I would like to begin by extending my congratulations to College Fellows Dr Kym Jenkins, Dr Shirley Prager and Professor Julian Trollor who were all recognised in the Australia Day Honours List this week. Their dedication and contributions are an inspiration to us all!

I would also like to congratulate Dr Peggy Brown AO who has been appointed as the new Chair of Mental Health Australia. Peggy brings an exceptional depth of expertise in psychiatry and mental health, and we look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly make in her new role.

Although the new year is already well underway, I’d like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your contributions to our College, our community and profession. 2024 was a testament to all that we can achieve through collaboration, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your commitment to caring for our communities. 

Looking ahead to 2025, there is much work to be delivered, and your continued support will be crucial to our success. 

We know that the workforce crisis across both Australia and New Zealand makes this a really challenging time for our profession. Our workforce advocacy will continue to be a major priority in 2025 as we head towards the Australian Federal election.

We will maintain our momentum towards meeting Australian Medical Council conditions, including refining the training experience, boosting trainee engagement, and strengthening both our training program and assessment initiatives.

Cultural safety, lived experience, inclusion and equity will be a central focus as we progress our Reconciliation Action Plan, our lived experience strategy, and our gender equity plans.

As the accredited CPD Home for all RANZCP Fellows, enhancing our CPD Program and making it user-friendly and relevant for our members to meet the CPD requirements remains a priority. We will also deliver high-quality events, conferences and learning opportunities for members across our two countries.

We are working towards finalising an accelerated pathway for overseas qualified psychiatrists and how we can best support newly-arrived doctors from overseas.

On the policy front, we have commenced a thorough review of our Code of Ethics and will progress our work to transition towards a Best Practice Resources model.

We will continue to listen carefully to members, strive to maximise the membership value we offer, and ensure we are being responsive to your needs.

I encourage all members to stay engaged and involved as we work towards advancing our shared vision of excellence and equity in the provision of mental healthcare.

Dr Elizabeth Moore
RANZCP President