The APS Colleges offer a range of awards and prizes each year that encourage and recognise excellence in psychology across the specialist fields. The 2012 recipients are profiled below.
APS College Awards of Distinction
The APS College Awards of Distinction recognise the importance of an individual's contribution to his or her specialist field and significant contributions to the relevant College over a number of years.
COLLEGE OF CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGISTS
Wayne Reid
Associate Professor Wayne Reid FAPS is currently the Director of the Brain and Mind Sciences Program at the University of Sydney. Wayne has an active publication record of international repute in clinical neuropsychology, and has made particular contributions to the understanding of Parkinson’s disease, other dementias and ageing. Wayne is a well known and highly respected member of the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists and has made significant contributions to the life of the College and Australian neuropsychology over more than two decades. He has been a member of the APS for over 30 years, a member of the College since 1984 and was elected to the grade of Fellow of the APS in 2010. Wayne has served on numerous Committees of the College including as a member and Chair of the NSW State Section of the College and as member of the national Course Accreditation sub-Committee. Wayne personally initiated and served as Chair of the inaugural APS College of Neuropsychologists Conference in 1994 and has chaired Conference organising committees on four subsequent occasions.
COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS
David Merryweather
David Merryweather MAPS has had a distinguished career as a clinical psychologist in Western Australia spanning 37 years. He has been a visiting clinical supervisor since 1984 at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Murdoch University, and continues in this capacity at UWA. Initially employed within the Department for Child Protection, David’s contribution to clinical psychology services within the public sector for over 30 years has been significant and has included several senior leadership positions. David has been a member of the APS since 1995 and a committed and active member of the West Australian Section of the College of Clinical Psychologists for over 12 years. This has included serving as a Committee member from 2000-2007, and Chairperson of the College (WA) from 2005-2006, during which time he was also a member of the National Executive of the College. David has also been a member of a number of important government task forces including the WA Government Mental Health Taskforce and the Child Sexual Abuse Task Force Implementation Working Party.
COLLEGE OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGISTS
Elaine Hosie
Elaine Hosie FAPS has practised as a counselling psychologist for over two decades and has made a substantial contribution both to the field and to the College. She is currently in private practice, but was previously the Director of Counselling and Educational Services at Melbourne Grammar School, a role she held from 1997. Elaine’s dedication in this role and her management of psychological and teaching staff, students, families and school management, has contributed to a change in perception of the role of school psychologists. Elaine has also held lecturing positions at several universities, providing teaching on particular issues associated with psychology in schools. Elaine was National Chair of the College from 2007-2011 and continues to serve on the National Executive. She has also been a member of the Victorian State Executive from 1993-1998 and was National Professional Development Coordinator from 1998-2007. Elaine has served on the APS Membership Recruitment and Retention Advisory Group from 2008-2010. In 2011, Elaine was elected to the grade of Fellow of the APS.
COLLEGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGISTS
Linda Gilmore
Dr Linda Gilmore MAPS has made a significant contribution to the field of educational and developmental psychology through her academic teaching and course development, interventions with children and their families, extensive publication on assisting people with disabilities, and her work within the College. Specialising in learning difficulties and developmental disabilities, Linda has championed the cause of educational and developmental psychology for more than 20 years. Linda chaired the Queensland Section of the College from 2006-2009 and has participated as a member of the National Committee since 2006, as well as holding roles as Professional Development Coordinator and Membership Secretary of the College. She initiated and coordinated the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) program at Queensland University of Technology in 2003-2004 in order to sustain the only training program for educational and developmental psychologists in Queensland following the cessation of the program at the University of Queensland. With the assistance of an APS Grant for Intercultural and/or International Projects, in 2011 Linda undertook a project to support the newly introduced specialisation of educational psychology in Bangladesh.
COLLEGE OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGISTS
Michael Daffern
Associate Professor Michael Daffern MAPS is currently the convenor of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Monash University and is also principal consultant psychologist with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare). He also holds a position as a special lecturer with the Division of Psychiatry at Nottingham University, UK. Michael has worked as a clinical and forensic psychologist in both Australia and England within mainstream adult psychiatry, forensic mental health and in correctional settings. He has international recognition for his research on case formulation and functional analysis, anger and aggression, violence risk assessment, and problem behaviours within institutions. He has published more than 70 peer-reviewed papers as well as numerous book chapters, professional manuals and other scholarly pieces. Michael is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, and the Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology. He is the immediate past Chair of the Forensic College (National and Victorian State Section) and was formerly Professional Development Officer for the Victorian Section of the Forensic College.
COLLEGE OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGISTS
Lina Ricciardelli
Associate Professor Lina Ricciardelli FAPS is currently Head of the Masters/Doctorate programs in Health Psychology at Deakin University. Lina has a significant research output and has authored numerous publications in the field of health psychology, particularly in the areas of body image, disordered eating, developmental psychology, substance use and abuse, and Indigenous health. In addition to her work as a researcher, Lina has been very active in mentoring early career health psychologists and raising the profile of the specialisation. In 2011 she was instrumental in coordinating a campaign to ensure that health psychology was given the status of an endorsed area of practice under national registration. Lina has been a member of the College of Health Psychologists for over 12 years and has taken on numerous leadership roles over this period. She has held the position of National Chair for the past four years and State Chair in Victoria for a number of years preceding her role as National Chair. Lina has been instrumental in planning the inaugural Health Psychology Conference in 2013 and provides tireless support to her colleagues.
COLLEGE OF SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGISTS
Patrick Thomas
Professor Patrick Thomas MAPS has held an appointment in the School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University since 1973 and was Head of School from 2001 to 2004. Patrick’s research aims to enhance human performance, particularly in sport and other areas involving motor skills. With international colleagues he developed the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS), a self-report instrument that is widely used to examine athletes’ use of specific mental skills and techniques. In addition to his roles in academia and teaching, Patrick also provides sport and performance psychology services to coaches, athletes and dancers. Patrick has a long history with the APS and was awarded the APS Prize as an undergraduate student in 1971. Since that time he has presented numerous papers and chaired sessions at APS conferences, and was a member of the Scientific Committee for the 42nd APS Annual Conference. Patrick was a founding member of the APS College of Sport Psychologists in 1992, and has since established the Queensland Section of the College and served as Treasurer.
The APS Colleges of Community Psychologists and Organisational Psychologists did not confer an Award of Distinction in 2012.
Individual College Awards
Some of the APS Colleges offer awards and prizes that encourage and recognise excellence in their particular field of psychology.
COLLEGE OF CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGISTS
Student Conference Prize
Jody Kamminga, Macquarie University
Genevieve Heath Memorial Student Travel Award
Harriet Bodimeade, University of Queensland
COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS
Alistair Heron Prize
Tanya Davison
Dr Tanya Davison MAPS has set an outstanding example to others in her devotion to work with older adults and in particular, to improve the mental health of residents of aged care facilities. Her research has supported previous work in highlighting the need for individualised behavioural interventions for older adults with dementia. Tanya has worked with colleagues to improve the training of staff in residential care facilities to better identify the needs of residents and to provide more tailored interventions. She has devoted time as well at the policy level and contributed to national discussions on mental health in aged care. Tanya has made a considerable contribution to the APS Psychology and Ageing Interest Group and worked to support its biennial conferences. She has an outstanding research record, with multiple publications each year since she has graduated. Tanya has accomplished this while maintaining an active clinical practice as well as her teaching role as an academic. She provides an important role model to young clinicians through her clinical work with older adults.
Ian M. Campbell Memorial Prize
Paula Nathan
Paula Nathan MAPS is one of the three consultant clinical psychologists in the Health Department of Western Australia and Founding Director of the Centre for Clinical Interventions, Perth. She graduated from the Master of Clinical Psychology program at the University of Western Australia in 1981, and subsequently lectured in the Department of Psychology. Paula has widely been regarded through her career as an outstanding therapist, clinical supervisor and researcher. As lecturer and acting Clinical Program Director, she was acclaimed as an excellent teacher and was always popular with the students. In the mid 1990s she moved to the Royal Perth Hospital, as Profession Head and Research Director of the West Australian Institute for Psychotherapy Research, which she successfully transformed into the Centre for Clinical Interventions. The Centre provides the only public community-based eating disorders service for youth and adults in WA and has designed and evaluated specialist training programs and courses, including those for depression, anxiety and eating disorders which are used throughout Australia.
Significant Contribution Award (SA Section)
Margaret Hartstone
Margaret Hartstone FAPS has made a significant contribution to the APS College of Clinical Psychologists through her many SA Committee roles and as the ongoing ‘public face’ at professional development events. Margaret is particularly noted for her organisation of the high quality continuing professional development program. Margaret has also contributed significantly to psychology in South Australia through her clinical training of many students on placements, supervision of practising psychologists within the mental health service and representation of psychology to other professional disciplines. She has significantly influenced the treatment of hundreds of public mental health clients with her ethical and evidenced-based psychological practice. Her community engagement and success in developing services and treatment programs to challenging client groups, such as those with borderline personality disorder, is recognised by her peers as an outstanding contribution to care.
Student Prize
Poh Wan Wong, Australian Catholic University
Melissa Pech, Australian National University
James Champion, Bond University
Graeme Castle, Cairnmillar Institute
Nicole Lawrence, Central Queensland University
Adelle Sushames, Charles Sturt University
Jacqueline Myles-Pallister, Curtin University
Alice Hucker, Deakin University
Joanne Lilly, Edith Cowan University
Carla Welsh, Flinders University
Ea Stewart, Griffith University
Lynda Steward, James Cook University
Roy Wyatt, La Trobe University
Vincent Fogliati, Macquarie University
Emma Newton, Monash University
Mark Summers, Murdoch University
Alix Cann, Queensland University of Technology
Bianca Denny, RMIT University
Jacqueline Baulch, Swinburne University
Jacqueline Schurmann, University of Ballarat
Kirsty Moore, University of Adelaide
Tamra Sellick, University of Canberra
Andrew Legg, University of Melbourne
Claire Lehmann, University of New England
Brittany McGill, University of New South Wales
Bernard Goldman, University of Newcastle
Emma Poulsen, University of Queensland
Laura Kate Hampton, University of South Australia
Kathie June McDonald, University of Southern Queensland
Lauren Bennett, University of Sunshine Coast
Emma Kerr, University of Sydney
Saruchi Chhabra, University of Western Australia
Cameron McIntosh, University of Western Sydney
Geoffrey Charles Brecht Lyons, University of Wollongong
South Australia Section Prize (student prize)
Matthew Guidolin, Flinders University
Michelle Beer, University of Adelaide
Laura Lotus Cook, University of South Australia
COLLEGE OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGISTS
Robin Winkler Award
Colleen Turner
Colleen Turner FAPS has worked extensively within the field of community psychology and has been particularly involved in the Communities for Children Project, a national initiative which allows communities and local organisations to design and deliver the services and programs needed to support health, education and wellbeing of children and families. Colleen led the team in designing an evaluation framework, collected and analysed data, and wrote the evaluation report for a project which commenced in 2005 and was completed in 2010. She was responsible for overseeing the project implementation, which included developing, implementing and monitoring strategic plans and community consultations over seven years. In addition to continuation of the project in Broadmeadows, Victoria, the Communities for Children project was extended through to the Australian Government Building Australia’s Future Workforce initiative. This complex project demonstrates collaborative work consistent with the goals and strategies of community psychology and is an outstanding example of community psychology in action.
COLLEGE OF COUNSELLING PYSCHOLOGISTS
Doctoral Award
Sharae Coughlan, La Trobe University
Susanna Richardson Award
Tamra Kamalesh, La Trobe University
COLLEGE OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGISTS
Maconochie Prize (student prize)
Kerrilee Hollows, Bond University
COLLEGE OF ORGANISATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS
Highest Academic Performance of a Masters Student Award (SA)
Alexandra Stillwell, University of Adelaide
Kelly Rosser, University of South Australia
Gina Huisy, University of South Australia (2011 recipient whose name was omitted from last year’s profiles)
COLLEGE OF SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGISTS
Student Award
Michael Noetel, University of Queensland
Natalie Kyan, Victoria University
Best Student Presentation Prize
Brendan Smith, University of Queensland
The information in these profiles was prepared from citations provided by the College Chairs.