Our Board

Tom Ryan

Chair

RN, CMHN, DipApp Sci, Grad Dip Ed, MMH (Psychotherapy), FACMHN, MAICD, (Director since 2000)

Tom is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse (RPN, RGON, RCompN) and has been a practicing psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He currently works in Primary Care Liaison and practices within and coordinates the Specialist Psychotherapy Clinic for Townsville Hospital and Health Service Mental Health Service Group. Tom is also a Director of the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia MIFA, Director of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (Vice President and acting President). He was formerly Nursing Director, Director of Area Mental Health Services, and has held various Clinical Nurse Consultant and other clinical, management, teaching, research and supervision roles. Tom continues to work actively in teaching, psychotherapy, supervision and publishing research.

Dr Tulha Aga

FRANZCP, RCPsych, MBBS

Dr Tulha Aga is a Consultant Psychiatrist with over 20 years’ experience in healthcare across the UK and Australia. His interest is in community and rehabilitation psychiatry and he has worked extensively with CALD communities.

Tulha works clinically for the Townsville Disaster Recovery Team and is employed by Townsville University Hospital as Clinical Director responsible for Rural and Remote Psychiatry as well as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Assessment and Engagement Service.

He is a Senior Lecturer with JCU College of Medicine and Dentistry and has held tutor positions in Healthcare Leadership and in Communication skills.

Sonia Bennetto

GAICD, BBus(Marketing), GradDipEd (Middle Years), CertIV Training & Assessment

Sonia Bennetto is a serving Councillor of the Charters Towers Regional Council, and held the position of Deputy Mayor for six years. With degrees in Education and Marketing, Sonia has over 15 years of experience in business development, vocational training, strategic marketing, product development, copywriting and digital design.  She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has developed considerable expertise in corporate governance, and strategic planning.

As a practicing relief teacher in a regional community, Sonia recognises the emerging pressures and adversities that young people face when it comes to their mental health and wellbeing.  She also serves as a Director of the North Queensland Sports Foundation and recognises the significance of keeping regional community members connected to sports and active recreation, for both their mental and physical wellbeing.

A strong advocate for innovation and creativity in the workplace, Sonia is passionate about identifying opportunities to develop regional community connections, capacity, and resilience through positive mental health and wellbeing.

Marianne Bonassi

MMH (Psychotherapy) B. Occ. Thy. GCE (TT) (Director since 2008)

Marianne commenced her career in mental health in 2001 as a case manager with the mobile intensive treatment team. In 2005, she became the academic advisor at JCU in the discipline of Occupational Therapy where she was also undergraduate coordinator and a mental health lecturer. In 2018 she returned to work in mental health in a new role as a staff development officer, allied health clinical education at the Townsville Hospital & Health Service.

Marianne is passionate about making a difference in some small way to those in the community who experience mental health issues. This is reflected in both her professional and personal life.

Robert (Bob) James

CPA, BSocSc (Hons); MIndigSt (Hons) (Director since 2017)

Bob is a retired university lecturer, historian and accountant. He has a longterm concern for those with mental health issues and their families and carers. This interest was brought about by family exposure to mental ill health and suicide over the last two decades.

He joined the board of one of selectability’s founding organisations Mental Illness Fellowship NQ (MIFNQ) in 2004 and was President and Chair for many years

Dr Clive Skarott AM

HonDUniv DipFinSvcs, FAICD, FAMI, JP (Qual.) (Director since 2019)

Clive is the Chair of the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Chair of JCU Dental and President of the Cairns Historical Society and Museum. He was Chair of Ergon Energy and a director of Energy Queensland Ltd as well as being Chair of the Cairns Port Authority. He has also served in a number of other positions including as a director of Advance Cairns; Treasurer of the Regional Development Australia Committee (Far North Queensland and Torres Strait); and director and Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Credit Union.

Professor Robert Stable AM

MBBS, DUniv (QUT), MHP, FRACGP, FAICD, FCHSM (Hon) (Director since 2018)

Professor Stable’s 50year career in health has included roles as a rural and remote General Practitioner, a Flying Doctor, Hospital Medical Superintendent and Chief Executive, DirectorGeneral of the Queensland Department of Health, Member and Chair of the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council, Vice-Chancellor and President of Bond University and Non-Executive Board Director/ Member. He retired as Chair, Metro North Hospital and Health Board, in May 2020.

Matthew Watts

NVQ (Estate Agency), C&G Television and Video Production, Cert IV Information Technology (Director since 2014)

Matthew is an experienced IT, HR and business specialist with over 18 years’ experience in client engagement roles. He is currently contracting with the Queensland State Government in a diverse range of IT projects. Prior to this, he worked in high value residential and commercial property sales, finance, and executive and public sector recruitment.