DR peter McDonald

But I’m still in the paid workforce and continue to research and write on things that I’m passionate about. I admit to being a little frustrated in recent years with certain aspects of the mental health community sector.  

My thoughts and analysis have been unwelcome. Clinical workers see me as someone with little expertise, someone who should stick to helping people with housework and appointments. If I asked questions about the Mental Health Act or the DSM, the so-called bible of mental disorders, clinical workers didn’t know what I was talking about, or had no interest in discussing such matters with me. I was seen as a fly in the ointment, a trouble maker. 

Over the years I have pretty much stopped going to meetings, because not only were they a waste of my time, but voicing a contrary opinion could disadvantage my clients. I am hoping that this website will give me the opportunity to share some of my thinking with like-minded people. 

The NDIS has added yet another layer of complexity, and hence my interest in this scheme. You may well ask how I reached this point.

I have completed a First Class Honours Degree in Linguistics and a PhD in law/legal studies at La Trobe University, Bundoora. 

Broadly, I have had three phases in the paid workforce, firstly with Australia Post, followed by teaching at La Trobe University and finally supporting people with a mental illness in residential programs. At various times I also ran my own academic writing and editing business, specialising in university essays and theses (Honours, Masters, PhDs).  

At Australia Post I worked as a postie, mail sorter, and later as a trainer, a legal officer, a national project manager and a national editor of service publications.

At La Trobe University I taught for many years in subject areas such as administrative law, family law, contract law, company law, legal reasoning, and criminal justice. 

 Some years into tertiary teaching I became restless and wanted a career change, but had no real idea what to do. 

My relocation to Kinglake in the early 2000s gave me new directions. It was there that I became interested in bushfires and, for the first time, met people on disability pensions with a mental illness. 

People heard on the grapevine that I knew something about the law and I got enquiries about mental health orders that took away control of their money. People felt trapped and wanted help. To be honest, I didn’t know anything about these things, but was keen to learn. 

For around two years I learnt about Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) and Administration Orders and advocated for people at the then Mental Health Review Board and VCAT. From there I eased my way into working in residential programs, where I have worked as a support worker, mental health practitioner, and facility manager.