of Reichstein Foundation 1985-2010; trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria 1985-1995; board member of the Malthouse Theatre 1983-1992; board member of The Alfred Hospital 1990-1995; council member Monash University 2002-2007; council member RMIT University 1992-1997; member of the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission Advanced Education Council 1983-1987. Galbally is a Patron of Compassionate Friends and Wellbeing in Schools Australia.
Honours and awards
In 1991 Galbally was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to the community. She was awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees in health and social science from RMIT University in 2005 and La Trobe University in 1999, and was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 in recognition of her service to the community. In 2019 Galbally was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the advancement of social equity, particularly to the health and welfare of people with a disability, and to the community.
