FestSchrift Professor Anthony Jorm

Festschrift
Professor Anthony Jorm
November 2018

Tony’s Brilliant Academic Career:
Reflections from his colleagues
On the occasion of your retirement, it is our great pleasure to present you with this book of
recollections and photos from the many people who have greatly enjoyed working with you over
the course of your long and distinguished academic career.

Early life

Tony in primary school in Brisbane in the 1950s.
6

Peter Jorm
His Name is Anthony
Let me begin with some family history. I was an ‘only child’ and I did
not like that status. It had negative connotations among my peers.
Everyone I knew had brothers or sisters. My parents were aware
of how much I wanted a sibling, so, when they belatedly produced
another child, I was given the honour of naming the baby. I named
him ‘Anthony’ and that is his name. So, those who have been calling
him ‘Tony’ have been getting it wrong for a long time.
In his pre-school years, Anthony was asked what he wanted for his
birthday. He answered, “A ladder”. He was asked why he would want
a ladder. He answered, “So I can reach the things I can’t get to now”.
He has climbed a few ladders since then.
Also, in his pre-school days, Anthony enjoyed looking through the
family bible. It was in Swedish and had full page pictures of Old
Testament characters. He would ask our mother about these characters
and she would answer as best she could. He was somewhat mystified
by her fragmentary knowledge of some of the characters he asked
about. It took some time for her to realise he thought these characters
were her contemporaries. I was thirteen when Anthony was born so
there is a considerable age difference between us. My last year at high
school was Anthony’s first year at primary school. My involvement with
Anthony during his primary and secondary schooling was not great. I
was pursuing my own life, career, marriage, children etc.
I knew he progressed without difficulty. He excelled at school, despite
having time away from school, first with polio and then when his
mother died when he was 10 years old and our father took him by
ship to Sweden, our father’s homeland.
What I did know of his intellect in his primary school years was that
he could (almost always) beat me at chess. The only way I could
beat him was not by careful strategy – he would always win if I took
that approach – but by throwing caution to the winds and making
‘kamikaze’ attacks. And even that usually didn’t succeed. He was
an avid reader of his set of Encyclopedia Britannica. I do claim
some minor credit for his career as an academic as I had, from
my educational psychology studies, a book entitled ‘Theories of
Personality’. Anthony commenced reading it more thoroughly than
I ever had and seemed fascinated by it. He would have been in late
primary school at that time.
So, did I unintentionally turn him towards psychology? If I did it
unintentionally, can I claim any credit for so doing? I claim it anyway
as who can say otherwise? Anthony has come a long way from his
origins. Our father was a ‘bad boy’ who basically ran away from his
parents in Sweden. He may have had some secondary education but
it would not have been much as he was expelled from schools for bad
behaviour. Our mother came from an Irish-Australian background
7

Peter Jorm
and had only a primary school education – as was the pattern for
country girls of her time.
Anthony may have been the first from either the Swedish or
Australian sides of our family to have gone to university and he was
probably the first to gain a degree. I am pleased to say that many in
the family have followed his lead.
Peter, Dad and Tony Jorm, early 1960s
8

Mary Crase
Anthony is a remarkable man. Reflecting on the ‘little boy’ Anthony,
I have to say I always thought he was a little different. He had an
’adultness’ – a maturity beyond his years. He always appeared to be
thinking with a faraway look in his eye. He was reared almost as an
only child. He loved his books and was always eager to learn more.
I can remember his dad’s National Geographics piled up around
the house.
I can recall my mum and his mum discussing the possibility of
Anthony commencing school one year earlier, as they felt he showed
early signs of being intellectually gifted. I remember them musing
over how ‘clever’ he was.
Anthony has always displayed qualities of compassion and kindness –
a steady stable temperament. Showing consideration for others that
developed into the quality that formed him into the man I consider
‘the nicest man I ever have known’. He was like that as a little boy and
he is the same today.
He has navigated a career that has enormously benefited humanity.
Our family love him dearly. My Mum was so very proud of his
academic achievements and success.
I remember holidaying at both Margate and Bribie Island, going over
the bumpy Hornibrook Bridge. We had lots of fun, enjoying the water
and playing in the sand, normal activities kids enjoy.
Our Christmases were simple. After midnight mass, Vince was
dressed up as Santa, he came along ringing the ‘Swedish’ bell. We
ate a lovely supper prepared by our mums. Anthony enjoyed every
moment of these celebrations with childish enthusiasm. He was
just an ordinary little boy, with an inquisitive mind. He appreciated
and enjoyed the simple things of life then and he still does today –
nothing has changed.
9

Christine and Louisa Jorm
We can’t count the number of meetings that have started with “You’re
not related to Tony Jorm, are you?”
Our response, “Oh yes, Uncle Anthony”, always leads to slight pause
before proceedings continue with added respect.
Margaret Macarthur
Having a brother-in-law like Tony is very special. As we chatter,
his uncompromising focus on gaining accurate information is
inspirational. As we chatter we learn. I can imagine how much his
various academic colleagues must value his company, his mentorship,
and his ideas.
It’s been a most illustrious career! Very best wishes from the other
Professors Jorm, Louisa and Christine.
Christine, Louisa and Tony Jorm at his UNSW Master of Psychology
Graduation, 1975
10

Betty Kitchener
I first met Tony when we were both students at the University of
NSW in 1975, living in International House on campus. Tony was
doing his PhD in psychology and I was in a double major psychology
undergraduate degree. I feel most privileged to have enjoyed and
valued his companionship ever since.
He has nurtured all my academic achievements. I would not have
written one journal article or Mental Health First Aid Manual without
his support, encouragement, intellectual prowess and steadfast
commitment.
He is loving, kind, gentle, thoughtful, patient, supportive, persistent
in his endeavours, resilient and most generous with his time and
knowledge.
Tony Jorm and Betty Kitchener when Tony received his DSc at ANU, 1995
I saw him as a beautiful person from the very beginning and I have
never ceased to do so. I am so very fortunate for us to be best friends.
11

Tony’s Academic Record.
Current Position
Professorial Fellow and NHMRC Senior Principal Fellow, Melbourne School of
Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, 2015-.
Professorial Fellow and NHMRC Australia Fellow, Melbourne School of Population
Health, University of Melbourne, 2012-2014.
Previous Positions
Professorial Fellow and NHMRC Australia Fellow, Orygen Youth Health Research
Centre, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 2009-2012.
Professorial Fellow and NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow, ORYGEN
Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, 2005-2008.
Professor, Director and NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Mental
Health Research, Australian National University, 2001-2004.
Professor, Deputy Director and NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow, Centre for
Mental Health Research, Australian National University, 1997-2000.
Deputy Director and NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, NHMRC Social Psychiatry
Research Unit, Australian National University, 1988-1996.
NHMRC Senior Research Fellow, NHMRC Social Psychiatry Research Unit,
Australian National University, 1984-1988.
Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Deakin University, 1981-1984.
Lecturer in Psychology, Deakin University, 1977- 1980.
Part-time Tutor in Psychology, University of NSW, 1975-1976.
Psychologist, NSW Department of Corrective Services, 1974.
Other Positions
Honorary Associate, Department of Medicine, University of Sydney, 1987.
Consultant, World Health Organization, Division of Mental Health, Geneva, 1993.
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University,
2005-2007.
Adjunct Professor, Centre for Research on Aging, Health and Wellbeing, Australian
National University, 2012.
Academic Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Honours Class I in Psychology), University of Queensland, 1973
Master of Psychology (Experimental Clinical), University of New South Wales, 1975
Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales, 1977
Graduate Diploma of Computing, Deakin University, 1985
Doctor of Science, Australian National University, 1995
Membership of Professional Societies
Association for Psychological Science
Academic Honours and Prizes
Guy Goodricke Prize in Psychology, University of Queensland, 1970
Australian Psychological Society Prize, University of Queensland, 1972
University of Queensland Medal, 1973
Early Career Award, Division of Scientific Affairs, Australian Psychological Society,
1982
Elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, 1994
Ewald W. Busse Research Award, International Association of Gerontology, 1997
Deliverer of the 39th Barton Pope Lecture, Royal Australian & New Zealand College
of Psychiatrists and Ramsay Health Care Group, Adelaide, 2000
Deliverer of the Sir Keith Wilson Oration, Australian Association of Gerontology
Conference, Adelaide, 2000
Elected Fellow of the Australian Association of Gerontology, 2000
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, 2002
Founders’ Medal, Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research, 2002
Listed in ISI HighlyCited.com as one of the most highly cited researchers in
Psychology/Psychiatry over the period 1981-1999, 2003
Mental Health First Aid program received a Mental Health Services Achievement
Award (First Prize) from the Mental Health Services (TheMS) Conference of Australia
and New Zealand, 2003
Mental Health First Aid program received Victorian Public Health Award for
Innovation, 2006
Mental Health First Aid program received LIFE Healthy Communities Award from
Suicide Prevention Australia, 2007
Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Program received a Gold Achievement
Award from the Mental Health Services (TheMS) Conference of Australia and New
Zealand, 2007
14

Australian Rotary Health Research Fund Medal, 2007
Excellence in Mental Health Education Award (to Kitchener & Jorm for Mental Health
First Aid Program), U.S. National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare,
2008
Thomson Scientific Citation Award (for highest average citations per paper in the field
of psychiatry in Australia 1997-2007), 2008
Deliverer of the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health Queensland Oration,
2008
Australia Fellowship, National Health and Medical Research Council, 2009
Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Program received the Australian
Rotary Health Knowledge Dissemination Award, Australasian Society for Psychiatric
Research, 2010.
Mental Health First Aid listed as one of “Ten Aussie Social Innovations to Change the
World”, First Australian Social Changemakers’ Festival, Sydney, 2012.
Deliverer of the Peter Karmel Lecture on Public Policy, Academy of the Social Sciences
in Australia, Canberra, 2014.
Listed in the centenary issue of the Medical Journal of Australia as first author of one of
the journal’s 10 most cited articles, 2014.
Ranked 17th out of top 1000 scientists in Australia for h-index by Webometrics, May
2017.
Outstanding Academic Mentor Award, Australian Psychological Society, 2017.
Services to the Mental Health Sector
Member, NH&MRC Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health for Aged, 1989-1990.
Member, Management Committee for Hostel Dementia Care Project, Commonwealth
Department of Health Housing and Community Services, 1990-1991.
Member, Consumer Outcome Project Advisory Group, Commonwealth Department of
Human Services and Health, 1996-1997.
Member, Public Health Working Party on Dementia in Victoria, 1996.
Member, Steering Committtee for Outcomes Cost-effectiveness and Other Indicators
of Quality in Australian Mental Health Services Project, Commonwealth Department
of Health and Family Services, 1998.
Member, National Health Priority Areas Mental Health Report Drafting Group,
Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services, 1998.
Member, Depression Action Plan Drafting Group, Commonwealth Department of
Health and Aged Care, 1999.
Member, Board of the Mental Health Council of Australia, 1998-2000.
Member, Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, Mental Health Awareness
Campaign Reference Group, 1999-2005.
Member, ACE-Mental Health Project Steering Committee, Commonwealth
Department of Health and Ageing, 2001-2003.
Co-opted Member, Board of the Mental Health Council of Australia, 2003-2004.
External advisor, Illicit Drugs and Mental Illness Public Awareness Campaign,
Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services, 2006.
Member, International Advisory Board for Moving People (English national antistigma
campaign), 2008.
Member, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) Expert Panel for
Mental Wellbeing, 2014.
Chair of Board, Mental Health First Aid International, 2012+
Expert Advisor on Clinical Practice Guideline for Mood Disorders, Royal Australian
and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 2014.
Member, Vichealth Mental Wellbeing Taskforce, 2017-2019.
Services to Professional Societies
Member, Committee of the Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research, 1990-2000.
President, Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research, 1999-2000.
Member, Committee of World Psychiatric Association Section of Epidemiology and
Public Health, 2001-2008.
Co-opted Member, Executive of the National Association of Research Fellows, 2002-
2003.
Executive Committee Member, Alliance for the Prevention of Mental Disorders, 2013+
Member, Committee of World Psychiatric Association Section on Stigma and Mental
Health, 2014+.
Services to Research
Member, Commonwealth Department of Health Ethics Committee, 1992-2001.
Member, Scientific and Research Sub-Committee of the Alzheimer’s Association, 1992-
2002.
Member, Panel to evaluate National Mental Health Projects, Commonwealth
Department of Human Services and Health, 1994.
Member, NH&MRC Regional Grants Interviewing Committee, 1989-1990, 1995-
1998.
Member, NH&MRC Assigners’ Panel in Psychiatry and Psychology, 1989-1998.
Member, Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel, Alzheimer’s Disease International,
1997-2005.
15

Member, Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute Advisory Committee,
2002.
Member, Research Committee of the ORYGEN Research Centre, 2002-2006.
Member, Research Committee of the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, 2000-
2009.
Chair, NHMRC Project Grant Review Panel in Mental Health, 2000-2002.
Chair, Research Committee of “beyondblue: the national depression initiative”, 2001.
Trustee, Beyondblue Depression Research Ancillary Fund Trust, 2002+.
Member, NHMRC Research Committee, 2003-2006.
Member, NHMRC Assessment Panel for Howard Florey Centenary Fellowships, 2003.
Member, NHMRC Program Grants Committee, 2003-2005.
Member, Medical and Scientific Panel of Alzheimer’s Australia Research and
Alzheimer’s Australia, 2003-2005.
Member, Schizophrenia Research Institute (formerly NISAD) Scientific Advisory
Committee, 2003-2005.
Chair, NHMRC Health Research Partnership Grants Committee, 2004-2006.
Member, NHMRC/ARC Working Group on the National Research Priority “Ageing
Well, Ageing Productively”, 2004-2006.
Member, Joint Working Group on revision of NHMRC/AVCC Statement and
Guidelines on Research Practice, 2003-2006.
Chair, NHMRC Program Grants Review Panel, 2005.
Co-opted Member, Research Committee of the Mental Health Council of Australia,
2005-2006.
Member, National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy Expert
Subcommittee on “Promoting and Maintaining Good Health”, Australian Department
of Education Science and Training, 2005.
Judge for Jamie Callachor Eureka Prize for Medical Research, 2006.
Deputy Chair, NHMRC Project Grant Review Panel in Psychiatry and Psychology,
2006.
Member, Reference Group for National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing,
Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006-2007.
Member, Strategic Research Program Working Group of beyondblue and National
Heart Foundation to assess research applications in the area of depression and heart
disease, 2007-2008.
Member, external review of the Schizophrenia Research Institute, 2008.
Chair, NHMRC Career Development Award Grant Review Panel, 2008-2010.
Member, Scientific Advisory Committee of the Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre,
2008.
Member, Scientific Review of the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, 2008.
Member, Research Committee of the Mental Health Council of Australia, 2007-2011.
Chair, Australian Rotary Health Research Committee, 2009-2012.
Member, NHMRC Australia Fellowship Review Panel, 2010.
Member, NHMRC Academy, 2011.
Member, Expert Working Committee for the beyondblue Victorian Centre of
Excellence in Depression, Anxiety and Related Disorders, 2011-2015.
Member (representing beyondblue), Grant Review Committee for Cancer Prioritydriven
Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme, 2011.
Member, NHMRC Assigners’ Academy, 2012.
Member, NHMRC Early Career Fellowships Panel, 2012.
Member, NHMRC Assigners’ Academy, 2013.
Member, Schizophrenia Research Institute External Review, 2013.
Member, Research Committee of Australian Rotary Health, 2013+.
Convenor, Australian Rotary Health Symposium on “Prevention of Mental Disorders
Across the Lifespan: Setting New Directions for Research and Implementation”,
Canberra, 2013.
Member, NHMRC Early Career Fellowships Panel, 2015.
16

Deakin University:
1977-1984

Colleagues at Deakin University, 1970s
L to R: Stephen MacKenzie, Val Clarke, Wendy Towan. David Share, Susan Chambers, Barry Dickie, Tony Jorm, Lesley Hall, Simon
Parker, Simon Oldfield
18

David Share
When Tony first joined the School of Psychology, he was put to work
writing Study Guides for the Open Campus Program. Deakin back
then was primarily a “distance learning” institution. In the days
before the internet, all course materials were printed and snailmailed
to students. The then Head of Psychology, Prof. Iain Wallace,
who oversaw these Study Guides, thought Tony had written too much
(a strange complaint about Tony who has always been a pro at writing
succinctly!) and so asked Tony for some “sudgeries” in his very strong
Scottish accent. Tony hadn’t a clue what a “sudgery” was, and was too
embarrassed to ask, but eventually figured out that Iain was referring
to “surgeries”, that is, cuts.
PhD supervision “by correspondence” – Tony went on sabbatical
to the Center for the Study of Reading in Champaign, Illinois in
1981. In that year, the second year of my PhD, I was busy developing
measures for our longitudinal study (together with Rod Maclean and
Russell Matthews). Tony and I corresponded by letter; there was no
internet and no-one called “long-distance” except in emergencies.
I would put all my queries into a handwritten letter which was “airmailed”
to the US. It took about 7-10 days to reach Tony, who, with his
characteristic promptness, replied immediately, sending his replies
back by “air-mail”, which would arrive at Deakin within 2-3 weeks.
Tony aged 29 years at Deakin University, May 1980
19

Australian National University:
1984-2005

3 Liversidge Street
22

Scott Henderson
I much appreciate this opportunity to contribute to Tony’s Festschrift
– a celebration and an appreciation of what he has contributed to our
field over many decades.
Tony has been a research colleague of mine for almost 35 years.
He came to the NHMRC Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Unit
at ANU in 1984. We numbered only five members of the scientific
staff. Most of you know that Unit is now called the Centre for Mental
Health, still extant, since 1975, and now directed by Prof Luis
Salvador-Carulla. Tony and I have fond memories of working in that
wonderful weatherboard cottage at 3 Liversidge Street, out of which
so much research has flowed. Visitors from overseas, coming from
large Institutes, sometimes said to me, “But it’s so small!”
All of us soon became aware of Tony’s ability as a committed
researcher. He was immediately productive – productive of ideas
in the epidemiology of mental disorders - a field that initially was
relatively fresh for him. He already had an impressive grasp of
methodology, but he also showed just the right degree of scepticism
– scepticism towards whatever platform of knowledge already was
available. Above all, from the outset, Tony was highly productive
in bringing out really first-rate publications, written in his own
uncluttered, parsimonious style. This did so much to ensure our
survival on highly competitive funding from our sole source,
NHMRC. None of us, of course, had tenure.
number of innovations. These were in measurement, in study design,
in the analysis of quite large data sets, some of them longitudinal,
and in instrument development. His work soon elicited international
recognition, not least in the prestigious Section of Epidemiology and
Public Health of the World Psychiatric Association.
Throughout, both at ANU and later in Melbourne, Tony has been
able to take a fresh look at some of the bigger questions. He has
always been able to see the larger picture, sometimes in a way others
had just not thought of. One can see, too, that Tony’s perspective has
usually been from the viewpoint of population health.
In one matter, I think he needs particular recognition. This is in
nourishing younger investigators, done by unstinting supervision
of postgraduate students. This is such a vital area for the future,
irrespective of discipline. With everyone, his focus has consistently
been on the science of the topic in hand, without distraction by
other factors.
I hope that this Festschrift will help us anticipate what Tony’s legacy
will be for the next generation of investigators. We can be very
confident that it will be outstanding and enduring. It deserves lasting
recognition - by us and by the wider world.
We had begun work by that time on the epidemiology of the
dementias. Tony brought to our particular field of investigation a
23

Helen Christensen
Tony is the most organised insightful researcher one could imagine!
I can think of a myriad of great events we all shared in the early days
of the Social Psychiatry Research Unit at ANU
These included trips to the Snowy Mountains to celebrate
professorships and eating smelly fish from Scandinavia in the
backyard with the rabbits. All the best times ahead Tony. You leave
a legacy of fabulous research, excellently trained PhD students and
impact through your many initiatives.
Andrew MacKinnon
My career in mental health research began in an old cottage
overlooking Lake Walter Burley Griffin. I arrived uncertain whether
it was permissible to address our director by his first name, unsure
what I was supposed to be doing, and suspecting that I had got the
job under false pretences. The path of a research career - post-docs,
mentoring, h-indices was far from overt at that time but in this farfrom-the-madding-crowd
environment, my contemporaries and I
received an unequalled yet subtle apprenticeship. We were included
as equals in the Unit’s major projects, given responsibilities that were
often beyond our experience and also supported in finding our own
way. As I recall it, Tony’s door, literally, was always open!
As a leader, Tony has always been a doer: not only has he come up
with ideas whose creativity is matched by their practicality, but he
has always gotten his hands dirty in all phases of the work needed
to bring them to reality. In these enterprises, he has always been
inclusive and always recognises the contributions of all those involved.
Along with so many others, I owe a great deal to Tony for his support
and encouragement over my entire career.
L to R: Tony Jorm, Scott Henderson, Ailsa Korten, Helen Christensen, Trish Jacomb and
their pets, 1996
24

Claire Kelly
When I got a job at what was then the Centre for Mental Health
Research at ANU, I could barely believe it; a lone sociology grad in a
sea of psychology grads, I really didn’t think I had much of a chance.
But I did. And it wasn’t long before I grew to understand what an
incredible privilege it was to have the opportunity to work with Tony.
I had already fallen in love with the whole concept of Mental Health
First Aid, and I wouldn’t have believed it if a fairy godmother came
down to tell me that it would be the most important work of my life,
but it is, and I believe it will remain so.
Tony encouraged me from very early on to do my PhD. I don’t
think I’ll ever forget the Christmas party in 2001. People were
commiserating with me over the fact that I still hadn’t heard whether
or not I had an APA scholarship. Tony frowned at me and said that in
the unlikely event that I didn’t get one, the Centre would pay instead,
as if it was the most natural thing in the world. I’m not sure I’d ever
had the feeling of someone truly believing in me in that way, before
that day. He was a wonderful mentor and PhD supervisor. He once
told me that PhD students make the mistake of thinking that their
PhD research is the biggest and most important thing they’ll ever do,
when in fact they just need to do enough to pass well and then move
onto bigger and better things. I’ve passed that advice on to dozens of
others, now, and their “aha!” moments remind me of that day. There
is always a bigger, better project, a higher goal.
We have spent many an hour in Delphi work-in-progress meetings,
and working on MHFA manuals, and Tony likes to ensure he gives
credit to everyone who contributes, praising their wording on
something tricky, or the solution to a complex problem. He
supports, mentors and coaches generously and selflessly.
And quite beyond all of that, Tony has also been there for me
personally. I don’t like to have to remember sobbing my eyes out in
the ER one terrible night in 2006, with no idea who I could possibly
call to come and support me through a very terrible night and thirty
stitches. But I’ll never forget Tony arriving and sitting by me, his quiet
empathy and earnest attempt to understand. I never felt judged. Only
supported. The first couple of years in Melbourne, on my own, Tony
and Betty were my lifeline, and I will pay it forward, because there is
no way I could pay it back, and I know they’d prefer I use the lessons
I learned from them to help someone else.
Tony Jorm and Claire Kelly at a Rotary Conference in Melbourne, 2012
25

Perminder Sachdev
In honour of Tony
A weak pen scribes a mighty salute
Hand quivering with the burden of esteem
The ink dries slowly to prolong the applause
Praise flows quickly from ream to ream.
The pen pauses and meanders the page
To match your erudition and foresight
It seeks deep in history and verse
For matching light, burning so bright.
Mental illness hesitates, pondering its path
Vigilant for a relentless foe
It meets your eye, shivers with pain
And slowly softens its populous blow.
Mental health radiates the warming glow
Emanating from your breath and beat
It sees your guidelines writ on stone
First principles of aid averting retreat.
Ignorance teeters and ebbs its tide
As mental health literacy rides your wave
New knowledge empowers a suffering soul
It treads the path that you did pave.
Ageing deliberates the wrinkles on its face
And pounds alacrity of the mind
Its weary eye steadfast on your research
Which measures its grasp on mankind.
When mind’s lost and dementia knocks
In you it finds its equal match
Epidemiology hails you as a chosen son
Your name writ large in every dispatch.
We bid you farewell, o mighty mind
Grateful for your learning and sage
A scholar, a guide, a generous friend
Heads will bow in every age.
26

Kaarin Anstey
Tony was an inspiration to me and a mentor and advocate who
supported me to establish my career in the NHMRC Fellowship
scheme and in leading the PATH Through Life study at ANU. I
fondly remember the lunches we had at University House at ANU
where we would discuss all manner of topics relating to research,
university life, the ups and downs of getting funding and cycling
trips! Tony’s crisp clear thinking and direct communication style that
made complex issues seem straightforward, provided a wonderful
example for those of use early in our careers. His passion for making
a difference to the lives of people with mental illness was inspirational
to me at that time. Tony has always had a talent for picking out the
eye of an issue and publishing key papers at the right time on the
right topic – when the field is ready to hear and understand the topic
– like mental health literacy. Tony is one of Australia’s most impactful
and important mental health researchers and has truly shown us how
to translate research into practice and policy. I feel incredibly lucky
that I had the opportunity to work with Tony for a few years at ANU
and I hope he will continue his great work for as long as possible.
Nic Cherbuin
Often a person’s character and generosity of spirit can be judged
based on how they behave towards people they don’t know and who
do not feature in their life. And my experience is that this is also true
of Tony. I do not know him well and most of the few interactions we
have had in the last 10 years have taken place via email. And yet Tony
has had a major impact on who I am and what I do. For more than
10 years I have been conducting research using data from a major
project, the PATH Through Life Study, Tony set up in Canberra with
others and which he left behind for others to nurture, for this I am
very grateful. But this is not all. As a junior academic, Tony agreed
for me to work with him on a book chapter focusing on a tool he
developed, the IQCODE. After a brief discussion of the scope of
the chapter he had in mind and the sharing of profuse background
info he let me get on with it. I can still remember how happy I was
to be involved in the project and to be associated with a person so
highly respected for the quality of his work. Of course, I should have
come second, but no, Tony insisted for me to be first author and
this continued with subsequent chapters. To this day I am not sure
how much this has influenced my grant and academic success, but
I suspect much. Over the years I think we only met three or four
times in person and exchanged very infrequently via email. Yet, a
few months back, when I contacted him out of the blue after months
of silence to be a referee for a promotion application his response
was condensed to his essential generous spirit “Yes, happy to do
this.” Thank you, Tony,! Forever grateful, Nic
27

University of Melbourne:
2005 - onwards

Tony’s team when located in Orygen Youth Health Centre as staff members of University of Melbourne, 2010
Back row – L to R: Siobhan Ryan, Anna Ross, Stefan Cvetkovski, Amy Morgan, Pam Pilkington, Leanne
Northausen, Nicki Reavley, Tony Jorm, Betty Kitchener
Front row – L to R: Julie Fischer, Marie Yap, Claire Kelly, Fiona Blee, Alicia Holborn, Lesley Berk
30

Jane Pirkis
Smart academics are a dime a dozen, but smart academics who
really care are a much rarer beast. Professor Tony Jorm really cares.
He cares about people with mental illness and the way they are
treated by others, and this has driven him to investigate stigma and
discrimination and look for ways of reducing them. It has led him
to consider ways in which the mental health system might be more
responsive and has underpinned his work with the hugely successful
Mental Health First Aid.
Tony also cares about the research craft. He has strengthened the
cadre of mental health researchers in Australia through his tireless
editorial and review activities for journals and granting bodies. His
work with Australian Rotary Health is notable here; Tony chaired the
ARH Research Committee for years and saw to it that funding was
distributed to researchers who could really take the mental health
field forward.
Perhaps most importantly, Tony cares about younger researchers. He
is widely recognised as an exceptional mentor. He is generous-spirited
and nurturing. It was no surprise to anyone that he was awarded the
Australian Psychological Society’s Outstanding Academic Mentor
Award in 2017.
Oh, and he’s extremely smart as well!
Nicki Reavley
I suppose this is a chance to put in writing some of the things that
I have said to others about you for years! Almost uniquely, I think,
among people I have worked for, my respect for you has grown rather
than diminished as the years have gone by. I could not have asked for
a better mentor.
Your combination of rigour and pragmatism always stands out to me;
the capacity to do high-quality research without letting the perfect be
the enemy of the good.
You are healthily sceptical, but never negative or judgemental,
about my ideas. I knew that if I could convince you of the value of
something I wanted to do, I was probably on the right track!
You have a rare ability to come up with creative solutions (often
involving data or evidence) to test propositions that most other
people just take for granted.
Your capacity to be across the smallest details (not many other
professors would proofread the references in a draft paper!) as well as
the big picture (building a non-profit organisation with global reach
in less than 2 decades) is always remarkable.
And last but definitely not least, your tireless efforts to support your
team and other mentees have been so valuable. Your door has always
been open, and you have unfailingly offered me honest, wise and
strategic advice, encouraged me to make the most of opportunities
and to take credit, even when perhaps much of it was due to you.
31

Nicki Reavley
Despite the terrible insecurity (!), I thoroughly enjoy my work and I
would not be in this position today if I had not had the good fortune
to start working for you almost 10 years ago.
I am still working on develop my ‘inner Tony’ for use as I mentor and
support others in my turn. It won’t be anywhere near as good as the
original, but I couldn’t have better raw material to work with!
Anna Ross
Congratulations on an outstanding career, Tony.
Working with you over the past 9 years, your passion for improving
mental health and research has been contagious. It has been such
a pleasure working with you and learning from you over this time.
The memories of our early days working together in the portable at
Orygen are some I will always remember, especially the need to rug
up in winter!
You have been a big influence on my enjoyment of research, so much
so that the task of tackling a PhD hardly seems daunting. Thank you
for your continued support and for believing in me. I am thrilled we
can continue working together and to have your support for my PhD.
Best wishes for your next chapter in life and all the cycling adventures
you and Betty have ahead of you!
Amy Morgan
I first met Tony during one of his infamous interviews for a research
assistant position after he had moved to Melbourne in 2005. He
introduced me to the joys of cycling and planted the seed (watering
regularly) to undertake a PhD and a career in research. I have been
fortunate to be mentored by him in my first research role and later
as my PhD supervisor. Such generous and wise mentors are rare, and
I have learnt an immense amount from him. I was always amazed at
his breadth of knowledge, focus on the bigger picture and ability to
clearly think through a solution to problems.
I have appreciated his unwavering support of my research career
development. He has nominated me for awards, gently encouraged
me to apply for grants and awards, but also had the courage to step
back and allow me independence to face research challenges and
develop my confidence.
I admire his kind, compassionate nature, and how this translates
into his dedication to his work and improving the mental health
of Australians. Although I will miss him, I cannot begrudge him a
well-earned retirement cycling the world, and I will always retain the
lessons he has taught me.
32

Marie Yap
For almost 9 years I have been a grateful beneficiary of Tony’s
mentorship. I was privileged to be employed as one of the research
fellows under Tony’s NHMRC Australia Fellowship in 2010, and even
after moving to Monash University in late 2013, I have continued
to benefit from our ongoing collaboration. Rewinding through the
reels of my memories in the past 9 years, I remember many hours of
WIPs (Work-In-Progress meetings) in Tony’s office, often highlighted
with Lindt balls and sometimes Kopika coffee sweets. The WIPs
then continued via Zoom from 2014, and though the sweets were
missing (and missed!), the productivity and learning opportunities
continued. The fruit of those many hours include 5 sets of evidenceinformed
and expert-endorsed guidelines and 3 online parenting
interventions, all of which are designed for the prevention of child
and adolescent mental health problems. I also remember countless
emails exchanged, meetings in Tony’s office and over the phone
or Zoom, discussing research ideas, gleaning career development
advice, and brainstorming new directions. I have also appreciated
Tony’s level-headedness (which has a very valuable grounding effect),
absolute honesty (you can always trust him to tell you what he really
thinks), and genuine support for my career development.
L to R: Marie Yap, Claire Kelly, Siobhan Ryan, Tony Jorm, rugged up in winter at Orygen
I could not have asked for a better mentor, Tony, so thank you.
33

Julie Fischer
Tony, it has been a privilege working with you for over 10 years
on various research projects and watch as the concept of MHFA
continues to filter into everyday vernacular. Melbourne Uni is a
magnificent place to work and it has been an honour to be part of
your ‘team’. Personally, I could not have asked for a better mentor in
research or a more empathetic boss. Over the years, you have helped
me immensely in my role and have seen me at my worst when life
has thrown a few curve balls. For that I say a big THANK YOU. Your
expertise, benevolent leadership, warmth and support, make work a
pleasure. You nurture everyone in your team and are loved by many.
I’ve watched you mentor others who have gone on to be leaders in
their field. Your generosity and tireless work in research and Rotary
has left a lasting impression on many peoples’ lives – for this you
will always be remembered and revered. I will miss you once my role
finishes, but will keep in touch to hear what you and Betty are doing
in ‘retirement’…which will undoubtedly include research, but
hopefully many more bike rides and holidays!
Rob Mason
I moved to Melbourne in 2013, fresh out of uni and wanting to get in
to research. While I considered myself lucky at the time to be offered
a job working with the Population Mental Health Group, over the
months and years on Bouverie St I began to realise how lucky I was to
have Tony as my first proper “boss”. Tony’s ability to create a sense of
community within his team, his calm and logical way of approaching
absolutely any problem (even when the problem seemed too daunting
as you walked in to his office), and his consistent offering of chocolate
will stick with me forever. He believed in and supported the careers of
so many of us over the years, and his influence on us will be seen for
years after his retirement. Thank you, Tony!
Fiona Blee
Working with you first in 2010 on the MindWise project and again
more recently has been an honour and a privilege! Your drive,
focus, intelligence and humility are inspirational. The way you really
listen to the views of everyone you come into contact with and subtly
guide your RAs, helped me to find my voice and confidence in the
workplace. Congratulations on the incredible work you have done.
I hope that this next chapter is everything you hope it to be. Thank
you for everything you have done for mental health literacy and for
your staff.
34

Wenjing Li
Although you have known me for only a short period of time, I
have known you since my undergraduate days – I determined my
research direction through reading your papers on Mental Health
Literacy, thank you for coming up with this concept. Also, thank
you for launching the Mental Health First Aid training program,
because of the existence of the program, getting into the Master of
Clinical Psychology is no longer the only option for me to help people
with mental health issues. It is a great honour for me to have the
opportunity to work with you.
Karen Gregg, Penny Cropper
& Catherine Johnson
In the short time we have worked with Tony what stands out
most for us is his generous, calm and considered manner. His
characteristic welcoming of anyone at his office door to come in
and sit down, seemingly regardless of the interruption to his heavy
workload, is amazing and greatly appreciated by all.
Tiffany Too
You may not know that I have been calling you ‘Chocolate Professor’
as you have always been so nice to share with us your delicious
chocolates and this has cheered us up during our busy days. I am
also grateful for your guidance and feedback on my applications
and always being so supportive to us. I remember many years ago,
when I was in a discussion with my friend about physical first-aid
and we came into the thought that it would be also great to have
mental health first-aid, and then we found your works. I am happy
to see that your first-aid has been going so well, to other parts of the
world, and to the schools. No doubt to say that your works have great
contribution to our society, which has make us a better place to live.
Congratulations on your remarkable achievements and retirement. I
wish you a happy and relaxing retirement and hope to see you around
our centre.
35

Tony’s MHL & MHFA team having a picnic in Princes Park, Parkville, 2014
Back row – L to R: Stefan Cvetkovski, Rob Mason, AJ Williams, Claire Kelly, Julie Fischer, Brendan
O’Keefe, Pam Pilkington, Tony Jorm, Nicki Reavley, Kathy Bond, Anna Ross
Front row – L to R: Katherine Mok, Alyssia Rossetto , Michelle Fowler, Tim Marwick, Maria Ibarra,
Kathryn Chalmers
36

PhD students
1. David Share (Deakin University)
2. Jennifer Bowers (ANU)
3. Wayne Reid (University of Sydney)
4. Ric Marshall (ANU)
5. Ruth Parslow (ANU)
6. Tanya Caldwell (ANU)
7. Rajeev Kumar (ANU)
8. Yvonne Forsell (Stockholm)
9. Pernilla Hilleras (Stockholm)
10. Claire Kelly (ANU)
11. Jerome Maller (ANU)
12. Lee-Fay Low (ANU)
13. Zoe Prichard (ANU)
14. Lisa Barney (ANU)
15. Karen Mather (ANU)
16. Laura Hart (University of Melbourne)
17. Amy Morgan (University of Melbourne)
18. Magenta Simmons (University of Melbourne)
19. Sylvia Kauer (University of Melbourne)
20. Annemarie Wright (University of Melbourne)
21. Lesley Berk (University of Melbourne)
22. Siobhan Ryan (Deakin University)
23. Alyssia Rossetto (University of Melbourne)
24. Greg Armstrong (University of Melbourne)
25. Faye Scanlan (Swinburne University)
26. Kathryn Cairns (University of Melbourne)
27. Santushi Amarasuriya (University of Melbourne)
28. Katherine Mok (University of Melbourne)
29. Helen Osman (University of Melbourne)
30. Maria Gabriela Uribe Guajardo (University of Western Sydney)
31. Endang Retno Surjaningrum (University of Melbourne)
Alyssia Rossetto
It is difficult to overstate the impact you have had on me, both
personally and professionally. I would not be where I am today
without you noticing and nurturing whatever potential you saw in me
at the time I applied to the University of Melbourne’s PhD program. I
have benefited enormously from your patience, beneficence, insight,
wisdom and time over the years.
Thank you for introducing me to mental health first aid, and the
global MHFA network. I have hoped to make a difference to people’s
mental health for a long time, and in this world I feel like I have
found a place where I am accepted and can make a meaningful
contribution to the lives of others. I am proud to be part of a
community of people with a passion for researching and improving
the population’s mental health literacy and mental health first aid
skills: a community which has you to thank for its existence and
impact. I am privileged to have shared in your story.
37

Laura Hart
Chuck Taylors and CONSORT Checklists:
The enduring impact of Tony Jorm
I first met Professor Anthony F. Jorm when I interviewed for the
position of Research Assistant to develop Delphi expert-consensus
studies for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander version of
the Mental Health First Aid course, in early 2007. I was struck
by his relaxed manner, his Converse Chuck Taylor all-star shoes,
and his simple understated office in a run-down old Royal Park
building, which did not seem becoming of the highly influential and
prodigious Professor that he was.
I laughed when in the interview he asked me to explain what a
double-blind randomised controlled trial was, as I thought he was
joking. But when I looked up at his deadpan face, I realised he was
serious, and I began searching the annals of my first-year science
degree memories for the answer. I have re-lived that moment with
delight many times since, as Tony has sat alongside me interviewing
for Research Assistant staff on our new and ever more complex RCTs -
evaluating teen Mental Health First Aid in secondary schools - and he
continues to ask that question, to the chagrin of many interviewees.
principled and high-quality interventions, or the implementation
of robust evaluation research. Tony’s apolitical nature, supportive
mentoring, and drive for scientific excellence – in the pursuit of
evidence and alleviation of human suffering, rather than in pursuit of
ego or financial benefit – are the outstanding qualities that I believe
have shaped his exceptional career and many positive relationships
with colleagues here in Melbourne, across Australia and abroad.
Researchers deserving of a festschrift share certain qualities
including: outstanding mentoring skills, profound impact on an
academic or clinical department’s growth or direction, technical
mastery, significant contributions to research and theory, and broad
interests (Lewis, 1996). Tony meets these criteria, yet to me, his most
important contribution has been to role model exceptional personal
qualities including: wearing comfortable shoes, being happy with
your own office wherever it may be, having an unwavering ethical
conduct and a non-stigmatising supportive acceptance of those living
with mental illness. Thank you Tony, for all of these life lessons.
These first reactions have continued to shape my ongoing admiration
of Tony. I continue to perceive him as at once relaxed yet disciplined,
modest yet exceptional, understated yet fiercely intelligent. Tony’s
track-record in his chosen field of public mental health research is
second to none. Yet, he has been a mentor to me in life skills, which
reach far beyond the use of a CONSORT checklist, the design of
38

Lesley Berk
Tony, through your tireless work, you have increased public
awareness and acceptance of mental health issues and helpful
ways to enhance mental health. You have contributed widely to the
scientific literature, and educated the public, not only in Australia,
but internationally about mental health literacy and ways to deal
with and prevent mental health problems. In addition, you have
supervised and mentored the next generation of researchers. As
a PhD supervisor you were reliable, consistent and encouraged me
to question and discuss my ideas openly. You provided thoughtful
constructive feedback that I could learn from and assisted me to
make my own decisions, fostering self-efficacy. I have always admired
your ability to think through a topic clearly, logically, fairly and in
novel ways, and to express this in writing. It has been good to keep
in contact since my PhD and I am very grateful for your wise advice,
support and input in the subsequent depression project. I wish to
convey my thanks and appreciation to you, and to acknowledge the
tremendous amount I have learnt from you and the example you set
of being a dedicated, ethical and rigorous mental health researcher.
Best wishes for the future!
Kathryn Cairns
When I first decided to pursue a career in research, I was struggling
to find a field that could accommodate my varied research interests.
On reading your work, I felt at once inspired, and a comforting
certitude that I had found my niche and my mentor. This surety only
increased once I met you, and, at your urging, some of your students.
I was struck by the esteem in which you were held by your students,
which I would learn was paralleled in the wider scholarly community,
and among your colleagues outside of the university. You possess
a unique constellation of traits that contribute to your standing;
your work ethic, commitment to excellence, curiosity, integrity,
pragmatism, generosity, and humility, all make you an incredible
leader, collaborator and mentor.
Your legacy is immense. Beyond your intimidating h-index, your
work has had a measurable impact on research, policy and practice
at all levels - global, local, and personal. But, and I know you would
agree, there is much work to be done. I consider myself exceedingly
fortunate to be among the early career researchers to have benefitted
from your benevolent tutelage and expertise. We will strive to honour
and grow your legacy, in our efforts to empower the community
towards better mental health through research, intervention and
advocacy. With heartfelt thanks.
39

Nataly Bovopoulos
I’ve been lucky to work with Tony as part of the Mental Health First
Aid team and having him as my PhD supervisor. Focusing on the
latter, thank you for being everything a student could hope for in a
supervisor - reliable, patient, encouraging, wise and generous with your
time. You are a true mentor and amongst other things, have taught me
the art of saying more with less. I’ve been very grateful to have worked
with you. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
Annemarie Wright
Over the past 18 years Tony has been a critical project advisor, then
PhD supervisor and now trusted mentor. He has had a massive impact
on my life and career through his teaching, role modelling and
support. Although intimidating at first due to his prolific research
and intellect, I soon came to learn what an outstanding human being
he is. A champion of mental health in all aspects of his life including
research, workplace practice and volunteering, and an outstanding
academic and researcher who has dedicated himself to using scientific
rigor to unravel the truth of things to make the world a better place.
In doing this he has always walked the walk and talked the talk
without fanfare or desire for secondary gain, just doing it because it’s
the right thing to do. I think also without necessarily realizing it, he
has been a champion for gender equity making it possible for many
new mothers juggling their family roles with babies and children to
learn and achieve success in research. I consider myself lucky to have
been one of them.
Magenta Simmons
Congratulations on a wonderful, meaningful career that has
improved how people in Australia (and around the world!) think
about mental health and how they can support one another.
I am very grateful to you for all of the work that you have done, and
most of all for being such a terrific supervisor. I feel extremely lucky
to have had you there to support me as I began my research career.
You modelled so many important characteristics to me, including
being thoughtful and compassionate, doing meaningful work, having
strong ethical standards, giving constructive criticism, treating
everybody fairly, being incredibly prompt and efficient, achieving a
great deal while not seeming rushed or dismissive, the importance
of mentorship, collegiality, responsibility to your field, and being
clear and concise with words (quite hilarious in the context of this
sentence, which I promise to finish now).
You have taught me much and I try to work by these standards in
all that I do, but mostly with the students who I now supervise. You
gave me such a positive experience that I now strive to do the same
for others. I know that I am just one of so many students and staff
members who you have given this great gift to. Your legacy lasts
through us all,and is a testament to the great work that you have
done yourself.
My sincerest thanks to yourself and of course the wonderful Betty.
Much love to you both as you celebrate this great occasion.
40

Santushi Amarasuriya
Tony was my primary PhD supervisor at the University of Melbourne.
When I first met Tony, before me was a humble and approachable
human being who showed great willingness to discuss potential
PhD projects with me, a PhD student who was 6 months late in her
PhD candidature and distressed by the need for both a topic and
supervisor change. Despite his stature as a highly-respected academic
with an illustrious career spanning decades, I will never forget the
generosity of spirit with which Tony responded to me and how deftly
he helped me stabilize this turbulent time in my PhD candidature.
I remain amazed at how unwaveringly forthcoming and prompt he
is when giving feedback or guidance whenever his students request
it, despite his numerous commitments, the mark of an extraordinary
academic. Tony’s constant quest for adding to his already extensive
store of knowledge is truly inspirational. He has been a mentor to
so many scholars and the ripple effects of this will be far-reaching.
While I convey my most grateful and heartfelt thanks to Tony for all
his inspirational guidance, I wish him and Betty all the very best as
they step into a new chapter in their lives.
Maria Uribe Guajardo
I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution you had
made as my PhD supervisor, thanks for all your support and patience
throughout the preparation of my PhD thesis.
I am very grateful for the timely, wise and ever accurate advice that
you provided me over my candidature, and for always encouraging
me to think critically. I would also like to thank you for believing in
my abilities in even the most challenging times when I myself was
losing faith.
Your passion for mental health research and advocacy as well as your
generosity over the past years has never ceased to amaze me. It has
been a pleasure to go through this academic journey with you.
L to R: Shameran Slewa-Younan, Tony Jorm, Maria Uribe Guajardo
41

Katherine Mok
I only had a short time to work with Tony, but in that time was able
to benefit greatly from his mentorship. When I approached him
with a vague idea of a PhD project in 2013, he was able to expertly
help shape it into a research study. No matter the subject and no
matter how many other projects he would undoubtedly have been
working on, he was always eager and available to lend his support.
I am thankful for not only the opportunity to share his knowledge,
but also his fantastic leadership and his ability to bring individuals
together into a cohesive team. It is clear that anyone lucky enough to
work with Tony will flourish under his guidance.
Mairead Cardamone-Breen, Maddy Fernando,
Wan Hua Sim, Catherine Fulgoni, Claire Nicolas,
& Sarah Khor – Students at Monash University
From all of your Monash students, we’d like to say a massive thank
you for your wonderful supervision over the past few years. You have
been instrumental in developing our research skills, and we are
incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from you
during this stage of our careers.
When we sat down to think about what we appreciated most about
your supervision, the first thing that came to mind for each of us
was your incredibly prompt feedback, almost always accompanied
by encouraging words—this has not gone unnoticed, and has often
made the stressful times of postgrad life a little less daunting. Your
generosity with your time, particularly when it comes to supporting
early career researchers like ourselves, is quite remarkable. Even from
the other side of the world, and when technically on ‘leave’, you have
always been available and supportive.
It has been a privilege to have you as a supervisor, and we look
forward to continuing to work with you.
From L to R: Maddy Fernando, Claire Nicolas, Marie Yap, Mairead Cardamone-Breen,
Catherine Fulgoni, Sarah Khor, Wan Hua Sim.
42

Other collaborators
Gin Malhi
I have had the privilege of working with Tony for almost a
decade as part of the Editorial Team of ANZJP. The success
of the journal in recent years has been in no small part due to
his energy and enthusiasm and steadfast support. Tony is the
quintessential academic. His intellect is staggering and it means
that all that come into contact with him, leave having learnt from
the exchange. However, he’s not at all proud or unapproachable,
and in fact is one of the most unassuming and humble beings
you are likely to meet. And yet, his achievements are quite simply
stupendous. To top it all he is affable and easy going.
I am absolutely delighted his life’s work is being celebrated and
that his many contributions to the field over several decades as a
researcher, mentor and inspiration to those around him are being
suitably acknowledged.
Michael Berk
As a developing researcher, one constantly interacts with peers and seniors,
some of which are exemplars of the kind of person one would aspire to
emulate, and a few embody characteristics one would not wish to replicate.
Tony is a touchstone of the best of the former. He embodies the values that
we all can aspire to, yet very few will ever achieve. Firstly, he is humble, in
that it’s genuinely not about him, but about aspiring to a greater cause.
Tony is generous in spirit and in kind. He embodies mentorship, something
that I believe is a critical legacy. Tony cares about and invests in the next
generation in a way that I have seen very few do.
One of the greatest legacies that a truly great academic can leave is a
generation of skilled, passionate and successful mentees, and this is an area
where Tony has succeeded supremely. He has also left a legacy of programs
that have genuinely contributed to the wellbeing and health of the nation
and the world, such is the reach of his work. Ultimately, that is the greatest
legacy a researcher can have, to have made an impact, and precious few
have done as much as Tony.
The ANZJP Editorial Team
43

Michael Sawyer
Tony and I have worked together for the last 20 years in various
capacities. However, in my view the most important of these has
been supporting and promoting the work of Australian Rotary
Health (ARH). It has been an absolute privilege to work with Tony
in this area.
Tony is an outstanding researcher who has a wonderful capacity
to design and implement research programs. He has also been an
absolute stalwart supporting the work of ARH. Not only has this
required the traditional heavy workload of grant reviewing but also
giving presentations in numerous different settings across Australia
to large groups of Rotarians. Tony has a superb ability to describe
clearly the challenges facing us if we are to successfully reduce the
incidence and prevalence of mental illness in Australia. This skill has
been extremely important in retaining the engagement of Rotarians
with the area of mental health research and advocacy.
Both Tony and I have also been bike riders for many years and
couldn’t resist the challenge of participating in the Great Australian
Bike Ride organised by ARH to promote the importance of mental
health for Australians, and to raise funds for research relevant to
this goal. Betty and Tony participated in the ride and it was a great
pleasure for me to have the opportunity to spend some days getting
to know this outstanding couple. I wish them the very best for the
future and hope that this includes plenty of time for relaxing bike
rides in Europe and other favourite areas of the world.
Ron Rapee ARC Laureate Fellow (finally!)
Tony is one of those people who emanates complete faith in his
opinion and advice – he exudes wisdom. Not only have I admired
the quality, quantity, and sheer impact of Tony’s research for many
years, I personally sought his advice about applying for fellowships
on more than one occasion. My lasting memory is of discussing why I
was knocked back from yet another fellowship application while Tony
and I were standing on the deck of a glorious boat in the middle of
Sydney Harbour. These boat tours were arranged for us by Australian
Rotary Health as a “thank you gift” following two days of selecting
fundable grants. Tony and I, along with the rest of the committee
would share many a drink along with chicken and prawns, while
floating on the glistening harbour. In fact, that is my other primary
recollection of Tony – his scientific genius on those ARH committees.
No matter what “surprising” comment one of our colleagues would
express over an application, I could always rely on Tony to summarise
the critical flaw in any grant and to express its limitations in clear and
succinct ways. Tony – thank you for your wisdom, your insights, and
your incredible contributions to science and to the mental health of
all Australians.
44

Professor Ramin Mojtabai MD, PhD,
Anthony Jorm – A unique blend of scientist, practitioner
and advocate.
In 2014 I had the opportunity to meet Tony in Baltimore on one of
his visits to the States. He was gracious enough to lecture on Mental
Health First Aid in my graduate mental health services course. Before
his lecture, we had a chance to chat about our common interest in the
impact of interventions on the mental health of populations. I was
familiar with his work on cognitive functioning of older adults and
his evaluation of the impact of Beyondblue on Australians’ attitudes
and mental health literacy. Our conversation led to collaborations
on a couple of interesting projects in the following years. But more
importantly, our collaboration led me to appreciate Tony’s depth and
breadth of knowledge and his passion for public mental health.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with, and learn
from a number of talented scientists. I have also had the chance to
work with some accomplished practitioners and to know very effective
public health advocates. Tony is a unique combination of all three. I
count myself as fortunate to have known him and worked with him.
His work has touched many lives in his community and far beyond.
Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
45

Emy Colucci
(Now in London but with a big piece of heart still at the School of
Population and Global Health)
There are people who are committed to their work… and then there
is Tony Jorm! Tony is the man who will answer your emails almost
before you have even hit ‘Send’.

Kumiko Yoshioka
Firstly, please let me extend my congratulations on this momentous
achievement. I would like to take this occasion to celebrate your long
and distinguished career in mental health research.
Our paths first crossed in 2002, at the “Australia-Japan Survey
of Mental Health Literacy”. You were the representative for the
Australian research group, and Professor Yoshibumi Nakane was the
representative for the Japanese research group, to which I belonged.
The findings from research conducted during these surveys were
published in numerous international journals. In addition, you visited
Japan and gave talks on mental health literacy. Furthermore, the
results of research conducted in Japan were collated into a single
volume under the title of, Kokoro no Bariafurii wo Mezashite (Aiming at
Barrier-free Mental Health Care). You were kind enough to write the
preface to this book.
Later on, from 2012 to 2013, I had the fortune of being appointed as
a visiting research scholar at the University of Melbourne. Over the
course of this year, I was able to participate in research on mental
health literacy among young people with you and members of your
research team. I will always treasure the regular discussions I had
with you and your colleagues along with the friendship that was
shown to me by everyone. During my stay, you even invited me to your
house, where I enjoyed the pleasant company of you and your wife. I
am extremely thankful for this warm gesture on your part.
Today, you continue to lend me your support in research on mental
health literacy. For many years, you have diligently continued your
research activities globally. And in all our dealings, no matter when
or where, you have always been ready to welcome me with open arms.
I feel blessed beyond words to have met you.
Congratulations once again, Professor Jorm. I am truly grateful for
everything you have done for me.
Alex Parker
One of the most fortunate experiences an early career researcher
could hope for is working with Tony. I was one of the lucky ones. To
be able to directly observe his ethical approach to producing high
quality research that matters allowed me to progress the development
of my clinical research skills. He shared practical advice and provided
constructive and supportive feedback, while gently holding me to
high standards. Tony is open with his critique and recommendations
but he balances this with genuine acknowledgement of achievements,
encouragement and guidance; all of which I greatly appreciated while
I was still learning to manage the challenges of academia generally,
and conducting clinical trials specifically. Without Tony’s support
in promoting my research opportunities, my research career would
have floundered. He has shaped my career and remains a strong
(albeit less direct) mentor. The breadth and depth of his knowledge,
his pragmatic ideas and commitment to making a population-level
difference in health and mental health is astounding. When I reflect
on my experience with Tony, I am truly grateful.
47

Michelle Dey
Thank you for giving me the opportunity of doing my postdoc in
your group. Your outstanding supervision during my fellowship led to
a significant output. Besides your scientific guidance, you also made
sure that I felt welcome in Melbourne and got some insights into the
Australian way of living. Thanks to your support, I was also able to
get a grant to conduct the Swiss Youth Mental Health Literacy and
Stigma Survey. I am sure that the results of this survey will not only
be relevant for the scientific community, but will also be of practical
significance (hopefully contributing to an improvement of the
population’s mental health in Switzerland) and I am grateful for your
continuing support in this regard. All the best.
Shameran Slewa-Younan
You truly are an inspirational mentor and academic. You have
played a pivotal role in developing my understanding of mental
health literacy and how it can be used for great purpose in bettering
the mental health outcomes of refugee and other cross-cultural
populations. You are generous with your time and wise with your
advice. I am a better academic for having worked with you these past
5 years! I wish you a wonderful Festschrift and celebration.
L to R: Tony Jorm, Michelle Dey, Nicki Reavley
48

Karen Mather
Tony was my primary PhD supervisor at the ANU before he moved to
the University of Melbourne. My cross-disciplinary thesis examined
whether telomere length is a biomarker of ageing. He was a great
role model and mentor during this early time of my research career,
when I established my research interests in the genetics of ageing,
age-related decline and disease. Our conversations were always
stimulating and he was very supportive of me during my candidature.
Tony provided opportunities for my career to flourish.
I was awarded an RM Gibson Research Grant from the Australian
Association of Gerontology during my PhD. Tony and I co-authored 6
papers together, several of which are highly cited publications. Since
completion of my PhD in 2009, I’ve worked at UNSW Sydney where
I now lead my own research group.
George Patton
It has been an honour and privilege working with you for the (too)
short time we have done so.
A number of words come to mind for me when I think about you
and what I learned from you: pragmatic, commitment to the science,
total integrity and ‘don’t waste time trying to make it perfect, just get
it out!’.
I hope that you continue to engage in the important debates
that need to be had in mental health policy. You are one who is
respectfully able to let the emperor, whoever it may be, know when
he/she has no clothes. In a field like ours it essential that we keep that
kind of accountability high on the agenda.
Enjoy a more balanced life as you make the transition to emeritus and
congratulations on an astonishing contribution. Very best wishes.
49

Mental Health First Aid

Tony and Betty at the inaugural Australian Mental Health Prize (2016) with Malcolm Turnbull and Ita Buttrose
52

Mental Health First Aid
It’s impossible to talk about Mental Health First Aid without
picturing Tony Jorm, and his wife, Betty Kitchener, first developing
the idea out on that famous dog walk. What was once an idea grew
into a program which has made a difference to the lives of millions
worldwide, not least among them the team (and alumni!) of Mental
Health First Aid Australia.
We can imagine Tony wrinkling his forehead, now, and asking what
evidence there is that the program has made a difference. As rightly
he should. But of course, we can answer that question, with a good
degree of certainty (for now) because he has instilled in all of us
the core value of an evidence base for both our curriculum and the
effectiveness of our courses
While we don’t see Tony daily anymore, the ongoing partnerships
with his team at the University of Melbourne, and his ongoing
leadership via our Board of Directors has meant that his presence
is always felt. And there are many of us, MHFA team members,
alumni, and University of Melbourne partners whose careers have
been developed and mentored by Tony.
Celebrating 10 years of MHFA
Tony is a leader we can look up to and a wonderful friend, and the
whole team at MHFA Australia wishes him the very best in
his retirement.
53

Kathy Bond
It has been an honour and a pleasure working with you. You are
an amazing mentor and role model. I have learned so much from
working with you and I very much appreciate your willingness to
share your knowledge and experience. It has been an absolute
privilege to be a part of MHFA and consider myself very lucky to
have worked alongside you as you worked tirelessly to make MHFA
the amazing organisation it is today. All the best!
Fairlie Cottrill
Tony, I am fortunate to have recently begun my career in research
working with you on a number of MHFA projects. Prior to meeting
you I was aware of your considerable contribution to prevention
and early intervention in mental illness research – and of course
the wonderful work of yourself and Betty in founding MHFA. I
was certainly excited for the opportunity to collaborate with you –
though I must admit I felt somewhat daunted at the prospect of both
meeting and working with you. I soon found this to be completely
unnecessary! Working with you has provided me with the invaluable
opportunity to develop research knowledge and skills to carry
forward in my career, however it is the way in which you share your
knowledge whilst respecting the skills, knowledge and opinions
of others regardless of their experience that has undoubtedly
contributed to my learning, confidence and enjoyment of research.
Your approach is reflected throughout MHFA and I’m so pleased to
be able to contribute to the meaningful work and wonderful culture
of the organisation.
Wishing you all the best – hopefully lots of bike rides around the
world are still to come.
54

Len Kanowski
It is with much pleasure that I write the following reflections on how
working with Professor Tony Jorm has impacted my life and career.
I first met Tony in 1994 at the Social Psychiatry Research Unit (SPRU)
at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra when I
was developing an Aboriginal Mental Health Education & Training
Program for the Southern NSW Health Region in Queanbeyan NSW.
Tony had a keen and genuine interest in the program.
Some years later (2004) I worked alongside Tony and his wife Betty
at the ANU on three cultural adaptations of the now internationally
recognised Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program. From 2005-
2009 I worked with Tony in Melbourne on the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander adaptation of the MHFA course. Tony was my direct
supervisor during these years.
I learnt so much from Tony. His gentle guidance and encouragement
certainly enhanced my own academic and personal development. I
admire him as a person, a mentor and as an outstanding academic.
He is hard working, genuine, caring, compassionate, fair and honest.
Tony has the ability to help others make sense of complexity, and the
ability to write in a way that helps others to clearly understand the
message he wants to convey.
And, he is a good cook, an accomplished navigator of Melbourne bike
paths, and, like me, a lover of gelato and chocolate.
Tony, I wish you all the best for the future. It has been an honour to
have worked alongside you.
55

Notable Projects

A selection of projects in which Tony has been involved over recent years.
58

Contribution to Australian Rotary Health
Joy Gillett, CEO,
Australian Rotary Health
Tony joined the Australian Rotary Health Research Committee in
2000. He served as vice-chairman, under the chairmanship of Prof
Michael Sawyer OAM, until 2009 when he became Chairman of
the committee In 2013, under the rotation plan of the committee,
Professor Ron Rapee AM of Macquarie University was appointed as
Chairman, but Tony was invited to stay on the committee – which he
has and remains today. His contribution to Australian Rotary Health
on this committee is invaluable.
As well as serving on the Research Committee, Tony had addressed
numerous Rotary events – conferences, meetings, and seminars and
non-Rotary events on behalf of Australian Rotary Health. Back in the
early years of 2000, ARH arranged over 200 community forums on
mental health and Tony was a speaker at many of these.
His contribution to Australian Rotary Health was recognised in 2007
when he was awarded the Australian Rotary Health “Medal” by then
chairman Ian Oliver OAM. The Medal is the highest award that
Australian Rotary Health awards and only one each year is given.
Tony receiving the ARH Medal from Ian Oliver OAM
Tony’s service to Rotary continued when both he and Betty joined
a Rotary Club in Melbourne and they continue to serve through
Rotary. Rotary’s Motto is “Service Above Self” and Tony is an
outstanding example.
59