New ADCA Board Elected
The Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia's (ADCA) governance framework was implemented in conjunction with the election of a new Board, effective 21 November 2008. The Patron of ADCA, Professor Ian Webster AO, also recognised former Board members Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Ken Pidd, Mr Graham Strathearn, Dr Nicole Lee, Mr Phil Lawler, Mr Tony Cotton AM, and Mr Mark Buckingham for their contribution to the Board, and support of ADCA.
The new Board (see following) held its inaugural meeting on 22 November 2008:
Professor Robin Room was re-elected unopposed for a second term as President of the Board. He is a Professor at the University of Melbourne whose main focus has been on the social, cultural and epidemiological studies of alcohol, drugs and gambling behaviour. Professor Room has worked internationally to contribute to the alcohol and drug research within social science, and advise on the application of research to effective alcohol policy. He is Acting Director and also Head of the AER Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre. He was one of the research team on the International Collaborative Study of Alcoholics Anonymous. Among his awards is the Jellinek Memorial Award for Alcohol Studies.
From four candidates for the position of Vice-President, John Mendoza was elected. He has recently established his own consultancy after holding executive positions in the Mental Health Council of Australia and the Australian Sports Drug Agency. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney and the University of the Sunshine Coast. He has authored or co-authored several reports and submissions to public inquiries and continues to work with National, State/ Territory, and local organisations in the mental health and alcohol and drug fields contributing to several committees and advisory bodies.
A total of 16 candidates stood for the remaining five Director positions on the Board, and the following were elected:
Jenny Fleming is a Research Professor at the University of Tasmania who has extensive experience in issues relating to drug and alcohol. Her recent research into the policing of alcohol-related activity in and around licensed premises has been published by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. Professor Fleming also advocates for continuing research into AOD issues and encourages other groups in the NGO sector to apply for research grants and promote the work they are doing in their specific areas.
James Pitts has worked in the alcohol and other drugs field for the past 27 years. He is currently the CEO of Odyssey House McGrath Foundation, which provides services for young men, women, and their dependent children whose lives have been adversely affected through their misuse of alcohol and other drugs. James also contributes through a number of boards within the AOD sector and has authored many papers and presented at conferences on the treatment of AOD issues.
Moses Abbatangelo has worked in the alcohol and other drugs sector since 1985 in a variety of roles involving outreach work, clinical work, detox centres, therapeutic communities and as part of the management team of the Victorian telephone counseling service. Moses is currently the Operations Manager for DASWest – which is the primary drug and alcohol service for western Melbourne. He holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Public Health and a Masters of Health Administration. He has developed and implemented training to enable support for people in their recovery from drug use, and to engage communities in finding solutions to alcohol and other drug issues.
Larry Pierce is the CEO of the Network of the Alcohol and Drug Agencies(NADA) in NSW and has worked to build successful working partnerships with senior public servants and Ministerial staff in NSW in order to promote the interests of the AOD sector. He comes from a background in drug and alcohol service provision in Queensland in the 1980s and 1990s and has also had extensive experience in the public sector in HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C public health programs both in Queensland, and the Commonwealth Health Departments/ Agencies. Larry sits on the NSW Drug and Alcohol Council and represents and advocates for NGO interests with NSW Health.
Tony Trimingham (OAM) founded the Family Drug Support Foundation in response to public interest after the death of his son Damien from a heroin drug overdose. He has been a counsellor and group leader for 30 years, using these skills to assist families who have been affected by drug use. The Foundation runs a 24-hour help line as well as facilitating support meetings in several parts of Sydney. They have also produced a Parent Education Kit for families who are dealing with issues relating to drug use.
Two additional independent members of the new ADCA Board are yet to be appointed.
25 November 2008 |
