Professor Sir Mansel Aylward CB
Chair, Public Health Wales, UK

Professor Sir Mansel Aylward CB is the Director of the Centre for Psychosocial and Disability Research at Cardiff University which offers a unique opportunity to extend knowledge and understanding of the psychosocial, economic and cultural factors that influence health, illness, recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. He is also the first ever Chair of Public Health Wales - a new unified NHS Trust responsible for the delivery of public health services at national, local and community level in Wales. From 1996 to 2005 he was Chief Medical Advisor, Medical Director and Chief Scientist at the Department for Work and Pensions, and Chief Medical Advisor and Head of Profession at the Veterans Agency, Ministry of Defence.

John Marshall
Australian Paralympian/Police Officer, NSW

John Marshall embodies all the ideals of a police sergeant: strong, capable, reliable and above all, dedicated. It is these qualities that have enabled him to recover and return to work with the NSW Police Service following a horrific motorcycle accident that left him a paraplegic. A trained police diver before his accident, John returned to work and requested a transfer to the NSW Police Diving Unit. Today he continues to be part of the unit as a valuable member, responsible for maintaining and servicing all police diving equipment, including two decompression chambers. Through his rehabilitation, John discovered a passion for archery and his dedication was rewarded when he was selected to represent Australia at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney. John is an excellent example of someone who against the odds and through the support of his family, friends, and employer was able to return to the career in which he is a valued and respected leader.

John Robinson
Director of Corporate Support, Public Television New York, USA

Born a congenital amputee, John Robinson has no hands. His arms stop at his elbows. His lower legs are attached to his hips without knees. Yet, through his remarkable tenacity, talent and faith, he has succeeded in business and in building a family in a way that few may have expected from the outset. John has 20 years of sales experience in media and is presently the Director of Corporate Support for WMHT in Albany/Schenectady/Troy NY. He worked for many years in advertising sales with the NBC affiliates. John Robinson is the subject of a national documentary shown on Public Broadcasting Stations titled Get off your knees: The John Robinson story and authored an autobiography Get off your knees: A story of faith, courage, and determination published by Syracuse University Press. His inspirational story teaches those of us with and without disabilities that with the aid of a strong education and a few caring individuals, we can achieve that which may initially seem impossible.

Derrick McManus

As a police officer Derrick has just about done it all. He has served in the city, suburbs, country and Aboriginal AP lands - on foot, push-bike and motorbike, in cars, trucks, boats, planes, helicopters and armoured personnel carriers. He has worn the blue uniform, camouflage, sports gear, scuba gear, climbing gear and flying gear... and he was shot 14 times with a high-powered rifle. Derrick is still a policeman but is also one of Australia's most engaging, entertaining and inspirational speakers, MCs and trainers. By reflecting and sharing what he did to return to full duties after the shooting, Derrick works with company staff to build their confidence, courage and capacity to do whatever they want.

Dr Mary Wyatt
Chair, Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Policy and Advocacy Committee, VIC

Mary is an Occupational Physician with special interests in back pain and return to work management, and is the Chair of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Policy and Advocacy Committee. Mary is one of the founders of Return to Work Matters, an online resource for people involved with return to work management. Mary works in clinical practice and is a lecturer at Monash University. She also chairs the not-for-profit ResWorks (The Foundation for Research into Injury and Illness in the Workplace Inc).

Dr Robin Chase
President, Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, SA

Dr Chase is an Adelaide graduate who practiced in Sydney for 25 years. In 1986 he gained a Diploma of Public Health from Sydney University. He gained a Fellowship in the College of Occupational Medicine in 1990 and is a Foundation Fellow of the Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. In 2010 he became the President of the Faculty. He has taught at the University of New South Wales and the University of South Australia. He has lived in Adelaide since 2007 and is in private practice in Adelaide and Sydney.

Kevin Morris
Director Clinical Services, Accident Compensation Corporation, New Zealand

Dr Morris has worked for the ACC since 1992, rising to Director of Clinical Services in 2006 following his appointment to Corporate Medical Advisor in 1998. He has extensive experience in compensation medicine and is recognised as New Zealand's foremost authority on impairment evaluation. Dr Morris has a background in general practice and obstetrics, occupational medicine, computer science and medical administration. He also has a particular interest in the relationship between health, employment status and compensation systems. Health purchasing is a specific area of interest with the practical application of the evidence that establishes employment status as a major determinant of health.

Coralie Wales
Chronic Pain Consultant, Chronic Pain Australia, NSW

Coralie has promoted consumer-centred pain management services for over a decade consulting to employers, insurers, rehabilitation providers and treatment providers to improve outcomes for all parties. By the end of 2010 Coralie will submit her PhD thesis investigating Australian vocational rehabilitation service provision challenges in the context of chronic pain. She has taught chronic pain-related subjects at the University of Sydney and is a regular provider of continuing education about chronic pain management for health professionals. Coralie has a deep understanding of the challenges for all stakeholders in the provision of rehabilitation services within Australian statutory compensation systems. She is also the President of Chronic Pain Australia.

Radek Stratil
Clinical Psychologist, SA

Radek Stratil has worked for over 20 years in private psychology practice. He has also been an advisor to WorkCoverSA since 1991, and was extensively involved in developing treatment guidelines, including the Guidelines for the management of occupational stress and back pain. Radek was also involved in a number of studies within the South Australian Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme on the role of secondary depression, suicide and the early psychosocial risk indicators of chronic pain disability strategy.

Richard Sauerman
Communications Expert, NSW

Richard has been in the communications business his entire professional life. He started off working in advertising, where his role was to develop the communication strategy that would both inform and inspire consumers. Eight years ago he set off on his own, and now works with major corporates as a communications expert and consultant. In this capacity he works across many functions: marketing, internal communications and culture, leadership, client service and individual and team performance. He emphasises the importance of breaking down the communication barriers between people, teams and departments, and getting everyone singing and playing off the same song sheet. Major clients he has worked for include National Australia Bank, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, CSIRO, The Liberal Party of NSW, and Gilbert + Tobin.

Rob Pisano
Manager Health & Safety SA & NT, ANZ, SA

Rob Pisano is currently Manager Health & Safety SA & NT for ANZ. He has been involved with ANZ in a self insured environment for the past eight years. Rob holds a Bachelor of Business Human Resource Management. He believes that an organisation's people and culture give it a competitive advantage and that an effective health and safety management system has a direct link to business performance.

Ron Harvey
Compliance and Training Coordinator, Dennis Transport, Port Lincoln

Dennis Transport is a progressive family owned and operated transport and logistics business based in Port Lincoln with a terminal in Adelaide. They specialise in road transport, offering daily services between Adelaide and Port Lincoln for containers, general, time sensitive and refrigerated freight. Dennis Transport is also involved in grain and fuel cartage and provides interstate transport of Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay aquaculture products to interstate markets. Ron’s duties in the organisation include responsibilities for rehabilitation and return to work, Occupational Health and Safety and transport and logistics industry compliance.
   

Bill Hudd
Staff Development Manager, Banner Hardware, Mt Gambier

Banner Hardware is a proud South Australian family owned business celebrating its 30th year as a supplier to the hardware and building industry. Their diversified business mix includes retail and trade stores, truss and frame manufacturing, administration, product distribution centre and a graphic design studio. Currently employing over 200 people, the company continues to grow and operates from nine locations both in metropolitan Adelaide and the south east of South Australia. Bill's role as the Staff Development Manager includes the rehabilitation and return to work coordinator, Occupational Health and Safety, training and various Human Resources functions.

Julia Suban
Principal Consultant, Diversify Your Solutions, VIC

Julia Suban is the Principal Consultant for Diversify Your Solutions in Rehabilitation and Return to Work. Julia was the Project Officer for the Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) Nurses Return to Work in Hospitals Project, a three-year project funded through WorkSafe Victoria's Return to Work Fund. Julia has diverse working experience in Victoria and Tasmania in workers compensation and return to work.