The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) has announced the latest recipients of the Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian (AdvAPD) credential recognising professional leadership in their field of nutrition and dietetics. They are Melissa Armstrong, St Vincents Hospital, NSW, Leanne Brown, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Elesa Crowley and Deanne Harris, Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, NSW, Leigh Reeve, Consultant Dietitian-Nutritionist, NSW, Denise Cruickshank, Statewide Foodservices, QLD Health, QLD, Maree Ferguson, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD, Emma Osland, Ipswich Hospital, QLD, Helen Truby, Royal Children’s Hospital & University of Queensland, QLD, Annabel Sweeney, Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service, SA, Jodie Bartle and Heather Gilbertson, Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC, Judi Porter, Eastern Health, VIC; and Jane Porter, North Metropolitan Area Health Service, WA.

The AUSVEG board have appointed Richard Mulcahy as the new Chief Executive Officer of AUSVEG. AUSVEG is the national peak industry body representing the interests of Australian vegetable and potato growers.

Richard Mulcahy is a former parliamentary representative with nearly two decades of experience in employer associations. Elected as the Member for Molonglo in the Legislative Assembly of the Australian Capital Territory in 2004, he held numerous portfolios including Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the ACT in 2006 and Shadow Treasurer from 2004 to 2006. He also served as Chairman on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for the Legislative Assembly of the ACT from 2004-2007.

Prior to this he was National Executive Director of the Australian Hotels Association from 1992 to 2003. Under his leadership the association became one of Australia’s highest profile industry organisations. Other senior roles he has held include Director with William Wrigley Junior Company in Chicago USA; Chief Executive Officer of the Confectionery Manufacturers of Australia; Principal Personal Assistant to the former Premier of Victoria, the late Sir Rupert Hamer.

AUSVEG has also appointed two new directors to its Board. Skills-based director Mark Napper is CEO of Windsor Farm Foods Group, an Australian company that supplies canned mushrooms, potatoes, seed beans, green beans, asparagus, diced and sliced fresh apple, soups and salad dressings. Mark was Managing Director of the Australian Horticultural Corporation from 1998 to 2001, and a member of the Steering Committee of government and industry representatives that oversaw the formation of Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL).

Paul Bogdanich was elected to the Board as the representative for Western Australia, replacing Jim Trandos. Paul is the Office Manager of Bogdanich Farms, a third-generation, family-owned business north of Perth. In addition to growing iceberg and Cos lettuce, cabbage, celery, cauliflower and broccoli for local and interstate fresh and processing markets as well as chain stores, Paul has been a member of the Committee of Management of vegetablesWA since December 2008.