July has been a massive month for NAPSA! Only a few weeks ago the new NAPSA Board of Executive Directors was elected with Sebastian Harper from Griffith University succeeding Bano Serhan as National President. Sebastian has been joined by an experienced team from across the country, comprising of:
- Benjamin Scott - Treasurer (University of Queensland)
- McKinley Nolan - Secretary (University of Tasmania)
- Shylee-Jade Hadar-Pagliari - Internal & External Affairs Director (James Cook University)
- Erin Fawcett - Education Director (University of South Australia)
- Megan Potter - Research Director (University of Tasmania)
- Mia Avram - Policy & Advocacy Director (Monash University)
- Aaliah Nelson - IPSF Director (University of Queensland)
NAPSA Board of Executive Directors
The new Board has hit the ground running. Alongside local branch Presidents, National President Sebastian met with federal parliamentarians in Melbourne and Sydney, to make the case for the inclusion of pharmacy students in the Commonwealth Prac Payment. On behalf of the Australian Pharmacy Leaders' Forum- a network of pharmacy organisations including the Guild- NAPSA also sent an open letter to the Minister for Education calling for this change.
Members of Parliament have taken a keen interest in our campaign, having now heard directly from pharmacy students about our struggles with placement poverty. The successful NAPSA Placement Poverty survey found that over half of our members are having to forego meals while on placement, due to this financial burden.
Nominations for Chair positions have just closed, and we’re hard at work selecting a new team that will form the backbone of NAPSA. It won’t be long now until nominations open for Team Members - a new initiative in the previous term - who can sit on NAPSA’s committees and help make a difference for pharmacy students.
Congress 2025 registrations are still open, and tickets are selling fast! Students can look forward to a week-long event of education sessions, workshops, social events, networking, trade show and more. Make sure you get your ticket before they all sell out!
