Executive Team

Ashleigh Moore (Chair)

Ashleigh is a cancer survivor and committed consumer advocate. He has a diverse professional background ranging from Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Protection to Team Building and Organisational Development consultancies. Ashleigh’s career culminated in a five-year term as Director at Safework SA responsible for the State’s Occupational Health and Safety and Industrial Relations. He is an MBA graduate and Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management with qualifications in the areas of Science, Safety and Quality Management.

In 2005 Ashleigh was diagnosed with a stage 4 head and neck cancer, being a strict non-smoker and occasional social drinker this was a rude awakening. With a wife and two year old daughter at home and limited assistance, Ashleigh coordinated his own care. (Ashleigh's personal story)

Post treatment, Ashleigh’s personal commitment to represent the interests, needs and rights of health consumers led to his appointment as the inaugural chair of Cancer Voices SA. He holds advisory positions on a range of high-level groups including the SA Safety and Quality in Health Care Council, Cancer Voices Australia, Cancer Australia and several committees of the Statewide Cancer Clinical Network: Steering Committee, Infrastructure and Services sub committee, Radiation oncology and Complementary Therapies working groups. Follow Ashleigh on Twitter.

Julie Marker

Julie was 45yrs old, an energetic and fit Clinical Trial coordinator who cycled to work each day, when she was diagnosed with a Dukes C colon cancer in 2001. After surgery and chemotherapy the signs were all good ... until 4 years later a large liver secondary was found. Now, following two liver resections and more aggressive chemotherapy, her battle against cancer continues with exercise (swimming, cycling and running), gardening, meditation and active involvement in Cancer Voices SA. Julie contributes her project skills and background in research, clinical trials and epidemiology to the CVSA Executive Team. She is a consumer representative on the Cancer Clinical Network Complementary Therapies Working Group, and National Advisory Group for the CareSearch Palliative Care Knowledge Network.
Follow Julie on Twitter.

Pam Sandys

Born in Yass, NSW and brought up on a farm near the Burrinjuck Dam, Pam began her working life in the Commonwealth Bank, in her home town. Later Pam joined the Air Force as an Education Assistant where she met her late husband, Alan. Pam and Alan built a home in Adelaide and raised four children who still live in and around the area. Pam has been involved with the Asbestos Victims Association since Alan’s lung scans indicated that he was suffering from asbestosis. The Asbestos Victims Association provided relevant information and emotional support, along with legal advice and recommendation to a local GP who was interested in treating asbestos victims. Later diagnosed with Dukes C bowel cancer, Alan underwent two operations. Sadly, the damage to his lungs lead to his death in 2002. As many asbestos victims suffer from mesothelioma, a form of cancer, Pam contacted the Cancer Council which led to her joining Cancer Voices SA.

Maria Adamczak

Born in Adelaide to post war migrants.  Maria has worked in the corporate, community, military and government sectors in areas that include banking, facilitating workshops to assist unemployed back to work and human resources.  Maria semi retired in 2005 when she decided to subcontract her services to various recruitment agencies in designing and facilitating recruitment assessment centre activities.

Maria became involved in volunteering around cancer issues as a result of caring for her mother Katharina.  Katherina was first diagnosed with stomach cancer in the early 1990’s, then bowel cancer in 2006 followed by secondary lung cancer, which Katherina is currently battling.  As a consequence of caring for her mother, Maria became involved with the Cancer Council SA as a volunteer in the Cancer Council Information Centre based in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2006.  Maria currently works as a palliative care volunteer in the western suburbs, is a member of a domicillary care consumer steering group and subscribes to palliative care Australia and consumer health forums.

Whilst actively supporting her mother during her cancer journey Maria spent months sitting with her mother in numerous waiting rooms where she met many cancer patients.  Maria heard many stories and these inspirational individuals led her to join Cancer Voices SA - the one independent organization run by volunteers that raises issues and speaks out for on cancer issues.

Maria is particularly interested in migrant cancer care, palliative care, carer issues, writing memoirs and improved coordinated care for patients.
Follow Maria on Twitter.

Liam Hunt

Liam is a 25 year old survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and a strong advocate for the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer group. Prior to his diagnosis in 2002 Liam was your average 18 year old just out of school and about to commence university. Cancer was a huge shock, not only to Liam, but to his friends and family, many of whom had never known a teenager with cancer or even think it was a possibility. After having relapsed in 2004 and more treatment, Liam is now in complete remission and looking forward to his 5 year anniversary in October 2009.

Liam brings a strong leadership background from his years with CanTeen where he was a Member Director for 2 years. He has represented his peers on various State and Federal bodies including being integral part in the development of a national service delivery framework for Adolescence and Young Adults with Cancer Australia.

On a day to day basis Liam is the National Communication Manager for Solar Shop Australia. He  lives locally with partner Elise and their dog Baylee and enjoys playing amateur league soccer on Saturdays. (Liam's personal story).

Cholly Winter

Cholly migrated in South Australia in 1976.  She was born in Manila, Philippines.  She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas, the highest pontifical and oldest university in the Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce & Business Administration major in management and minor in sociology. She also holds an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science.

Her working years started from being a secretary, administrative, personal and executive assistant, to becoming a community worker and a business entrepreneur.  Her passion is community and she had been working as a volunteer for her own Filipino community since 1977 and in 1998 became involved with the multicultural communities by joining the Multicultural SA Volunteer Migrant Information Officer Network. She works presently on a part-time basis as a community educator/caseworker with PEACE Multicultural Services of Relationship Australia and holds positions as a member of the Board of Multicultural Aged Care, Secretary of  the Filipino Settlement Coordinating Council of SA, Chairperson of the Filipino Aged Care of SA and Booking Officer for the Senior Peer Education Centre of COTA Seniors Voice.

She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, underwent surgery for lumpectomy, had clinical trial drugs chemotherapy for six months and six weeks of radiotherapy. In 2002 got involved with Cancer Council SA as a Cancer Connect Volunteer to help and give support and information to CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities) about what services are there for them to take. She joined Cancer Voices SA as a consumer since its inception in 2006 through a survey conducted by CVSA.  Last year, in September 2008 she attended a Consumer Research Training Course in Sydney for 2 days and this paved way to her being successfully selected to sit as a member of the National Research Advisory Group for Cancer Australia. 

Jim Vlahakis

Jim is 44 y/o married with 3 children ranging from 5 to 15 y/o. He has been involved in the construction industry since leaving school at the age of 15 employed as an apprentice and then further studied a Diploma in Building Technology . At the age of 29 he started his own construction company and has developed it over the years into a successful business.

Life was hectic  bringing up children and business was very demanding with long hours. Health and fitness was always put on the backburner. He had a wake up call in November 2008 when diagnosed with Stage 2  kidney cancer. Within days he was operated on and had the left kidney removed and a regional dissection of the lymph nodes in the area.

Life is different now , weighing 10kg less and cycling for fitness at every opportunity  he has a new perspective on life. His priority is now family and friends and giving back to the community . His skills in running a viable business, making projects happen and seeing results is something he want’s to contribute to Cancer Voices SA.
Follow Jim on Twitter.

Vince Riviere

Vince is a 25year old male and is a 1 year survivor of metastatic papillary thyroid cancer. Born in Melbourne Victoria his parents moved to Adelaide in the early 90’s for work purposes. Vince grew up in the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide with a strong multicultural background. His mother, Jacqueline was born in Chile (South America) and his father Ray was born in the island of Mauritius (off the coast of Africa).

Being a healthy young person was never an issue for Vince growing up. He was a high performing state junior athlete having represented the state in both athletics and soccer at national level. Vince moved back to Melbourne in his early 20’s to study a Bachelor of Social Science (Youth Studies) at RMIT University. On finishing his studies,  Vince moved back to Adelaide to be closer to his parents, sister and grandmother. Soon after coming back to Adelaide,  Vince was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. He had to take a year off work to battle through numerous operations, radiation and iodine treatments. Being so fit previously, Vince had never spent a night in hospital and rarely saw his family doctor. Cancer came as a major shock to both himself and his family.

After treatment Vince has gone on to work for the Health department in the Northern suburbs as a social worker where he enjoys facilitating groups of young men and women on healthy living and positive relationships. Vince enjoys travelling with his fiancée Natalie, playing soccer at a state level and also playing for the Cancer Voices SA soccer team in 7-a-side competitions to raise awareness of CVSA. Vince also has found great enjoyment in cycling.  This was something he picked up whilst recovering from cancer treatment. He rides with the CVSA cycling team, and rode 160km in the 2010 Tour down Under Community Challenge.