In this episode, we explore the critical role of workforce investment in driving meaningful, system-wide change.

This panel discussion was recorded on 11 December 2025 at an in-person event that brought together leaders and workers from Victoria’s mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) sectors. The event was hosted by the Hamilton Centre in partnership with Mental Health Victoria and the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

The panel unpacks what it takes to translate investment in people into real-world impact. They discuss emerging models that embed lasting change, persistent barriers to progress and how we can strengthen the link between capability building and better outcomes for individuals, services and systems.

Guests

A/Prof Ravi Bhat AM

Associate Professor Ravi Bhat is Clinical Director at Goulburn Valley Mental Health and Wellbeing service and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Department of Rural Health at The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Medical School. He was recently recognised by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) as a Rural Champion for 2025, for his leadership of mental health services in rural and regional settings.

Ms Madeleine Harradence

Ms Maddy Harradence is the branch secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) and is a registered nurse with extensive emergency department experience. Maddy has previously held the AOD portfolio with the ANMF and led the Branch’s education and advocacy work in AOD nurse and midwife training.

A/Prof Lee Allen

Associate Professor Lee Allen is a Deputy Chief Psychiatrist at the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist at Safer Care Victoria. She has chaired the RANZCP Victorian Branch training committee for psychiatry trainees for over a decade. She has an interest in wellbeing and curriculum design, sexual safety, mental health workforce, collaboration with primary mental health care and the voice of lived and living expertise in the community.

Moderator

Professor Dan Lubman AM

Executive Clinical Director at Turning Point and Professor of Addiction Studies and Services at Monash University.

Professor Lubman has worked across mental health and drug treatment settings in the UK and Australia. His research is wide-ranging and includes investigating the harms associated with alcohol, drugs and gambling, the impact of alcohol and drug use on brain function, the relationship between substance use, gambling and mental disorder, as well as the development of targeted telephone, online and face-to-face intervention programs within school, primary care, mental health and drug treatment settings.

In this special episode, we celebrate the two-year anniversary of the Hamilton Centre with two leaders at the forefront of integrated mental health and AOD care: Professor Margaret Hamilton AO, the inspiration behind the Centre’s name, and our Clinical Director Associate Professor Shalini Arunogiri.

They discuss the evolution of care models, the importance of addressing stigma and the future of integrated healthcare in Australia. Prof Margaret reflects on her long-standing career, including her foundational work at Turning Point, and the shifts in public attitudes towards addiction and co-occurring disorders. A/ Prof Shalini shares her insights into the challenges and opportunities within the sector, as well as the critical role the Hamilton Centre plays in driving system change.

This episode explores collaboration, policy change and advice for clinicians on the frontlines of mental health and addiction care. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation and a look ahead at how comprehensive care can transform the landscape of mental health and AOD services.

Our guests:

Professor Margaret Hamilton has over 50 years of experience in the drug and alcohol field. With a background in social work and public health, she has worked across a wide range of research, including epidemiology and policy. She has held several notable roles: Executive Member of the Australian National Council on Drugs, President of the Cancer Council Victoria, Board Member of VicHealth, Patron of DANA (Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia), and Life Governor of the Australian Drug Foundation. Margaret was also the founding Director of Turning Point in Victoria.

Associate Professor Shalini Arunogiri is the Clinical Director at both the Hamilton Centre and Turning Point, as well as a clinical researcher at Monash University. Her research focuses on co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders. As an educator, Shalini is passionate about inspiring the next generation of medical professionals and actively promotes addiction psychiatry as a career to the medical students and junior doctors she mentors.

In this episode, we’re joined by two passionate advocates, Benn Veenker and Tharindu Jayadeva, who share their lived experiences and expertise in the mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) sectors.

They discuss how their journeys have shaped their work supporting others through recovery, the challenges they face and the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. From the role of lived experience workers to systemic service gaps, they explore how communities can better support individuals and the importance of inclusive, trauma-responsive care.

Tune in for powerful insights on improving services, reducing stigma and creating more compassionate communities for those facing mental health and AOD challenges.

Our guests:

Benn Veenker is the Manager for Lived Experience Workforce and Advocacy at Turning Point, Australia’s leading national addiction treatment, training, and research centre. Benn is a passionate recovery advocate, dedicated to breaking down the stigma associated with substance use and mental health. With over 10 years of sharing his lived experience, he aims to reduce the time it takes for individuals to seek help for their substance use and/or mental health challenges.

Tharindu Jayadeva is a lived experience worker with a public health and community engagement background, working towards more meaningful and trauma-responsive care practices. Tharindu has designed, delivered, evaluated and advised on health projects at local, national and international organisations, including Orygen, Headspace, Batyr and Oaktree, and now works with the Butterfly Foundation, Mental Health Victoria and Alfred Health to bring a focus on co-design, lived experience storytelling and community participation.

In this episode, Hamilton Centre Relationship and Partnership Lead Annie Williams is joined by A/Prof Brendan O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow and former Head of Practice and Service Development at The Bouverie Centre (La Trobe University), and Robert Campbell, Programme Manager at Family Drug and Gambling Help (SHARC), as they explore the complex challenges families and carers face when supporting loved ones with mental health, substance use and gambling issues.

They discuss how stigma, cultural perceptions and a lack of resources can impact family wellbeing, and share insights on creating more supportive services that empower families through compassion, connection and shared experience.

Support available for families and carers:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect - This service is dedicated to those who are supporting people living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress. Support is free of charge, and you don't need a referral from your doctor or health professional.

• Family Drug & Gambling Help - Family Drug and Gambling Help provides practical help, information and support to families and friends affected by someone’s drinking, drug use or gambling.

• Tandem - Tandem provides phone support, information and referral to anyone supporting someone with mental health challenges in Victoria.

For more services, visit our website: https://www.hamiltoncentre.org.au/help/family-and-carers

In this episode hosted by Annie Williams, Hamilton Centre’s Relationship and Partnership Lead, we’re joined by two guests from Thorne Harbour Health: Molly (AOD Counselling Practice Lead) and Keiran (Peer Support Worker). They discuss the intersection of mental health and substance use issues with LGBTIQA+ people.

They explore the stigma these communities face, the challenges in seeking support, and how we can work together to create more inclusive and supportive services for people living with these experiences.

Welcome to the Hamilton Centre podcast, where we delve into integrated care within mental health and addiction services across Victoria, Australia.

In this episode hosted by Annie Williams, our Relationship and Partnership Lead, we’re joined by Sally Thomas (Senior Social Worker) and James Steevenson (Senior Psychiatric Nurse) from the Hamilton Centre Advice Line Team. This team plays a crucial role in providing navigation, advocacy, support and referrals for individuals facing complex and high-risk alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and mental health issues.

Takeaways:

• The Hamilton Centre Advice Line offers vital support and expertise to AOD and mental health workers, helping them connect clients with the appropriate services.

• They offer support to clinicians dealing with complex cases, providing expert guidance on addiction and mental health services.

• Developing a strong therapeutic alliance between clinician and client is key to achieving successful outcomes.

This episode explores the value and importance of lived experience workers in an integrated care model. Host Annie Williams is joined by Sally Chin and Lee-Ann, who bring their experiences and perspectives as part of the Hamilton Centre clinical team at Eastern Health. Sally highlights the challenges faced by individuals with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues and the need for coordinated care. Lee-Ann emphasises the value of including people with lived experience in interdisciplinary teams and how their insights can inform and validate the care provided. The conversation also touches on the changes in staffing profiles for alcohol and drug services over the years, with a shift towards a more diverse and client-centred approach.

Takeaways

• Integrated care is crucial for individuals with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues, as it improves prognosis and coordination of care.
• Including people with lived experience in interdisciplinary teams brings authenticity, validation, and a unique perspective to the care provided.
• The role of clients in their own treatment is increasingly recognised, with a shift towards a more human-centred approach.
• The staffing profiles for alcohol and drug services have evolved to include a more diverse range of professionals, promoting a holistic and collaborative approach to care.

In this episode, Annie Williams, Clinical Transformation Lead at Hamilton Centre, welcomes Dr Thileepan Naren, a GP and Addiction Medicine Specialist with interests and experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare, custodial health, and drug and alcohol management, along with Tracy Wrigley, a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in the AOD sector, as well as health service redesign and clinician education in Australia and the UK.

They highlight the importance of collaboration between the mental health and addiction sectors in delivering integrated care, discussing barriers to seamless integration and the need for education and stigma reduction. The Hamilton Centre plays a pivotal role in treating patients with co-occurring conditions and amplifying the voices of marginalised individuals.

Including people with lived and living experiences in the interdisciplinary team is crucial for promoting integrated care. The guests advise service providers seeking to implement or improve integrated care initiatives, emphasising the importance of involving individuals with lived experience in the planning and decision-making process. They also express excitement about the Hamilton Centre's future expansion into rural and regional areas, aiming to reach and support more people.

Takeaways:

• Collaboration between the mental health and addiction sectors is vital for integrated care delivery.
• Education and stigma reduction are crucial for overcoming integration barriers.
• The Hamilton Centre plays a pivotal role in treating patients with dual diagnoses and advocating for marginalised individuals.
• Involving people with lived experience in the interdisciplinary team is essential for promoting integrated care.
• Service providers should involve individuals with lived experience in planning and decision-making for integrated care initiatives.