Australia21 is pleased to announce we have been joined by a new Executive Officer who brings outstanding experience and skills to our team.
Susan Davidson has held leadership positions within several organisations spanning the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. Most recently she worked with Diabetes Australia in Canberra, as General Manager of the National Diabetes Services Scheme which provides education, services, products and other information to more than 1.2 million Australians with diabetes. She has previously held management positions with Ernst and Young in Sydney, Frankfurt and Canberra, and with the Civil Aviation Authority in Canberra. She has also been a Board member of the Harmonie German Club in Canberra for the past nine years.
Susan studied Economics at Macquarie University and Health Science at Charles Sturt University.
“I have enjoyed working in the not-for-profit sector for the past ten years, making a positive contribution to improving people’s lives. I am excited to be joining the team at Australia21, with its focus on tackling the ‘big issues’, providing new perspectives and encouraging debate about complex issues to improve the future for all Australians. I look forward to contributing to Australia21’s future.”
Farewell to Anne Quinn
Australia21’s Board and staff extend their deep gratitude to Anne for her service and dedication over the past three years as Executive Officer. She has steered our organisation capably and calmly through a time of rapid change and reinvigoration. Her energy, optimism and pragmatism kept the rest of us focused and inspired and led to Australia21’s most productive period yet. We wish her the very best with her life beyond Australia21 and with her continuing commitment to the not-for-profit sector.
In June, The Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australia21 and FearLess Outreach launched Australia’s first report on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among our front line emergency personnel. ‘When Helping Hurts: PTSD in First Responders’ explores more effective ways of preventing the debilitating consequences of traumatic stress, and improving mental health outcomes.
The landmark report and 31 recommendations are the result of extensive research and high-level Roundtable discussions over a year involving federal, state and territory police, along with fire, ambulance and emergency services, defence personnel, health care professionals, mental health support services, specialist academics and media first responders.
Australia21 Chair Paul Barratt said it highlighted that three to four million Australians live with PTSD, or have family affected by it.
“PTSD has far reaching impacts across the entire community and it will take a whole-of-community approach to achieve better outcomes for those living with PTSD. This report shows the need for cultural change across the community, along with legislative change and improvements at a managerial and medical level."
Australia21 Directors shared their ideas with medical-practitioners in-training from June 25-28 at the 2018 University of Melbourne MD Student Conference.
Paul Barratt, Australia21 Chair, ran an interactive seminar with Dr Katrina Sanders, Chief Medical Officer of the Australian Federal Police, asking students to think about the problem of PTSD in first responders and how it might be tackled.
Dr Lynne Reeder, founder of the Mindful Futures Network, led other experts in an innovative discussion about the role of mindfulness in medicine. Drawing on new neuroscientific research combined with expert clinical experience, Lynne’s session explored how interlinked our emotions are with decision making. Read about the popular session here.
Australia21 also assisted in convening a panel which explored the interaction of social factors and drug use, including practical ideas on the kinds of services and community models that exist to improve health outcomes for patients who use drugs. Back to top
Banking compassion? Make the Royal Commission count
Can we expect compassion from the Banking industry? We can – but only if the new science of compassion is understood, according to Mindful Futures Network founder Dr Lynne Reeder. Read her opinion piece here.
Winter fundraising appeal falls short — can you sponsor a solution?
Through June we raised almost $20,000 from our supporters — thank you to those who gave generously!
But we're still well short of the $40,000 Australia21 needs to complete our current projects and get new ones off the ground. Though a donation you can help sponsor our research and promotion of evidence-based solutions to some of Australia's most complex problems.
If you missed out on your tax deduction before June 30th, how about taking the opportunity to get in early for the 2018-19 financial year? Donate now, so you CAN'T forget!
Australia21 is a small not for profit organisation which seeks to create new frameworks of understanding about the strategic issues facing us in the 21st century.
We rely on the generosity of donors and sponsors to fund our work. All donations are gratefully received and are tax deductible.
Susan Davidson has held leadership positions within several organisations spanning the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. Most recently she worked with Diabetes Australia in Canberra, as General Manager of the National Diabetes Services Scheme which provides education, services, products and other information to more than 1.2 million Australians with diabetes. She has previously held management positions with Ernst and Young in Sydney, Frankfurt and Canberra, and with the Civil Aviation Authority in Canberra. She has also been a Board member of the Harmonie German Club in Canberra for the past nine years.
