Posted: 17-09-2008
WINNER of TOP NATIONAL AWARD
Beth Bailey, former Chair of the Victorian Mental Health Carers Network was given an award at the 18th Annual Mental Health Services of Australia and New Zealand.
Beth was awarded the Exceptional Contribution to Mental Health Services in Australia 2008. It was given in recognition of a person who is a catalyst for change, bringing dedication, wisdom and integrity to her pioneering efforts at all levels of mental health service development. This award represents an acknowledgement of this exceptional contribution to mental health services in Australia. Each year individuals are nominated for this award by their peers. The winner is then selected by a panel of experts from across Australia and New Zealand. It was one of 21 Awards made in the seven Service and Program categories.
The Award was announced on 3 September at the Annual Conference held this year in Auckland NZ. It was presented to Beth by Dr. Janice Wilson, Deputy Director General, NZ Ministry of Health
Beth has been a passionate advocate for collaboration between consumers, carers and clinicians, to improve the quality of mental health services. She has worked at local, State and National levels to achieve her goals. For 10 years she worked voluntarily at St Vincent’s Mental Health and was the carer representative on the Board of Mind Australia. At the State level, Beth was chair of the Victorian peak body, Carers Network, until December 2007. At a national level she was the first Victorian carer appointed to represent the State on the National Consumer and Carer Forum from 2001-2006.
The Achievement Awards are presented every year by the Mental Health Services Conference of Australia and New Zealand (TheMHS) to recognise and encourage best practice, excellence and innovation in mental health service delivery. The Awards have been made annually since 1992.
TheMHS Conference is the largest mental health and addiction services conference in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. The theme for 2008 was “Be the change you want – workforce ingenuity,” a theme which recognised and acknowledged those people who strive to improve the way they live their own lives when illness affects them and also the people in paid or voluntary capacities who walk the life journey with them. There was a diverse program over four days provided by three keynote speakers and over 300 presenters. The conference was enriched every day by Maori presentations and performances. In 2009 TheMHS conference will be held in Perth, WA.
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