Recognising the need to meet new and existing challenges, the Board of Carers
NSW launched an initiative called "Friends of Carers NSW" whereby
people who are influential in their field are invited to become Friends of Carers
NSW. Friends of Carers NSW contribute professional advice from time to time
in an honorary capacity. Friends of Carers NSW are drawn from a wide range of
sectors, including the Arts, Financial Services, Health, Legal & Media.
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Dr Tom Acheson is a Director of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Care Association,
a charity which runs Aged Care facilities, as well as community care packages
in partnership with Hammond Health Care. He is actively involved in many
primary health care activities, while still practising part-time as a
general practitioner. In 1995 Tom was the recipient of the Australian
Doctor GP Award as recognition of his forty years' work in medical, pharmacological
education and his community activities. During the 70s and 80s Tom was
a Director of the Police Citizens Youth Federation and Chairman for three
years. At University, Tom was a member of the University Council and President
of the Student Representative Council, which initiated moves for an Aboriginal
Scholarship Scheme and invited the Duke of Edinburgh to bring his Award
Scheme to Australia. |
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| Emeritus Professor Peter Baume AO is Professorial Fellow and a Facilitator in the Health Maintenance Course at the University of New South Wales and an Official Visitor to five psychiatric hospitals and two community psychiatric facilities. Previously Chancellor, The Australian National University; Member of Council, Australian National University; Director of Sydney Water; Director of Australian Water Technologies; Governor, Foundation for Development Cooperation; Patron, Voluntary Euthanasia Society of NSW; Chair, NSW Mental Health Sentinel Events Review Committee and Honorary Research Associate, Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW. Emeritus Professor Baume was also previously Professor of Community Medicine and Head of the School of Community Medicine, University of NSW, was a Consulting Physician, Senator for New South Wales, Government Whip and Cabinet Minister. He has chaired, or consulted on, a vast range of committees and is widely published.
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| Jennifer Bott is CEO of
the Australia Council, the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory
body. Prior to joining the Australia Council, Jennifer spent seven years
as General Manager of Musica Viva Australia. Previous to this she was National
Director of AFS International Programs, an international student exchange
program. She has also held senior management positions at The Australian
Opera and the Arts Council of Australia. A member of the Foreign Minister's
Australia International Cultural Council and the Commission for International
Cultural Promotion, Jennifer is also a member of UNESCO's Australian National
Commission, of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, a member
of Chief Executive Women and of the Sydney Leadership Programme 2002 (Benevolent
Society of NSW). She is also Australia's Cultural Commissioner for the 2004
Olympics. An English and History teacher by training, Jennifer holds a Bachelor
of Arts (University of Sydney), a Diploma of Education (University of New
England) and has trained extensively in organisational development and commercial
mediation.
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Professor G.A. (Tony) Broe AM
In 1999 Professor Broe took up his current appointment as:
- Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of NSW/Prince of Wales
Hospital
- Clinical Director of the Program of Community Health and Aged Care,
Prince of Wales Hospital
- Scientific Director, Ageing Research Centre, South East Health
- Senior Research Scientist, Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute
In 1985 he was appointed Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University
of Sydney/Concord Hospital, and set up and ran a community and hospital
Geriatric Medicine Service and the Centre for Education and Research on
Ageing (CERA). He was awarded an AM in 1987 for his services to Geriatric
Medicine. He is internationally known for his research on the neuroepidemiology
of ageing, normal ageing, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and
vascular dementia and traumatic brain injury and is much published. Tony
has been instrumental in research, health care and policy for the elderly,
being on multiple committees for Federal and State Health Departments
and has consulted for the World Health Organisation.
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| Lucy Brogden talks openly about living with and loving a person with depression: her husband. Together, they are proud to advocate and support initiatives to destigmatise mental illness. Lucy is a Director of the Sydney Community Foundation, Patron of Lifeline Northern Beaches and a lifesaver at Bilgola Beach. In addition, Lucy is currently doing a Masters in Psychology at Macquarie University. Lucy has two sons and a daughter. |
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| Anne Deveson AO is a writer,
broadcaster and documentary film-maker with a long involvement in social
justice issues. When her son, Jonathan, developed schizophrenia, she helped
establish the NSW Schizophrenia Fellowship and the national organisation,
Sane Australia. She chaired two ministerial committees on mental health
legislation and embarked on a massive public education program to help overcome
the stigma of mental illness in Australia and overseas. Tell Me I'm Here,
her poignant, award winning account of her son's illness and death, became
a national and international best seller, and has helped change understanding
and treatment of mental illness around the world. In a long and varied career,
Anne has held numbers of key appointments in government commissions and
enquiries. She is currently a member of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal,
the NSW Medical Board and the NSW Expert Advisory Group on Drugs. Her most
recent book, Resilience, was published by Allen and Unwin in 2003.
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Associate Professor Michael Fine is a sociologist with a strong interest in, and history of research into, ageing, care and human services. In addition to being head of the department of sociology at Macquarie University, and deputy director of its Centre for Research on Social Inclusion, Michael undertakes research into the sociology of care and human services, addressing theories of and international developments in care, globalisation, demography and carework, links between formal and informal support, individualisation and social isolation, and innovative patterns of service delivery.
He was a member of the state and national executive of the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) for many years, and president of the NSW division from 1992-6. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Recognition Award in 2000 and made a fellow of the AAG in 2004. He was also vice-president (2002-6) of the research committee on the sociology of old age of the International Sociological Association. His book, A Caring Society? Care and the Dilemmas of Human Service in the Twenty-First Century, was published internationally by Palgrave MacMillan in 2007. He is married with three adult sons. |
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| Dr Ian Fitzpatrick practised medicine
in Mosman from 1953-1995, during which he participated in student and post-graduate
training. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Mosman since 1976 and
was President from 1980-1981. He has directed youth community and vocational
services. He cared for his late wife during recurrent illness over a number
of years and has intermittent caring roles with other relatives. He is coordinator
of the local Action Group of the Mental Health Awareness Committee, and
has organised several mental health community forums since 2003. This was
the prototype for over 200 such forums around Australia organised by Rotary
Clubs under the guidance of the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund and
beyondblue.
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Michael J Fitzpatrick is the founder and principal of Clarendene Pty Ltd a boutique legal practice based in Sydney which specialises in Estate Planning. He holds qualifications in both law and financial planning and has wide practical experience spanning many years in each of these disciplines. Michael is a regular speaker at professional seminars in the area of estate planning, family trust and business structures, asset protection and self managed superannuation funds. Michael is a Member of the Law Society of NSW, a Member of the Financial Planning Association of NSW and a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia. His extensive experience has made him a popular and sought after speaker and estate planning consultant to lawyers, accountants, financial planners and other professionals involved in assisting clients access expert advice in the ever increasing complexities of estate and tax laws.
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| Patricia Harrison
has been involved in the securities industry for over 40 years, commencing as secretary to the senior partner of a privately owned stock broking firm. In 1984 she was the fifth woman to be elected to membership of the
Australian Stock Exchange Limited. In 1995 Patricia joined Intersuisse Limited as a private client advisor, concentrating on assisting clients with their investments. Patricia was also the fifth woman to be invited to join The Rotary Club of Sydney Inc in 1990, and assumed the role of President for the year 2008-9. She is now serving a two year term as President of the Zonta Club of Sydney East.
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| Professor Ian Hickie was appointed
Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Sydney and Executive Director
of the new Brain & Mind Research Institute. From 1997 to 2003 he was
Professor of Community Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales.
From October 2000 to July 2003, he was also CEO of beyondblue: the national
depression initiative with particular focus on community awareness, destigmatisation,
prevention and changes in general practice. He will now continue to be a
Director of, and clinical advisor to, beyondblue. He has strong clinical
expertise in the area of mood disorders and also has research expertise
in neuroimaging of mood disorders, physical health consequences of depression,
somatic presentation of mood disorders and chronic fatigue states. Additionally
he has designed innovative educational and training programs to increase
the mental health skills of general practitioners. He has written many articles
in scientific journals and his academic excellence has been recognised by
national awards.
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| Robin Hughes AO is a producer,
writer, director and interviewer in the film and broadcasting industry.
She has worked for the BBC, the ABC, commercial television and as an independent
film-maker. Her work has been characterised by innovation and has won many
awards. As head of Film Australia and Chair of the Council of the AFTRS,
she gained experience in running organisations and dealing with governments.
She is currently Chair of the performing arts company, Performing Lines,
and serves on the Board of the Bangarra Dance Company, as well as continuing
her own work in film and television. |
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Paul Livingston is best known
for his comic creation Flacco whose many television credits include: Good
News Week, Two Sandman and Flacco Specials, Good News Weekend, the Big Gig,
DAAS Kapital, Money or the Gun and The Fat and was a regular on the
Tripple J Breakfast program from 1994-97Paul's acting credits include
Babe: Pig in the City, Children of the Revolution, Sweetie, Until the
End of the World, Dark City and The Navigator (AFI nomination
for Best Supporting Actor). Theatre appearances include The Government
Inspector and As You Like It. Paul's novel The Dirt Bath was
published in 1998 by Penguin Books; The Flacco Files, published by
Allen and Unwin in 1999 and his self-help guide Releasing the Imbecile
Within was released in 2000 by Allen & Unwin. In 1996, Paul was
the joint winner of the Sydney Myer Performing Arts Award for outstanding
achievement in the performing arts in Australia. In 2001 Neil Armfield directed
Paul's first stage play Emma's Rose for Belvoir Theatre in Sydney.
Paul's radio plays include One Eye on Venus, Her Master's Voice, This
Hideous Progeny and Closing Time.
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| Miriam Margolyes is
a well-known British actress who has a very strong commitment to carers and the issues they face, having previously cared for both her elderly parents and as patron of the UK carers’ charity Crossroads. She has strong links with Australia and has been coming here for many years.
Miriam is a character actress who is best known for her film appearances in Harry Potter and the Chamber of the Secrets (in which she played Professor Sprout), Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (in which she played the nurse), Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence (winning the Best Supporting Actress BAFTA for her performance) and Little Dorrit (winning the L.A. Critics' Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress). She was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2002 for her services to drama. |
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Julie McCrossin is a radio broadcaster
and television presenter. She also facilitates panel discussions at conferences
and seminars in the areas of health, welfare and community services. She
has personal experience as a carer for family members with long term illnesses.
She is best known these days for presenting Life Matters on ABC Radio National
on Thursday and Fridays each week. Julie has qualifications in Arts, Education,
and Law, and is a Lay Member of the NSW Medical Board. On graduation from
University a passion for politics and the media swept her into six years
of performing in schools, prisons and children's institutions with a community
theatre group, Pipi Storm, followed by eight years as a broadcaster on Radio
National and Rural Radio.
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| Ross McLuckie retired as a solicitor
in August 2003 and spent the last two years of his professional life working
for Trustee Companies in the area of will-making, powers of attorney and
enduring guardianships. He also worked for the Royal Blind Society from
1986-1994 as its Estates Manager in the area of raising funds. He has trained
with and acted as a counsellor at the St James Ethics Centre dealing with
people troubled with complex ethical dilemmas. While employed at the Anglican
Retirement Villages, he undertook some training in bereavement counselling
with the Bereavement Care Centre.
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| Charles G. Mendel is recognised
in Australian Legal Who's Who as being among the top 15 mergers and acquisition
lawyers in Australia (as voted by clients and partners of major competing
law firms). He specialises in corporate and commercial law across a broad
range of industries. Charles is quoted regularly in the media as a commentator
on issues of corporate interest including the M&A landscape and activity,
directors' remuneration, venture capital, corporate governance and directors'
obligations. His views on corporate governance were quoted in the HIH Royal
Commission by the Australian Risk and Insurance Managers Association and
he regularly speaks at conferences on M&A techniques and trends. He
is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a regular
attendee at meetings of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission
(ASIC) Mergers & Acquisitions Liaison Committee. Charles was admitted
to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1993 and commenced practice as
a solicitor in 1995 after obtaining his masters in law degree from King's
College London. He is a partner of national law firm Phillips Fox, a captain
in the Australian Army Reserve, a life member of the Art Gallery Society
of New South Wales, a member of the Art Gallery of New South Wales Foundation
and a director of the Australian Institute of Political Science. |
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Mary Moody is a journalist, best-selling author and television presenter who also writes and produces documentaries. She leads botanical treks to the Himalayas and conducts walking tours in rural France, in between living on a farm near Bathurst, NSW. Mary has four children and eight grandchildren. For the last five years she has been a part time carer, travelling to Canada three times a year to help look after her sister Margaret who has Alzheimer's Disease. She also has an eight year old disabled granddaughter, Isabella, and she is therefore well aware of the complex issues that confront all carers. |
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| Associate Professor Melanie Oppenheimer is an academic and author with extensive experience researching the subject of volunteering. Melanie created Vita Activa, a series on volunteering as part of ABC Radio National's Life Matters program. She has also written extensively on 20th century Australian history, especially on women, volunteering and war. Her book All work, no pay: Australian civilian volunteers in war (2002), was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's History Awards. Melanie lives in rural NSW with her family and is based at the University of New England, Armidale. |
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| Richard Ottley has been practising
as a Solicitor in Australia since 1983, having qualified in the United Kingdom.
He has practised widely in the Health Law field, advising individuals and
institutional clients on numerous areas of law affecting the medical profession.
He joined Swaab Attorneys in 1997 and since then has been practising principally
in health related areas, Employment Law, Commercial Law, Trade Practices,
intellectual Property and Franchising. He also has an interst in defamation law and, amongst other things, acted for a client
in a successful defamation action against a newspaper and National broadcaster.
He has written a number of articles on legal issues in the past and has
contributed chapters to legal texts: Law for the Medical Profession in Australia
and Halsbury's Laws of Australia. He is trained as a mediator and is also a Notary Public.
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| Vivienne Pusey was a teacher and
mental health worker in Tasmania and then the coordinator of a voluntary
community organisation in Canberra for five years. In New South Wales she
was first a community based social worker, then coordinator of an Aged Care
Assessment Team and finally manager of Aged Services, Community health,
for the Eastern Sydney area Health Service. More recently she has managed
aged care services for a multiculturally based non-government organisation.
She is a member of the Board of Inner Sydney Regional Council and, until
recently, was an executive member of the Australian Association of Gerontology,
NSW. She is a former carer, with her husband, of her very elderly parents-in-law.
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| Christopher Taylor holds a Bachelor
of Business Degree in Accounting as well as Diplomas in Financial Planning,
Business (Real Estate Management) and Teaching (Mathematics Major). He is
one of the earliest recipients of the Certified Financial Planner status
from the Financial Planning Association of Australia. He is a fellow of
the Taxation Institute of Australia, a fellow of the Financial Planning
Association of Australia, an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute
of Management, a member of the National Institute of Accountants and a Justice
of the Peace. Christopher has been the recipient of a number of Financial
Planning awards and has presented professionally on many occasions to his
peers in the Financial Planning industry. At Sydney radio station 2KY, Christopher
was the main participant in a radio talkback program on Financial Planning
for over a year.
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| Emeritus Professor Ian W Webster
AO is a physician and Emeritus Professor of Public Health and Community
Medicine of the University of New South Wales. He is Chair of the Alcohol
Education and Rehabilitation Foundation, National Advisory Council on Suicide
Prevention, the NSW Expert Advisory Group on Drugs and the Board of the
Ted Noffs Foundation. He has held appointments as physician at Liverpool
Hospital, St George and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals and was Director of
Population Health in the South Western Sydney Area Health Service. He is
currently a Visiting Medical Officer in the Drug Health Services in South
Western Sydney Area Health Service. Since 1976 he has been honorary visiting
physician to St Vincent de Paul Society's Matthew Talbot Hostel for the
Homeless in Woolloomooloo. |
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