Dr O’Neil was born in Limerick, Ireland but grew up in Perth, Western Australia. Inspired by the challenges he faced working in remote parts of Australia, Africa and cities such as Glasgow and Perth in the 1980s, Dr. O’Neil began developing new products for use in obstetrics, pain management, malnutrition, catheterisation, drug delivery and addictions. This resulted in the establishment of pharmaceutical company Go Medical Industries Pty Ltd in 1984. Dr. O’Neil has pioneered the use of naltrexone in Australia for opiate addiction and since 1996 has concentrated his efforts on running an addiction treatment clinic in Subiaco.
The Rev. Dr. John Yates has been involved in a wide variety of Pentecostal, Evangelical and traditional churches since his conversion more than 50 years ago. He is a long-term friend of George O’Neil and has been facilitating Friday for many years. As a pastor, theology lecturer, mentor, writer and spiritual director he has experienced both the glories and the failures of the Church firsthand. He has a particular passion for the suffering Church Bride of Christ in Myanmar which he has visited 5 times. Until recently he was the chair of the Evangelical Alliance Foundation in Australia. As an Anglican minister in active retirement, he is seeking to pass on “the testimony of Jesus the Spirit of prophecy” (Rev 19:10) to future generations. John lives with his wife Donna in Perth Western Australia
Kathleen is a founding member of the board and has contributed to Fresh Start’s governance through multiple phases of growth and development over nearly three decades. She has a background in speech pathology and education, and works as an educational consultant, providing training to teachers in literacy interventions. She is currently studying a Masters in Educational Neuroscience, which deepens her insight into how brain-based mechanisms affect learning, behaviour, and recovery. This knowledge informs her understanding of the innovative treatment approaches used at Fresh Start, particularly those addressing the neurochemistry of addiction.
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