RN; PN; DAS (Nsg) (MIAE); BHSc (UWS); MEd (UNSW); Cert QualMgt & Cert OH&S (CQU); Cert IV (Training & Assessment) (CQIT) PhD CQU FACMHN FCoN

Lorna undertook psychiatric nursing training over 3 years at Rozelle Hospital in Sydney about 25 years ago and since then has held a variety of clinical, project and academic positions. Lorna currently holds the position of Associate Professor for CQUniversity, where she is the Dean of Graduate Research. From 2003-2007 she held the position of Head of School, Nursing & Health Studies at CQUniversity and prior to that was a senior lecturer for the School of Health & Human Performance. Lorna has held a number of Ministerial Appointments across a range of health and housing portfolios and is currently Chair of the Rockhampton District Health Community Council. Lorna is also a member of the Queensland Mental Health Review Tribunal.

Lorna's commitment to the College has been consistent and longstanding - she is a Fellow, is on the Editorial Board of the IJMHN, and was the scientific convenor of the 2010 36th International Conference in Hobart. Lorna was previously a member of the Research Board (2003-2007), convenor of the North Queensland Branch Symposium (2009) and of the North Queensland Branch Symposium Scientific Panel & organising committee from 2005-2010. Lorna is also the Awards coordinator for the ACMHN's International Conference.

Lorna lives by the motto, there is no health without mental health and is passionate about psychiatric/mental health nursing. Lorna uses her many positions to influence curriculum, service delivery and policy development to ensure that consumers who are living with a mental illness are not forgotten. Her vision is to help the ACMHN be the most significant entity regarding mental health nursing. She would also like to see mental health nurses again recognised for their specialist education and person centred approach via endorsement through legislation. Just as midwives are and just as mental health nurses used to be.