SOLAS Board of Management

PRESIDENT - Tom Ryan

Tom Ryan has been the longest serving elected President of the organisation. Robyn Yassine, a committed supporter of SOLAS, recruited Tom onto the Board of Management in 1999, shortly after his arrival in Townsville to work in the Acute Mental Health Unit of the Townsville General Hospital, as Director of Nursing. Tom served as an Ordinary Member of the Board until 2001 when he was elected as President, a position he has held since that time. Tom's leadership has ensured that SOLAS's transition into one of the leading specialist mental health organisations offering a range of support services and strategies to the community has been successful and well managed.

VICE-PRESIDENT - Vacant

SECRETARY - Marianne Bonassi

Marianne joined the Board in 2008. Marianne has a solid background in the mental health sector as an Occupational Therapist in community mental health and as a Psychotherapist. Marianne is currently lecturing at James Cook University in the School of Occupational Therapy. 

TREASURER - Elizabeth Siebel

Elizabeth Siebel was elected to the Board in 2008. Elizabeth is a respected Accountant and Financial Auditor and provides valued and professional advice to the Board in the management of the organisational finances. Committed to community inclusion for people with a mental illness, Elizabeth is a family Carer. 

SERVICE USER REPRESENTATIVE - Debbie Ross

Debbie has been a service user representative on the Board since February 2007. Debbie is passionate about her role and committed to social justice for all service users, and as the Service User Representative is available as a consultant to both service users and Board members.

BOARD MEMBER - Catherine Griffin

Catherine is a Mental Health Nurse who joined the Board in 2010. Catherine is a strong supporter of SOLAS who ‘do so much to support people on their recovery journey and help to address the stigma and discrimination faced by people who have a mental illness'. Catherine has a long history in mental health, previously working for SOLAS as a Lifestyle Support worker, within the Institute of Mental Health Services at the Acute Mental Health Unit, Older Persons Mental Health and currently at the Homeless Health Outreach Team.

BOARD MEMBER - Christopher Henaway

Chris is an Occupational Therapist employed with QLD Health as a clinical case manager for the Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program. Chris graduated from JCU in 2002 and during his studies was employed by SOLAS as a Lifestyle Support Worker. After graduating Chris was involved with the SOLAS Committee Of Management from 2004-06 as a means of advocating and supporting service users of SOLAS. Chris is actively involved in a range of community projects and continues to advocate for people with disabilities, Indigenous disadvantage, frail aged, mental illness and increased services for young people through a number of Government and Non Government agencies.