Planning for the RANZCP 2026 Congress is now well progressed, with the full program released earlier this month. An important element of Congress is the annual College Ceremony – an occasion that is one of the most meaningful moments in our events calendar. It is deeply moving to witness the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance and growth. The smiles of those receiving their Fellowship or Advanced Certificates, the sense of achievement they carry, and the visible pride of their families and loved ones, creates an atmosphere that is both celebratory and deeply reflective. It is a moment that brings our Fellowship together and offers a warm welcome to our newest Fellows. We look forward to the ceremony and to creating an evening that is truly fitting – one that will be remembered with pride by all.

This year, we are particularly encouraged by the record number of new Fellows and Advanced Certificate holders. This growth speaks not only to the increasing number of doctors choosing psychiatry as their specialty, but also to the strength of the systems and supports that the College continues to build around training and professional development. At a time when the need for mental health care continues to grow across our communities, this is both reassuring and energising.

In parallel, the work of the New Fellowship Program Taskforce is gathering momentum. Established to reimagine and strengthen our Fellowship program for the future, the Taskforce has been making thoughtful progress. Its recent two-day intensive workshop was a demonstration of what can be achieved when dedicated members come together with a clear mission. It was my privilege to spend time with this group – their enthusiasm, clarity of purpose and commitment to the College’s future is inspiring. A/Prof Simon Stafrace, Chair of the New Fellowship Program Taskforce, and Prof Andrew Teodorczuk, Executive Dean of Education, together with the Executive Management team, presented a comprehensive update to the Board at our recent meeting. The Board expressed confidence in the direction of this work and extended sincere thanks to all involved, including the many members who have contributed feedback along the way. This is in every sense a membership-driven initiative, and I encourage you to continue engaging with the process. Feedback can be shared via newfellowshipprogram@ranzcp.org and Simon will continue to communicate directly with members through regular Chair’s columns.

I’d like to use this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Dr Ashna Basu, who is concluding her term as the Appointed Director, Trainee in May. Ashna has been an exceptional advocate for trainees, bringing insight and authenticity to Board discussions. She has consistently ensured that the trainee voice is not only heard but meaningfully considered in decision-making processes. Ashna has demonstrated an excellent understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a Board Director and has been a remarkably strong and effective Director. Over the past year, she has played a significant part in the Board’s journey, actively shaping discussions and contributing to critical strategic decisions. On behalf of the Board and the wider College, I extend my sincere gratitude to Ashna for her service and dedication.

This presents a valuable opportunity for trainees to continue informing our governance and strategic direction. Nominations for the Appointed Trainee Board Director position on the Board are open until 6 April. The Board remains firmly committed to ensuring strong trainee representation at the highest level of governance, and I encourage eligible trainees to consider nominating. In addition, the Board will soon be seeking an Independent Director to complement the strengths of our Board, offer an unbiased perspective, and reinforce the objectivity of our governance. These roles are vital in supporting the Board to carry out its responsibilities on behalf of the membership.

We are delighted to welcome Felicity Youl as the new independent member on the RANZCP’s Finance, Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Committee. Felicity has over 30 years of global experience in compliance, operational risk, legal and corporate governance, with a distinguished career spanning Asia Pacific and Europe. Her significant expertise will be invaluable in supporting the College’s accountability and long-term financial sustainability. We look forward to the insight and leadership Felicity will bring to the FARM Committee and to advancing strong governance across the College.

Advocacy continues to be a central pillar of our work. Our recent survey highlighting the growing gap in access to mental health care has resonated strongly with both the public and the media. The message is clear: communities are experiencing significant challenges in accessing timely and appropriate mental health support, and there is an urgent need for coordinated action. The College has actively engaged with media outlets to amplify these findings, including coverage across news.com.au and syndicated across all metro and regional news websites, The National Tribune, and radio news updates on ABC Radio Victoria, ARN Network and 2SM. This work is ongoing and we remain committed to ensuring that the voices of our members, and the needs of our patients, are communicated to policymakers and the broader community. 

Finally, I would like to reflect on the remarkable success of the International Women’s Day webathon on women’s mental health. It was an absolute privilege to lead the opening session of this 24-hour global event, which brought together voices from across Australasia, Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East and North Africa, and Latin America. The scale and spirit of collaboration were truly inspiring. While we have come a long way in advancing women’s rights and addressing inequities in mental health, these gains cannot be taken for granted. They require continued vigilance, advocacy and collective effort. The conversations over those 24 hours reinforced the importance of global collaboration and the strength we find in shared purpose.

As always, I thank you for your ongoing dedication to your patients, your communities, and to one another. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the months ahead, particularly at Congress.

Dr Astha Tomar

President