PANEL CHAIR Ian has over 48 years of experience in rural management and education across Australia. Among his qualifications; Ian graduated with a Diploma of Farm Management (Hons); is an Honorary BBus; was a past Council Member and Director of Marcus Oldham College in Geelong VIC, Australia's Oldest Private Tertiary Institution; and was Chairman of the Planning and Development committee for twenty years. Ian was also a Councillor of the Central Highlands Municipality, and founding Partner and Director of McMichael & Assoc. Rural Management, Investment & Consulting Group. As well as chairing various community organisations in rural areas, Ian was for 7 years, Chair of the Central Highlands Community Health Services Consultative Committee. He also directs various private business venture companies, and was awarded the Australian Nuffield Farming Scholar in 1981. Ian is passionate about agriculture, rural community wellbeing and helping those in need.

Robert Waterman is the Chief Executive Officer of Rural Health Tasmania, the president of Family Based Care Association North West and Family Based Care Australia Inc. Robert has extensive experience in Community Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol prevention, treatment and residential and community recovery and rehabilitation, with a special interest in Social Determinants of Health. Robert is also a dedicated researcher and passionate advocate for prevention, promotion and early intervention with a particular focus on mental health, suicide prevention and AOD dependence. Robert has a long history in hosting workshops and presentations on AOD and mental health and has presented to conferences at the National level. Robert sits on the N/W Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) and hosted Tasmania’s first major Methamphetamine Ice Forum. Robert has Participated in Parliamentary Joint Committees on law enforcement into crystal methamphetamine “Ice” and Senate Select Committee enquiries into health. Robert is currently responsible for the Rural Primary Health Services which includes Mental Health across the North West, West Coast, Central Coast and King Island covering more than 29,000 square KMs of Tasmania.

Tracey Martin-Cole is the Founder and Director of a Multi-disciplinary Mental Health Team in the Northwest of Tasmania, servicing the remote West Coast, Circular Head, Wynyard/Waratah and regional centres of Burnie, Devonport, Meander and Central Coast. Tracey was born and raised in the regional town of Latrobe, in her previous career as a hotel and brewery manager she worked in varied isolated areas around the country. Her ‘second career’ in mental health followed double degrees in Anthropology and Psychology with postgraduate training in Developmental Psychiatry and Play Therapy. Tracey is a registered psychologist working in clinical practice, and a board approved supervisor of early career psychologists. Tracey currently manages a team of 15 mental health clinicians across five locations and provides a training site for the Rural Clinical School, hosting medical and psychology students on placement. Psychology CAFFE also provides training and education for other health and education professionals.

Charlie has 30+ years of experience navigating mental health challenges, mental health systems and caring roles. He is currently an organisational trainer with Wellways Australia, and has also worked in community education, peerwork, and project management with Wellways. Charlie is passionate about building inclusive communities that celebrate diversity and are open to having hard conversations about full participation, well-being and suicide. Charlie is on the NW Tasmania Suicide Prevention Trial Site Working Group, Chair NW Tasmania LGBTI Suicide Prevention Working Group, COmmunity Response to Eliminating Suicide (CORES) facilitator and a member of the NW Tasmanian TSPCN Community Action Plan committee.