Over the past 30 years Tom has been active in mental health and health policy, social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), clinical mental health care, suicide prevention, education, and mental health leadership. Between April 2020 and August 2022 Tom was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia after being actively involved in the establishment and commencement of the organisation whilst Chairperson of NATSILMH.
Tom is a Kamilaroi/Gomeroi man born in Gunnedah, NSW. He is a member of the Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council and Indigenous Allied Health Australia. Alongside Carole Koha (NZ), Tom is the Co-Chair of the Wharerata Group, an International Indigenous Mental Health Leadership Group part of the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL). Tom is a Director of Flourish Australia and a member of The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Learning Network. Since 2018 Tom has been a part-time Deputy Commissioner of the Mental Health Commission of NSW and continues in that role. Additionally Tom provides consultancy services across a range of services such as the Chair of the SANE Australia Reconciliation Action Plan Committee.
Previously Tom was the State-wide Coordinator for the NSW Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Program, a position he held between 2007 and 2021. Tom was a Co-Chair of the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy Taskforce alongside Jennifer Taylor (PSM).
Reconciliation Action Plan Committee member and National Awards Committee
