This year, Cath Chapman steps down as Chair after five years in the role and 25 years on TheMHS Board. During that time, she co-convened the Summer Forum for nine years alongside Vivienne Miller, Maree Teesson, and Kevin Kellehear, served on the Admin and Finance Sub-Committee for 17 years, 12 of those as Chair, and contributed to the Conference Proceedings Editorial Board for over ten years. Cath first attended a TheMHS conference in 1994 and took on the role of Convenor in 2000.
On behalf of everyone at TheMHS, we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Cath Chapman, who has been a valued member of our Board since 2000, and Board Chair since 2020. Over more than two decades, Cath has generously shared her expertise, insight, and guidance, helping shape the vision and direction of TheMHS and inspiring all of us with her dedication to the mental health sector.
While Cath steps down as Board Chair, we are delighted she will remain connected to TheMHS as an Association Member, and we look forward to her continued engagement and support. Thank you, Cath, for your extraordinary contribution, leadership, and inspiration, your impact on TheMHS and the wider mental health community is lasting and profound.
Cath has been an amazing leader of TheMHS not only in her time as Chair but throughout her impressive tenure on the Board. She has contributed in so many ways to progressing the conversation about mental health services in Australia by leading TheMHS as an organisation and setting the environment for people to come together and exchange ideas and evidence for best practice. As an organisation we are very grateful for Cath’s extraordinary contribution over the last 25 years and we are in a very strong position to carry forward her legacy as a result and we are very excited for what opportunities the future holds. – Stephen Suttie, TheMHS Board Chair
