About this Annual Report
For the first time ever we are trialling our Annual Report online. We think it looks pretty schmick. If you are having any problems with this new format you can download it as a PDF here or you can get in contact with us on 02 9339 6000.
“I must thank my wonderful team
who never stop to amaze me in how
adaptable and creative they can be,
and how committed they are to better
mental health for our community”
Elizabeth Priestley
WayAhead CEO
“It is a great privilege to be part of an active and engaged group of directors, overseeing the governance of WayAhead”
Dr Meg Smith
President
Sharyn McGee
Chairperson
We work towards building a society that understands, values and contributes to the best possible mental health and wellbeing for all
We tackle prejudice and
stigma to encourage
people to seek help
We know that there are number of barriers that can discourage people from reaching out so we work to dismantle them and share ways of learning more and finding support.
We lower barriers to
accessing information and
finding the right support
Our usual direct delivery of information and support to the community was affected in the last quarter of the year by the impacts of COVID-19, which exacerbated the need that people had in accessing support and information. Though challenging, it has been a year of reflection and rejuvenation for many of our programs, with many working to deliver information online.
We recognise the importance of good mental health and wellbeing in our communities
WayAhead leads a number of initiatives that encourage conversations around good mental health and wellbeing in our communities. These include Mental Health Month, the Mental Health Matters Awards, and the WayAhead Workplaces program.
Geographic spread of
Mental Health Month
activities in 2019
Mental Health Matters Awards Winners 2019
We work collaboratively
to improve the lives of those
with lived experience
During 2019-20, WayAhead placed significant focus on ensuring the mental health and wellbeing needs of people in NSW were represented through political advocacy. We continued to deliver our pioneering WayAhead Workplaces program, and also worked with various partners to inform our work and reach new audiences.
Our partnerships
We work across many initiatives with a number of partners, without whom we would not be able to undertake our work for better mental health for all.
WayAhead are also members of:
- Australian Health Promotion Association
- Ending Loneliness Together
- Mental Health Australia
- Mental Health Coordinating Council
- NCOSS
- Our Community
Our people
Our staff are our most important assets, with decades of experience among them. Many have dedicated their working lives to better mental health and wellbeing for all, through working for WayAhead.
We have a number of initiatives that support our staff, including our Employee Assistance Program, wellbeing initiatives, and Indigenous cultural awareness training through Your Mob Learning.
CEO
Elizabeth Priestley
Senior Manager
(until January 2020)
Marge Jackson
Mental Health Promotion Officer
Asha Zappa
Anxiety Support Group Program Lead
Rachel Flint
Understanding Anxiety Programs Assistant
Melanie Adams
Event Management & Understanding Anxiety Program Support
Caryn Shipp
Small Steps and Anxiety Educator
Julie Leitch
Small Steps Program Facilitator
Simon Alaba
Dominique Sherley
Merrick Powell
Membership and Information Officer
Terri Marsh
Information Officer
Paul Leonard
Project Assistant – Mental Health Information
(until May 2020)
Sanju Gangoli
Corporate Affairs Manager
Ben Graham
WayAhead Workplaces Program Lead
(until June 2020)
Sharon Leadbetter
WayAhead Workplaces Program Officer
Lynley Hurst
Graphic Designer
Leanne Kelly
Writer
Tasnim Hossain
Collective Purpose (CP) General Manager
Matthew Stanley
CP HR Support Coordinator
Cyril O’Connor
CP Hub Coordinator
(until August 2019)
Ashleigh Morton
CP Hub Administration Officer
Tasmin Hill
Anxiety Disorders Support & Information Officer (until October 2019) and CP Hub Assistant
Luke McGrath
CP Accountant
Supun Mundigala
CP Accounts Assistant
Vera Velevska
CP Assistant Accountant
(until October 2019)
Felicia Ng
| Role | Board Member | Start/finish | Attendance at meetings |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Dr Meg Smith OAM | ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ | |
| Chair Person | Sharyn McGee | ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ | |
| Treasurer | Don Murray | ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Stephen Bourne | ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ | |
| General Members | David Harper | ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜▫️▫️ | |
| Pam Barker | ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜▫️▫️▫️ | ||
| Ben Wymer | (from Nov 2019) | ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ | |
| Dr. Emma Sedlak | (from Nov 2019) | ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ | |
| Frank Flannery | (until Nov 2019) | ⬜⬜⬜⬜ | |
| Prof. Viviana Wuthrich | (until Nov 2019) | ⬜⬜⬜▫️ | |
| Linda Hurst | (until Nov 2019) | ⬜⬜▫️▫️ |
Volunteers
Michela Folli
Luke McGrath
Voula Sofiou
Along with our many dedicated volunteer support group facilitators
Students
Zoe Carroll
Sabrina Haddad
Peter Ju
Amy Lin
Ogechukwu Maduka (Blessing)
Carolyn Nguyen
Adepeju Onamusi (PJ)
Amelia Parsonage
Cedar Smith
Michael Tafft
Anxiety Disorders Advisory Committee
Frank Flannery
A/Prof Meg Smith
Prof. Lisa Lampe
Prof. Rocco Crino
Dr Ann Wignall
Lisa Tran
Luke McGrath
Stephen Bourne
Jenny Learmont
Prof Ron Rapee
Read 2019/2020 financial reports here
Download this report as a PDF here
WayAhead is funded by
NSW Ministry of Health
WayAhead is an ACNC registered
Australian Charity and is endorsed
by the Quality Improvement Council.
