Joint ANZSOM & AFOEM NSW/ACT Christmas Dinner Meeting

The NSW/ACT Branches of ANZSOM and AFOEM are pleased to invite you to our Christmas Dinner Meeting, ‘A Christmas Cultural Smorgasboard’, on Wednesday 25 November, for an evening of engaging cultural presentations to support your cultural CPD activity requirements while catching up with colleagues and celebrating the end of the year.

The event will be held at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia and will include drinks and canapes, followed by a 3-course dinner, as well as presentations by:

• Mr Joe Stewart, Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Parliament of NSW - Many Voices, One Parliament

• Dr Sugeesh Pathirana, Consultant Occupational and Environmental Physician, Dust Diseases Care, icare NSW - Improving access to best practice lung screening for culturally and geographically diverse workers in NSW

Date: Wednesday 25 November 2026
Time: 6pm (AEDT)
Venue: The Royal Automobile Club of Australia
89 Macquarie Street (corner of Alfred Street), Sydney
Cost: $130 pp
RSVP: by 16/11/26
 

Click here to register

Meeting proudly sponsored by:

About the presenters

Joe Stewart grew up in Brisbane and Redcliffe, beginning his career supporting clients with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. He later transitioned into film and television, contributing to high-profile productions such as Redfern Now (Season 1) and Mystery Road (the film). Driven by a strong desire to educate and influence positive change, Joe Stewart, in the role of Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer Quandamooka, Central and Southern Islands of Moreton Bay QLD, began working in roles focused on improving outcomes for First Nations peoples. This included positions at Hearing Australia and the Queensland Parliament, before joining the Parliament of NSW 12 months ago. Since joining NSW Parliament, Joe has delivered cultural programs and initiatives, built strong relationships with elected members and worked closely with parliamentary committees - particularly in regional areas of the state. Joe is passionate about lifelong learning and connection. A proud supporter of NSW in the State of Origin, Joe also enjoys screenwriting, dogs, and watching a bit of sport.

Dr Sugeesh Pathirana is a Consultant Occupational Physician with more than 15 years’ experience across industries including construction, mining, manufacturing, transport, waste management, health and aged care. He has worked with Dust Diseases Care (DDC) at icare for six years and has a particular interest in occupational lung diseases, including the assessment and health surveillance of workers exposed to silica, asbestos and other occupational dusts.

Dr Pathirana has contributed to the development of clinical pathways within Dust Diseases Care for occupational lung disease surveillance, and community clinical pathways for silica- and asbestos-exposed workers within the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. He is a member of DDC’s internal Occupational Lung Diseases Multidisciplinary Team and Clinical Governance Committee. His broader work includes workplace health surveillance, fitness-for-duty assessments, injury management and independent medico-legal examinations.