The Ian Webster Scholarship program recognises Professor Webster’s contributions to FARE over the last 10 years. The Scholarship also recognises the exceptional leadership Professor Webster continues to demonstrate in his work throughout the not-for-profit sector and in various advisory roles to government. The Scholarship aims to support the building of leadership and management capacity in the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector. The Scholarship will be awarded annually on a competitive basis, benefiting a recipient who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the AOD sector, or a related sector, to further their leadership skills. The Ian Webster Scholarship will provide $10,000 towards a program of study, independently-led research or personal development opportunities for an emerging leader in the field.
Applications for the Ian Webster Scholarship program have closed for 2012. To stay informed of future opportunities subscribe to our E News Bulletin.
Orange resident, Michele Campbell has been awarded the prestigious Ian Webster Scholarship in recognition of her long term commitment to the Alcohol and other Drug (AoD) sector.
Ms Campbell, a Program Manager with the Lyndon Community in Orange, will leave Central New South Wales to travel to the central part of New Mexico in the United States to pursue further education in new methods of interventions for substance affected families and individuals.
Ms Campbell, who commenced her career at St Vincent’s Hospital Drug and Alcohol Service in Sydney 14 years ago, says being awarded the Ian Webster Scholarship is a great honour and an amazing opportunity.
“It will be wonderful to be able to be part of the introduction of a new evidence-based program in the community. There is also the opportunity to network with people overseas and educate them on how we work in rural Australia, as the US has a vastly different perspective on drug and alcohol treatment,” Ms Campbell said.
Ms Campbell is just one of two accredited Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) supervisors in Australia. CRAFT is a program that teaches family members non-confrontational ways of breaking a loved one’s pattern of drug and alcohol use.
CRAFT originated at the University of New Mexico. As the Scholarship’s inaugural recipient, Ms Campbell will travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she will work alongside Briana Serna, and receive additional training and experience in the delivery of CRAFT.
On her return to Australia, Ms Campbell plans to continue to mentor and support staff to achieve their own goals and provide a quality service.
“This will bring benefits not only to the Lyndon Community, the largest drug and alcohol non-government organisation in NSW, but specifically to the staff involved locally in Orange and in the communities we work in throughout rural and regional NSW. Most importantly, it will improve the quality of life for family members and the substance users themselves,” Ms Campbell said.
Professor Webster was the FARE Board’s inaugural Chair from 2001 until 2009 and continued as a board member until 2011. Currently a Consultant Physician in the Shoalhaven area, Emeritus Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales, and Chief Patron of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia, Professor Webster’s previous research and publications have covered preventive medicine, medical practice, ageing, disability, homelessness, alcohol and other drug problems, suicide prevention and social issues in health. Professor Webster has chaired a number of Commonwealth and State Government inquiries and reviews in disability, health, mental health and alcohol and other drug problems.
Among his other honours, Professor Webster received the Prime Minister’s Award at the 2009 Drug and Alcohol Awards, became a Life Fellow with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (2006), was named Life Governor of the Community Health and Tuberculosis Australia (2003), is a Life Member of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (2002) and was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in 1995.
