A Message from the AHANA Chair

AHANA is a dynamic and innovative association, developed by and for the Allied Health Assistant (AHA) workforce, and it would not be what it is today without the ongoing leadership and guidance provided by our Board and Committees. These are all volunteer roles; members provide their time, thought and effort into leading AHANA into the future, and making it work for the benefit of members and the broader AHA workforce.

Today, I want to share some key changes which have occurred at the leadership level within AHANA over the past few months. 

Thank You, Retiring Directors

I would like to convey - on behalf of the Board and AHANA - a sincere thankyou to the following board members, who each retired in October-November 2024, for their exceptional service: 

• Ben Turnbull, our founding CEO and a founding director, who was instrumental in connecting AHANA networks nationally and internationally, and laying the groundwork for establishment of our association. 
• Nerida Volker, whose significant VET background has been a great asset to AHANA, particularly in the development of its strategy and the Standards, Education and Professional Development Committee's work. 
• Kirra Hennessey, an AHA with extensive senior leadership experience in policy and government regulation, who also served as Deputy Chair throughout 2024.

All of your dedication, enthusiasm and thoughtful contributions have left a lasting impact on AHANA, and we are deeply grateful for your service. 

Welcome to New Board Members

I am now able to announce some key appointments to the Board. Each new director brings a unique mix of skills and experience which is sure to hold AHANA in good stead for 2025 and the years to come:

• Corrie Ramsay is an AHA with experience in both hospital and community settings, who also helps to bring on the next generation of AHAs (students) by supporting the delivery of the Certificate III and IV AHA courses as a clinical facilitator at North Metropolitan TAFE. Corrie was awarded the AHA of the Year at the 2024 Australian Allied Health Awards.
• Dr Ed Johnson is a social entrepreneur, company director and speech pathologist. Ed has been an advisory council member, president and non-executive of Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH) and currently coordinates the RARE Program at the University of Sydney.
• Allan Groth is a policy analyst and senior manager with significant experience in government, national peak bodies and the not for profit /community sector. He has worked extensively on workforce development related policy with SARRAH, Indigenous Allied Health Australia and Universities Australia.

You can read more about each of these exciting Board appointments, from our Board page.

New and Retiring Committee Members

Fiona Bangs is retiring from the Standards, Education and Professional Development Committee (SEPD). Fiona, a Founding Practising Member (Certified), is one of AHANA's very first members and has been and remains a generous contributor to AHANA's mission. 

Nerida Volker, while retiring as Board director, has kindly agreed to continue serving AHANA through her work on the SEPD Committee.

Kylie Saccotelli an AHA and AHA Workforce Advisor in the WISER unit at Monash Health is, as announced in December, also joining the SEPD Committee.

Skye Strange, an AHA and small business owner, has joined the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC), providing vital representation for private and community sector AHAs. Skye joins Sue Baxandall (a Founding Practising Member (Certified) member, and public health AHA) and Jess Ross (a former AHA with TAFE trainer and assessor, and community experience) as non-Board members of the SAC.