Keynote & Invited Speakers

Professor Alison Ritter AO
Drug policy scholar & Director, Drug Policy Modelling Program, UNSW

Professor Alison Ritter (AO, PhD) is a drug policy scholar and Director of the Drug Policy Modelling Program at the Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney. She has more than 30 years experience working in the field of alcohol and other drugs (originally as a clinical psychologist), She conducts applied drug policy research on drug laws, drug treatment, models and methods of democratic participation in drug policy; and research focussed on policy process. Her work is supported by grants from competitive research funding bodies (NHMRC, ARC) as well as commissioned research from governments across Australia and internationally. She is past President of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy and Editor in Chief for the International Journal of Drug Policy. Professor Ritter has an extensive research grant track record and has published widely in the field, including her book “Drug Policy” (2022, Routledge).

Professor Edward Ogden PSM
Principal Research Fellow – Clinical Trials, Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology
Addiction Medicine Specialist, Goulburn Valley Alcohol and Drug Service
Consultant in Addiction Medicine, Alcohol and Drug Service, Austin Health

Tim Ridgeway, AOD Clinician / ADHD Coach, Goulburn Valley Alcohol & Drug Service

Professor Edward Ogden PSM is the Principal Research Fellow – Clinical Trials, Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University, a staff specialist in addiction medicine at Austin Hospital in Melbourne and the Addiction Medicine Specialist at Goulburn Valley Health in rural Victoria.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a Fellow of the Chapter of Addiction Medicine of the Royal Australian College of Physicians and a Fellow of the Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.

He was awarded the Public Service Medal for services to Forensic Medicine on Australia Day 2005. He was awarded the Widmark Medal by the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety for his outstanding, meritorious contribution to road safety.

His research interests focus on the role of alcohol and drugs in traffic safety and the development of treatments for alcohol and drug abuse. He has a particular interest in the intersection of ADHD and Substance Use Disorder.

Tim Ridgeway is a dedicated clinical worker committed to empowering individuals affected by addiction, neurodiversity, and marginalization. He brings expertise to addressing complex cases as a clinician at Goulburn Valley Health, redesigns and facilitates therapeutic recovery programs in rehabilitations. Tim serves as an investigator on ADHD & SUD research and operates a counselling and coaching practice, offering a self-designed recovery program. He has education in Community Services, AOD, Advanced Counselling Practice, and is Mentor Coach™ trained.

Ken McMaster
Director, HMA

Ken has over thirty years’ experience working at the cutting edge of intervention work with men who are violent and who sexually abuse. He is known for his innovative practice ideas and the ability to translate theory into practice. He has held positions as a member and Chair of the Family Violence Advisory Committee/ Te Rangai Whiriwhiri Tukinotanga a-Whānau. This committee was established to provide the Minister of Social Services and Employment with independent policy advice on matters related to government initiatives within the family violence arena. He was also a founding member of the National Network of Stopping Violence Services/Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Putanga and is a past chair. Ken was responsible for the writing of the Respondent Program Regulation for the Domestic Violence Act (1995). In addition, he has worked as a part-time lecturer in Social Work at Canterbury University and is now involved full-time with HMA as manager, writer of materials and principal trainer. He has been a member of the Domestic Violence Act Program Approvals Committee for the Ministry of Justice.

Ken McMaster has published two books on Domestic Violence – A Private Affair, GP Books: Wellington (1989) and Feeling Angry, Playing Fair, Reed: Auckland, (1988). He has co-edited a book with Arthur Wells titled Innovative Approaches to Stopping Family Violence, Steele Roberts: Wellington (2003), and with Leon Bakker titled Will they do it again: Assessing and managing risk, HMA Books: Christchurch (2006). In 2011 Ken co-edited with David Riley Effective Interventions with Offenders, Steele Roberts: Wellington (2011).

Ken has an extensive publishing record and regularly undertakes conference presentations. He has had involvement in training probation officers dating back to 1985 and has led the design of a number of corrections initiatives. In addition to significant contribution to the Australian Correctional field, Ken has successfully managed and/or contributed to a number of pieces of work across the social services sector within New Zealand/Aotearoa.

Alina Thomas
Chief Executive Officer, Engender Equality

Residing in nipaluna/Hobart, lutruwita/Tasmania,Alina a respected spokesperson on family violence and gender inequality in Australia. For the past decade, she has served as the CEO of Engender Equality, where she oversees therapeutic services and delivers comprehensive family violence prevention and response training. Alina holds a degree in Social Sciences (Community Services) and a postgraduate degree in Women’s Studies. She has also trained under the United Nations in Gender Mainstreaming. Alina is a dedicated ally to people who use illicit drugs, sex workers, and criminalised women. She advocates for rights, safety, and dignity, working to challenge the stigma and systemic barriers. Through her activism, Alina seeks to amplify marginalised voices and drive meaningful change in policy.

Associate Professor Raimondo Bruno
Associate Professor, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania

Raimondo Bruno has contributed to research in the field of alcohol and other drugs for over two decades.

He is a Professor in the School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania and an Adjunct Professor at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales. He has held Council Roles in the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs and is a Senior Editor on the journal Drug and Alcohol Review and associate editor for the journal Addiction.

He has published over 275 articles and books in the area of cognitive and health effects of substance use (drugs, alcohol and pharmaceuticals); harm reduction; and drug use epidemiology.

Raylene Foster
Chief Operations Officer, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

Raylene represents Tasmania/Lutruwita on the NACCHO Board. She has a deep and historical understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, at national and local levels.

For the past 30 years, Raylene has worked for TAC in various leadership roles building the capacity of the organisation, staff and community to provide health services tor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.