Board and Staff Members
BOARD MEMBERS
Chairperson:
Carmel Sheppard
Carmel is currently teaching Grade One. Previously she was an Education Support Unit teacher. Carmel finds the job both rewarding and challenging at times. Carmel is also an advocate, she does voluntary work with Coastal Country Music Club, South West Solitaires, and Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre. Carmel holds qualifications in Diploma of Teaching (ECE), and Bachelor of Education in Special Needs. Carmel is currently acting Chairperson. Carmel spends spare time reading, playing cards and catching up with friends for coffee or dinner.
Vice Chairperson:
Grace Stewart
Grace joined Advocacy South West as a volunteer in November 2004. Having a strong background in office, administration and customer service she has many skills to put to good use. In her volunteer role she has learnt so much, especially in the computing field thanks to Inge and the 'First Click' programme; through Swie Lan, the Power Point training and has now completed Disability Certificate III. Grace also attended ''Shared Vision" Volunteer Training Project funded by the Department of Community Development - Office for Senior Interests and Volunteering. As one of her grandchildren has autism a lot of this knowledge is of direct benefit to her family as well as improving the skills she has to offer as a volunteer.
Treasurer:
David King
David currently holds the position of Treasurer on the Board of Advocacy South West. David was appointed to the position in 2006 and has considerable accounting experience in the Retail, Mining Power industries. David has now completed his Bachelor of Business.
Board Member:
Ernie Hill
Board Member:
Adam Johnson
Adam is the Community Development Officer for the City of Bunbury. Previously he worked for 6 years as a Local Area Coordinator with the Disability Services Commission. Adam is passionate about seeing people reach their full potential in life, and making sure everyone has the opportunity to live a full and rich life. He lives in Binningup with his wife and two kids.
Board Member:
Kieran Merrit
Kieran is a Social Worker enjoying active retirement. He is also a Pro Bono Consultant in Community Development; Funding Submission and Student Supervision. Prior to his retirement, Kieran was a Senior Social Worker with Department of Social Security/Centrelink from 1981 to 2004. While working at Centrelink Kieran was also active in lecturing at Edith Cowan University and South West Regional College of TAFE. Kieran is a founder and chairperson Shoestring Singers http://shoestringsingers.tripod.com/index.html Kieran has been tirelessly working with different community groups and holding various positions such as a chairperson with Greater Bunbury Affordable Housing Forum; Chairperson In Town Centre Inc. Shoestring Café; Chairperson, South West Regional College Industry Reference Group for Human Services.
Board Member: Phyllis Merrett-Park
Board Member:
Luke Putt
In 1998 I was at Australind High School. There was a scholarship to go on Leeuwin in that year by the school. I didn’t get it. In the following year I won the Iluka scholarship to go on the Leeuwin. I wanted very much to on the Leeuwin because I wanted to have fun & enjoy myself & meet heaps of new people. In October holiday Mum took me to Perth, then I travelled for 24 hours on the bus to Port Hedland where I embarked upon the Leeuwin. I worked on the ship for 10 days. People on the ship on the first night were set into four teams, Red, White, Gold, and Blue. I was in the Red team. For 2 or 3 days we were out at sea & some of us were sick - feeding the fish. We learned many things about sailing ships like setting the sails, coiling ropes, following instructions. I went part of the way up the mast as it was quite scary. We then arrived at Broome and then back home to Perth.
The following year Mum said to me ‘You won’t win this one”, and I said, ‘I will.”, to be on the 'Young Endeavour'. I did win the trip & I couldn’t believe it. So off we went again. I was given a special T Shirt & a bag & it cost me $100 instead of $1500 to go on the ship. I went to Melbourne by QANTAS & then to Geelong where I went on the ship ‘Young Endeavour’. On the first night we went out into the wind & there was too much wind so the ship came back & hit the light pole on the jetty. I was not in charge of setting the sails that night. The following day we went off to South Australia, Adelaide. We landed in Adelaide for ten days. From Adelaide we sailed to Kangaroo Island & had a look around that day. We returned to Adelaide then on the last two days we had a disability team on board & we took them out for a day sail & some of them were sick & I had to bring up some of their bags. Then we landed back at Adelaide at the end of the day. The next day we said goodbye to everyone and then back home to Perth by QANTAS.
In the year 2001 I got my car drivers licence after 3 attempts. There was a big log book I had to do, keeping count of all the hours of driving. So now I could have a car to get around. I had many mishaps with my car. The following year I started working in my father’s house removing business. I transported my first house that I had cut it into 3 pieces & moved. This took about two years to do, as I had to learn how to do it. I now am fully engaged in transporting houses from one place to another.
My brother was whinging at me because he said I should do something else. Then I went to dragon boats just for fun. I then went to Forrest Personnel to talk to Mally? about different types of groups of people where I could join in various activities. He said there is one group called Advocacy Network South West so I joined up with Tanya who was the coordinator. Tanya said that there is a form to fill out and she helped me to do this about myself. Then she said that there is ten pin bowling at 4pm on Wednesdays and I went to it and joined the others from the group. Carmel Sheppard, one of my school teachers, was there and so there was a familiar face. I enjoyed doing the things the group did and I continued to join in many of the activities the Network group took part in. I have now been with the Network for about 3 years. Last year 2008-2009 I was invited to become a member of the Management Board as a representative of the interest of all participants and I have been renominated for the year 2009-2010 as well.
STAFF MEMBERS
Chief Executive Officer:
Peta Kierath
Peta studied a bachelor of Social work part time while working full time as a House Supervisor with Activ Foundation. Peta graduated from Edith Cowan University Bunbury in 2004. Prior to moving to the South West Peta was employed by the Orana Women’s Refuge initially to establish and implement a comprehensive 'in house' child care service. After two years she was offered the position of Coordinator, continuing in this position for a further 8 years. Peta resigned to take up the position of Community Services Officer with the City of Cockburn until moving South. Peta Joined Advocacy South West in August 2000. Peta recognises the disadvantage for people with disabilities living segregated lives and the need to promote inclusive communities and participatory practices in the services and programmes offered. She is currently a sitting member on the Bunbury Community Legal Centre Board of Management. Peta is married with four adult children and ten grandchildren.
Administrator:
Swie Lan Wiggins
Swie Lan commenced work as an Administrator at Advocacy South West in January 2001. Prior to this she worked in the South West Women’s Refuge as an administration officer for three years and the Bunbury Migrant Resource Group for 8 years. Before she moved to Bunbury Swie Lan worked in the North West with the Ngurin Aboriginal Development Centre as an administration worker and assistant to the project officer. Most of her work involved direct contact with indigenous people. Swie Lan completed her study in Bachelor of Business Marketing in 2004. Swie Lan also attended a three day workshop on Social Role Valorisation with Peter Millier in 2001.
Network South West Coordinator:
Jennifer Amy
Professional Individual Advocate:
Ray Ladinski
My name is Ray Ladzinski.
My position at Advocacy South West is that of Advocate. My role is to undertake ‘issue-based’ advocacy for people with a disability or mental illness in both the Greater Bunbury Area and the South West area of the state.
I have a diverse employment history: I began work as a Town Planning Assistant in the 70’s whilst studying for an Associateship in Town Planning at WAIT (now Curtin University). Following that I was engaged as a sub-contractor in the building industry; a retail business owner; a mineral exploration field supervisor; various mining positions, including laboratory assistant; and more recently, I worked with elderly people. Then, up until May 2007, when I commenced employment at Advocacy South West, I worked with families and children.
I have found that every day at ASW offers me new professional and personal challenges which have at the same time been exciting and fulfilling learning experiences. These are challenges that I now look forward to when I work with people who have disabilities. I must add that I feel privileged to be part of a team that does make a difference.
I have a strong interest in the ‘glass door’ aspect of access for people with disabilities or mental illness and how this can be ‘smashed’.
Assistant to Professional Individual Advocate
Kerry Quake
Kerry has two children, Ashley 14 and Becky 9. Kerry is currently working for Advocacy South West as an Advocate Officer and is undertaking a Bachelor of Social Work at Edith Cowan University Bunbury. Kerry has a Certificate IV in Business and worked in retail for 16 years, including five years as a Sales Manager. Kerry has been involved in children's life skills workshops and camps run by community organisations in Perth and the South West. Kerry owned Busy Buddies Chrildren's Programs which involved management, programme development and delivery of after schoo, life skills and self esteem workshops.
Assistant to Network SW Coordinator
Elaine Squire
DADAA Coordinator:
Wanda Ariano
VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteer Office Assistant
David Sloan
David commenced voluntary work with the Agency in July 2005. In his capacity of a volunteer, David is now responsible for the incoming and outgoing mails, answering the phone, photocopying and other duties directed by staff. David is a quiet achiever and he likes to collect coins and banknotes from different countries.
Admin Assistant/Media Unit coordinator/Volunteer:
Veronica Chambers
I wear a lot of 'hats'. I am never sure just which room or department I will be working in at any given time. Mostly troubleshooting IT stuff or a listening ear to make sure another's IT task is going okay. I do spend a lot of time in the media unit where I am surrounded by 4 - 6 computers where I am responsible for maintenance of the video cameras & doing the video editing on either PC or Mac. Some days I fill in for Swie Lan & the other days of the week I volunteer. Although I could retire I need to keep being useful & Advocacy South West staff are great people to work with. Beats patchwork for now.
Mick Parker
PROJECT OFFICERS
Jodie Coles
I am a Project Officer with Advocacy South West. I am 46 years old with one daughter. I enjoy working with people with disabilities to enhance their lives & try new & exciting things. Jodie won the prestigious award for Community Support from Disability Services Commission WA in 2009
Billie Griffiths
Hi I'm Billie. I have been a disability support worker for approximately 16 years. I enjoy my work immensely and the variety of activities and programs I have been involved with. Over the years I have also met a lot of really inspirational and talented people. As many of you already know my great passion is art and craft especially if it uses recycled materials. I also love gardening and my dog Ebony Lee.
Hazel Mann
Lorenzo Martinez
Spanish Australian, father of 3. An Education Assistant working in special needs for the last 10 years. Music is more than a passion of mine and love when I can mix the both. I like to change people's lives with music to help them along life's journey.
Last Updated 28th June 2010
