Planning a conference takes dedication, expertise, and a shared passion for advancing our profession. Our ACPIC25 Organising Committee is made up of experienced professionals who are working hard to create an event that is engaging, insightful, and valuable for all attendees.

We want to take a moment to thank them for their time, commitment, and enthusiasm in bringing this event to life. If you have any suggestions or ideas for the conference, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out to any of the committee members – your input helps make this event the best it can be.

Chair - Matt Cook

Matt Cook is a dual qualified Intensive Care Paramedic and registered nurse with SA Ambulance Service. He has completed a Masters in Critical Care Paramedicine and is passionate about the evolution of community paramedicine, and has co-authored a paper in the field and spent time working as a community paramedic in remote SA. He was Chair of the ACPIC24 Organising Committee and is serving as Chair again for ACPIC25. Matt is also a member of the College's SA Committee and the College's Community Paramedic Working Group. He is dedicated to enhancing healthcare delivery in rural and remote areas and his interests extend to endurance sports medicine, where he combines his personal passion with professional expertise to support athletes in ultra-endurance events, which is the focal point of the Masters by Research that he is currently undertaking.

Research Committee Representative - Hannah Latta (NZ)

Hannah is a Critical Care Flight Paramedic working in Wellington and a postgraduate lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand. Hannah also works as an ultrasound educator in the Wellington Emergency Department. Hannah has extensive experience in the ambulance and emergency care sector and is passionate about learning and continuing education to ensure patients receive the highest standard of care. Hannah has completed a doctorate investigating how ultrasound can be integrated into the resuscitation of patients in cardiac arrest. Her research aims to identify very "low flow" states associated with pseudo-pulseless electrical activity. Hannah is also a photographer, mum to Sam, and enjoys taking him on many adventures exploring the outdoors in her spare time.

Research Committee Representative – Dr Ben Meadley (VIC)

Dr. Ben Meadley is a paramedic and researcher with more than 27 years of experience. He serves as the Director of Paramedicine at Ambulance Victoria and holds an Adjunct Associate Professorship at Monash University's Department of Paramedicine and the Emergency Research Unit in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Dr Meadley's research focuses on clinical care, paramedic health, and human performance science. He has spent the majority of his career working in critical care paramedicine, with 15 years as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic. In 2023, he was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal for his contributions to paramedicine, and is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Paramedicine.

Research Committee Representative - Rachel Vella (NSW)

Rachael is a Lecturer in Paramedicine and the Academic Program Advisor for Paramedicine at Western Sydney University. She holds a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Sydney, as well as a Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine) and a Master of Research from Western Sydney University. In 2024, she commenced her PhD, focusing on integrating technology-enhanced methods, such as artificial intelligence, into simulation education. As a registered paramedic, she has worked with three ambulance services, both nationally and internationally, and continues to maintain clinical practice with a jurisdictional ambulance service

Student Committee Representative - Emma Tyzack-Price (TAS)

Emma is a student paramedic currently studying at the University of Tasmania through the fast-track Bachelor of Paramedicine degree. She is committed to, and passionate about, advancing the voices of future paramedics and supporting her peers throughout their education and professional journeys. As president of the Tasmanian University Paramedic Society, Tasmanian Representative for the Australasian College of Paramedicine Student Committee, and Volunteer Ambulance Officer with Ambulance Tasmania, Emma enjoys the opportunity to collaborate and exchange ideas with her peers and colleagues. Along with her experience in conference and event management, Emma is excited to bring a student paramedic voice to ACPIC25 and to work alongside other Organising Committee members to develop a valuable, inclusive and enjoyable conference experience for all.

Jen Pedler (NSW)

Jen has worked with NSW Ambulance since 1996. In that time, she has fulfilled numerous roles including Paramedic Educator, Extended Care Paramedic, Intensive Care Paramedic, Acute Stroke Advisor and Virtual Clinical Care Centre Senior Clinician. She is currently the Clinical Lead for the Extended Care Paramedic Program.

Matt Didcoe (WA)

Matt Didcoe is a registered paramedic and Clinical Digital Specialist at St John WA, with a background in paramedicine, computer science, and leadership. He works across clinical governance, digital health, and system improvement, focusing on modernising clinical practice guidelines, electronic medical records, enhancing remote clinical support, and optimising cardiac monitoring technologies. Passionate about using technology to improve patient outcomes, Matt plays a key role in making evidence-based practice more accessible and practical for frontline paramedics. With a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, he’s committed to shaping the future of out-of-hospital care.

Tim Makrides (TAS)

Tim is an Intensive Care Paramedic and Executive Director Clinical Services at Ambulance Tasmania. With a background spanning multiple paramedic systems in Australia and abroad, Tim also holds a PhD in health system design, leadership, and modernisation. He's an Adjunct Associate Professor with the University of Tasmania where he teaches and supervises PhD students and, most importantly, a dad to three energetic little boys.

Jessica Wissa (QLD)

Jessica is a Critical Care Paramedic with extensive experience at Queensland Ambulance Service. She began her career in 2015 as an Advanced Care Paramedic, primarily serving in metro Brisbane areas with additional experience in single-officer rural stations. Over the years, she has developed a strong passion for research and evidence-based medicine, ensuring the highest standards of patient care. She enjoys collaborating with the college to introduce the latest studies and witnessing the growth and evolution of the pre-hospital space

Andrew Hodgetts (QLD)

Andrew is a registered paramedic with more two decades of experience across multiple Australian and international ambulance services and higher education. Starting his career in 2001, Andrew has worked for NSW Ambulance, ACT Ambulance Service, Ambulance Victoria and ProMedical Vanuatu, and still practices today with the QAS. Andrew is also an experienced academic, transitioning into higher education in 2016, his research interests include first-year student success and community-based first aid programs in low-and-middle income countries.

Ben Lawson (TAS)

Ben is an Intensive Care Paramedic and Operations Supervisor with Ambulance Tasmania, as well as the Tasmanian Chair of the Australasian College of Paramedicine. With more than a decade of pre-hospital experience, he is deeply passionate about paramedic education, professional development, and advancing clinical practice. As part of the conference organising committee, Ben is committed to delivering an engaging and high-quality event for all attendees. He looks forward to connecting with colleagues, sharing knowledge, and fostering meaningful discussions to support the profession’s growth.

Stephanie Nixon (QLD)

Stephanie Nixon is a rural/remote QLD paramedic with more than 12 years' experience. She has just completed a Masters of Paramedicine (Extended Care) through Charles Sturt University and is hoping to start her PhD mid-year. She is currently part of two EMF grant projects and has presented in person and posters at various conferences in the past few years. She also writes quarterly articles for the College's Response magazine. She has recently become involved with UniSQ and is enjoying the experience of meeting the future generations of paramedics coming through

Sam Burton (VIC)

Sam Burton is a MICA Paramedic and registered nurse with more than a decade of experience across diverse acute healthcare settings. He is deeply passionate about pre-hospital research, point-of-care ultrasound, and systems improvement, driving innovation in clinical practice and education. Sam is involved in mentoring, simulation training, and paramedic-led research, alongside his teaching role at Monash University. He has presented at national conferences and contributed to enhancing pre-hospital systems and cardiology workflows, with a focus on evidence-based advancements in paramedicine

Richard Armour (VIC)

Richard is a Critical Care Paramedic and PhD candidate with a particular interest in the emergency system of healthcare for people who use alcohol and other drugs. Richard has previous experience in the United Kingdom and Canada, where he worked to update federal and provincial legislation to modernise the scope of practice for paramedics in British Columbia. Richard is a keen advocate for paramedics working in expanded roles within health, as well as the potential role of allied health professions in emergency ambulance services.