Meet Esther McKay – Trauma specialist

Quest is thrilled to welcome Esther back as our new Program Development Manager – Healing Trauma. Esther helped to establish our acclaimed Moving Beyond Trauma program 5 years ago and has rejoined us to help develop our trauma services to meet the need for longer-term residential programs. We can’t think of anyone better qualified for the job! With a ‘lived’ experience of trauma after working for 17 years in the NSW Police specializing in police forensics, Esther founded the first PTSD support groups for police in NSW. As President, she worked for 16 years supporting and coordinating services to serving and former police and their families who suffer from work-based trauma. Esther is dedicated to advocating for improving conditions for first-line responders and has raised the profile of emergency workers who are injured in the line of duty.

"We constantly need good young people to commit to front line work so I believe we should look after them" says Esther.

While working as Project Manager for NSW Police Legacy Backup for Life, Esther designed and rolled out a suite of services to assist former officers and their families to transition into new career paths, healthy lifestyle options, and gain access to counselling and trauma care and foster connections with the police family. Esther continues to volunteer with the charity she founded in 2005 assisting serving and former police who are touched by trauma. She is a keen gardener, loves to be surrounded by family and friends and often attends her son’s musical gigs around the State. Esther holds awards including the National Police Service Medal with 15-year clasp, the Pride of Australia Medal for Community Service, the NSW Police Diligent and Ethical Service Medal and The National Service Medal. She has also been Patron of the Missing Persons Register and served as an Australian Ambassador. Esther is the author of bestselling autobiography ‘Crime Scene’ and ‘Forensic Investigator’, Penguin Random House. Crime Scene is under option for an international mini-series! Learn more about Quest's program Moving Beyond Trauma