Speakers

Tom Cross

Dr Cross has practiced sports medicine for 11 years and has worked with numerous professional sports teams including the Canberra Raiders, NSW Waratahs, Sydney Swans, Sydney FC and West Tigers. He is also a medical reviewer for the British Journal of Sports Medicine. A recognised leader in the field of sports medicine, Dr Cross will provide first-hand insights into the curriculum addressed within the Sports Medicine Option Module with examples of his work.

Ellyse Perry

Ellyse Perry is well placed to speak on Performance Optimisation, having debuted for both the Australian women’s cricket and soccer teams at the age of 16, and in doing so became the youngest ever person to play cricket for Australia. Ellyse’s list of achievements are numerous, and include being the only Australian to have played at both the cricket and soccer world cups, scoring against Sweden in the 2011 FIFA world cup quarter final, and playing a pivotal role in Australia’s victorious Twenty20 cricket world cup whereby she was named the player of the final.

Donna O’Connor

Donna O’Connor is a highly sought after presenter on performance optimisation. As a trainer and consultant, Donna has worked with the Australian women’s basketball team, Canadian Olympic athletics team, the Wallabies coaching staff, Australian touch football teams, and national league teams in basketball and netball. Not only an excellent practitioner, Donna has received numerous awards for her brilliance as a teacher and lecturer at Sydney University.

John Watkins

John Watkins is the CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW and is deeply involved in addressing some of the ageing and dementia challenges facing Australia. John is also the chair of the Board for the Little Company of Mary Health Care Ltd, an organisation responsible for over twenty hospitals and aged care institutions, and will be speaking to students on the topic of “The Growing and Ageing Population in Australia”. Prior to his current role, John was the Deputy Premier of New South Wales from 2005 – 2008.

The Heart Foundation

Heart Disease is one of the compulsory case studies that students investigate as part of the module Health Priorities in Australia. The Heart Foundation will present an in-depth overview of heart disease including looking at which groups are most at risk, the extent of the problem as well as risk factors and protective factors.

The Heart Foundation has funded world-class cardiovascular research, supported health professionals in their practice, developed health promotion activities, informed and educated the public, and assisted people with cardiovascular disease.

The Cancer Council

Cancer is the other compulsory case study that students investigate under Health Priorities in Australia. The Cancer Council will treat students to an extensive overview of cancer through the framework of the HSC syllabus.

The Cancer Council’s work includes the development of prevention strategies, providing clinical support and research into new treatments and cures.