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Our Founding Directors & Members

ADHD Australia was established in October 2014 as an independent, national body to represent the interests of all people and organisations involved in the ADHD space. Our aims at inception, which are ongoing, are to support all people impacted by ADHD to achieve optimal positive outcomes for the community at large.

Among the key guiding principles of the six founding members, five of whom became the founding directors of ADHD Australia, was to be independent of all existing ADHD bodies, but work closely with them. ADHD Australia recognised the valuable work already being done throughout Australia, but had identified significant gaps in services throughout the country which were desperately in need of support. By setting up this organisation the founding directors aim was, and remains, to complement existing efforts, rather than duplicate or compete with local and state-based ADHD bodies.

ADHD Australia would like to thank each of these Founding Directors and Members for their insight in setting up the organisation. While each has moved on to undertake other ADHD related projects they remain connected within the wider ADHD community.

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Chris Malcher

Founding Board member 2014 - July 2019

Chris Malcher is a business architect and business analysis capability lead at the Department of Social Services in Canberra. He has over twenty years’ experience bridging the gap between business and technology teams across government, charities and the commercial sector.
Chris was vice president of 'ADDults with ADHD' in NSW from 2006, and in 2011 transferred his focus to building ADHD Australia in order to unite the many groups involved in the field to address national issues in support of people affected by the condition.

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Leigh Simmonds

Founding Board member 2014 - April 2018

Leigh's passion is for making an impact and having close family members with ADHD drew her to the ADHD Australia Board. Leigh is a communications and stakeholder relations leader as well as designer of award winning Corporate Social Responsibility and colleague engagement programs. Leigh’s career and interests have long revolved around health and wellbeing in both the profit and not-for-profit settings.

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Joy Toll OAM

Founding Board member 2014 - June 2017

Until retirement Joy was 23yrs with the Probation & Parole Service NSW, where she established and supervised the ‘Community Service Order Scheme’ in the Sutherland Shire. Joy has been involved with the ADHD community for many years and was the Founder of the ADDults with ADHD support group, is currently the Public Officer for the Macquarie ADHD support group as well as a Director of the recently formed ADHD Foundation support group, all of which are in Sydney.

 

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Michele Toner

Founding Board member 2014 - Dec 2016

Michele is active within the ADHD community being an ADHD Consultant and Coach as well as the current President of the Board for ADHD WA support group in Perth. She coaches people with ADHD across Australia and around the world, either face-to-face, or via Skype. Michele has a Master of Special Education in the area of ADHD and author who has written an 'ADHD Go-to Guide: Facts and strategies for parents and teachers.'

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Dympna Brbich

Founding Board member 2014 - Dec 2016

Dympna has been a National Funding and Contracts Manager (with a Specialist Medical Registrar Program) as well as a Business Consultant with Strategic Innovations and Business Development focus. She has had a long involvement with the ADHD community and has also been involved with the ADHD WA (formerly LADS WA) support group as their part-time Business Operations Manager.

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Ray Steele

Founding Board member 2014

Ray was one of the six founding members of ADHD Australia at its inception in 2014. He was instrumental in helping the organisation set up its constitution and structure to enable it to start it on its mission. While Ray did not become a founding director he remains a member of the organisation and has a great interest in ensuring that it continues to make a positive impact within the community.
Prior to retirement Ray was a Mental Health First-Aid Trainer and TAFE Teacher supporting students with disabilities. For over 10 years Ray has served the ADHD community, currently in the role of President of ADDults with ADHD which is based in Sydney.