Back Row: Russell James, Leigh Delaney, Tanya Brooks-Cooper and Steven Bone Front Row: Melody Kuhlmann, Rhonda Studley and Nicole Marsh (absent: Heather Fahey)

Board of Governance

Russell James – President

Russell is currently employed by the Royal Hobart Hospital as a Mental Health Nurse and has prior experience at the Alfred Hospital (in Melbourne). He has had the opportunity to be involved in policy development, report and submission writing and is currently completing a PhD with a project titled: Advance statements within the Mental Health Setting, which explores the use of advance planning tools within the mental health setting.

Leigh Delaney – Secretary

Leigh has a passion for supporting people and has a strong commitment to social justice. He has worked closely with people in the disability sector and supported them through advocacy and maintaining employment. Leigh has also worked in a voluntary counselling capacity and management positions.

Lukas Praditya – Treasurer

Lukas has a background in Organisational Psychology and Accounting. Previously he worked in a global energy company for five years, mostly in human resources and business administration area, before moved to Tasmania to continue his study. He then completed his Master of Professional Accounting education from the University of Tasmania and currently is an associate member of CPA Australia.

Heather Fahey

Heather has many years of experience as a school Principal and an Education Administrator. Heather is currently employed by the Teacher Registration Board as a Registration Support Officer and auditor, and by the University of Tasmania as a student mentor. Heather is a member of the Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise Community Service Committee and is on the organising committee for the International Women’s Day Breakfast.

Rhonda Studley

My practice background includes 20 years’ experience working in the Community sector, in a variety of roles. I have worked with young people and adults who live with co-existing conditions, including complex mental health issues, illnesses and or disabilities, including psychosocial disability.

My personal background includes loved ones with varied lived experience of mental health issues, and severe mental illness. My practice background formed the basis for a deep interest in mental health literacy and led to me becoming an active Volunteer Ambulance Officer. My passion around supporting and promoting mental health education and changing attitudes towards mental illness, more widely within the community, is closely linked to that lived experience of loved ones.

Tanya Brooks-Cooper

Tanya is the Manager of the Communities for Children – SE Tas project with The Salvation Army. She has a long history of working in the community, education and tertiary sector, and is passionate about creating strong, safe, connected communities and disrupting disadvantage.

Steven Bone

Steven has worked closely with Tasmania’s diverse multicultural society for over 20 years in a variety of management roles, he has seen and dealt with the effects of mental health over this time. Steven wants to utilise his diverse skills, knowledge, and experience, to help advocate and guide the members of society who have been affected by mental health in a positive light to the benefit of all Tasmanians. He believes that through greater education and awareness of societies struggles and challenges, every member of society can do their part to help fight and overcome this current challenge many people face alone.

Melody Kulhmann

Melody is a Court Child Expert with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. She draws upon a 17-year history of social work focused on Child Protection. Her expertise extends to assessment, case management, inter-disciplinary liaison, and the management of teams and individuals. Melody is particularly ardent about increasing the safety and wellbeing of Children and Young People in both the Launceston and Tasmanian communities. She has committed her career and voluntary service to affecting change, specifically in the areas of early intervention with young mothers and children and mental health. Melody holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Tasmania.

Nicole Marsh

Nicole is a Psychologist who has experience in education, disability, community and private sectors working collaboratively with individuals, couples and families of varying ages to address their mental health concerns. Both through her professional and personal familial experiences, Nicole understands the importance of appropriate support pathways and advocacy.