Why does Australia’s health system still treat mental and physical health as separate issues?

Psychiatrist Dr Paul Fung tackles this question on this episode of The Churchill Changemakers, drawing on insights from his Churchill Fellowship research across the US, UK and New Zealand.

Paul shares practical, real-world models for integrating mental health into general practice, reducing stigma, and improving access for culturally diverse, regional and underserved communities. 

He also explores workforce shortages and the often-overlooked “missing middle,” challenging the idea that more care is always better. In doing so, Paul makes a thoughtful and compelling case for smarter, more equitable health reform.

Fellowship Sponsor: Paul was awarded The Paul Tys Churchill Fellowship to investigate clinical service models that integrate mental health care with General Practice.

 

The Churchill Changemakers is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know disinformation campaigns can threaten public health. But what can we learn from the tobacco industry, which wrote the disinformation playbook decades ago, and from tobacco control advocates, who have had some huge wins in tackling the issue?

In this episode of The Churchill Changemakers, host and Churchill Fellow Michelle Ainsworth speaks with public health advocate Christine Morris, a public health specialist whose 1997 Churchill Fellowship helped shape Australia’s fight against tobacco.

Christine shares powerful insights from her time in North America,  the creation of landmark campaigns in Australia, including  “Every Cigarette is Doing You Damage,” and how those early lessons inform the modern battle against youth vaping.

From disinformation tactics to bold policy moves, this conversation explores how global learnings are driving local change - and what still needs to be done to protect future generations from nicotine addiction.

 

The Churchill Changemakers is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The focus for Season 3 is impact, which comes with a title change from The Churchill Collective to The Churchill Changemakers and a new batch of extraordinary people who received their Churchill Fellowships some years ago, to reveal impact over time.

Michelle Ainsworth, Churchill Fellow and host of The Churchill Changemakers, talks to 10 bold thinkers, driven to learn more globally and return home to make an impact locally. 

You'll hear stories on topics from 'media literacy for primary school children' to 'tobacco control', and from 'maintaining historical keyboard instruments' to 'public toilet taboos, design and policy'. 

So, what did these changemakers do with those powerful new ideas, and how have they driven impact locally? We invite you to listen to The Churchill Changemakers and find out. 

 

The Churchill Changemakers is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World War I tore many Australian families asunder, but Indigenous Australian families in particular, with their limited access and resources, were often left wondering where their relatives had fallen, and where they now rest. One man on a mission has now answered many of their questions. In this episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer delves into the fascinating journey of Joe Flick, a man dedicated to documenting the stories of Indigenous Australian soldiers who fought in the Great War. Discover how Joe's passion has not only answered century-old questions but also brought solace and recognition to many families. Through his studies, Joe has shed light on the forgotten contributions of Indigenous servicemen.

 

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine being a classical musician who suddenly, and unexpectedly, loses her sight. That was a crisis overcome by Morwenna Collett, who subsequently turned her experiences into a passion for making the arts more accessible to disabled people. In this episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer explores Morwenna’s amazing, and inspiring, life. Living with Multiple Sclerosis isn’t easy, but nevertheless Morwenna has transformed her challenges into triumphs, becoming a leader in arts accessibility in Australia thanks to a Churchill Fellowship that allowed her to study innovations abroad.

 

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our culture’s voracious adoption of "fast fashion", with its exploitation and carbon footprint, is creating mountains of waste around the world. So how can we change Australia’s attitudes? In this episode of The Churchill Collective, Adam Spencer explores innovative recycling and upcycling techniques with Jane Milburn, an agricultural scientist who has embraced the “slow fashion” movement as the founder of her company, Textile Beat. Jane discusses how emphasising the importance of natural fibres and personal style can reduce fashion waste. Drawing parallels with the "slow food" movement, she advocates for a thoughtful approach to clothing consumption. Jane shares her Churchill Fellowship experiences, highlighting global initiatives that inspire local actions to combat unsustainable practices.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making Australia the best country in the world to be a sportswoman is an admirable dream, and one woman is working to make it happen. Sydney Swans Executive General Manager for AFLW, Kate Mahony, has dedicated her professional life to the cause. In this episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer joins Kate to explore the triumphs and challenges of Australian women's sport, and how Australia can lead the way in supporting female athletes by adopting the best practices from overseas. Kate Mahony’s Churchill Fellowship journey took her across the globe to bring back innovative methods to inspire local change in female medical care, resources, and the unique needs of sportswomen.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian police forces may have superb track records in solving homicides, be they new or cold cases. But there is always room for improvement, particularly when detectives find themselves confronted by growing caseloads. In this gripping episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer shines a torch into the world of homicide investigation with Detective Inspector Tim Day of Victoria Police. From solving cold cases and gangland murders to learning groundbreaking techniques overseas, Tim shares his extraordinary journey in law enforcement. Discover how his passion for forensic medicine evolved into a stellar career in policing, and how his Churchill Fellowship helped bring innovative investigative methods back to Australia.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zoos have changed for the better in recent decades, but there are many good ideas left to be discovered overseas. In this episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer chats with Sarah Brown, the Director of Community Engagement at Zoos South Australia, about innovative methods to enhance zoo experiences for both animals and visitors. Learn about Sarah's Churchill Fellowship journey, her groundbreaking work with cross-fostering endangered species, and the exciting integration of so called 'phygital' technology to connect people with nature. Listen and learn about the vital role zoos play in preserving biodiversity.

 

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would it be like to enter a remote community with shocking water quality, only to leave the people with fresh, clean liquid finally running from their taps? This is the life of Churchill Fellow Eric Vanweydeveld. In this episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer interviews Eric about the critical issue of water quality in regional and remote Australia. Eric shares his journey of studying innovative water treatment solutions abroad and bringing that knowledge back to Australia. He discusses the significant challenges faced by remote communities, especially First Nations, and how new technologies like containerised water treatment and renewable energy can make a difference.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel 
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.