As of July 1, 2017, ReGen has been merged with 21 other UnitingCare agencies in Victoria and Tasmania to form a single organisation: Uniting.

The primary Uniting contact for media enquiries is Aimee Suchard-Lowe, General Manager, Marketing & Communications (03 9192 8149 / ). 

Laurence Alvis
Chief Executive Officer, UnitingCare Regen

Laurence has been the Chief Executive Officer of UnitingCare ReGen since 2005.

Laurence began his career in community services in the early 1980’s, working for another UnitingCare agency in Broadmeadows, where he set up the financial counselling service. He then moved to the City of (Broadmeadows) Hume where in a career of 19 years, he worked in various community services management roles. His roles there included Manager of Aged Services and Health and Manager of Community Services, where he had oversight of 600+ staff and services that operated from over 90 locations throughout the municipality. Laurence has a strong commitment to social justice principals and providing accessible services to those who need them most. Laurence is the treasurer of the peak body VAADA (Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association)

Laurence has expertise and can speak to the media about:

• Government AOD policy and AOD sector funding
• Population level approaches to reducing AOD harms
• Community benefits of AOD treatment
• AOD sector reform
• Developing innovative responses to emerging community needs
• Changing Australia’s drinking culture and improving public understanding of issues relating to illicit drug use

Contact Media Manager on 0435 875 818 or email

Donna Ribton-Turner
Director – Clinical Services

Donna has extensive experience in leadership positions in the health sector including in hospitals in Australia and overseas, mental health services and the Victorian Department of Human Services. Donna has worked in the Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) sector for over 30 years. In 2000, Donna was awarded an Australia Day Achievement Medallion for her commitment to the development and delivery of effectively targeted drug treatment and rehabilitation programs by the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia.

Donna joined ReGen in 1997 and is now responsible for all clinical services including withdrawal (adult and youth residential and non-residential), counselling, family and education, prison contracts and joint management of the award winning Catalyst non-residential alcohol rehabilitation program

Donna has expertise and can speak to the media about:

• Impacts of AOD use on individuals and families
• Evidence-based AOD treatment and policy
• Women’s experience of accessing AOD services
• Young people’s AOD treatment and support needs
• Working with families affected by AOD use
• Need for holistic responses to AOD issues
• Links between AOD use and crime
• Prescription medication, overdose and dependence
• Providing AOD treatment for offenders.

Contact Media Manager on 0435 875 818 or email

Other media spokespeople with other specific expertise are available

Please contact Media Manager on 0435 875 818.