Speakers

DAVID CROSBIE

As CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia, David Crosbie leads a peak national organisation that is driving mental health reform across Australia.  

For over 20 years David has played a key role in national policy development through his advocacy in various forums including several key national advisory committees.  Amongst his current commitments he serves on: the Community Response Task Group to the Global Financial Crises, the National Advisory Council on Mental Health, the Australian National Council on Drugs, the National Compact Expert Reference Group (Co-Chair), and the Boards of Nonprofit Australia and the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation. 

JOHN McGRATH AM

John is Deputy Chairman of beyondblue: the national depression initiative, and has served as a Board Member since its inception in 2000.

John McGrath served as the National Party Member for Warrnambool in the State Parliament of Victoria from 1985 until his voluntary retirement at the time of the September 1999 State Election.
He is Chairman of Mental Health Professional Network Ltd, Victorian Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on Mental Health. He is a Board Member of headspace: National Youth Mental Health Foundation and Board Member of Crisis Support Services. He is a member of the College of General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration as part of the Federal Government’s Better Outcomes in Mental Health Initiative.

John brings a strong family carer focus to his involvement in mental health, instigated by the personal experience of having had two sons who suffered from mental illness.

PROFESSOR PATRICK McGORRY AO 

Professor Patrick McGorry is a leading international researcher, clinician and advocate for mental health reform.
He is Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health, a world-renowned mental health organisation for young people that has put Australia at the forefront of innovation in the prevention and treatment of mental illness and is also a director of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation (headspace). Professor McGorry believes that early intervention offers the greatest hope for recovery and therefore takes every opportunity to educate the community to recognise the early signs of mental illness, without stigmatising or discriminating.
Professor McGorry was named as Australian of the Year in January 2010.

AVRIL HENRY

Avril Henry runs a management consulting business, which focuses on leadership, change management, talent management, diversity, recruitment and retention strategies. 

Avril is a Fellow of CPA Australia, a Senior Associate of the Australian Institute of Banking & Finance, an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Australian Human Resources Institute.

Avril is the author of Leadership Revelations: an Australian perspective, The Who What When and Y of Generation whY?, a co-author of Ideas: Original Perspectives on Life from Leading Thinkers, and Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders Today: breaking down generational barriers at work.

NATHAN SMYTH

Nathan Smyth is the Acting First Assistant Secretary responsible for the Population Health Division in the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.  Nathan's responsibilities include oversight of the $872million COAG National Partnership Agreement on Preventative Health, National Cancer Screening Programs, Gender and Reproductive Health Policy, Child and Youth Health Policy, Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy, implementation of the National Breastfeeding Strategy, as well as establishing of the National Preventative Health Agency.

Nathan has 23 years of experience in the Australian Public Service including nine years with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  He has an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Political Science) from the University of New South Wales.  He is also a graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon and served with the Australian Army for eight years

KIEREN PERKINS

Kieren Perkins is a hero of the Australian sporting arena. From Captain of Swimming at Brisbane Boys' College in 1990, to dual Olympic gold medallist just six years later, Kieren has added an impressively long list of awards and achievements to his name.

Kieren has held 18 Australian records, 3 World records, and 3 Commonwealth records and has represented Australia all over the world.

In 1993 his achievements were recognised with the Young Australian of the Year Award, and the Order of Australia Medal.

His wife of 13 years, Symantha, has been a chronic migraine sufferer since the age of five. However with each of the births of their three children, Symantha’s condition deteriorated and has required significantly higher levels of intervention and care.  Kieren will share his story of living, loving and caring for a family member with chronic pain.

DR RHONDA GALBALLY AO

Dr Rhonda Galbally has focused her life's work on making a difference for a more equitable society. 

A CEO for 25 years in the business, philanthropic and government sectors, Rhonda's has shown great leadership in finding effective solutions for social, health and economic development.

Rhonda has made unique contributions to Australian and international social development by establishing new organisations and programs for Australia and the world from concept to operational success including Australian International Health Institute, Sir Gustav Nossal Fellowship for Leadership in Health Reform and the Australian hub for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Child Vaccination Program.
In all of her positions executive and non-executive, on boards and reviews, Rhonda has successfully ridden the boundary between the commercial and non-profit worlds, forging productive and practical linkages for the better development of both sectors and beneficial outcomes for the wider community.

CRAIG HAMILTON

Craig started his career as ABC radio’s 'Sideline eye' on weekend Rugby League broadcasts in 1994.
Since then he has been a member of the ABC team working on the past 14 Grand Finals, every State of Origin series and a number of Test Matches.

In the year 2000, on the eve of the Sydney Olympic Games where he had been assigned to work as a broadcaster, Craig experienced a psychotic episode
and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.
Craig spent 12 days in hospital and, since his recovery, has become an Ambassador for beyondblue: the national depression initiative, worked as an advocate for mental health , has addressed many conferences, community forums, High School mental health sessions and lobbied Government representatives for increased funding to support people and their families who have experienced depressive illness.

Craig will share his journey to recovery and the importance and benefits of a supportive workplace employees.

DR DENISE KEENAN

Dr Keenan has been a practicing psychologist for over 20 years.  She specialises in the area of organisational psychology, and individual counselling and treatment. Dr Keenan has a special interest in the management of workplace trauma, resilience, occupational health and safety, occupational stress, mental health in the workplace, change management and the management and reintegration of injured workers.

JULIA COLLINS

Julia Collins is the Director of the model legislation project at Safe Work Australia. She is responsible for the policy input in developing the model work health and safety laws. The model laws are to be adopted by all jurisdictions under the Council of Australian Governments’ Intergovernmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). She also worked with the panel who undertook the National Review into Model OHS Laws, which provided the policy framework for the current harmonisation process.

 JOHN BRADY

John is the Training Manager for OzHelp Queensland and helped develop the national award winning suicide prevention program 'Mates in Construction'. John also coordinates the Life Skills Tool Box program which is a resilience building program for apprentices in QLD construction. John comes from a diverse work background having spent 20 years as a school principal; owns a wine company, and a leadership and management consultancy. John also spends 6 to 8 weeks a year in central Africa conducting leadership programs and establishing micro economic projects in poor communities.

CHARMAINE SMITH

Charmaine is the Program Manager of Mindful Employer, an initiative of SANE Australia.  
Charmaine has worked in a wide range of roles and has first hand experience in managing health & well being issues in a workforce.  Charmaine has a strong interest in workplace mental health programs that combine training and awareness. These programs can reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, encourage people to seek treatment early, assist in keeping people employed and help achieve positive solutions for both employers and employees. 

 CLAYTON HARRISON

Clayton is GHD’s Group Health and Safety Manager.  Clayton has 18 years experience in civil and building construction, water and sewerage applications, community and corrective services and is currently enjoying the challenges of working for a professional services company offering more than 70 lines of service globally. Prior to GHD Clayton held the role of Corporate Contractor Safety Manager with the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority overseeing the strategy and application of health and safety in all agency contracts and construction projects.

JULIE PERRYMAN

Julie is the Manager of the Support Services at IP Australia.  Her team is responsible for the provision of OHS and wellbeing programs for the Agency.  Julie's 40 year career has included working in administrative areas of the State and Commonwealth public services and in the private sector. She was instrumental in setting up IP Australia’s Health and Wellbeing program and Mental Health Awareness program. 

JAMES WUNSCH

James joined Colmar Brunton as a Research Director in February 2009. He has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Canberra, and has also been recognized as a Qualified Practicing Market Researcher (QPMR).
James has a wealth of government research experience, most recently as a consultant to government but also through senior research management positions with the Australian Taxation Office and the former Department of Employment & Workplace Relations.