ABOUT us

Board of directors

Gabriella Holmes Gabriella Holmes President (elected November 2013)
Gabriella Holmes manages Triple Care Farm (Mission Australia), located on the Southern Highlands in NSW. With over 11 years’ experience, Gabriella has a passion for connecting with young people and assisting them to turn their lives around with real and lasting change.

 

 

Gerard ByrneGerard Byrne Vice President (elected November 2013)
Gerard Byrne is the clinical director for The Salvation Army Recovery Services and has 23 years’ experience in the AOD field. Gerard has also worked in the private and government AOD sectors for 11 years, providing a number of services on a contractual basis. Gerard holds qualifications in social sciences, alcohol and other drug work, psychotherapy, clinical supervision, business management and human resource management.

 

Mark Buckingham
Mark Buckingham Treasurer (elected November 2013)
Currently the chief executive officer of Kedesh Rehabilitation Services, Mark Buckingham has 16 years’ experience in the AOD government and non government sectors, including specialist treatment and management roles. Mark has a background in social welfare and is a graduate of the University of Wollongong’s Faculty of Commerce, where he focused his studies on health management. Mark has served as a member of NADA’s board for several years, and is passionate about contributing to and advocating for the sector.

 

Libby GeorgeLibby George Secretary (elected November 2016)
Libby George is the general manager for Drug and Alcohol Health Services Inc. (DAHS). Libby currently manages the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment Program (MERIT) at three local courts, opiate substitution programs, psychosocial counselling services and facilitates an Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing elders group. Her work history spans the human service sectors of education, family support services, community services and alcohol and other drug programs. She holds qualifications in education, mental health, AOD and management.

 

Garth PoppleGarth Popple Board Member (elected November 2013)
Six residential therapeutic communities across NSW and Queensland are overseen by Garth Popple, as the chief executive officer of WHOS. He was awarded the 2010 Prime Minister’s Award at the National Drug and Alcohol Awards, and is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Western Sydney. Previous and current board memberships and associations include NADA, the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities (WFTC), International Council of Alcohol and Addictions (ICAA) and a number of national and international expert advisory committees.

 

Dr Julaine AllanDr Julaine Allan Board Member (elected November 2013)
Dr Julaine Allan is director, research and practice at The Lyndon Community, and holds over 25 years’ experience in the community sector. Julaine oversees AOD practice at Lyndon’s withdrawal, rehabilitation and outreach programs including the Murdi Paaki Drug and Alcohol Network and Wandarma Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Service. The Lyndon Community has a strong focus on quality service provision to rural and remote communities. Julaine leads two national research projects identifying what works best in AOD practice in the rural setting and with Aboriginal people.

 

David KellyDavid Kelly Board Member (co-opted December 2014)
David Kelly is the senior operations manager—health at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Support Services, which involves oversight of health operations including AOD, mental health and other areas of complex need across NSW. David has been involved with the NSW non government AOD sector for 15 years, including frontline work, management of four NADA member organisations, and project management at NADA itself. David holds a number of qualifications, including in psychology, addiction studies and not for profit management.

 

Catherine (Kate) HewettCatherine (Cate) Hewett Board Member (elected November 2016)
Employed as the chief executive officer of Kamira Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services, Kate Hewett has worked to AOD treatment opportunities for women across NSW for the past 22 years. Kate currently sits on the Agency for Clinical Innovation Executive and takes pride in representing the interests of both women and the NGO sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Honours.