Speakers

Peter Davis Bio 

Born in Brisbane Australia 1958, spent 40 years as a cartographer, then 5 years as a bus driver. Being an avid motorcyclist I was inspired by the Bloodbikes movement in the UK to start a similar volunteer service in Australia. In September 2019 started Bloodbikes Australia, in Brisbane with Mater Pathology offering a free last resort medical transport service.

Bloodbikes Australia has now been operational for just over 6 and a half years, has 400 volunteers, in all states and territories, in Australia, delivering more than 10000 free last resort deliveries for more than 65 healthcare providers, covering more than 1 000 000 kms. 

Bloodbikes Australia is not a charity but a group of independent volunteers all agreeing to a set of rules, attaining the same national certification and looking after all their own expenses. The best way to describe the Bloodbikes Australia model is, it’s the world first Volunteer Franchise where no money is involved. 

Web:- www.bloodbikesaustralia.com.au 

Facebook:- https://www.facebook.com/bloodbikesaustralia?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Introduction to the disease

• logistics and dilemmas of diagnosis and management
• frontiers of treatment and research

Dr. Cassie Oxenford is a neurologist with a further subspecialty fellowship in neuromuscular neurology.  She also has an additional fellowship in general internal medicine.

Dr. Oxenford currently divides her time between public, private and research appointments in the area of neuromuscular and general neurology.  She has completed her neuromuscular neurology fellowship at Vancouver General Hospital, a tertiary referral centre in the largest city in Canada’s West Coast province of British Columbia.  She has previously completed fellowships in general neurology and general medicine in Queensland and has worked as a neurologist and general medicine physician in public hospitals throughout Queensland and as a principal and sub-principal investigator recruiting patients to international trials for rare neuromuscular conditions such as ALS-MND.  By completing an international neuromuscular fellowship in a world class centre Dr. Oxenford aims to utilise her diverse skillsets to further education and research opportunities for neurology trainees in Queensland and ultimately advance the care for patients with these conditions in Queensland and Australia. 

Judith Smith

Australian War Widows Qld

State President & War Widow Director

Judy Smith began her professional career as a registered nurse and midwife, holding postgraduate qualifications in maternal and child health. Her nursing career spanned New South Wales, Tasmania, and Papua New Guinea.

After relocating to Katherine in the Northern Territory, Judy served as Director of a community-based child care service and later as a Senior Officer with the Department of Health. In 1986, she was appointed Children’s Services Development Officer with the Katherine Town Council, undertaking a comprehensive assessment of childcare needs in preparation for the reopening of RAAF Base Tindal.

A lifelong community volunteer, Judy has held numerous leadership roles since the 1970s, including President, Treasurer, and Board Member of a wide range of sporting, civic, and health organisations in Katherine and on the Sunshine Coast.

Judy joined Australian War Widows Queensland (AWWQ) in 2013 following the passing of her husband, a World War II veteran. Since then, she has served as President of the Maroochydore Sub-Branch (2015–2020), Director on the AWWQ Board (2019–2022), and was elected State President in 2022.

AS state president, Judy is a member of the National Council of Australian War Widows Inc. She advocates on behalf of AWWQ  at Commonwealth and State forums and represents war widows at ceremonial occasions, ensuring the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families are honoured and remembered.

A shorter version.

Judy Smith began her professional career as a registered nurse and midwife, holding postgraduate qualifications in maternal and child health.

A lifelong community volunteer, Judy has held numerous leadership roles since the 1970s, in a wide range of sporting, civic, and health organisations in Katherine, N.T. and on the Sunshine Coast

She joined Australian War Widows Qld (AWWQ) in 2013 following the passing of her husband, a World War II veteran.

Since then, she has served as President of the Maroochydore Sub-Branch (2015–2020), Director on the AWWQ Board (2019–2022), and was elected State President in 2022.

Judy is a member of the National Council of Australian War Widows Inc. She advocates on behalf of AWWQ  at Commonwealth and State forums and represents war widows at ceremonial occasions, ensuring the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families are honoured and remembered.