ADRA Australia Announces New CEO

9 July 2008

News

Wahroonga, New South Wales- The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia is
pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Duffy to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following action by the South Pacific Division Executive Committee on recommendation from a search committee. Mr Duffy will commence work with ADRA Australia on 18 August.

Mr Duffy, currently the Director of Adventist Health for the South Pacific Division, has extensive experience in health promotion and community health development. He also has a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from Deakin University.

“Mr Duffy’s professional and educational background has provided him with the right skills and knowledge to direct ADRA Australia’s work here in Australia and overseas,” said ADRA Australia’s Board Chair, Peter Brewin. “We are pleased he has been appointed to this role and welcome him to the ADRA family.”

Mr Duffy’s work experience includes the implementation of a number of community health initiatives in Australia and overseas. For example, in Australia, health information and education projects are increasing youth resilience and, overseas, improvements to health clinics in the Pacific are increasing the quality of rural community health services.

“My work has always been based on a holistic approach,” said Mr Duffy. “I’m interested in empowering people through education and then providing the support they need to make good choices. And this is what ADRA is all about - it equips people with knowledge and the resources they need so that they have the power to choose a better life. I’m excited about my new role with ADRA, and continuing its work as the humanitarian arm of the Adventist Church.”

Mr Duffy has had an association with ADRA Australia for several years, including participation on a panel to appraise and review proposals for some of ADRA Australia’s major international development projects.

In addition to a MPH, Mr Duffy holds a Bachelor of Education from Flinders University and Certificate of Occupational Health Management from Sydney University. He has worked for the Adventist Church for 28 years.

In the past, the Chief Executive Officer of ADRA Australia also held the position of Executive Director of ADRA South Pacific, the regional office for ADRA in the South Pacific. With the growth of both entities in recent years, the roles have now been separated. Greg Young, an Australian currently based with ADRA International in the United States, has accepted the position of Director of ADRA South Pacific.

ADRA Australia is a non-government organisation (NGO) engaging in sustainable community development and emergency management for people in Australia, the Pacific, Asia and Africa. It is fully accredited with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and is signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct. The ADRA network has a presence in 125 countries. For more information about ADRA Australia visit www.adra.org.au.

Media Enquiries:
Candice Jaques
p    02 9489 5488
m   0407 172 305
e    news@adra.org.au
www.adra.org.au