Daniel Robertson- Support Worker

With 7 years community service work, working with varying ages from children to adults with multiple needs my heart is to walk alongside others in their mental health / disability journey. My greatest joy is to see my participants achieve their goals.

I have worked with children with complex Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder and understand the need to work holistically with family’s, teachers and health professionals. I have spent time with the children in the classroom supporting their education, providing a calm consistency.

In adult mental health I have worked with varying complex customers to assist in their day to day living and community participation.

I also use board games as a way to teach valuable life skills like communication and teamwork.

I enjoy photography, nature, walking and all sorts of card games/board games. I also have a love of acting and puppetry, and I use these skills running programs for primary aged kids during the school holidays.

Desley Conway - Support Worker

I am a wife and mum of three and over my life career I have spent many years working and volunteering with several not for profit organisations.

My heart is to support families and individuals through their life journey and I am currently completing my Diploma of Counselling, with a key focus on grief, loss and families.

I have worked with varying psychosocial customers who have complex mental health needs and have a deep care and compassion for my customers.

I enjoy entertaining, cooking and art

Carole Norman - Support Worker

As a registered nurse, I have spent my career specifically in midwifery. I have also been involved in various pastoral care ministry’s.

Both roles have given me the many skills needed as I moved into psycosocial support with compassion, gentleness, kindness and patience being key qualieties I bring to my participants.

I am a wife, mother of three and grandmother of two. I love gardening, walking, cycling in the country and cooking.

Joshua Clerke - Support Worker

Melissa Hoffman- Support Worker

I have always had a heart for helping others and initially this heart led me to becoming a Registered Nurse, working diligently and passionately for almost 2 decades in the local public hospitals.

I am also a mother of three energetic children that keep me on my toes and help me fully engage with life and love. I also have a passion for supporting other parents through the everchanging journey of parenthood.

I recently felt a calling to be more involved in the community. I have been thoroughly enjoying using my nursing heart and skills now by being a psychosocial support worker & nurse with Pakari.

Kerryn Colin-Thomé - Art Group Co-Ordinator

I was born and raised in Benalla, North Eastern Victoria in a strongly artistic and musical environment.

I lived in the UK for two years in 1990/91 then moved to Adelaide and Melbourne for my husband’s career. During this time I pursued a career in corporate administration then public and investor relations with mining companies, however, this was not my passion.

When I had my children, I studied art under two artists “Marco and Debra Luccio” who encouraged me to take my studies further. I studied fine art, firstly at NMIT and then went on to Melbourne University. I have won numerous awards for my work.

I love encouraging others to find their joy in life and have found art to be a great facilitator for this.

Anne Lawry - Support Worker

I am the eldest of four children and from a very young age I navigated life with one parent who experienced mental health challenges.

Much of my childhood was spent in Melbourne, apart from two years in Tanzania, East Africa. Those two years were particularly formative, as was a lengthy trip back through India. Although my formal education suffered, I received a broad and enriching informal education. There were 9 changes during my schooling years, all of which assisted in the development of social awareness and empathy.

I am married with four adult children and seven beautiful grandchildren. One of my children actively engages with the support provided by the NDIS and another experienced many years of chronic health challenges. 

In addition to an early working life as a legal secretary, I have studied and worked in the fields of hospital chaplaincy, counselling and school chaplaincy. For over thirty years I have also provided pastoral care support across a wide range of issues and with people from many different cultures.

Spare time is enjoyed with family and friends or participating in activities such as gardening, photography and craft.

Joshua Moore - Support Worker

Kathryn Hanger - Support Worker

CURRENTLY ON MATERNITY LEAVE

From my late teens , I have had a passion for supporting and walking with those around me in all different seasons of life. Mental health is a particular area very close to my heart as I've experienced personally, seen and journeyed with many family members, friends and young people battling over short and long term. My education consists of studies in youth work, counselling, and education support.

I have been working in these sectors as a support worker for the past 7 years. I've worked at a variety of different schools and have done in home support, working with different family units, kids and teenagers of all backgrounds and needs. I have also volunteered on primary and secondary holiday camps, beach missions and youth groups.

On my days off I love spending time with people, getting to know their stories over a hot drink or smoothie. I love spending time with my family and hanging out with my niece and nephews. I love going on adventures, making bowls and candles from coconut shells, admiring beautiful scenery and things. I love a good laugh, corny jokes, a good old fashioned action movie and spending time in the garden.