Mr. Gary Christian
Chairperson and Executive Committee Member
Community Interests:
1980-1988 – Coordinated the Eastern Suburbs Five Day Plan to Stop Smoking
1986-1987 – Co-author of the Quit Now Stop: Smoking Program
1999 – Co-founder of the Cabramatta ADRA Care Centre for drug dependent people of the area
2000-2003 – President of Hassela Australia Teen Drug Rehabilitation program
1992-2009 – Senior management in the Australian welfare industry – Mission Australia and ADRA Australia
2003-2024 – Research Director, Drug Free Australia
Gary has published many papers on different aspects of addiction treatment and policy. He has extensively researched and written analyses on relevant issues concerning Harm Reduction policies and programs, including the Medically Supervised Injecting Facilities, Needle Exchange, Pill Testing, Methadone Maintenance and is the main spokesperson and community liaison officer for DFA
Ms Josephine Baxter
Executive Director, Drug Free Australia
- 2007-Present – Executive Director, Drug Free Australia
- 2008-2020 – Vice President, World Federation Against Drugs
- 2020-2024 – Special Advisor, World Federation Against Drugs; 2025 WFAD Deputy Board Member (Oceania)
- 2009-present – Member of the International Task force on Strategic Drug Policy
- 2007-2010 – Member of the Australian National Council on Drugs
- 2003-2007 Community Services and Health Consultant – (Drug and Alcohol)
- 2004-2005 – Community Relations Manager – Odyssey House Victoria
- 2002-2004 – National Director – Programs and Training, Life Education Australia, NSW
- 2001-2002 – Project Manager, Offshore Licensing (India & Bangladesh), Centre for International Education and Training
- 2000-2001 – Chief Executive – Life Education, SA
- Overseas Project Experience:
- 2007 – Conference presentation, ICAA Conference, Stockholm
- 2004 – Conference presentation, Tobacco Control Conference, Helsinki. Finland
- 2003 – United States of America – AER Foundation Research Scholarship, ‘Life Skills Training’, Cornell University, USA
- 2001-2002 – Bangladesh and India – Program Manager, Offshore Licensing, Centre for International Education and Training, TAFESA
- 1999 – United States of America – OTFE Research Scholarship – ‘Learning Organizations and Life Long Learning’.
- 1999 – United States, Europe and Ireland – established credit transfer links and articulation arrangements for international students and staff exchanges
- 1997 – Florence, Italy – Curriculum Designer – William Angliss Institute of TAFE
- 1983-84 Malaysia – Refugee Orientation Counsellor, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Kuala Lumpur.
Herschel Mills Baker
Committee Member and Website liaison Officer and-Cannabis Researcher for DFA
President – APFDFY
On the board of International Rotary Prevention AP
Community Interests:
1999 Parent Drug Education Courses: Mary River Lions Club Seminar; Quota Club; Baptist Church, Hervey Bay Block Coordinator of Neighborhood Watch Member of Police Liaison Committee Member of Blue Light Disco Committee (Security) Member of Maryborough Police Youth Association (Treasurer) Project Manager for establishing PCYC at Maryborough Project Manager 5 year Operation Road Runner.
1991 -1996 Project Manager for 5 year Road Runner 2 President and Founding Member of Australian Parents for Drug Free Youth, since 1986 Coordinator for APFDFY Education Web Site, since 1997 Facilitator for Drug Stop Member of Tough Love
1986-present – DFA Researcher and Publications Director focussing on Cannabis Harms
Andréa Simmons
Founder & CEO, Australian Anti Ice Campaign (AAIC)
Andréa Simmons is the Founder and CEO of the Australian Anti Ice Campaign (AAIC), which she established in 2015. A successful businesswoman in her early life, having built several businesses and reached her first million by the age of 21, Andréa’s path changed course when addiction to ICE cost her nearly everything, including her life. Out of that experience came a calling, and she has devoted herself ever since to walking alongside those affected by methamphetamine addiction and to educating the wider community, specifically youth, about its dangers.
ABOUT
As a psychosocial and recovery coach, Andréa works closely with individuals affected by addiction and mental health, guiding them through self-discovery, resilience, and long-term recovery. She holds a Certificate IV in Mental Health, has completed dual diagnosis and SAHMI Brief training, and is a qualified NDIS Support Worker with current Blue Card and Yellow Card clearances. Through AAIC she has built a national network of service providers, family support groups, and early-intervention resources, including anti-ice education workshops delivered by recovered addicts in high schools across the country. Her special interest is methamphetamine (ICE) education and recovery.
MEDIA
Andréa is a widely recognised media voice on the ice (meth) epidemic, sharing her story and AAIC’s work to reach families and young people nationally. Her television appearances include A Current Affair, Today Tonight, The Platform, WIN News, and 7 News. She has been interviewed on radio by Ray Hadley on 2GB, ABC Radio Adelaide, FIVEaa, 4CRB, and Real Faith Radio, and her story has featured in Woman’s Day, Viva! Magazine, and Eternity News.
COMMUNITY & RECOGNITION
Andréa has travelled the country to train service providers and establish family support groups, and AAIC has partnered with community organisations including Rotary International to expand its reach into schools and regional areas. In 2017, AAIC was named Volunteering Services Australia Gold Coast Community Organisation of the Year. Andréa’s advocacy has since been recognised with the Rotary Gold Coast Heart of Australia Award (2022) and the Safer Suburbs Award (2025), and in 2018 she was a finalist for the Community Dedication and Social Justice Award and received an Award of Merit certificate at the Gold Coast Women in Business Awards. She was also a speaker at the Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference in 2016. Her vision remains clear: to show that ICE steals, harms, and destroys anyone who tries it, even once.
Kerryn Redpath
15Executive Committee Member and Education Officer for DFA
Kerryn is a passionate drug and alcohol awareness educator, a role that evolved out of her own devastating life and near-death trials, many years ago. Today, she brings a message of hope and a warning of the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse to people of all age groups and demographics, by speaking in Secondary Colleges, TAFES, Corporate events and with many other interested groups. Kerryn worked as a senior school Learning Assistant, working with teens for 10 years, in an independent college.
Kerryn’s presentations are highly engaging and educational and are delivered in a powerful and professional manner. As indicated in fifteen years of feedback, this is a vital message, particularly in light of the current substance use situation across this nation.
- SBS documentary on marijuana called ‘Living with the Enemy’ in 2014.
- Live debate on ABC Radio National, the topic being, “The war on drugs”
- Live debate on 3AW with Neil Mitchel and other well-known panelists.
- Live tv debate with Richard Di Natalie on legalising marijuana.
Kerryn is a Drug & Alcohol Awareness Educator Director – DAESY Author – ‘Out of the Darkness’ & ‘Chasing After the Wind’ NEIS Prize-Winner