History of ASPR

ASPR Archival Material

University of Western Australia History of ASPR student practicum project 2004
Put together by Victoria Tait, based on her interviews and archival research
Supervisor: Vera Morgan

THE INTERVIEWS include:
Scott Henderson Interview
Tony Jorm Interview
Fiona Judd interview
Jayashri Kulkarni Interview
Andrew Mackinnon Interview
Issy Pilowsky Interview
Paul Skerritt Interview
Philip Ward Interview

THE APPENDICES include:
Foundation Members
Past Presidents and Committee Members 1978-2004
Summary of the annual scientific meeting ­  year, location, theme, plenary speakers 1979-2004
Summaries of the Annual General Meetings ­ Issues Covered 1978-2004
Original aims, circa 1984
Australian Society for Psychiatric Research ­ Original constitution and Rules 1981
Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research - Revised Constitution and Rules (pre-2004 constitution)

The need for ASPR

In 1970, the late Professor Cecil Kidd (University of Western Australia) and Scott Henderson (University of Tasmania) discussed ways of strengthening psychiatric research in Australia. Both had come to Australia from the Department of Mental Health at the University of Aberdeen. There they had seen the Scottish Society for Psychiatric Research serve as a model for promoting research. It held an annual forum where researchers, irrespective of discipline, reported their studies, or investigations being planned. The Society included psychologists, psychiatrists, statisticians, economists and basic scientists. Particular emphasis was given to the encouragement of younger clinicians who were at an early stage in their career and had had no experience in research.

At that time in Australia and New Zealand, with a few striking exceptions, there was not a great deal of activity in psychiatric research. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) had had little impact on the overall picture. Importantly, it included only psychiatrists in its membership. But Kidd and Henderson were seeking a forum for all disciplines relevant to research on mental disorders.

Early history

Following Cecil Kidd's death, Scott Henderson, Issy Pilowsky, Graham Burrows and Peter Beumont joined in setting up a national forum. In April 1978, they held a small conference at the Australian National University. At an informal discussion in the Florey Theatre of the John Curtin School of Medical Research, they decided to form the Australian Society for Psychiatric Research (ASPR). Since that year, the Society has held annual scientific meetings, moving round the capital cities. It has acted as a forum for people to report their studies and to have them discussed by their peers. Particular encouragement is given to younger investigators. The Society has also developed a role in advocacy for research funding in the same manner as the Australian Society for Medical Research. Attendance at meetings has greatly expanded over the years. In 1995, the Society became the Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research in belated recognition of the participation from New Zealanders.

Biological psychiatry

In 1987, a Section of Biological Psychiatry was formed within ASPR and this group subsequently formed the Australasian Society of Biological Psychiatry (ASBP) whose membership is drawn from the ranks of ASPR members. ASBP, which is affiliated with the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry, regularly conducts its own scientific meeting on the day prior to the ASPR annual meeting. In 2005, biological psychiatry was reintegrated into ASPR.

Influence of ASPR

The Society influences people's careers in a number of ways. It is a forum where people are exposed to role models - people who are heavily committed to psychiatric research, whether that be in the laboratory sciences such as neurobiology and psychophysiology, in epidemiology, in the development and evaluation of treatments and in health services research. It acts as a forum where germinal ideas and new approaches to particular research questions can be aired, discussed and developed into viable projects. ASPR has also come to help with success in grant applications, as by holding mock interviews by NHMRC assessors.

Affiliations

ASPR has established an affiliation with the Australian Society for Medical Research (http://www.asmr.org.au) and is a member of the Mental Health Council of Australia (http://www.mhca.com.au) which is the peak body for the mental health sector. It is also affiliated with CINP and, in recent years, has developed a closer relationship with Rotary.

ASPR's Logo

The butterfly logo was developed by one of the society's founders, Prof Issy Pilowsky. The butterfly is the symbol of Psyche and there is a variety of butterfly actually called Psyche. Prof Pilowsky thought a butterfly was also appropriate because "capturing our beautiful data is like capturing a butterfly; you have to be so careful that the methodology does not damage what makes it attractive!"

ASPR Past Presidents

1979–1980 Prof Peter Beumont
1981–1982 Prof Peter Beumont
1983–1984 Prof Scott Henderson
1985–1986 Prof Issy Pilowsky
1987–1988 Prof Issy Pilowsky
1989–1990 Prof Graham Burrows
1991–1992 Prof David Copolov
1993–1994 Prof Gavin Andrews
1995–1996 A/Prof Fiona Judd
1997–1998 Prof Vaughan Carr
1999–2001 Prof Anthony Jorm
2001–2003 Prof Phil Mitchell
2003-2006 Ms Vera Morgan
2006-2009 Prof Henry Jackson

Awards presented by the Society

Click here to view

Historical - Executive Committee

Note: If you notice any errors, omissions etc, please notify Vera Morgan vmorgan@cyllene.uwa.edu.au so that these historical details can be amended.

2006 (Dec)

2006 Office Bearers
H Jackson (president)
T Norman (secretary)
A Mackinnon (treasurer)

2006 State and other members
P. Butterworth (ACT), C. Bell (NZ), H.Stain (NSW), G. Waghorn (QLD), C. Galletly (SA), G. Burrows (VIC ), J. Badcock (WA),

2006 Early career researcher (co-opted)
C Kelly (VIC)

2006 Biological Psychiatry Working Group (co-opted)
B. Dean

2006 Administration
L. Horton

2005 (Dec)

2005 Office Bearers
V Morgan (president)
H Jackson (president-elect)
T Norman (secretary)
A Mackinnon (treasurer)

2005 State and other members
P. Butterworth (ACT), C. Bell (NZ), H.Stain (NSW), G. Waghorn (QLD), C. Galletly (SA), P. Norrie (TAS), G. Burrows (VIC ), J. Badcock (WA),

2005 Early career researcher (co-opted)
C Kelly (VIC)

2005 Biological Psychiatry Working Group (co-opted)
B. Dean

2005 Administration
L. Horton

2004 (Dec)

2004 Office Bearers
V Morgan (president)
T Norman (secretary)
A Mackinnon (treasurer)

2004 State and other members
H. Christensen (ACT), P. Joyce/C. Bell (NZ), G. Mahli (NSW), B. Mowry (QLD), C Galletly (SA), K Kirkby (TAS), G. Burrows (VIC ), J. Badcock (WA)

2004 Early career researcher (co-opted)
C Kelly

2004 Past president of the ASBP (co-opted)
P Ward

2004 Administration
L Horton

2003 (Dec)

2003 Office Bearers
V Morgan (president)
T Norman (secretary)
A Mackinnon (treasurer)

2003 State and other members
H. Christensen (ACT), P. Joyce (NZ), G. Mahli (NSW), B. Mowry (QLD), C Galletly (SA), K Kirkby (TAS), G. Burrows (VIC ), J. Badcock (WA)

2003 Early career researcher (co-opted)
C Kelly

2003 Past president of the ASBP (co-opted)
P Ward

2003 Administration
L Horton

2002 (Dec)

2002 Office Bearers
P Mitchell (president)
V Morgan (president elect)
T Norman (secretary)
A Mackinnon (treasurer)

2002 State and other members
H. Christensen (ACT) P. Joyce (NZ) G. Mahli (NSW) B. Mowry (QLD) P. Hay (SA) K Kirkby (TAS) G. Burrows (VIC) J. Badcock (WA)

2002 Administration
L Horton

2002 President of the ASBP
P Ward

2001 (Dec)

2001 Office Bearers
P Mitchell (president)
T Norman (secretary)
A Mackinnon (treasurer)

2001 State and other members
A Korten(ACT) P. Joyce (NZ) U Schall(NSW) T Nolan(QLD) P. Hay (SA) K Kirkby (TAS) H Jackson(VIC) V. Morgan (WA)

2001 Administration
L Horton H Christensen (web co-ordinator)

2001 President of the ASBP
P Ward

2000 (Dec)

2000 Office Bearers
P Mitchell (president)
T Norman (secretary)
A Mackinnon (treasurer)

2000 State and other members
A Korten(ACT) P. Ellis (NZ) U Schall(NSW) T Nolan(QLD P. Hay (SA) K Kirkby (TAS) H Jackson(VIC) V. Morgan (WA)

2000 Administration
L Horton

2000 President of the ASBP
P Ward

1999 (Dec)

1999 Office Bearers
A Jorm (president)
V Carr (immediate past president)
J Kulkarni(secretary/treasurer)

1999 State and other members
A Jorm(ACT) S Henderson (ACT) T. Lewin (NSW) P. Mitchell (NSW) P. Ellis (NZ) J. McGrath (QLD) R. Barret (SA) P. Hay (SA) K Kirkby (TAS) G. Burrows (VIC) A. Mackinnon (VIC) J. Hallmayer (WA)

1999 Administration
L Horton

1999 President of the ASBP
P Ward

1998

1998 Office Bearers
A. Jorm (President) V. Carr (Immed. Past President) J. Kulkarni (Secretary/Treasurer)

1998 State and other members
A. Jorm (ACT) S. Henderson (ACT) T. Lewin (NSW) P. Mitchell (NSW) P. Ellis (NZ) J. McGrath (QLD) R. Barrett (SA) P. Hay (SA) K Kirkby (TAS) G. Burrows (VIC) A. Mackinnon (VIC)J. Hallmayer (WA)

1998 Administration
L Horton

1998 President of the ASBP
I Schweitzer

1997

1997 Office Bearers
V. Carr (President) F. Judd (Immediate Past President) J. Kulkarni (Secretary/Treasurer)

1997 State and other members
A. Jorm (ACT) S. Henderson (ACT) T. Lewin (NSW) P. Mitchell (NSW) P. Ellis (NZ) J. McGrath (QLD) R. Barrett (SA)P. Hay (SA)K Kirkby (TAS)G. Burrows (VIC)A. Mackinnon (VIC)J. Hallmayer (WA)

1997 Administration
L Horton

1997 President of the ASBP
I Schweitzer

1996

1996 Office Bearers
V. Carr (President)F. Judd (Immediate Past President)J. Kulkarni (Secretary/Treasurer)

1996 State and other members
A. Jorm (ACT)S. Henderson (ACT)T. Lewin (NSW)P. Mitchell (NSW)P. Ellis (NZ)J. McGrath (QLD)R. Barrett (SA)P. Hay (SA)K Kirkby (TAS)G. Burrows (VIC)A. Mackinnon (VIC)T. Lambert (WA)

1996 Administration
L Horton

1996 President of the ASBP
I Schweitzer (President) P Ellis

1995

1995 Office Bearers
A. Jorm (President)V. Carr (Immed. Past President)J. Kulkarni (Secretary/Treasurer)

1995 State and other members
A. Jorm (ACT)S. Henderson (ACT)V. Carr (NSW)T. Lewin (NSW)P. Mitchell (NSW)P. Ellis (NZ)J. McGrath (QLD)R. Barrett (SA)P. Hay (SA)K Kirkby (TAS)D. Copolov (VIC)G. Burrows (VIC)T. Lambert (WA)

1995 Administration
L Horton

1995 President of the ASBP
I Schweitzer (president)P Ellis

1994

1994 Office Bearers
F. Judd (President)G. Andrews (Immediate Past President)J. Kulkarni (Secretary/Treasurer)

1994 State and other members
A. Jorm (ACT)S. Henderson (ACT)V. Carr (NSW)C. Hickey (NSW)T. Lewin (NSW)P. Mitchell (NSW)B RaphaelP. Ellis (NZ)J. McGrath (QLD)P. Hay (SA)D. Copolov (VIC)G. Burrows (VIC)T. Lambert (WA)

1994 Administration
L Horton

1994 President of the ASBP
I Schweitzer with P EllisD JarrettP WardT Lambert

1993-4

1993 Office Bearers
Gavin Andrews (President)F Judd (Treasurer/Secretary)

1993 State and other members
D CopolovG BurrowsV CarrB RaphaelT JormC HickieP MitchellJ KulkarniS HendersonT Lewin

1993 Administration
L Horton

1993 President of the ASBP
I Schweitzer (Convenor / secretary Biological Section)I Hickie (Treasurer Biological Section)P EllisD JarrettP Ward

1992

1992 Office Bearers
David Copolov (President) F Judd (Treasurer/Secretary)

1992 State and other members
G BurrowsG AndrewsV CarrS HendersonB RaphaelT JormP MitchellT LewinC HickieJ Kulkarni

1992 Administration
L Horton

1992 President of the ASBP
P Ellis

1991

1991 Office Bearers
David Copolov (President) F Judd (Treasurer/Secretary)

1991 State and other members
G Andrews V Carr S Henderson B Raphael T Jorm T Lewin C Hickie

1991 Administration
L Horton

1991 President of the ASBP

1989-90

1990 Office Bearers
Graham Burrows (President)D Copolov (Secretary/Treasurer)

1990 State and other members
G AndrewsV CarrS HendersonR KalucyB RaphaelT JormM ?Inness

1990 Administration
L Horton

1990 President of the ASBP
P Mitchell (Convenor/ Secretary Biological Section) David Copolov (Treasurer Biological Section)I Schweitzer L Geffen J McGrath J Anderson

1987-88

1987 Office Bearers
Issy Pilowski (President) G Burrows (Secretary/Treasurer) F Judd (Assistant Secretary)

1987 State and other members
G Andrews D Copolov W Hall R Kalucy B Raphael

1987 Administration
L Horton

1987 President of the ASBP
P Mitchell (Convenor/ Secretary Biological Section) David Copolov Treasurer Biological Section) H Whiteford L Geffen J Anderson

1985-86

1985 Office Bearers
Issy Pilowski (President) G Burrows (Secretary/Treasurer) F Judd (Assistant Secretary)

1985 State and other members
S Abraham G Andrews D Copolov W Hall R Kalucy

1985 Administration
L Horton

1985 President of the ASBP

1983-84

1983 Office Bearers
Scott Henderson (President) G Burrows (Secretary/Treasurer)

1983 State and other members

1983 Administration
L Horton

1983 President of the ASBP

1981-82

1981 Office Bearers
Peter Beumont (President)
G Burrows (Secretary/Treasurer)

1981 State and other members
I Pilowsky S Abraham B Raphael B Singh G Barrow P Burvill

1981 Administration
L Horton

1981 President of the ASBP

1979-80

1987 Office Bearers
Peter Beumont (President)
G Burrows (Secretary/Treasurer)

Historical: Conference Locations

GIBA GEIGY MEETINGS (APRIL)
1977 Ciba Geigy Canberra
1978 Ciba Geigy Brisbane

ASPR CONFERENCES (Dec)
1979 Sydney
1980 Melbourne
1981 Adelaide
1982 Sydney
1983 Canberra
1984 Sydney
1985 Adelaide
1986 Melbourne
1987 Sydney
1988 Adelaide
1989 Gold Coast
1990 Melbourne
1991 Sydney
1992 Adelaide
1993 Sydney
1994 Perth
1995 Melbourne
1996 Newcastle
1997 Wellington NZ
1998 Brisbane
1999 Sydney
2000 Adelaide
2001 Melbourne
2002 Canberra
2003 Christchurch NZ
2004 Perth
2005 Brisbane
2006 Sydney
2007 Melbourne (Forthcoming - combined with WPA/RANZCP regional meeting)
2008 Newcastle (Forthcoming)