Thank you to the 2025 Convenors; Christina Marel, Kurt Simpson, Robert Stirling and Suzie Hudson.

Thank you to everyone who attended APSAD 2025 in Gadigal (Sydney) from 9 - 12 November 2025. A special thank you goes to our committee, reviewers, speakers, sponsors and supporters.

You can view the program including PowerPoint presentations and keynote recordings here.


The aim of the conference was to disrupt the status quo and deconstruct long-held assumptions that have shaped drug policy, research, and practice as well as elevate First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing and challenge delegates to reflect critically on the way we do AOD prevention, treatment, research and policy. We hope you walked away with new connections, were empowered by the conference and we hope to see you in Walyalup (Fremantle) in 2026.



Conference Committee 2025

The APSAD Committee was comprised of APSAD members working across the alcohol and other drugs sector, including clinicians, nurses, researchers, and other professionals—in close collaboration with the First Nations Leadership Group. 2025 was the first time the conference has collaborated with a First Nations Leadership Group and this committee will be continued for future years. The Leadership Group includes Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pasifika researchers, peers, and allied health professionals, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives and priorities are meaningfully embedded throughout the program.

* indicates membership in the First Nations Leadership Group.

  • Alan Bennett, Born and raised with mob on Ngemba country*
  • Alice Pierce, NUAA
  • Amy Faden, DANA
  • Amy Peacock, National Drug And Alcohol Research Centre, The University of Sydney
  • Angie Kocsisek, NUAA
  • Anke van der Sterren, Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT
  • Anna Olson, The Australian National University
  • Annelies Robijn, National Drug And Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney
  • Pulotu Master Bruce Levi, Service Manager Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Integrated Care North*
  • Chris Gough, CAHMA
  • Chris Holmwood, University of Adelaide
  • Christina Marel, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney
  • Craig Rodgers, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney
  • Dani Manton, Proud Barunggam woman, grown on Dharug land*
  • Daniel Morrison-Bird, Proud Noongar Yamitji Gija man*
  • David Newcombe, University Of Auckland
  • Dwaine Faletanoai, Health New Zealand, Takanga a Fohe, Te Whatu Ora*
  • Ele Morrison, AIVL
  • Elisabeth Yar, ATODA
  • Grace Oh, Australian Drug Education & Consultancy
  • Helen Sopoaga-Schmidt*
  • Jack Wilson, The Matilda Centre For Research In Mental Health And Substance Use
  • Jacqueline Bowden, NCETA
  • Jai Whelan, University Of Otago*
  • James Dunne, Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Council
  • Janie Sheridan, University Of Auckland
  • Jeff Buckley, Insight, Queensland Health
  • Jimmy Perry, ADAC
  • Jioji Ravulo, The University Of Sydney*
  • Kate Senior, DASSA
  • Kim Gates, Aboriginal Health Council of WA
  • Kurt Simpson, Proud Gamilaraay man*
  • Kylie Lee, La Trobe University
  • Lealofi Sio*
  • Levii Griffiths, Proud Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay man*
  • Liam Acheson, National Centre For Clinical Research On Emerging Drugs
  • Lynette Bullen, Proud Wiradjuri woman*
  • Michael White, SANDAS Inc
  • Monica Barrat, RMIT University
  • Natasha Reid, The University of Queensland
  • Phillip Hull, Act Health Directorate
  • Raechel Wallace, Proud Wandi Wandian woman of the Yuin nation*
  • Rebecca Hyland, Proud Kamilaroi-Gomeroi, Yinar (woman)*
  • Robert Stirling, NADA
  • Robyn Williams, Curtin University
  • Scott Wilson, Northern Territory Stolen Generations*
  • Simon Clay, NDARC
  • Simone Clinch-Moore, Badimia Yamatji Woman (Midwest area) with connections to Yaud Noongar people*
  • Siobhan O'Dean, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney
  • Steph Kershaw, The Matilda Centre For Research In Mental Health And Substance Use
  • Stephanie Holmes, AADANT
  • Suzie Hudson, NSW Ministry Of Health
  • Tayla Degan, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong
  • Tina Taylor, Proud Wailwan & Ngiyampaa Yinnar (woman)*
  • Tuari Potiki, University of Otago*
  • Vicki Simpson, Proud Wiradjuri woman*
  • Winifred Asare-Doku, NDARC
  • Yasmin Iese, Cultural Consultant*
  • Zoe Bok, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania

Invited Speakers

Panel: Fitting Care into Clients: Why Culture should be Central to First Nations AOD Treatment

  • Facilitator: Tina Taylor, CAOD
  • Michael Doyle, Aboriginal and Priority Populations Research at Edith Collins Centre, The University of Sydney, Australia
  • Elder Gerry Oleman, Member of the St’at’imc Nation from British Columbia, he is an Elder, traditional knowledge keeper, mentor, storyteller, healer, and educator
  • Danielle Manton, Uts, Affiliated With The Glen
  • Kurt Simpson, Proud Gamilaraay man, Swslhd Drug Health Services
  • Tracey McIntosh, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau, Wānanga o Waipapa (School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies)


Yarn

  • Kurt Simpson, Proud Gamilaraay man, Swslhd Drug Health Services
  • Dion Wait, Ngiyampaa/Wiradjuri man


Songs Inside Film Screening

  • Facilitator: Michael White
  • Katrina Lucas, Songs Inside Producer
  • Clancy, Songs Inside Project Participant


Interrogating LBQ women’s substance use: towards culturally responsive, community-informed approaches

  • Julie Mooney-Somers, University Of Sydney - Sydney School Of Public Health


Innovation and implementation in integrated care: trauma, PTSD and addiction

  • Shalini Arunogiri, Turning Point and Monash University
  • Levii Griffiths, South Western Sydney Local Health District
  • Wendy Williams, St Vincents Hospital


James Rankin Oration - Reflections and a way forward

  • Facilator: Scott Wilson, Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council South Australia
  • James Rankin Orator: Bradley Freeburn, Bundjalung man


Indigenous Lifeworlds: Recognition, Resistance, Response to State Harm

  • Tracey McIntosh, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau, Wānanga o Waipapa (School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies)

Understanding AOD in and across the Pacific, their peoples and our communities

  • Facilitator: Jioji Ravulo, The University of Sydney, Australia
  • Manu Vaniwawa, Chaplaincy Lead, Number 8 Prison ProjectHost, Beyond the Pulpit Podcast
  • Yasmin Iese, Nada / Open Door Consultancy Services
  • Danny Nicholson, Breaking Chains Sports

Kyp Kypri Early Career Presentation - Reducing prescription opioid harm: What is the role of prescription monitoring, risk screening and harm reduction for prescribed opioids?

  • Louisa Picco, Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University

Co-creating culturally safe drug checking with Indigenous Peoples who use illicit drugs: Insights from Canada for Australia

  • Facilitator: Monica Barratt, Social Equity Research Centre, RMIT University
  • Jennifer Lavalley, University of Victoria's Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
  • Panellists:
  • Rebecca Riseley, Nsw Users And Aids Association
  • Amber Domberelli, The Loop Australia


A conversation to disrupt and deconstruct

  • Facilitators: Alison Ritter, Drug Policy Modelling Program, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW and Tuari Potiki, NZ Drug Foundation/te Rau Ora
  • Sarah Helm, Nz Drug Foundation
  • Sione Crawford, Harm Reduction Victoria
  • Scott Wilson, Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council South Australia
  • Leanne Hides, National Centre For Youth Substance Use Research, The University Of Queensland

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor, Camurus

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APSAD acknowledges that the conference is being held on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s continuing connection to land, water, and community and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. APSAD acknowledges Sovereignty in this country has never been ceded. It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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