The Bi-national Committee for Trainees (BCT) met online on 29 May, this was largely an introduction for new jurisdictional members, and we are looking forward to discussing the issues most affecting trainees (including the CEQ update) at the upcoming Trainees’ Advisory Council (TAC) meeting on 12 June, and then taking these issues to our next BCT meeting on 26 June 2025.

Here's a brief introduction to some of your Jurisdictional Representatives (the next issue will introduce you to the remaining ones who are listed below):

Dr Elise Witter — Deputy Chair bct@ranzcp.org: Elise is a Stage 3 trainee currently completing her advanced certificate in Consultation–liaison Psychiatry in Adelaide. She is a devoted dog mum to two rescues, Pepper and Smudge.
 
Dr Amelia Reid — NSW Representative nsw.bct@ranzcp.org: Amelia is a Stage 3 registrar currently working at Prince of Wales Hospital. She has an interest in consultant liaison and emergency psychiatry.
 
Dr Andrew Wren — NT Representative nt.bct@ranzcp.org: Andrew is a Stage 3 trainee from Darwin, NT, currently working in the community memory clinic. Andrew likes to party, and by party he means juggle with his wife their three kids and their social lives, the dog, a rabbit, a bird and some fish. When he can squeeze the time, Andrew can be found out camping and fishing with his family, enjoying the unique experiences the territory has to offer.
 
Dr Irene Braithwaite — NZ Representative nz.bct@ranzcp.org: Hi, I’m Irene, Stage 2 registrar, currently working at Regional Rehabilitation Inpatient Services, Kenepuru, Wellington. Irene is currently scaring herself with MEQ exam prep, and relieves stress by powerlifting, boxing and walking the dogs with her husband.

Dr David Townsend — WA Representative wa.bct@ranzcp.org: Dave is a Stage 3 trainee with the RPTWA program and is currently completing an Adult Community run in Bunbury. He recently finished up as Chair of Western Australia Association of psychiatrists in training (WAAPT) and has an interest in trainee advocacy, system improvement and rural psychiatry. He also has many other hobbies, projects and ideas that keep him from finishing his training, making his wife think he’s trying to set a record for the most years as a RANZCP trainee. 

Dr Yoon Kwon Choi — QLD Representative qld.bct@ranzcp.org: Yoon is a Stage 2 registrar currently working at Queensland Centre of Excellence for Intellectual Disability and Autism Health. He is passionate in advocating for equality in our diverse multicultural society, with interest in child and adolescent and consultation liaison psychiatry. Outside of work, he can be found in his natural habitat at either an indoor spin class or a very extended lunch. He can also be seen idealising the future with new project ideas and booking courses to attend. 

Dr Emily Drum — SA Representative sa.bct@ranzcp.org
Emily is a stage 2 from Adelaide, currently based in CALHN. She has a passion for in-patient psychiatry. When she is not working Emily spends her time ignoring her 6 am pilates class, playing with her son (who is also a cat), and travelling the world.

Dr Alex Wilson — TAS Representative tas.bct@ranzcp.org
Alex is a stage 3 trainee working in Hobart. He has a passion for registrar wellbeing and advocacy. He spends his time outside work playing piano, cooking, and seeing as much of Tasmania’s wildlife as possible.

Dr Liv Harley — VIC Representative  vic.bct@ranzcp.org
Liv is a Stage 2 trainee currently completing a CL psychiatry rotation with an acquired brain injury unit. She is thoroughly enjoying this blustery winter, rugged up in layers of scarves, and reading by an open fire. She feels very passionately about supporting her colleagues and loves the supportive community we are building.

Dr Nesha Gezer — ACT Representative act.bct@ranzcp.org
Nesha is a Stage 2 trainee from Canberra, currently working in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry. She’s passionate about supporting trainee wellbeing and driving systems improvements to make training better for everyone. Her days at work are powered by coffee and surrounded by an ever-growing collection of desk plants that somehow survive.

Dr Mischa Tosswill — NZ Representative nz.bct@ranzcp.org
Mischa is a stage 2 trainee based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Aotearoa (New Zealand). He joined the BCT without any real knowledge of what he was signing up for -but has loved advocating for trainees and bleating about the New Zealand perspective since May 2024. Mischa and his partner spend far too much time going to the cinema, but when there is nothing good playing, he loves soaking up the natural wonders of Aotearoa or attempting to re-learn to play the guitar and piano.

Dr Georgia Ramsden — Chair bct@ranzcp.org
Georgia is a Stage 3 trainee in Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand.  She has been Chair of the BCT for the past year and prior to that was a NZ Representative to the BCT.  Georgia has not yet committed to completing an Advanced Certificate because they all look too interesting.  In her spare time, Georgia enjoys the outdoors, but sometimes her participation is limited by her dislike of being cold and fear of heights.