Preventive Health SA Council

Listing

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  David Pearson

  Chair

  David Pearson is the CEO of the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness, where he leads national efforts to support communities to end rough sleeping homelessness. A Churchill Fellow and Myer Innovation Fellow, David brings extensive experience across public policy, social enterprise, and community advocacy. He also serves as an Industry Adjunct at UniSA’s Australian Alliance for Social Enterprise and as a senior advisor to the Institute of Global Homelessness.

  David sits on several boards, including the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Community Bridging Services SA, and the Social Impact Investment Network SA. His career includes serving as Executive Director of the Don Dunstan Foundation and as a Senior Policy Adviser to South Australian Premiers and Commonwealth Ministers. His work was recognised in 2019 as one of the top South Australian 40 Under 40 leaders.

  David’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(d) which provides for Council members with expertise in health equity or in the health and wellbeing for populations requiring priority consideration in relation to preventive health action.

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  Dr Michelle Atchison BM BS, FRANZCP

  Dr Michelle Atchison is a psychiatrist with more than 30 years’ experience, specialising in trauma‑related mental health and supporting war service veterans. After training at Flinders University and the Royal Adelaide Hospital, she established a private practice in 1995 with a focus on complex trauma, forensic assessments, and medico‑legal work, including criminal injuries compensation and WorkCover.

  A respected leader in her field, Michelle has contributed to shaping psychiatric practice in South Australia through roles with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, including chairing the SA Branch. She is a foundation member of the Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry, an accredited College examiner, and played a key role in establishing Medical Panels SA.

  Michelle’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(ea) which provides for Council members with expertise in clinical translation and implementation.

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  Professor Jacqueline Bowden

  Professor Jacqueline Bowden is a behavioural scientist with more than two decades of experience working at the intersection of public health research and policy. As Director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (Flinders University), she leads national research programs focused on alcohol and other drug harm minimisation. She holds qualifications in psychology and public health, and has secured more than $22 million in research funding.

  Jacqueline has advised state and national governments for over 15 years and has served as an expert reviewer for Australia’s National Alcohol Guidelines. She also leads a major national evaluation on alcohol‑related risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and has appeared as an expert witness in South Australia’s Liquor Licensing Court.

  Jacqueline’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(e) which provides for Council members with expertise in preventive health policy or programs (whether knowledge, expertise or experience is within or outside the health system).

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  Marina Bowshall

  Chief Executive, Preventive Health SA

  Marina Bowshall is a highly experienced public health leader known for delivering integrated, evidence‑based prevention strategies at state and national levels. Her career spans legislative reform, social marketing, community‑based programs, and partnerships with government, non‑government and Aboriginal community‑controlled organisations. She has led initiatives focused on reducing health inequities and improving outcomes for disadvantaged and marginalised communities.

  Marina co‑chairs the National Tobacco Officials Group, is Presiding Member of the Controlled Substances Advisory Council, and serves on the Suicide Prevention Council. She is recognised for her collaborative leadership and commitment to translating policy into measurable public health outcomes.

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  Dr Alison Edwards

  Dr Alison Edwards is a long‑serving Rural General Practitioner based in Port Broughton, where she has provided clinical care since 1994. Trained as a GP anaesthetist and Rural Emergency Responder, she also supports local ambulance volunteers and brings a deep understanding of rural health needs.

  Alison has made extensive contributions to medical governance through roles with the Rural Doctors Association SA, AMA(SA), the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency, and Country SA Primary Health Network, where she served as founding Board Chair. She has also chaired GPEx (SA GP Training organisation) and the Port Broughton District Hospital and Health Services Health Advisory Council.

  Alison’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(d) which provides for Council members with expertise in health equity or health and wellbeing for populations requiring priority consideration in relation to preventive health action.

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  Professor Richard Edwards

  Professor Richard Edwards is an internationally recognised public health expert and Head of Public Health at Flinders University. His work focuses on tobacco control, smoking endgame strategies, and epidemiology. Originally trained in the United Kingdom, Richard held senior academic roles at the University of Otago, where he co‑founded the ASPIRE Aotearoa Research Centre.

  He is co‑principal investigator for the New Zealand arm of the International Tobacco Control Evaluation Project and President of the Oceania branch of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Richard’s contributions have been recognised with multiple awards, including the Health Research Council Liley Medal and an outstanding contribution award from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

  Richard’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(a) which provides for Council members with expertise in epidemiology or preventive health research.

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  Todd Harper AM

  Todd Harper has dedicated more than 30 years to public health leadership across cancer prevention, equity, and advocacy. As CEO of Cancer Council Victoria since 2011, he has overseen major initiatives in research, behavioural campaigns, and chronic disease prevention, including reforms in tobacco control, junk food marketing, and e‑cigarette regulation.

  Todd previously led Quit Victoria and the Tasmanian AIDS Council, driving major reforms in smokefree laws and health communication. His contributions have been recognised with an Honorary Doctorate from Deakin University and appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia for service to medical governance and cancer prevention.

  Todd’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(e) which provides for Council members with expertise in preventive health policy or programs (whether knowledge, expertise or experience is within or outside the health system).

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  Stuart Hocking PSM

  Stuart Hocking is a senior public sector leader with over 40 years’ experience in economic, financial, social and commercial policy across Australian state and territory governments. He most recently served as Under Treasurer of the Australian Capital Territory, leading delivery of the ACT Budget and advising the Treasurer and Cabinet on key economic and governance matters.

  He has held senior roles in South Australia spanning economic policy, taxation reform, insurance and federal‑state financial relations, and has led major reforms across motor injury and insurance schemes, COVID‑19 economic response, climate change strategy and social impact investment. He currently consults through Redvers Consulting, is Chair of the Transport and Civil Infrastructure Board advising Infrastructure Canberra, and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2016.

  Stuart’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(f) which provides for Council members with expertise in finance, economics, or business.

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  Professor Caroline Miller

  Professor Caroline Miller is Deputy Director at SAHMRI and Director of the Health Policy Centre, where she leads national research in obesity prevention, food policy reform, and population‑level behaviour change. With 30 years’ experience in preventive health, her career includes senior leadership at Cancer Council SA.

  Caroline played a pivotal role in the development and defence of Australia’s world‑leading tobacco plain packaging laws and leads SAHMRI’s Tobacco Control Research and Evaluation program. She holds multiple degrees across psychology, economics, and public health, and sits on several national committees, including the NHMRC‑MRFF Public Health and Health Services Committee.

  Caroline’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(a) which provides for Council members with expertise in epidemiology or preventive health research.

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  Associate Professor Courtney Ryder

  Associate Professor Courtney Ryder is an Aboriginal injury epidemiologist and Matthew Flinders Fellow, recognised for her leadership in Indigenous data sovereignty and health equity. As Discipline Lead for Injury Studies at Flinders University, she co‑directs the Health Equity Impact Program and leads research transforming how Aboriginal health data is understood and applied.

  With qualifications in biomedical engineering and a PhD examining inequities in childhood burns injuries, Courtney has received national recognition through keynote invitations, teaching awards, and a Churchill Fellowship. Her NHMRC Investigator Grant supports her work to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through co‑designed interventions.

  Courtney’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(b) which provides for Council members with expertise in health, social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.

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  Dr Roger Thomas

  Dr Roger Thomas, a Kokatha and Mirning man, is a respected leader in Aboriginal engagement and governance. He was the inaugural Professor of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Adelaide, the first Aboriginal person to hold a professorial role and receive an honorary doctorate from the institution.

  Roger has served on numerous state, national and international committees. As South Australia’s Treaty Commissioner and later Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement, he led significant work to strengthen government relationships with Aboriginal communities and drive practical, community‑led approaches to engagement and empowerment.

  Roger’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(c) which provides for Council members with expertise in cultural leadership for healing and improving wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.

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  Professor Scott Wilson

  Scott Wilson is a highly respected Aboriginal leader and long‑standing CEO of the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council SA, a role he has held for over 30 years. He is also a Professor at La Trobe University’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research and has served in senior national roles, including Deputy Chair of the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee.

  Scott’s expertise in substance misuse and community‑led health initiatives has shaped national policy for decades. His contributions have been recognised with the Australian Centenary Medal and the Sister Alison Bush Award. He also chairs the Penington Institute Board and leads the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network.

  Scott’s appointment was made under the Preventive Health SA Act 2024:

  Part 3 s12(3)(b) which provides for Council members with expertise in health, social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.