Presentations to Government
Rusty Moran has actively advocated for surf therapy to be recognised as a viable solution for veteran and first responder suicide prevention for five years. He has presented his surf therapy PhD research findings to:
The Governor General, His Excellency General David Hurley,
Former Minister for DVA, Hon Matt Thistlethwaite (a keen surfer)
Former DVA Minister Hon Andrew Gee (also a keen surfer)
Former Defence Minister Hon Peter Dutton
Former Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne.
Prime Minister Hon Anthony Albanese,
Former Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison
Former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.
Former NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Barry
Assistant Commissioner Dean Smith.
The VSP program has now been accepted by NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) to undertake a randomised control trial (RCT) study for NSW Police and Paramedics with the assistance of WorkCover and EML insurance. This was arranged after successful meetings with NSW Premier Perrotet, NSW Finance Minister Tudehope and SIRA CEO Dr Petrina Casey. This program is due to commence in January 2025 and will provide surf therapy for 100 emergency services workers with PTSD over 18 months. Following the results of this study, and if successful, Dr Casey has agreed in principle that surf therapy could then be added to the list of available treatments for PTSD for emergency service workers under NSW WorkCover arrangements including billing codes for other surf therapy providers across NSW.
