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A/Prof Shalini Arunogiri
Clinical Director
Open minds. Open doors.
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Our History
In March 2022, Turning Point, Australia's leading addiction treatment, research and workforce centre, was appointed to run a new statewide specialist centre for addiction and mental health, the Hamilton Centre.
Its formation came from the Victorian Government's investment in integrated care for people living with mental illness and substance use or addiction. This was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System (2021), recognising that many people with co-occurring problems had difficulties accessing holistic care and navigating a complex treatment system.
The Hamilton Centre seeks to break down barriers to treatment and to create a more inclusive, supportive system by delivering integrated care to people with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
Margaret Hamilton
The Hamilton Centre honours Professor Margaret Hamilton AO, a leading figure in public health in Australia.
She has over 50 years of experience in the drug and alcohol field, with a background in social work and public health. Her work has included alcohol and drug epidemiology and policy research.
Professor Hamilton was the Founding Director of Victoria's Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre and held executive member and board director positions in the state and federal healthcare sector.
She dedicated her life to social justice and public welfare and implemented innovative approaches that helped improve the lives of many Australians. The Hamilton Centre is proud to carry on her legacy.
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The story behind the logo
The Hamilton Centre logo design tells a story of hope and healing through unity and inclusivity. By cleverly showcasing two semi-circles merging into a single whole when read from left to right, the logo represents a shift from fragmented to cohesive care. The semi-circles themselves express the co-occurring issues of mental illness and addiction, while the whole circle symbolises an open portal to integrated treatment and a brighter tomorrow.
Our Central Team
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Irina Hart
Manager
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Ali Cheetham
Research Fellow
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Alice Frank
Senior Pharmacist
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Annie Williams
Clinical Transformation Lead
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Anupama Pant
Project Coordinator
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Carol Figueiredo
Communications Lead
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Charlotte Cunningham
Assistant Lecturer
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Dr Katrin Oliver
Lecturer
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Guido Melo
Digital Educational Designer
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Lisa Jarvie
Clinical Quality Improvement Lead
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Teagan Ostrognaj
Project Officer
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Tegan Humphrey
Personal Assistant/ Project Coordinator
Professor Dan Lubman AM
Executive Clinical Director at Turning Point and Professor of Addiction Studies and Services at Monash University
"The Hamilton Centre is an important initiative that is transforming the way we care for those experiencing mental illness and substance use or addiction. The Centre is committed to offering a comprehensive range of services, training service providers, conducting research and expanding Victoria's addiction and mental health workforces. The innovative model recognises the close link between mental health and addiction, and enables us to deliver integrated care that ensures people with co-occurring conditions receive the specialised support they need."
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Rick Loos
Associate Program Director, Statewide & National Treatment Services at Turning Point
"The Centre is becoming a strong force in tackling the challenge of mental health and substance use or addiction. It serves as a model of positive systems change for individuals with co-occurring conditions, providing crucial support and a comprehensive, inclusive care approach through its Clinical Network. In line with the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System, the Centre is working to advance integrated care by offering a range of resources to service providers, including primary and secondary consultations, specialised advice, and service navigation."