Committees and Working Groups
Discover our dedicated committees and working groups, each committed to advancing paramedicine through leadership, education, research, and advocacy across Australasia
Member Committees
Key objectives:
- To provide a representative voice for each jurisdiction to inform and advise the College on member and jurisdictional needs.
- To facilitate member service delivery, including professional development seminars and targeted member activities.
Queensland Member Committee
Chair: Jamie Rhodes-Bates
Contact: jamie.rhodes-bates@paramedics.org
Members:
- Amanda Hlushak
- Jordan Grice
- Elliott Bates
- Amy Gomes
- Glen Morrison
- Scott Devenish
- Richard Jones
- Ben Phipps
- Wayne Loudon
- Nathan Puckeridge
- Brendan Schultz
- Adam Lawes
Goals and Achievements:
2025
Goals:
- Host two face to face activities planned for Q1 2025
2024
Achievements:
- In person event and live streamed webinar: Embracing transitions: Navigating palliative and end-of-life care (18 June)
South Australia Member Committee
Chair: Mel Alexander
Contact: mel.alexander@paramedics.org
Members:
- Lachlan Graham
- Brad Mitchell
- Shannon MacFarlane
- Michael Alder
- Matthew Cook
- James Pearce
- Nick Hughs
Goals and Achievements:
2024
Achievements:
- In person event and live streamed webinar: Out of hospital palliative panel (24 April)
- In person workshop: Wound Care Workshop – Adelaide (5 October)
- In person event: Stroke service: Best practices and new technology (14 October)
- In person event: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) workshop (4 November)
New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory Member Committee
Chair: Dylan Snape
Contact: dylan.snape@paramedics.org
New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory Member Committee
Chair: Dylan Snape
Contact: dylan.snape@paramedics.org
Members:
- Caitlyn Murphy
- Craig Hutchins
- Aaron Hughes
- Kristina Maximous
- Jacquie Saunders
- Jenni Pedler
- Grant Prendergast
- Lyle Brewster
- Alex Schembri
- Peter Lang
- Timothy Graham
- Troy Pan
- William Edwards
- Leah Collins
Goals and Achievements:
2024
Achievements:
- In person event and live streamed webinar: Beyond the beat: Revolutionising cardiac care with GoodSAM and ECMO (20 May)
- In person event and live streamed webinar: Coffee & Cases - "Mastering Mental Health" (24 June)
- Webinar: Airway Excellence: Tips and tricks for routine, trauma, and obstetrics airways (4 July)
- Workshop: Little lives workshop: Paediatric and obstetric emergencies (8 July)
- Webinar: Paramedics & palliative care (24 July)
Northern Territory Member Committee
Chair: Paul Pulleine
Contact: paul.pulleine@paramedics.org
Members:
- Geoff Bates
- Elissa Martyn
- Mark Dempsey
- Sam Willis
- Zebedee Schultz
- Jenna Denley
- Jeff Buteux
- Storm Young
- Curt Cooper
Victoria Member Committee
Chair: Scott Stewart
Contact: scott.stewart@paramedics.org
Members:
- Laura Wirth
- Ross Salathiel
- Matt Metcalf
- Catherine Mackay
- Matthew Cividin
- Katrina Kapsis
Goals and Achievements:
2025
Goals:
- Host a skills workshop (paediatric, obstetrics & trauma)
2024
Achievements:
- In person event and live streamed webinar: Always Ready to Respond – Building the Pillars of Health for Career Longevity (13 February)
- In person event and live streamed webinar: Severe burn preparedness (28 March)
- Webinar: PTSD in paramedics: Diagnosis and care (2 September)
Western Australia Member Committee
Chair: Damian Jolly
Contact: damian.jolly@paramedics.org
Members:
- Michelle Young
- Simon Menz
- Andy Bell
- Kerryn Welke
- Jason Belcher
- Judy Sheahan
- Leanne Vance
- Karen Gillies
- Jaedon Abbott
Goals and Achievements:
2024
Achievements:
- Webinar: An introduction to human factors thinking (15 May)
- Webinar: Navigating Free Open Access Medical Education (FOAMed) (25 June)
- Webinar: An Intro to Gender and Disaster Australia (3 July)
Tasmania Member Committee
Chair: Ben Lawson
Contact: ben.lawson@paramedics.org
Members:
- Alexandra Ball
- Eleanor Isdale
- Piaf Redmond
- Lucy Oatley
- Holly Romein
- Kahlia Smith
- Ben Plant
- Daniel Haack
- Rob Burgess
- Chris Strassmeir
New Zealand Member Committee
Chair: Andrew Odgers
Contact: Andrew.odgers@paramedics.org
Members:
- Simon McLean
- Nikki Ross
- Logan Smith
- Chris Kibblewhite
- Farren McGregor-Smyth
- Zac Hoffman
Working Groups
Key objectives:
- .To provide advice and direction to the College on all matters relating to the Working Group's area of expertise.
- To progress projects and activities as outlined by the Group’s annual work plan.
Paramedic Wellbeing Working Group
Chair: David Dawson
Contact: david.dawson@paramedics.org
Members:
- Jacqueline Willis
- Kelly-Anne Bowles
- Tahlia Harper
- Sandy Macquarie
- Jocelyn Ives
- Sam Horn
- Nicole Beesley
- Liane Harnett
- Matthew Hill
Goals and Achievements:
2025
Goals:
- Developing webinar on “Understanding and Managing Suicide,” (working title). This is an ongoing project.
Clinical Practice Guidelines Working Group
Chair: Sonja Maria
Contact: Sonja.maria@paramedics.org
Members:
- Joel Ballard
- James Oswald
- Adam Moon
- Lachlan Parker
- Matt Wilkinson-Stokes
- Fraser Watson
- Adam Stevenson
- Tim Schmidtke
- Matt Didcoe
- Michelle Thomson
- Brendan Schultz
- Geoff Bates
Goals and Achievements:
2025
Goals:
- Finalise and submit the commissioned report for ACP publication.
- Launch the implementation project with surveys and interviews, ensuring representation across different states and services.
- Prepare submissions for the 2025 CAA Congress in Adelaide, highlighting the group’s work on guideline implementation and collaboration opportunities.
- Plan a national consortium for guideline development, aiming to standardise and streamline evidence-based practice across services.
2024
Achievements:
- Finalised and resubmitted the manuscript for publication in Australasian Emergency Care, incorporating reviewer feedback.
- Worked on a commissioned report for the Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP), refining it to include a stronger call to action based on group discussions and feedback.
- Initiated discussions on a new implementation project using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
- Addressed the challenges of guideline implementation, focusing on the need for standardisation and national-level collaboration.
Community Paramedicine Working Group
Chair: TBA
Contact: TBA
Members:
- Alecka Miles
- Peter O'Meara
- Fraser Watson
- Nicole Foster
- Matthew Cook
- Brendan Shannon
- Angela Martin
- David Long
- Robbie King
- Jen Pedler
- Paul Grant
- Elspeth Eeles
Goals and Achievements:
2024
Achievements:
- Committee member attended the National Health Workforce Summit and participated in the Roundtable discussion regarding Scope of Practice for nurses, midwives and allied health and provided a brief interview on advanced practice
- Delivery of the Community Paramedic Toolkit
Women in Paramedicine Working Group
Chair: Alisha McFarlan
Contact: alisha.mcfarlane@paramedics.org
Members:
- Keita James
- Ekaterina (Kat) Puzanova
- Nicole Jones
- Melissa Alexander
- Megan Parr
- Lisa Hobbs
- Judy Sheahan
- Lauren Clothier
- Liane Harnett
- Julie Hughes
- Ruiyi Yin
Goals and Achievements:
2025
Goals:
- Family and caring responsibilities
The Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP) Women in Paramedicine Committee is committed to addressing family and caring responsibilities within the paramedicine profession. Recognizing the challenges faced by paramedics balancing work with caregiving roles, the committee advocates for supportive policies and provides resources to assist those managing these responsibilities.
Key focus areas include:- Advocacy for Flexible Work Arrangements – Promoting policies that support parental leave, part-time roles, and job-sharing.
- Access to Resources & Support – Providing guidance on workplace rights, childcare options, and financial assistance programs.
- Community & Peer Support – Creating networks for paramedics with caring responsibilities to share experiences and access mentorship.
- By championing these initiatives, the ACP Women in Paramedicine Committee works towards a more inclusive and supportive profession that acknowledges and accommodates the diverse needs of its workforce
- Career progression and opportunities
The Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP) Women in Paramedicine Committee is dedicated to advancing career opportunities and progression for women in paramedicine. The committee works to break down barriers to leadership, promote gender equity, and support women in achieving their professional goals.
Key initiatives include:- Advocacy for Equal Opportunities – Promoting policies that support fair recruitment, career advancement, and leadership representation.
- Mentorship & Networking – Connecting women with industry leaders, role models, and professional development opportunities.
- Education & Awareness – Hosting workshops, panel discussions, and research initiatives on gender equity in paramedicine.
- By driving these initiatives, the ACP Women in Paramedicine Committee empowers women to thrive in their careers, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable profession.
- Women’s health
The Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP) Women in Paramedicine Committee is committed to promoting women's health within the paramedicine profession. The committee advocates for better awareness, support, and workplace policies that address the unique health challenges faced by women in the industry.
Key focus areas include:- Reproductive & Menstrual Health – Raising awareness and promoting workplace policies that support menstrual health, pregnancy, fertility treatment and menopause.
- Mental Health & Wellbeing – Advocating for tailored mental health support, recognizing the impact of shift work, burnout, and caregiving responsibilities.
- Workplace Health & Safety – Ensuring PPE, uniforms, and equipment are designed with women’s needs in mind.
- with women’s needs in mind. Through these initiatives, the ACP Women in Paramedicine Committee works to create a healthier, more supportive work environment that prioritises the wellbeing of women in the profession.
- Visibility and representation
The Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP) Women in Paramedicine Committee is dedicated to enhancing women’s visibility and representation in the paramedicine profession. The committee works to ensure women are seen, heard, and valued at all levels, from frontline roles to leadership positions.
Key focus areas include:- Promoting Women in Leadership – Advocating for greater female representation in senior roles, decision-making bodies, and professional forums.
- Showcasing Women’s Contributions – Highlighting the achievements and impact of women in paramedicine through ACP publications, events, and awards.
- Encouraging Representation in Research & Education – Supporting women’s involvement in paramedic research, academia, and public speaking opportunities.
- By driving these initiatives, the ACP Women in Paramedicine Committee fosters a more inclusive profession where women’s contributions are recognised and their career progression is fully supported.
2024
Achievements:
- This committee was established in November 2024
Advisory Committees
Research Committee
Chair: Verity Todd
Contact: verity.todd@aut.ac.nz
Members:
- Rachael Vella (deputy chair)
- Derek Collings-Huges
- Belinda Flanagan
- Hannah Latta
- Robbie King
- Nat Dodds
- Kevin Keane
- Tim Makrides
Goals and Achievements:
2025
Goals:
- Quartey Talking Research Webinars
2024
Achievements:
- Talking Research Webinars
- Talking Research: The Research Agenda for Australasian Paramedicine (5 June)
- Talking Research: Navigating research hurdles (21 August)
- Talking Research: Clinical trials in paramedicine ( 6 November)
- One Response magazine article per issue, in order to keep members up-to-date with the research advisory committee’s activities in a regular column.
- 2024 Research Mentoring Program
- The Committee facilitated the ACPIC2024 abstract review processes. The process involved two or three independent reviewers for each abstract and systematic scoring to determine accepted presenters. At the conferences, presentations and posters were judged and winners determined
- Research Symposium 2024 (18 – 19 July, hosted at Australian Catholic University, Brisbane campus and streamed online)
Student Committee
Chair: Jordan Berger and Lilly Freeman
Contact: students@paramedics.org
Members:
- Tori Stephens
- Samantha Butler
- Jorden van Jeveren
- Jenna Gould
- Olivia Skeen
- Emma Tyzack-Price
Goals and Achievements:
2025
Goals:
- Student specific communication
The Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP) Student Committee is dedicated to enhancing student engagement, support, and professional development within the paramedicine community. A key focus of the committee is student-specific communication, ensuring that paramedic students have access to relevant resources, networking opportunities, and career insights. To reach and engage students effectively, the committee leverages social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. These channels provide dynamic, accessible content, including:- TikTok – Short, engaging videos covering clinical tips, study hacks, career pathways, and behind-the-scenes insights into paramedicine.
- YouTube – In-depth content such as panel discussions, skill demonstrations, interview preparation, and student success stories.
- Student career pathways
The Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP) Student Committee is committed to supporting paramedic students by providing career pathway information and resources tailored to their needs. The committee ensures students have access to clear, practical guidance on navigating their journey from university to employment and beyond.
Key initiatives include:- Career Pathway Guides – Detailed insights into different paramedic roles, including emergency, community, military, and international opportunities.
- Student-Focused Webinars & Q&As – Sessions featuring experienced paramedics, recruiters, and industry leaders sharing advice on applications, interviews, and career progression.
- Exclusive Resources – Resume and cover letter templates, job application tips, and mentoring opportunities.
- By offering these targeted resources, the ACP Student Committee empowers students with the knowledge and support needed to transition smoothly into the workforce and explore diverse career opportunities within paramedicine.
- Student specific resources and events
The Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP) Student Committee is dedicated to providing student-specific resources and events that support learning, professional development, and career readiness. The committee ensures students have access to tailored opportunities that enhance their education and prepare them for the paramedicine workforce.
Key initiatives include:- Student-Focused Events – Interactive workshops, networking sessions, and career panels featuring industry leaders and experienced paramedics.
- Exclusive Learning Resources – Study guides, clinical case studies, and skills development materials designed to complement university education.
- Mentoring & Support – Access to paramedic mentors, resume-building resources, and job application guidance.
- Through these initiatives, the ACP Student Committee fosters a strong, supportive student community, ensuring aspiring paramedics are well-equipped for success in their studies and future careers.
- Student visibility and representation
The Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP) Student Committee is committed to enhancing student visibility and representation within the paramedicine profession. The committee ensures that student voices are heard, valued, and considered in key discussions shaping the future of paramedic education and practice.
Key initiatives include:- Advocacy & Representation – Providing a student perspective on industry issues, curriculum development, and workforce challenges.
- Student Leadership Opportunities – Encouraging students to take active roles within ACP, including participation in panels, committees, and events.
- Showcasing Student Achievements – Celebrating student success through ACP platforms, including newsletters, social media, and conferences.
- By prioritising visibility and representation, the ACP Student Committee empowers students to contribute to the profession, influence change, and establish meaningful connections with industry leaders.
2024
Achievements:
- This committee was established late 2024
Awards and Recognition Committee
Chair: Simone Haigh
Contact: Simon.haigh@paramedics.org
Members:
- Mick Davis
- Sharon Duthie
- Graig Parsons
Interested in joining a committee or working group? Contact members@paramedics.org for more information.
