Annual Review 2024-25

Early 2025

Wellways’ first Director of Lived Experience

In February, Wellways announced the appointment of Mary O’Hagan as the inaugural Director of Lived Experience, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to embedding lived experience leadership throughout our organisation.

With over 30 years of transformative leadership in the field. An internationally recognised speaker, consultant, and writer, Ms O’Hagan’s career has been dedicated to embedding the voices of lived experience into mental health systems worldwide.

A person with short white hair sitting on a stage in front of a microphone.

Mary O’Hagan at the 2025 Annual Woodcock Lecture

This operational role ensures lived experience is represented at the executive level, complementing the recently established Lived and Living Experience Authority, which works alongside the Board on a governance level.

Work is already underway to develop a Lived Experience strategy at Wellways, underpinned by Our 4 Goals and designed to keep compassion, equity and humanity at the core of everything we do.

Early 2025

Lived Experience–Led Research

This year, we established the Research Expert Advisory Committee to guide how Wellways builds and grows its research agenda. The committee is chaired by Professor Lisa Brophy and brings together representation from our Board, executive team, Lived Experience Authority, and operational teams.

By design, 50% of the committee is made up of people with lived or living experience, ensuring it is genuinely led by the voices and perspectives that matter most.

The committee will shape what we research, why we research it, and who we partner with. This includes identifying priority topics and recommending university partners with the right expertise or ethics capabilities.

At every step, our approach is lived experience led, guided, initiated, and informed. This ensures our research remains grounded in real-world experience and delivers meaningful outcomes for the people and communities we support.

Professor Lisa Brophy (Photo: La Trobe University)

Mid 2025

The Lived and Living Experience Authority

This year, leadership of the The Lived and Living Experience Authority (LLEA) transitioned as we farewelled previous Co-Chairs Debbie Hamilton and Kerry Hawkins, and welcomed Sam Brhaspati-Stott and Caroline Lambert as the Authority’s new Co-Chairs.

Over the past year, the LLEA has continued to expand its reach and influence across Wellways’ Board, Executive, and operational levels, actively participating in working groups, advisory boards, and committees.

By contributing to policy development, strategic planning, and operational decisions, the LLEA ensures that the voices of those with lived experience are not only heard but meaningfully shape the organisation’s direction.

Sam Brhaspati Stott

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Caroline Lambert

Continue Exploring

Continue exploring more of the highlights from across the business in the 2024-25 Annual Review.

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In 2024-25, Wellways strengthened lived experience leadership, deepened reconciliation, expanded services, and invested in our people - advancing advocacy, innovation and community-led change across Australia.

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Reconciliation

Reconciliation is everyone’s business at Wellways. We are proud to share that our Stretch Reconciliation Action Innovate Plan has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.

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Advocacy at Wellways

Standing up for what we believe in is core to Wellways. We advocate on behalf of people with lived experience, disability, carers and families, challenging stigma, inequity and exclusion through engagement with government, peak bodies, and by empowering our people to speak up.

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Specialist Mental Health Services

Our mental health services continue to grow and evolve, with ListenWell relaunched, new Medicare Mental Health Centres opening in QLD and NSW and expanded suicide prevention support through Universal Aftercare.

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Family and Carer Services

Innovation, equity and accessibility guided our family and carer services this year, expanding community outreach, creating local support hubs, and sharing carers’ stories through events and our podcast.

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Our People

Over the past year, we’ve strengthened connection, inclusion and support for our people through Together at Wellways, the Positive Culture Strategy, leadership training, and Pride celebrations, helping everyone feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work.