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.

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

President's Report

In the 2022 President's Report, ACMHN President Mike Hazelton discuses the challenges the new Board faces, but also the areas where the College has succeeded. Professor Hazelton also discusses the Branch and SIG leaders who have stepped up and restored some of the groups. 

CEO's Report

CEO Stephen Jackson discusses the solid year the College has had with the 46th International Mental Health Nursing Conference going ahead, the achievements that have been made with State and Federal Governments, and what is ahead of the College with a new CEO coming on board.

Financial Letter

Read the latest update on the College's finances.

Financial Statement

Read the latest update on the College's finances.

Minutes of 2022 Annual General Meeting 

Read the minutes of the 2022 Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting documents - 2021

Strategic Plan 2021-2026

Read more about the College's mission, vision, and values for the coming five years, and find out about our priorities to drive membership and improve recognition of mental health nurses and their unique skill set.

President's Report

In the 2021 President's Report, ACMHN President Mike Hazelton disscuses a year of change at the College, and goes over the responses to the recent members' survey identifying the organisation's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

CEO's Report

CEO Stephen Jackson unpacks how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped the College over the last year, gives an update on staff in the National Office, and highlights some of the achievements of and challenges facing the ACMHN.

Governance Plan

Find out more about the ACMHN's governance structure and how it aligns with the Strategic Plan.

Finance Report

Read the latest update on the College's finances.

AGM 2020 Minutes, President's Report, and CEO's Report

Catch up on the minutes from last year's AGM, and read the President's and CEO's reports. 

Governance resources

Constitution

The constitution sets out the ACMHN's purpose for which the College has been established, details its powers, and outlines its organisational structure. 

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. 

By-laws

By-laws enable the governing body of the organisation, the Board of Directors (or committees or delegations established by the Board) to determine how the ACMHN will operate for its proper advancement, management, and administration.