Tara is an applied researcher, former firefighter, and internationally published author. She is deeply passionate about the need to embed the voice of lived experience into translational research to tackle the complex challenges of mental health, trauma, and suicide prevention. Her unique perspective as a frontline firefighter, who has journeyed through her own experiences of trauma, combined with a diverse academic and professional background, fuels her advocacy for meaningful change in the emergency services mental health and wellbeing sector. She is a born collaborator focussing on solutions that drive impactful change at individual, organisational, and community levels. Tara also holds an adjunct senior lecturer position at the University of New England and has been recognised with multiple awards for her contributions. As conference co-chair, she brings warmth, authenticity, a touch of humour and a strong commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.

Pip Weiland commissioned in the Australian Army Psychology Corps in 2003, and during her 17 year career performed diverse roles across clinical, operational, research and staff positions. She completed her military service as the Commanding Officer 1st Psychology Unit, before returning to her home state of Queensland to commence the role of Regional Director South Queensland Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling. In April 2024 she transferred to the Department of Defence, as the Executive Director Strategic Advisory Group – Mental Health and Wellbeing Branch, where she continues to support veteran and family mental health and wellbeing. Pip is passionate about evidence-based treatment, and has a special interest in psychological resilience and mental health issues associated with exposure to combat.

Joe is a registered psychologist originally from Ireland but almost Australian now. He s an expert speaker and presenter for Mindarma Workforce resilience program. He has experience from the Kimberley, Western Australia where he co-founded the award-winning Alive & Kicking Goals! Suicide prevention project in 2008. After moving to NSW Joe has worked on the Central Coast and Sydney in both the not-for-profit and private hospital settings in many areas including trauma, addiction, mood disorders and as a suicide prevention trainer (ASIST). He completed his PhD at UNSW/Black Dog Institute based on the trial of the world’s first app for suicide prevention (ibobbly) and is a member of the Reachout.com Clinical Advisory Group. He has a respectful and trauma-informed approach to working with client’s that is centred on their immediate needs and priorities. Joe views a lot of his work as simply education. He takes a practical, solution-focused approach to help people learn about what is most important to them (values) and how to deal with the challenges that life brings for us all. He utilises a range of therapeutic techniques depending on the client’s needs however does enjoy the value-based work and mindfulness teachings within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Dennis Taylor has worked for 30 years in the Emergency Services field as a police officer with the South Australia Police and as a firefighter with the SA Metropolitan Fire Service. He is the Program Lead with Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA) and has been a lived experience facilitator with MESHA for the last seven years. Dennis has a passion for supporting fellow service personnel both in the emergency and military fields. He is a Counsellor, Community Ambassador for RUOK and received an AFSM on Australia Day 2020 for his commitment to supporting service personnel and their families.