Updates from the Bi-national Committee for trainees (BCT) and jurisdictional representatives

The Bi-national Committee for Trainees (BCT) met online on 29 May, this was largely an introduction for new jurisdictional members, and we are looking forward to discussing the issues most affecting trainees (including the CEQ update) at the upcoming Trainees’ Advisory Council (TAC) meeting on 12 June, and then taking these issues to our next BCT meeting on 26 June 2025.

Here's a brief introduction to some of your Jurisdictional Representatives (the next issue will introduce you to the remaining ones who are listed below):

Dr Elise Witter — Deputy Chair bct@ranzcp.org: Elise is a Stage 3 trainee currently completing her advanced certificate in Consultation–liaison Psychiatry in Adelaide. She is a devoted dog mum to two rescues, Pepper and Smudge.
 
Dr Amelia Reid
— NSW Representative nsw.bct@ranzcp.org: Amelia is a Stage 3 registrar currently working at Prince of Wales Hospital. She has an interest in consultant liaison and emergency psychiatry.
 
Dr Andrew Wren
— NT Representative nt.bct@ranzcp.org: Andrew is a Stage 3 trainee from Darwin, NT, currently working in the community memory clinic. Andrew likes to party, and by party he means juggle with his wife their three kids and their social lives, the dog, a rabbit, a bird and some fish. When he can squeeze the time, Andrew can be found out camping and fishing with his family, enjoying the unique experiences the territory has to offer.
 
Dr Irene Braithwaite — NZ Representative nz.bct@ranzcp.org: Hi, I’m Irene, Stage 2 registrar, currently working at Regional Rehabilitation Inpatient Services, Kenepuru, Wellington. Irene is currently scaring herself with MEQ exam prep, and relieves stress by powerlifting, boxing and walking the dogs with her husband.

Dr David Townsend — WA Representative wa.bct@ranzcp.org: Dave is a Stage 3 trainee with the RPTWA program and is currently completing an Adult Community run in Bunbury. He recently finished up as Chair of Western Australia Association of psychiatrists in training (WAAPT) and has an interest in trainee advocacy, system improvement and rural psychiatry. He also has many other hobbies, projects and ideas that keep him from finishing his training, making his wife think he’s trying to set a record for the most years as a RANZCP trainee. 

Dr Yoon Kwon Choi — QLD Representative qld.bct@ranzcp.org: Yoon is a Stage 2 registrar currently working at Queensland Centre of Excellence for Intellectual Disability and Autism Health. He is passionate in advocating for equality in our diverse multicultural society, with interest in child and adolescent and consultation liaison psychiatry. Outside of work, he can be found in his natural habitat at either an indoor spin class or a very extended lunch. He can also be seen idealising the future with new project ideas and booking courses to attend. 

Dr Emily Drum — SA Representative 
sa.bct@ranzcp.org

Dr Alex Wilson — TAS Representative 
tas.bct@ranzcp.org

Dr Liv Harley — VIC Representative  
vic.bct@ranzcp.org

Dr Nesha Gezer — ACT Representative
act.bct@ranzcp.org

Dr Mischa Tosswill — NZ Representative
nz.bct@ranzcp.org

Dr Georgia Ramsden — Chair  
bct@ranzcp.org

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