PACFA has received the very sad news that Dr Kim Dunphy died
peacefully on 14 October, with her beloved family at her side, after a
long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
PACFA pays tribute to Kim who was part of the PACFA community for
many years. She was a Delegate to the PACFA Council representing the
Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia (DTAA) and Past
President of DTAA.
From 2017 to 2019, Kim was also Chair of the PACFA Research Committee and a member of the PACFA Board.
Kim was a pioneer in dance movement therapy who recently completed a
Mackenzie Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Creative
Arts Therapy Research Unit (CAMTRU). She led the development of
CAMTRU’s new Master of Creative Arts Therapy Program which incorporates
Dance Movement Therapy, a very significant achievement.
Kim’s achievements were celebrated in June this year when she
received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her contribution to
Dance Movement Therapy. Kim’s OAM is featured in this video piece by ABC News.
Kim’s contribution to PACFA was substantial and this was acknowledged
in October 2019, when Kim was awarded a life membership of PACFA in
recognition of the contribution she has made to PACFA and to the
psychotherapy and counselling profession.
Kim was an inspiring, warm and generous human being, with a great
passion for her research in Dance Movement Therapy. Kim’s contribution
to PACFA was enormous, both as a member of the Board and as Research
Chair. She Her life and legacy will have a lasting impact for our
profession. She will be greatly missed by many in the PACFA community,
both as a colleague and friend.
Maria Brett, PACFA CEO
I want to acknowledge Kim’s many contributions as Chair of the
Research Committee along with the leadership, integrity, and wisdom she
brought to the role. In the relatively brief time I have known Kim she
has not only inspired me through her commitment and passion as a
colleague but also her courage and resilience as a person. A big loss
for our community.
Dr Alexandra Bloch-Atefi, PACFA Research Chair
The PACFA community mourns the loss of Dr Kim Dunphy OAM and we send
our deep condolences to Kim’s beloved family, John, Lex and Tess and
their families.