Board of Governance

A black and white headshot of board president Russell. He's facing the camera, with a big smile on his face. Dressed in business shirt, jumper and glasses on his face.

Dr Russell James (he/him)

PRESIDENT

Russell is currently employed by the Royal Hobart Hospital as a mental health nurse. He also has experience working at the Alfred Hospital (in Melbourne). He’s been 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.

Headshot of Board Secretary Leigh. Leigh is smiling, facing camera, has a white beard and is wearing glasses.

Leigh Delaney (he/him)

SECRETARY

Leigh has a passion for supporting people. He 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 in management positions

Position Vacant

TREASURER

Heather Fahey (she/her)

Heather has many years’ 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, as well as 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 (she/her)

Rhonda has 20 years’ experience working in the community sector, in a variety of roles. She’s worked with young people and adults who live with co-existing conditions, including complex mental ill health, and or disabilities, including psychosocial disability. Her passion for supporting and promoting mental health education and changing attitudes towards mental ill health, more widely within the community, is closely linked to that lived experience of loved ones.

Steven Bone (he/him)

Steven has worked closely with Tasmania’s diverse multicultural society for more than 20 years in a variety of management roles. He’s seen and dealt with the effects of mental health over this time. Steven wants to utilise his diverse skills, knowledge, and experience to advocate for members of society who have been affected by mental health. 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.

Amaya Alvarez (she/her)

Amaya works as a lived experience family carer researcher for a not-for-profit mental health organisation in Victoria. She also works at the National level contributing to the work of Mental Health Carers Australia. Drawing on her own inter-generational experience supporting family members, she brings to the Board a deep commitment to improving the everyday lives of families and friends supporting people in the mental health and alcohol and other drugs space.

As an ‘out of stater’ Amaya hopes that her close involvement in the mental health reforms in Victoria and her work at the national level can contribute insights and (hard-won)  learnings that are helpful to the future of MHFFTas.

Melody Kulhmann (she/her)

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 Tasmanian communities. She’s 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.

Delanie Sky (she/her)

Delanie’s career includes over 25 years of business ownership/management, workplace training, and various roles within the Community Services sector working with people of all ages – birth to 65+. Delanie is currently a full time carer, a Lived Experience Parent Advisor with The Black Dog Institute, and is studying Mental Health Peer Work. Her passion is empowering and supporting people to become the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves that they can be. Delanie holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Social Welfare); a Bachelor of Business (Honours); and a Diploma in Community Services.

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