New Director for Australian Institute of Family Studies
The Australian Government has appointed Ms Anne Hollonds as the new Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), the government’s principal source of specialist research expertise on families.
Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Scott Morrison said Ms Hollonds is an experienced and dedicated leader, serving as the CEO of not-for-profit organisations for 17 years.
“As Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, Ms Hollonds will play a crucial role in informing government policy, providing insights into the issues affecting Australian families and effective ways to address them,” Minister Morrison said.
“As CEO of Relationships Australia NSW and the Benevolent Society, and in national sector leadership roles, Ms Hollonds has built effective collaborations with Australian and international researchers, governments, business and cross-sector leaders to achieve evidence-informed innovation and service improvements.
“She also has considerable experience in prevention and early intervention, child protection, out-of-home care, family counselling and mediation, domestic violence and mental health. Ms Hollonds’ experience will bring a strong applied research focus to this very important role.”
Ms Hollonds will take up her position on 7 September 2015 and has been appointed for five years.
Ms Hollonds has taken over from Professor Alan Hayes AM, a highly respected and experienced leader who held the role of Director for 11 years.
“Professor Hayes presided over a long period of strong growth in the Institute’s research and organisational capacity. Professor Hayes fostered opportunities and partnerships with policy makers and practitioners to showcase AIFS’ research capabilities. As a result AIFS is now recognized as a leading research body in a number of areas related to family wellbeing, including in family law, longitudinal studies, early childhood development, child protection and prevention and early intervention approaches.
“He also increased the Institute’s important role of communicating family-related research to policy-makers, practitioners and the community through a strong publishing program, information exchanges, conferences and seminars, and an active online presence.
“I would like to thank Professor Hayes for his significant contribution as Director of the Institute. His services have been recognised by many, including through his 2012 appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia.
“I wish Professor Hayes all the best in his new role with the University of Newcastle as inaugural Distinguished Professor of Family Studies and Director of the Family Action Centre.
“I would also like to thank the Institute’s Sue Tait, who will lead the organisation as Acting Director until Ms Hollonds assumes her new role,” Minister Morrison said.
For more information about the Australian Institute of Family Studies visit aifs.gov.au