2026 APSAD Walyalup (Fremantle) Conference
Conference Convenors
Grace Oh, Australian Drug Education & Consultancy
Jodie Grigg, National Drug Research Institute & enAble Institute, Curtin University
Paul Dessauer, Peer Based Harm Reduction WA
Stephen Bright, Edith Cowan University and WA Assistant Commissioner for AOD
Program Development
Scientific Advisory Committee & First Nations Leadership Group
The APSAD 2026 Conference Program is developed by the Scientific Advisory Committee—comprised of APSAD members working across the alcohol and other drugs sector, including clinicians, nurses, researchers, and other professionals—in close collaboration with the First Nations Leadership Group. The Leadership Group includes Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pasifika researchers, peers, and allied health professionals, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives and priorities are meaningfully embedded throughout the program. There are many other First Nations leaders who will continue to contribute to APSAD 2026 and we welcome the input of others. Please reach out to the conference secretariat at apsadconference(at)ashm.org.au to express interest.
* indicates membership in the First Nations Leadership Group
| Alan Bennett, Born and raised with mob on Ngemba country * | Jacqueline Bowden, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction | Rebecca Hyland, Proud Kamilaroi-Gomeroi, Yinar (woman) * |
| Alex Arpino, AODCCC | Jai Whelan, University Of Otago * | Robert Stirling, Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies (NADA) |
| Alice Pierce, NUAA | James Dunne, Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Council | Rochelle McIntosh, WA Network for Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA) |
| Anke van der Sterren, Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT | Jeff Buckley, Insight - Queensland Health | Rose Crossin, University Of Otago, Christchurch |
| Anna Olsen, ANU | Jessamine Soderstrom, Royal Perth Hospital | Scott Wilson, Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council South Australia, Northern Territory Stolen Generations* |
| Annelies Robijn, National Drug And Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney | Jioji Ravulo, The University Of Sydney * | Simon Clay, National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre |
| Chris Holmwood, University of Adelaide | Jodie Grigg, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University | Siobhan O'Dean, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use |
| Christina Marel, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use | Katherine Senior, DASSA | Steph Kershaw, The Matilda Centre For Research In Mental Health And Substance Use |
| Christopher Gough, CAHMA | Kim Gates * | Stephanie Holmes, AADANT |
| Claire Ripper, ATDC | Kurt Simpson, Swslhd Drug Health Services, Proud Gamilaraay man * | Stephen Bright, Edith Cowan University |
| Craig Connelly, Next Step, East Metro Health Service | Kylie Lee, La Trobe University | Steve Allsop, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University |
| Craig Rodgers, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney | Lealofi Sio * | Suzanne Nielsen, Monash University, APSAD President |
| Dani Manton, Proud Barunggam woman, grown on Dharug land * | Levii Griffiths, Proud Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay man * | Suzie Hudson, NSW Ministry of Health |
| Daniel Morrison-Bird, Proud Noongar Yamitji Gija man * | Liam Acheson, National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs | Tayla Degan, University of Wollongong |
| David Newcombe, University of the Sunshine Coast | Lynette Bullen, La Trobe University, Proud Wiradjuri woman * | Tina Taylor, Proud Wailwan & Ngiyampaa Yinnar (woman) * |
| Dwaine Faletanoai, Health New Zealand, Takanga a Fohe, Te Whatu Ora * | Michael Christmass, South Metropolitan Community Alcohol and Drug Service and Fiona Stanley Hospital | Tuari Potiki, University of Otago * |
| Ele Morrison, AIVL | Monica Barratt, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University | Vicki Simpson, Proud Wiradjuri woman * |
| Elisabeth Yar, ATODA | Natasha Reid, The University of Queensland | Yasmin Iese, Cultural Consultant * |
| Gina Sherry, Department Of Justice WA, Fiona Stanley Hospital | Paul Dessauer, Peer Based Harm Reduction WA | |
| Grace Oh, Australian Drug Education & Consultancy | Philip Hull, ACT Health Directorate | |
| Helen Schmidt-Sopoaga for Laura Tongalea * | Pulotu Master Bruce Levi, Service Manager Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Integrated Care North * | |
| Isabelle Volpe, Curtin University | Raechel Wallace, Proud Wandi Wandian woman of the Yuin nation * | |
| Jack Wilson, The Matilda Centre, University of Sydney | Rebecca Attard, NUAA |