Board & governance
Board members
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Board comprises of highly-skilled, elected members with skills in mental health nursing, advocacy, health and higher education, governance, strategic planning and quality improvement.
Mike Hazelton
President
Mike Hazelton RN CMHN BA MA PhD FACMHN holds the positions of Conjoint Professor at the University of Newcastle and Adjunct Professor at Charles Sturt University. Mike retired as Professor Of Mental Health Nursing at the University Of Newcastle in February 2020, a position he held since 2001. Dr Hazelton has had extensive experience leading schools of nursing and midwifery at the University Of Newcastle, Curtin University, the University Of Tasmania.
John Hurley
Vice-President
John Hurley is Professor of Mental Health at Southern Cross University and works clinically at Headspace Coffs Harbour as a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse. He has accumulated over 35 years’ experience as a mental health practitioner through developing and leading psychiatric crisis and home treatment services in both Australia and the United Kingdom.
Mick Blair
Director
Since his recent retirement, following a 43-year career in health, Mick Blair has maintained an ongoing interest in the future of specialist mental health nursing. He has worked in a number of Australian states, all required professional leadership and stewardship to support the delivery of safe holistic patient care. As a Board member and Chair of the Council of Branches, he wants to help realise the potential of mental health nursing to address and ensure a future for our College.
Eimear Muir-Cochrane
Director
Eimear Muir-Cochrane is an Emeritus Professor at Flinders University, having retired as an academic and clinician in 2020 after a long career in mental health nursing education and extensive research into restrictive practices. Eimear is a Credentialled Mental Health Nurse and Fellow of ACMHN as well as being past President of the College.
Francis Acquah
Director
Francis Acquah is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse and a Fellow of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. Francis was awarded Doctor of Science (D.Sc) Honoris Causa by the Commonwealth University in December 2017. He is the Clinical Director of Positive Wellness Recovery Centre which provides mental health support, counselling, psychosocial rehabilitation and behaviour support planning. Francis is currently a scholar with the International Council of Nurses and the Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI) program, Geneva.
Richard Lakeman
Director
Associate Professor Richard Lakeman is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse and fellow of the ACMHN. He has 30+ years of experience working in clinical practice, largely with people with complex needs in assertive outreach, acute care and in private practice as a psychotherapist. He has been a vocal advocate for recognition of the psychotherapeutic potential of MHNs. He coordinates the Southern Cross University Masters of Mental Health Nursing Programmes.
Pat Bradley
Director
Pat Bradley RN CMHN MMHN PhD FACMHN is a Life Member of the College and currently honorary Distinguished Fellow at Charles Darwin University, NT. Self-employed, she draws on 40 years experience to consult on clinical service, program and policy development, and specialist education. An active ACMHN member, Pat has contributed to many College initiatives and has served previously on College Council and Board. Special interests include First Nations mental health, research and knowledge sharing, and clinical supervision.
Annual General Meeting documents - 2022
Annual General Meeting documents - 2021
Governance resources
Governance charter
The Governance charter ensures the strategic guidance of the ACMHN, defining the respective roles, responsibilities and authorities of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer. It guides the effective monitoring of management by the board, and the board’s accountability to members.