The QNADA AGM was attended by over 30 members and friends of the NGO AOD sector, including special guests the Honourable Dr Chris Davis MP, Assistant Minister for Health, the Honourable Graham Perrott MP, Member for Moreton and Chair of the House of Representatives Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee and a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Committee and Rachel Smith, Director, Advice Services at the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission Taskforce. 

From Left: Gerard Bryne (Clinical Director of Recovery Services, Salvation Army) Rebecca MacBean (Executive Officer, QNADA) The Hon. Graham Perrot, MP (Member for Moreton and Chair of the House of Representatives Social Policy and Legal AffairsCommittee and a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Committee) David Pullen (Salvation Army)	From Left: The Honourable Dr Chris Davis MP, (Assistant Minister for Health) & Rebecca MacBean (Executive Officer, QNADA)	From Left: Trevor Halliwell (Program Manager Najarra) Ara Harathunian (CEO, Bundaberg Indiginous Wellbeeing Centre) & Hon. Graham Perrot, MP (Member for Moreton and Chair of the House of Representatives Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee and a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Committee)

QNADA members took the opportunity to ask a number of questions of Dr Davis in relation to a number of changes within the AOD sector recently announced by the Queensland Government.  The issues discussed included:

• The value of non medical models of care in the AOD Treatment sector;
• the impact of changes to Drug Court and diversion programs on individuals and for our services;
• the benefits that a strong and independent  Queensland Mental Health Commission can deliver to the NGO AOD sector;
• that it is necessary to consider the long-term implications of the withdrawal of prevention and early intervention services; and
• that NGO AOD treatment services support clients with complex needs including dual diagnosis and comorbid physical health issues.

Rachel Smith's presentation regarding the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission is available here. 

The AGM was also the perfect opportunity to launch the QNADA Strategic Plan 2012-15 and the Annual Report 2012.

During the AGM, the current Board was returned to office, with three new appointments.  All ten positions are now filled, with Anne Maree Callander of BYS, Genevieve Sinclair of YETI and Niki Parry of QuIVAA joining the team.  The expanded Board reflects the diverse nature of the NGO AOD sector with representation from youth services, Indigenous services, regional services, therapeutic communities, residential services, and services that deliver prevention and early intervention services and outreach services. 

Following the AGM, the newly appointed QNADA Board met for their first meeting and determined that the Executive would consist of:

• Trevor Hallewell (President)
• Dennis Young (Vice-President)
• Ara Harathunian (Treasurer)
• Mitchell Giles (Secretary)