Life Membership to SOLAS has been presented to four SOLAS members over the lifespan of the organisation with the most recent being awarded to CEO Rhonda Clark at the 2010 Annual General Meeting. Life Membership is presented on the basis of valuable contribution to the organisation.

Daphne Tardent

DAPHNE TARDENT - 2005

Daphne joined the SOLAS Steering Committee to form SOLAS in 1995 and served on the Committee of Management as a representative for Carers until 2001. Daphne was a conscientious and dedicated Committee member who always attended meetings and was very serious about the responsibilities of this voluntary position. Daphne was always able to contribute the perspective of Carers to debate and discussion and actively promoted the organization at all times. Daphne served as President of SOLAS during the 1998-1999 financial year and as Vice-President during the 1999-2000 financial year.


MIKE CARTMILL - 2006

Mike Cartmill joined the SOLAS Steering Committee in 1995 whilst he was a Senior Inspector with the Queensland Police Force. Mike has been the longest serving member of the Board of Management until his retirement in September 2009. Mike has undertaken the following roles on the SOLAS Board of Management:

  • Treasurer during the 1996-1997 financial year
  • Secretary from 1999 to 2009.
 tom Ryan

TOM RYAN - 2009

 Tom Ryan has been a member of the SOLAS Board of Management since 1999.  He has been President of the Board since 2001 and as such is the longest serving President of the organisation.  Through Tom's leadership and continued drive, the organisation has evolved and developed into a leading specialist mental health service in North Queensland. Tom's vision of mental health recovery that is lead by each person in the community of their choosing has lead the organisation through challenges and achievements to ensure that the needs of service users in the North Queensland areas are addressed to a high standard. Tom's professional career as a Mental Health Nurse and his continued voluntary work in the community sector has made an outstanding contribution to local mental health services.

RHONDA CLARK - 2010

Rhonda is the CEO of SOLAS and has been managing SOLAS since 1996. She is an experienced North Queensland Social Worker having completed both Bachelor and Master Degrees at James Cook University in Townsville. She has extensive experience working towards social justice for disadvantaged people and has been employed in community based welfare services in Townsville since 1989. She has retained a lifelong interest in mental health due to her family involvement with the system.