![WayAhead staff at Fair Day stand with many people walking by and engaging with the stand. Bright orange lettering saying WayAhead across the top of the stand.](https://i2.wp.com/wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FairDayAR.jpg?fit=1024%2C328&ssl=1)
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.
![Picture of Liz standing in front of a marble wall, she is smiling](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/WorkplacesNovember-3948.jpg)
“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
![Black and white picture of Dr Meg Smith and Sharyn McGee](https://i2.wp.com/wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MegSharyn.jpg?fit=1024%2C746&ssl=1)
We work towards building a society that understands, values and contributes to the best possible mental health and wellbeing for all
![Two smiling WayAhead staff in front of a rainbow background from Fair Day](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/grants2.jpg)
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.
![Attendees from a WayAhead Workplaces meeting clapping](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Workplaces.jpg)
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
![76% of respondents to our Mental Health Month Survey reported that the campaign message, Share the Journey, influenced the way they think about social connections.](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/762.png)
![71% report they intend to do something to improve social connection as a result of the Share the Journey campaign messaging.](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/712.png)
![Mental Health Matters Awards gold logo](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MHMAwardsLogo2020.png)
Mental Health Matters Awards Winners 2019
![91% of respondents to the 2019 Annual WayAhead Workplaces Members’ Survey reported they had better access to workplace health and wellbeing information and resources as a result of their membership.](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/912.png)
![Nearly 85% of respondents reported applying knowledge or making changes to their work environment as a result of being a Workplaces member, including new ideas or techniques, launching a new health and wellbeing initiative, and sharing information about health and wellbeing at team meetings](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/85.png)
![85% of respondents have promoted WayAhead Workplaces to others, including potential members, people in their own organisation, and personal contacts](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/852.png)
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.
![NSW Government Logo - Red Warratah and blue text](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Waratah-NSWGovt-Two-Colour-282x300.png)
![Mental Health Commission logo - blue text](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MHCNSW_Logo_Blue_CMYK-300x120.jpg)
![ACON logo - rainbow flower "here for health"](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ACON-logo-2015-.jpg)
![Sane Australia logo - Blue and black text](https://i2.wp.com/wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/01-SANE-Logo_horizontal_no-tag.png?fit=1024%2C143&ssl=1)
![Mental Health Carers NSW logo - green circle with group of people inside "empowering carers for mental health"](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Mental-Health-Carers-NSW-Mission-Statement-Green-Transparent.png)
![Black Dog Institute logo - Orange had making peace sign with shadow of dog, black text](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/BlackDog.jpeg)
![International Social Service Australia logo - blue gradient swish character](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ISSTransparent.png)
![MIEACT logo - bright blue, orange and green text "mental health & wellbeing education & training providers](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/mieact_pantone_logo-colour-300x133.jpg)
![MAD Music logo - yellow/orange bold text with dk grey italic under "the sound of empathy"](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Mad-Music-BG-with-Text-White-1024x362-copy-300x106.png)
![WEAVE logo - thin coloured lines make up the word weave "Youth Community Services"](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Weave_Logo_Hi_Res.png)
![SMART Recovery logo - yellow and blue flower icon and text "Life beyond addiction"](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/SMART-Recovery-Australia_Horizontal-tagline-003-300x98.png)
![The Mens Table logo - blue squarish speech bubble with stick figures of men making a crown and table like shape "Men serving men"](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-Mens-Table.jpg)
![Official Visitors Program logo - OVP written in orange, purple and green stencil text](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/OVP.png)
![Mad pride logo - bright blue paint drips text](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MadPride.jpg)
![NSW Government | Communities and Justice logo - red Waratah and dk blue text](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/CommunitiesAndJustice.png)
![Community Services #1 logo - tree made of multicoloured leaves with three person shaped figures to make up trunk "enable . enhance . enrich"](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/CS1-logo.png)
![Ending Loneliness Together - orange words and three ".}" to make three faces (the full stop is up high like an eye)](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Elt-300x119.png)
![Transcultural Mental Health Centre logo - blue jigsaw shape with a face and a globe being pieced together](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/TMHC_RGB.jpg)
WayAhead are also members of:
- Australian Health Promotion Association
- Ending Loneliness Together
- Mental Health Australia
- Mental Health Coordinating Council
- NCOSS
- Our Community
![6 excited staff winning a rosette at the xmas party, one dressed as a female Grinch](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Xmas2019-4296.jpg)
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.
![WayAhead staff, board and volunteers at the 2019 Mental Health Matters awards. Everyone waving, laughing or smiling while standing around the lectern on the stage.](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MentalHealthMattersAwards2019-33292-1024x451.jpg)
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.
![](https://wayahead.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/QualAndCharitySig-copy.png)