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Who we are
The Australian Thyroid Foundation Ltd. (ATF) was founded in 1995 by a small group of people, all with thyroid conditions, who wanted to provide a support and education service to members and their families.
The ATF is a national not-for-profit organisation which provides many support services for it's members and their families and is focused on educating the Australia public about the importance of good thyroid health.
The ATF is a company limited by guarantee under Australian law. The organisation is headed by company directors and committee who are all members of the organisation and are responsible for the day to day running of company business under the company constitution. The directors of the company are responsible to the Australian Taxation Office ATO and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission ASIC.
The ATF is income tax exempt and is also a deductible gift recipient with the ATO. Donations over $2.00 are tax deductible under Australian taxation regulations.
The ATF is proud to have Professor Creswell Eastman AM as its Patron and Chief Medical Advisor
The ATF is a member of Thyroid Federation International (TFI), a worldwide organisation dedicated to global action of thyroid related issues.
The ATF is also a proud member of The Association of Genetic Support of Australasia.
The birth of the Australian Thyroid Foundation
Gail Ballantyne, a victim of thyroid cancer, was responsible for initiating the formation of the Australian Thyroid Foundation in 1994.
In a letter to current president, Beverley Garside, Gail related how it all came about. “After having surgery for thyroid cancer I searched for more information on the condition, but was unable to find anything in Australia, but did make contact with the Canadian Thyroid Foundation,” she said
“I also shared my frustration with my doctor, Professor Stephen Boyages, about the lack of information available in Australia, and he said if I could find some thyroid patients he would help me set up the first meeting to get a foundation started.
“Then, my sister, Trish, introduced me to Robyn Alderton, who had just recovered from thyroid cancer, and she along with Angela Cannuli, Rosetta Misitano and Liela Karranunda agreed to attend the initial meeting, along with Professor Boyages and his endocrine nurse Lyn Taylor.”
“We then held an Information Day to generate members, and I became the president, Robyn the secretary and Rosetta the treasurer. Following an article advertising a seminar in the local newspaper, which included my phone number, I was inundated with calls and we had more than 100 people at the seminar.
“The Canadian foundation allowed us to use their brochures about thyroid disorders and this saved us hours of time and money, as well as giving helpful information to our members.
“Robyn and Rosetta worked very hard to establish the foundation and since those early days many capable and committed people have been responsible for moving the foundation to where it is today - in the capable hands of Beverley Garside.”