Advisory Group Members

Dr Alarna Vrieling is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker with 20 years of clinical and community experience in rural, metropolitan, and international settings. Dr Vrieling earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work at Charles Sturt University studying the impact of war service on Vietnam veterans’ families. She is also the child of a Vietnam veteran. 

Dr Vrieling is skilled in Focused Psychological Strategies, trauma-informed, intersectional, and recovery-oriented practices. She has worked extensively with First Nations People, refugees, Defence personnel, and individuals affected by mental illness, domestic and family violence, torture, and addictions.

Commander Anthony Russell RN FACN is a senior registered nurse and Commander within the Royal Australian Navy. Commander Russell has nearly 20 years’ experience across emergency, trauma, operational health, and strategic leadership environments. He has led multidisciplinary teams in complex clinical, military, and humanitarian contexts.  

Commander Russell is currently the Commanding Officer - Joint Health Unit – Western Australia. 

Ben Wadham is a professor in Sociology (Defence and Veteran Studies) at Flinders University in South Australia. He is a veteran of the Australian Army, having served in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police.  

Professor Wadham is the director of Open Door: Improving the Wellbeing of Veterans, Public Safety Personnel and their Families, a research initiative at Flinders University. He has conducted sociological and criminological research on the ADF and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), including institutional abuse in the ADF, veteran suicide, and veteran transition into higher education. Professor Wadham also researches men's violence prevention. 

Mr Brett West is a Yamatji man from Western Australia and a veteran of the Royal Australian Air Force, with three decades of service. During his military career, Mr West served in senior engineering, operational and workforce leadership roles, delivering complex capability, training and organisational outcomes.  

Following his military service, Brett transitioned to public sector leadership, where he has championed First Nations workforce, education and self-determination outcomes across the Victorian Government. Mr West also continues to support the veteran community through governance and advocacy roles, with the RSL Victoria Veterans Affairs Committee and as Deputy Chairperson of the Victorian Veterans Council. 

Ms Hayley Boswell is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Defence Kidz, Australia's charity supporting all military and veteran children and their families through advocacy, education, wellbeing initiatives and evidence-informed programs. 

Ms Boswell is a lawyer and nationally recognised advocate for the Defence and veteran community. She serves on the South Australian Veterans’ Advisory Council and a range of national advisory boards, where she advocates for improved outcomes for Defence members, veterans and their families. 

Ms Boswell is a veteran spouse, veteran child and passionate advocate for military and veteran families. 

Mrs Holly Shires completed her Master of Counselling with the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. Through her counselling experience, Mrs Shires provides advocacy and support for people who are experiencing vulnerability. She has a special interest in providing counselling for trauma and addiction.   

Mrs Shires is a Defence spouse. 

Reverend Kevin O’Sullivan served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for over 37 years, including 13 years as an Air Force chaplain. Over this period as a chaplain, he was deployed to the Middle East and worked in leadership roles at RAAF Wagga and RAAF Williamtown.  

Reverend O’Sullivan has advised ADF Command on existential crises and moral injury, whilst also teaching Military Ethics to junior leaders in the ADF. 

Dr Richard Magtengaard is a psychiatrist with 25 years of clinical and administrative experience. He has been the Director of the Military Trauma Recovery Programme across two care facilities in Perth. The programme focuses on assisting current and ex-serving ADF members, first responders and their families who have sustained physical and psychological trauma during their service.   

Dr Magtengaard served for 10 years as a Commissioned Officer within the Royal Australian Navy. 

Mr Russell Clutterbuck is a barrister practicing in administrative, commercial, criminal, insurance, military, and wills and probate law. Mr Clutterbuck has experience before inquests, commissions of inquiry and statutory tribunals. He has represented deceased member’s reputational interests during Inspector-General of the ADF Inquires into Suicide.  

 Mr Clutterbuck is an ADF Reserve Legal Officer, with over 35 years of experience in the military justice system.  

Commander Simon Kelly has served in the Royal Australian Navy for over 40 years. Commander Kelly has deep personal understanding of the veteran lifecycle, from service and operational deployment, transition to reserve service, and impacts of service life on families.  

Commander Kelly was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for meritorious service to Navy Intelligence and Information Warfare, and a Conspicuous Service Medal for outstanding service in his performance as the Officer-in-Charge of complex case management and Establishment Warrant Officer.