Joined Council: 2011

Member Organisation: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 

Roles:

• Treasurer, Australian Resuscitation Council 
• Chair, ANZCOR First Aid Guideline Development Group
• Emeritus Member, ILCOR First Aid Taskforce

Background:

I was recruited to carry an aging St John member's kit on the football field as a 14 yr old boy and have never looked back. I believe that more good can be accomplished in the world with effective first aid than all our expensive medical care, hence my interest in research and guideline development. I still practice and teach first aid at the local community level as well whilst writing the guidelines that inform that first aid. I see the Australian Resuscitation Council contributing to ANZCOR's pivotal role in the development of first aid for the foreseeable future.

MB,ChB, FRACP

Joined Council: 2008

Roles:

• Convenor Neonatal Life Support 
• Executive member (Secretary)
• ANZCOR - Delegate to ILCOR,
• Chair Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines Development Group 
• ILCOR Neonatal Life Support Task Force member,
• ILCOR Neonatal Life Support Task Force deputy chair
• ILCOR Neonatal Life Support Task Force immediate past chair
• ILCOR Science Advisory Committee member

Background:

My everyday work includes the resuscitation of newborn infants, and I had a longstanding interest and leadership role in training others in resuscitation skills. I enjoy the common sense of purpose and the achievement of developing guidelines that can harmonise practice and improve the outcomes for newborns everywhere as well as for people of all ages who need resuscitation. I look forward to further improvements in the evidence basis of what we do, getting the word out even more widely, and involving a next generation in this inspiring work. 

PhD, MEdSt, GradDipPH, BSc, DipAppSc, RN, RM, ICCert, FACN, FAHA, ERC(Hon.)

Joined Council: 1993

Roles:

• Member, Australian Resuscitation Council Executive
• Chair ANZCOR SAC 
• Member of ILCOR SAC

Background:

As a critical care registered nurse I was involved in resuscitation training. I first became a member of the Australian Resuscitation Council National Committee in 1993, as the Royal College of Nursing National Representative. I have been involved with ILCOR since 2002, when I was appointed as the Co-Chair of what was the ILCOR Interdisciplinary Task force. I am motivated by the potential for resuscitation to save lives - and hope to see a t least a doubling of OHCA survival over the next 10 years. I am excited by the potential for pulselessness detection devices to 'convert' un-witnessed cardiac arrests into 'device-witnessed' cardiac arrests - and alert the relevant ambulance service call centre +/- first responders.

LLB (Hon). Grad Dip Leg Prac.

Joined Council: 2018

Roles:

• Member of Australian Resuscitation Council Executive

Background:

As a representative of the Australian community I am passionate about the important work the Council preforms, especially around the educative role to ensure wide spread and standardised training to both the general public and medical professionals.

Importantly the education of younger Australians through the Kids Save Lives program is of particular interest to me and I am please to see this area of education becoming compulsory in the our education systems through out the country. We have some amazing stories of young people having been train in first aid and CPR (at school, scouts or surf life saving) saving a friend, fellow student or family member life.

Deakin Distinguished Professor,

AO, RN, RM, BNurs, CertEmerg Nurs, GDipNurs(AcuteCare), MNurs, PhD SFHEA FACN FCENA

Joined Council: July 2007

Roles:

·       Member, ILCOR Basic Life Support Taskforce

Background:

 I am passionate about nursing representation and recognition of nurses in resuscitation science. Emergency nurses play a key role in recognising and responding to deteriorating patients and escalating care, and manage more cardiac arrests than nurses in many other settings. In the emergency department, is likely to be an emergency nurse who diagnoses cardiac arrest and commences cardiopulmonary resuscitation and / or defibrillation; supports families who are present during resuscitation and operationalises evidence-based post-resuscitation care, making a real difference to post-arrest outcomes. 

Heart Foundation NSW General Manager, National Lead Sudden Cardiac Arrest 

Joined Council: November 2025

Background:

What inspired me to get involved in resuscitation and first aid is the knowledge that ordinary people can save a life. I am passionate about empowering people with the confidence and skills to act in an emergency, because early CPR and defibrillation can make the difference between life and death. Everyone has the potential to be a lifesaver when they know what to do.

BSc, BNurs, BParamedicStud, GradCertHigherEd, MEmergHlth(MICA), FACPara, MAICD, CHIA, PhD

Joined Council: June 2020

Roles:

• ILCOR -Education, Implementation & Teams (EIT) Task Force

Background:

 What I most enjoy about being part of the Australian Resuscitation Council is collaborating with passionate clinicians, researchers and educators who share a commitment to improving patient outcomes. The Council brings together expertise from across healthcare disciplines, creating an environment where evidence can be rigorously debated, diverse perspectives are valued, and consensus is built around best practice. It is rewarding to contribute to evidence-informed clinical practice guidelines that shape resuscitation practice nationally and provide clinicians with practical guidance to deliver the highest standard of care.

AM MBBS MPH DPhil DMedSc FRCP FCCM FCICM FANZCA

Joined Council: July 2010

Roles:

• ANZCOR Guideline Development Group 

Background:

Defence was a founding member of the ARC, and officially endorses all its polices for use in both training and operations. I was honoured to be asked to build on the excellent contributions of past Defence representatives, taking particular responsibilty for guidelines on trauma, toxin exposures, and extremes of heat and cold- all of which are particularly relevant in our context. I have always valued the rigor of the guideline update process & look forward to incorporating new evidence as it emerges. 

RN, PhD

Joined Council: 2015

Roles:

• ANZCOR BLS Guideline Development Working Group Chair
• ILCOR BLS Task Force Chair
• Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair

Background:

I got involved with the Australian Resuscitation Council because I want to make a difference and contribute to resuscitation guidelines nationally and internationally. My background in critical care nursing inspired me to develop a career in resuscitation research. What I enjoy most about the Council is the collegiality. Clinicians, researchers and educators from very different backgrounds evaluate the evidence and turn it into guidance anyone can follow. Over the next decade, I'd like to see the Australian Resuscitation Council expand guidelines to guide implementation and systems of care, as well as expand its capacity to fund researchers.

Paediatric Emergency Physician 

MBBS(Hon), FRACP(PEM), MStJ, GradCertHealthCareSim, GAICD

Joined Council: 2016

Roles: 

• Convenor, Australian Resuscitation Council Paediatric Life Support Sub-Committee
• Member, Australian Resuscitation Council Teaching & Learning Committee
• Chair, ANZCOR Paediatric Life Support Guideline Development Group
• Member, ANZCOR Scientific Advisory Committee
• Vice-Chair, ILCOR Paediatric Life Support Task Force

Background:

My interest in life support training began when Professor Tess Cramond (an absolute legend of resuscitation!) invited me to be a BLS Instructor when I was a medical student. During my career as a Paediatric Emergency Physician, I have developed a passion for resuscitation education and research. I joined the Australian Resuscitation Council in 2016 and advocated for APLS Australia to become a Member Organisation. It’s great to be involved in a volunteer organisation with a group of people all dedicated to improving outcomes from resuscitation in our community. I continue to learn with and from the people around the table … they are very inspiring.

Consultant Midwife Manager Maternity Services Education Program (MSEP) The Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne

RN, CCRN, RM, Grad Dip Health Science, Master Education

Joined Council: March 2026

Background:

As the first midwife to be elected to ARC I am looking forward to enhancing the relationship between the Australian College of Midwives and ARC. Midwives play a critical role as primary care providers for most births in Australia and may be called upon to provide newborn or maternal resuscitation. It is important to ensure evidenced based practice and recommendations from ARC and ANZCOR guidelines underpin clinical education to support time critical care for newborn or maternal resuscitation where clinically indicated. 

MSW 

Joined Council: 2018

Background: 

Over the next 10 years, as a community representative and health advocate, I would like to see the Council expand its reach and share its expertise more widely across all sections of our population. In particular, I hope it will strengthen its engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse communities and people living in rural and remote Australia. By improving access to its policies, guidelines, knowledge, and educational resources, the Council can help ensure that everyone, regardless of cultural background or location, benefits from high-quality, evidence-based, health information and standards that support better survival outcomes.

MNSc, PGDip Crit Care, RN, FACN

Joined Council: April 2013

Roles:

• ARC EIT Sub-committee convenor
• ANZCOR EIT Guideline Development Group
• ANZCOR SAC
• ARC Training and Learning sub committee
• ILCOR EIT Taskforce

Background:

What I most enjoy is working at the point where evidence meets everyday clinical practice. I also value the collegiality of the Australian and New Zealand Resuscitation Council members, who come from such diverse professional backgrounds, yet bring their different perspectives to the same clinical questions. I genuinely enjoy being part of those discussions, and have made many friends along the way. Extending this into ILCOR has broadened it further, connecting national guideline work with international consensus science and a genuinely global nursing perspective.

Kusum joined the Council in June 2025. 

She is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with 11 years of experience across a range of industries, primarily within the community and disability services sectors. Her expertise spans financial stewardship, governance, compliance, and organisational operations.

Community service has long been a defining part of Kusum's life. Through organisations including Yuva Ignited Minds, Youth for Seva, and Muskan Foundation, among others, she has contributed and continues to contribute to initiatives that strengthen communities and improve lives.

Philipp joined the Council team in 2025, he has really enjoyed being part of an organisation dedicated to improving outcomes through education and advocacy in resuscitation.

He has found it inspring in his role meeting so many passionate and dedicated people across the Council. Philipp has been continually impressed by the depth of knowledge, expertise, and professionalism within the team, as well as how approachable, humble, and supportive everyone is. 

Phillip's role is to support the team and contribute wherever he can through his skills and experience, work he finds rewarding. 

Sirisha is the Business Services Coordinator at the Australian Resuscitation Council, where she provides operational, governance and project support to help keep the organisation running smoothly. She enjoys working collaboratively, building strong relationships and finding practical solutions to support the Council’s work.

Originally from India, Sirisha now calls Melbourne home. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, exploring creative hobbies, discovering new board games, hosting friends and family, and travelling.