The NOFASD Team
We strive for excellence in everything we do. Our goal is not only to provide quality care, but also build relationships with each individual, making them feel valued and important no matter how complex their needs.
We’re also focused on raising awareness and community support by providing education workshops and training on a variety of FASD-related topics.
The NOFASD team is dedicated to supporting individuals with FASD. We provide the highest quality of coaching, education and training for our clients so they can live their best lives possible!
Louise Gray
Chief Executive Officer
BA, B Ed, Master of Sociology
Louise is an experienced leader in the Not for Profit sector and is currently the Executive Officer of NOFASD Australia. She holds a Master of Sociology degree from Murdoch University awarded for a research project centred on community knowledge and awareness of alcohol in pregnancy and has travelled to Canada to observe approaches to therapeutic prison environments, FASD awareness and education; and employment programs.
Cheryl Dedman
Chair of the Board
Cheryl is a parent and full time carer of a child living with FASD. She has a passion to advocate for all families, carers and people living with FASD and particularly believes that it is essential to highlight the need to nurture the mental health of carers and encourage their self-care. Cheryl believes that education within the community, for professionals and families, is the key to providing the best possible life outcomes for those living with FASD and those caring for them. She sees a strong need to educate the community as a whole regarding the risks of consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Cheryl believes that this is a community issue and pregnant women need to be encouraged and supported by those around her during her pregnancy regarding abstaining from alcohol. Prior to being a full-time carer, Cheryl has a background in the fitness industry, education and childcare.
Christine Brooks
Board Member
B.Ed.
Christine is a primary school teacher, with a special interest in Early Childhood education and facilitating parent groups. She has worked in a Northern Territory community and now enjoys short term fostering of a little girl from NT.
With her partner she regularly has students from Worawa Aboriginal College for home stays. She is keen to increase the awareness of FASD within the school setting through the education of school staff.
Dr Anne Heath
Board Member
BA, GradDipPsych, MHRM, MEd, EdD
Dr Anne Heath is a Lecturer at the University of Tasmania and formerly held the role of NOFASD National Educational Director. Anne’s background in education and community services has included direct work with, and support of staff who have worked with, individuals with lived experience of FASD. Anne is continually seeking to raise awareness of FASD within and beyond her wider community services and education networks and is an advocate within the higher education sector for students with FASD. Anne is a former Board member of the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council (ATDC), and State Council of the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI). Anne is also an Associate Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, a certified professional member of the AHRI, and she holds a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Tasmania.
Professor Elizabeth Elliott
Board Member
Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM FAHMS FRS is a distinguished Professor in Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Sydney and a renowned Paediatrician at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Westmead. She is Co-Chair of the National FASD Advisory Group, convened by the Australian Government Department of Health.
For over 20 years she has been involved in clinical care, research, advocacy and policy development on FASD and alcohol use in pregnancy. Her career is dedicated to advancing human rights, health and quality of life for ill and disadvantaged children.
Internationally, Professor Elliott was a member of groups that developed World Health Organisation guidelines for identification and management of alcohol misuse during pregnancy and an International Charter for the Prevention of FASD, and invited speaker at the WHO’s inaugural Global Summit on Alcohol, Drugs and Gambling. In Australia, she led development of the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD, the FASD Hub, the FASD Registry and the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in FASD and contributed to national alcohol guidelines. She is involved in developing FASD resources for educators and the national awareness campaign.
Professor Elliott is Head of the NSW Health Clinic for Assessment and Management of FASD; Co-Director of the Centre for Care and Intervention for Children Affected by Drugs and Alcohol; and Director of the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit. Her research includes pregnancy cohort and prevention studies and work to address FASD in remote Aboriginal communities, out-of-home care and the juvenile justice system.
In 2008 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to paediatrics and child health. In 2018 Professor Elliott received a Next Generation Fellowship from the Federal Government, the 2018 Excellence in Healthcare Award from the Australian Medical Association, and the James Cook Medal for her significant contributions to improving the health and quality of life of ill and disadvantaged children.
Nicole Hewlett
Board Member
– B … (Hons) Psychological Sciences, M. Public Health
Nicole Hewlett is an Aboriginal woman with a Bachelor degree in Psychological Sciences (Hons) and a Master’s degree in Public Health. Nicole has broad experience with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia and has worked to support the implementation of effective Close the Gap policy, address issues around racism and promote diabetes management. Nicole recently managed a nation-wide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander project aimed at raising awareness of, and reducing the impact of FASD in Australia. This project provided Nicole with unique experience while developing her interest in, and understanding of, FASD. The extent of the damage caused by alcohol in pregnancy and knowledge gaps amongst health professionals and in communities are issues she hopes to address. Nicole is passionate about raising awareness of the risks of alcohol-exposed pregnancy and advocating on behalf of those living with FASD, in particular those who are incarcerated. She has a keen interest in ensuring that Aboriginal people have a voice at tables where the most difference can be made in addressing FASD.
Kymberley McKay ACM
Board Member
Kym McKay has been employed by the Department of Justice, Corrective Services since 2012, and is the Superintendent at Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women, Western Australia. Currently, Kym also holds the position of Assistant Commissioner for Women and Young People.
Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women delivers a philosophy-driven model that is focused on providing every woman an opportunity to maximise their potential to positively, confidently and safely re-enter the community. Boronia delivers trauma-informed services to a minimum-security female prisoner cohort and their children, in a community-focused therapeutic setting. Boronia was opened in May 2004 and since then has become internationally recognised for service provision in the justice environment.
Kym commenced his career in justice with Western Australian Police, before transitioning to the private sector and then Corrective Services during the inauguration of the West Kimberley Regional Prison. Kym’s strong connection with the Kimberley Region has driven his interest in improving the lived experience of people in contact with the justice system. He became aware of the long-term harms of prenatal alcohol exposure and has actively supported the growth of FASD-informed service delivery. This has included promoting the role of men in pre-birth planning, healthy pregnancy and early childhood development.
Kym has developed a broad level of experience within justice by delivering managerial oversite at multiple Adult Correction facilities including Bandyup Women’s Prison, Broome Regional Prison and Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women. This led to him being awarded the 2016 Commissioner’s Leadership Award for excellence in recognition of outstanding service to WA Corrections, and in 2018 he was Western Australia’s inaugural recipient of the Australian Correction Medal for service excellence in the Australia Day Honours Roll.
Kym is committed to increasing recognition of FASD in justice settings to provide better service and more effective pre and post release planning.
Tony Miers
Public Officer
Tony is a retired South Australian Public Servant. His career commenced in the civil and structural engineering areas of the Public Buildings Department before moving on to the Coast Protection Board, the Department of Recreation and Sport and lastly the Regional Economic Development Division of the Economic Development Authority. He project managed one of Australia’s first and arguably more significant government online transaction platforms before moving on to an economic sustainability program prior to his retirement.
Tony’s involvement with FASD commenced as a foster parent with his youngest daughter who was eventually diagnosed with partial FAS. His wife Sue Miers is the founder of NOFASD Australia, which was established in 1998. Both Tony and Sue have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience in FASD through raising their daughter who has presented the challenges, and it must be said the joys, that are associated with the condition.
While Tony is currently the Acting Treasurer of NOFASD, he has served as the Public Officer of the Organisation for the last twenty years. Notwithstanding this, he considers his primary role to provide support to the well-recognised effort and achievements Sue has made in the FASD field. This support has ranged from establishing and managing the first website (when the organisation was called NOFASARD), acting as Sue’s “roadie” on the many trips and presentations she has made over the years, accompanying her on countless meetings with politicians and senior government advisors and not the least sharing in the ups and downs that Sue’s persistent activism has involved.
Along with Sue, Tony is part of the history of NOFASD Australia and his vision for the Organisation is that one day it’s role and services will no longer be required.
Sophie Harrington
Chief Operating Officer
Sophie is the Chief Operating Officer of NOFASD Australia. Sophie has held many roles in the community development sector managing regional and national teams. Her broad social sector experience includes senior leadership and management of programs which reduce substance misuse, addictions and homelessness. She has also designed and implemented programs and services to enhance health literacy, life-skills and transitions from detention centres and prisons. Her early career work centred on early learning, at-risk youth and career development services.
Sophie has come into contact with children, young people and families impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) throughout her career but it wasn’t until she joined NOFASD Australia that she learnt for the first time that even low levels of alcohol consumption can have a lifelong impact on a developing fetus. Several years of development concerns, research and advocacy led to her eldest son being diagnosed with FASD in 2020.
Robyn Smith
National Helpline Manager
Robyn has worked for over 10 years in community based not-for-profit organisations. Her experience includes aged care programs, parenting advice and support programs, offender reintegration, school students and youth at risk transition strategies. She has worked with many clients and families affected by FASD, especially in the prison system.
Julie Flanagan
National Projects and Communications Manager
BA Qld; MBA UNE
Prior to joining NOFASD Julie worked for 13 years in the tertiary education sector coordinating projects involving collaboration with academic staff, students and external partners. She has had a long-term interest in the disability sector, including working as a teacher’s aide with children with mild intellectual disabilities, while undertaking her initial Bachelor’s degree. Subsequently, while working as an Education Officer at the Queensland Art Gallery she developed the Gallery’s Disabilities Assistance Program, designed to enable more effective access to the art displays and allied educational activities of the Gallery for those living with disabilities.
Charlene Tate-Lovery
Project Support & Governance
Charlene has 16 years’ experience in the not for profit community sector. Her experience includes administration, governance, and human resources within career development and employment, and alcohol and other drugs services in metropolitan WA. She holds a Diploma in Human Resources Management, Certificate IV in Business (Governance), and is a current member of the Australia Human Resources Institute (AHRI). She is very interested in FASD prevention and is passionate about promoting awareness of FASD.
Kurt Lewis
Communications and Project Support
Kurt holds a Bachelor of Justice and Legal Studies and a post graduate Bachelor of Laws. While studying he worked for 7 years as a Library Assistant at Maroochydore Library. Kurt has volunteered with multiple organisations including Street Angels, Rave Safe and Friends at Court, where he provided non-judgemental support to community members including those impacted by FASD, homelessness, and alcohol and other drug use. Kurt’s contributions to raising awareness of FASD, and the risks of alcohol use, include developing the first series of a podcast titled Pregnancy and Alcohol: The Surprising Reality.
