Topic: Best Practice in Handling Respiratory Conditions in the Elderly

Susan Brumby is a Respiratory Physiotherapist and the founder of Respire Tasmania. After more than a decade working at the Launceston General Hospital, Susan saw firsthand how many people living with respiratory conditions were returning to hospital because the right support, equipment or respiratory plan was not available in the community.

She believed there had to be another way.

Respire Tasmania was created to bridge that gap by bringing high-quality respiratory care into the community. The goal is simple: to help people manage their breathing, clear mucus effectively, reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and live well at home with the right knowledge, equipment, and support.

Susan is deeply committed to improving respiratory care across Tasmania. Through education, practical training, and access to specialised respiratory equipment, she works alongside clinicians, carers, and community teams to build confidence and skills that support people living with complex respiratory conditions.

At its heart, Respire Tasmania exists to strengthen community care so people can access the respiratory support they need.

Topic: ANMF Federal Branch Aged Care Update

Catelyn was appointed as ANMF Federal Assistant Secretary in 2026. She is a Registered Nurse whose practice has centred on paediatrics, research and professional advocacy. Raised in rural Tasmania, she brings a strong commitment to equitable access to healthcare in regional and remote communities.

Catelyn’s career reflects a sustained focus on strengthening the nursing profession while advancing global health and social justice in the context of complex and interlinked health challenges. For more than 15 years, Catelyn has contributed to not-for-profit and non-government organisations in both representative and grassroots volunteer roles. Catelyn was a 2020 Union Summer intern at the ANMF Victorian Branch and later became an Organiser and Member Support Officer for the ANMF Tasmanian Branch. She later co-founded Climate Action Nurses, recognising that climate change is increasingly shaping patterns of illness, service demand and workforce pressure.

Catelyn is committed to advancing health and nursing scholarship and research, paired with targeted advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Leadership (Health and Human Services) which she completed as a 2022 Westpac Future Leaders Scholar. Catelyn is a PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney – exploring the intersection of planetary health and nursing practice.

Topic: ANMF Federal Branch Aged Care Update

Alana is an experienced nursing, industrial relations and policy professional currently serving as Assistant to the Federal Secretary (Strategy & Campaigns) at the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Federal Office. She has worked across industrial, professional and strategic portfolios at the ANMF Victorian Branch, including as Acting Assistant Secretary in 2025.

In her union roles, Alana has supported members through complex workplace disputes, contributed to successful enterprise bargaining campaigns, engaged directly with members during protected industrial action, and played a key role in parliamentary inquiries and major policy submissions. She is particularly passionate about strengthening professional standards, improving workplace safety, advancing health reform, and supporting members through organisational change.

Alana is a Registered Nurse with extensive clinical experience in emergency, trauma and critical care settings, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Her clinical background spans emergency and trauma care, burns and neonatal care within major tertiary health services. These experiences continue to shape her collaborative and strategic approach to advocacy and leadership.

She holds a Bachelor of Nursing from La Trobe University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nursing Practice from Monash University, and is currently completing a Juris Doctor at Deakin University, reflecting her strong interest in law, policy and workforce advocacy.

Topic: Maintaining Safety while Caring for the Elderly Patient who has Bariatric Needs

Nigel Chong is a highly experienced nurse and paramedic with more than 35 years in clinical practice and adult education. His expertise spans perioperative care, rural and remote health, emergency care, and national and international disaster response.

Nigel is widely recognised in Australia and internationally for his innovative work in clinical simulation-based education. In Tasmania, he developed Australia’s first successful mobile multidisciplinary in-situ simulation program using advanced Laerdal technology, focusing on the deteriorating patient.

Currently an independent consultant and clinical advisor with Johnson First Aid Training Tasmania, Nigel delivers specialised education programs for the aged care and disability sectors across the state. He has also served on numerous Tasmanian, Australian and international education and simulation advisory boards and is a respected keynote and motivational speaker across health and corporate sectors.

Topic: Safe staffing and impact on psychosocial wellbeing

Lucinda Gunning is the Partner, leading Carroll & O’Dea’s Tasmanian team. After completing her studies at UTAS, Lucinda moved to NSW to commence her legal career in personal injury, before returning home to Tasmania in 2020. Lucinda advises clients across Tasmania in complex personal injury and workers compensation matters.

Lucinda is an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law (Law Society of NSW) as well as being recognised by Doyles Guide as a ‘Recommended’ practitioner in the categories of Leading Work Injury Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) NSW and Leading Public Liability Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) NSW. Lucinda has particular expertise in psychological injury and workplace bullying claims. She regularly handles sensitive psychological injury matters, advising on liability, entitlements, rehabilitation and return to work strategies, and where necessary pursues negotiated settlements or litigation to secure appropriate outcomes for injured workers.

Known for her practical, client-centred approach, Lucinda combines technical knowledge of tribunals, insurers and courts with clear communication to guide clients through their personal injury claims and help them rebuild after workplace harm.

Topic: Peer support counselling

Lori-Anne Sharp is a registered nurse with more than two decades of experience, she was a key champion for the establishment of the Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia (NMHPA), securing initial government funding during her time as Federal Assistant Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF).

Her career began in the community sector, including Victoria’s Homeless Persons Program, before moving into senior leadership at the ANMF. Lori-Anne is recognised for her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce.

Topic: Communicating with Compassion – Supporting People Living with Dementia

Amanda is a specialist in dementia care with over 20 years’ experience supporting people living with dementia, their families, and the workforce. With a background in social science, counselling, and adult education, she brings deep insight into the complex needs of individuals and services.

Amanda is passionate about designing innovative, accessible solutions—often using technology—to build workforce capacity and improve care. She remains at the forefront of research and best practices, advocating for quality services and continuous learning. Her compassionate, evidence-based approach ensures meaningful impact across education, service design, and dementia support.