11 June 2024
Life Member Dr Di Stow has announced her departure from the PACFA Board, effective 18 May 2024. Dr Stow most recently served as Immediate Past President after her tenure as President on the PACFA Board for 6 years; she has been actively involved with PACFA since 2005, serving as a volunteer in numerous capacities.
PACFA is deeply grateful for Dr Stow’s tireless dedication and contribution to the organisation and the advancement of the profession, and thanks her for her longstanding service.Dr Stow is passionate about what PACFA stands for — regulating and supporting the provision of effective high-quality psychotherapy, counselling, and Indigenous Healing Practices, by registering and certifying suitably qualified and skilled practitioners, and accrediting appropriate training courses.
She is a PACFA Clinical Registrant, Mental Health Practitioner, Accredited Supervisor, and PACFA Life Member who for the past 20 years has run a private practice in Hobart specialising in the areas of grief and loss, trauma, anxiety and depression, purpose and meaning.
Dr Stow has stated that it was a privilege to lead PACFA in the role of President for six years, working with the Board, the Office, and the membership, representing counselling and psychotherapy to government and gaining further recognition for our profession. She has been a strong advocate with both Government and non-Government organisations and mental health professionals, particularly around Medicare, utilising radio, media outlets, interviews, press releases, briefings, and expert panels.
Under her watch as PACFA President, she saw the establishment in 2019 of the College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Healing Practices (CATSIHP). She also oversaw the establishment of PACFA’s Governance Committee in 2020, and PACFA’s full membership of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) in 2022. Of particular note was bringing in a new PACFA CEO in 2021 and managing that process and the transition for the organisation, and PACFA’s office move from Fitzroy North to Carlton in 2022.
Regarding her departure from the Board, Dr Stow shared the below statement with PACFA:
“It is with a mixture of pride and gratitude that I announce my departure from the Board after 13 and a half years of dedicated service.
“I am filled with satisfaction as I recall the many projects we successfully completed and the substantial growth and financial stability our organisation has achieved over those years.
“Throughout my tenure, I have had the pleasure of working alongside excellent staff and volunteers, collaborating with esteemed colleagues, and forming lasting friendships within the profession.
“Since passing the presidency to Nigel, over 18 months ago, I have continued to fulfill commitments, finalise significant projects, and support Nigel in his role. Now, it is time for me to conclude my service on the Board and bid farewell.
“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to contribute to our profession. I leave confident that the organisation remains in excellent hands with Nigel, the Board, Johanna, and her dedicated team.
“With my very best wishes to you all, to our profession, I look forward to enjoying, to continuing to enjoy, my life in Hobart with my family, our Tassie lifestyle, and doing the counselling work I love, my Dr Di practice. I take immense satisfaction in the contributions I made to PACFA and delight in the achievements we accomplished together.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve and for your ongoing support.”
You can view the current members of the PACFA Board here.