TASA coordinator Linda Byart is no stranger to the challenges of bringing about social change. Working with the British Safety Council for over 20 years first as a senior executive and then as a consultant, Linda was responsible for campaigns that saved literally thousands of lives and prevented injury and damage to health to tens of thousands more.

Linda’s Reports to Members of Parliament on such subjects as Vehicle Defects, Gas Explosions and Ladder Safety resulted in actual changes to British Legislation. She has had many papers and articles published and appeared regularly on radio and television in the UK on health and safety issues.

Linda first worked with Dr Malcolm Carruthers in the 70’s and 8O’s when he acted as a medical consultant to British Safety Council campaigns on the effects of stress in the Workplace and also on the prevention of the spread of AIDS.

Emigrating to Australia in 1988 Linda worked in Public Relations and Marketing at Perth Zoo, then devised and developed the Perth Zoo Society, acting as its Chief Executive for its first year.

In 1995 she set up TouchGold Pty in partnership with former Perth Wildcats Captain and current Wildcats Team Manager, Mike Ellis. The company specialises in the provision of performance enhancement and motivational training, personal development and public speaking skills. It also organises conferences and events, and it was in this context that TouchGold was asked to organise Dr Carruthers’ tour’s of Australia in 1997, 98 and 99.

"We were so moved by the plight of the men who contacted Dr Carruthers while he was here that Mike and I happily agreed to host STAG and now TASA in our West Perth offices", said Linda."We never dreamed that the scale of the operation would escalate so rapidly, a bit like having a cuckoo’s egg laid in our nest".

Dr Carruthers acknowledges "I, and a large number of Australian men, owe Linda a huge debt of gratitude for her enthusiasm, energy and sheer hard work in the creation of first STAG and now TASA., and her continuing "TasaMania" in her tireless fight in the courts for the right of the Australian male to have HRT".