Keynotes:

Dr James Kirby

Keynote ‘Choose Compassion’ – Day 1 Workshop – ‘Connect with Compassion’.

James N. Kirby, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist, and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland.

He has broad research interests in compassion, but specifically examines factors that facilitate and inhibit compassionate responding. He also examines the clinical effectiveness of compassion focused interventions, specifically in how they help with self-criticism and shame that underpin many depression and anxiety disorders. James also holds a Visiting Fellowship at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University and is an Honorary Member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation UK.

In 2022 he authored Choose Compassion, and in 2020 he co-edited Making an Impact on Mental Health. He serves as an Associate Editor for two international journals Mindfulness and Psychology & Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice.

Prof. Zoltan Sarnyai

Professor Zoltán Sarnyai, M.D., Ph.D. (James Cook University)
Day 2 Keynote – ‘Climate Change and Mental Health’

Zoltán is Professor at James Cook University. He was previously University Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Pembroke College, where he was Director of Studies for Medicine.

He trained at McLean Hospital at Harvard Medical School and at The Rockefeller University, supported by the DuPont-Warren Award and a NARSAD Young Investigator Award, respectively. His group described the role of stress neuropeptides oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing factor in addiction, for which he was awarded the Richter Prize by the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology and the efficacy of ketogenic diet in preclinical models of schizophrenia.

Zoltán was appointed Lady Davis Visiting Professor at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology to study the neuro-metabolic aspects of schizophrenia. He currently serves as Chief Scientific Advisor for the Tropical Brain and Mind Foundations and is on the Executive Committee for the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research. He is Associate Editor for Nutritional Neuroscience and Frontiers in Neuroscience, and editorial board member of Stress.

Cathy O’Toole and Meredith Wenta

Day 2 – 7 Ways to Well-being for the Townsville Education Sector

Cathy O’Toole – Biography

Cathy has over four decades of experience leading people, managing organisations and projects, many as a Chief Executive Officer in the community managed mental health and wellbeing sector.  She has worked as the lead consultant with the Tropical Brain and Mind Foundation’s Mentally Healthy City Townsville developing the 7 Ways to wellbeing for Townsville Education Sectors, Small Business, Older Persons, and CALD communities.

She has a Masters in Metaphysical Science, a Bachelor of Education, and a Diploma of Teaching TAFE, as well as Diplomas in Community Welfare, Frontline Management, Training and Assessment, and Business Management and is a GA Practicum Supervisor.

Cathy successfully established a Choice Theory, Reality Therapy, Lead Management trained workforce in the community mental health sector. She is currently the Board Chair of the following peak bodies: Carers Australia, Community Mental Health Australia, and Qld Alliance for Mental Health.

As the former Federal Member for Herbert, Cathy’s work involved navigating social and economic policy, driving strategic direction, and serving on various committees.

Cathy has extensive experience relating to the challenges that face people living with poor mental health both in her private life and professional work as a leader. She also has a living experience in the role of an unpaid carer.

Kari Sutton

– Day 3 – Keynote – ‘Choosing Well-Being in an Ever- Changing World’

Kari Sutton is a researcher, author, and international facilitator. Graduating in the early 90’s she began her career working with children who had suffered significant abuse, undertaking research with colleagues about the effects this had on their social and emotional wellbeing and how this could be ameliorated. This research, combined with her work with over 25,000 parents, educators, corporate employees, and children meant she was determined to change the conversation about how we promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Kari has worked in the education and training field for over 30 years and has been a prominent voice both in the media and at conferences. She is the founder of Building Resilient Kids and Workplace Wellbeing Toolkit, and regularly contributes to publications where she shares innovative and valuable strategies that can be immediately implemented to improve wellbeing and emotional resilience.

Vanessa Stokes

– Day 3 – Keynote – ‘Inspire, Believe, Achieve’

The Blakdoll Sports & Fitness Mobs Programs are designed and delivered by 35 year old Vanessa Stokes, a qualified personal trainer/role model and elite athlete.

Vanessa is the 1^st Aboriginal Softball Pitcher to ever represent Australia, play professionally in the US and Japanese Professional softball Leagues, and regarded highly in the sport across the softball world.

Vanessa, an Alice Springs born & proud Luritja, Southern Arrente, Warramunga & Narrunga Aboriginal woman, was a member for the Australian Women’s Softball Team, “Aussie Spirit” for 10 years and retired in 2018, finishing her career at 69 games.

Since retiring from elite sport Vanessa is constantly inspired to succeed daily in her life as a Role Model conducting Sports, Fitness and Wellness Programs through her business and being a mother to her young son. She understands what it takes to be elite both physically and mentally and puts all her time and effort into focusing on her skillset to establish her business throughout Central Australia. Vanessa is a Nationally Accredited Personal Trainer with the Australian Institute of Fitness, Certificate holder in Business Administration and IT. Vanessa uses these recognised qualifications to complement her business programs.

Vanessa, a retired athlete and is building a legacy of her own through her Blakdoll Sports & Fitness Programs with her team of Role Models. She is excited and driven to create future pathway opportunities with Aboriginal people in remote and rural communities in Sport, Fitness & Wellness because – this is her passion.

“There is so much talent in our indigenous communities, and if we have positive role models being involved in community regularly, we inspire our people to make positive choices and that can be life changing.” Vanessa Stokes – Director

Rob Stones

Advanced Instructor since 2017
Day 3-  Well-being in Practice
The Lessons of the Ventura School Applied

Rob first encountered Dr. Glasser’s ideas in 1989 and has been engaged in putting these ideas into practice ever since. As a High School Principal, he introduced Glasser’s ideas into the schools he led and was known for his emphasis on developing productive relationships with students.

In 2009, he commenced a new career as a workshop leader, educational consultant, and author. He has designed over 30 workshops and written five books and many articles that explore Choice Theory and how to put the theory into practice. He is the co-designer of the influential ‘Art of Leadership’ program in NSW and is the designer and presenter of the Queensland program ‘Leadership by Design’. All of Rob’s workshops and presentations are based on Dr Glasser’s explanation of how humans are internally controlled.

Rob is the author of 5 books about putting Choice Theory into practice and promoting personal wellness:

• ‘Teaching Students to Self-Manage in the Classroom – Strategies that Promote Wellbeing and Resilience’.
• ‘Minding the Gap – Choosing to Thrive in an Uncertain World’. An explanation of how an understanding of the processes of the mind can help us enhance our well-being.
• ‘The Leader-Mind Equation – Mindful Choices for Effective Leaders’ – Rob’s interpretation of the central themes of Lead Management.
• ‘The Tao of Team’ – a compendium of over 150 activities and conversations for building and sustaining an effective team.
• ‘The Window of Certainty’ (co-authored with Judy Hatswell) which describes ways in which schools and organisations can enhance staff cohesion and performance.