NDS Committees
NDS has a number of forums for NDS Members to become involved and provide input on national issues and to respond to the concerns and interests of members in each State or Territory:
- State and Territory Divisional Committees are made up of representatives elected by the NDS members in that state or territory.
- National Communities of Practice are open to all NDS members and support collaboration and networking with other members who have shared interests.
Divisional Committees - State and Territory
The Australian Capital Territory Divisional Committee is as follows:Chair: Eric Thauvette OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Hartley LifecareVice-Chair: Nadine Stephen, Chief Executive Officer, KoomarriDonna Cosgrove, Regional Manager ACT/Western NSW, Aruma ServicesDougie Herd, Executive Director, Community Connections
Kerry Pearce, Executive Manager Aged Care and Disability Services, Woden Community Service Kylie Stokes, Executive Director, Sharing PlacesLisa McPherson, Chief Executive Officer, Nexus Human Services
Robyn McKay, Executive Director – Service Delivery, Marymead CatholicCare Canberra and GoulburnWayne Herbert, Director Progress and Property, LEAD Disability Services
Territory Manager: Jo Huxley
The New South Wales Divisional Committee is as follows:
Chair: Philip Petrie, Chief Executive Officer, Allevia
Vice-Chair: Andrew Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Windgap Foundation Ltd
Vice-chair: Brett Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Interaction Disability Services
Alexandra Davis, Chief Executive Officer, InalaAnnie Doyle, Chief Executive Officer, Civic Disability Services LtdDeborah Begg (Sazdanoff), Advisor to the Board, Studio ARTESEdward Birt, Chief Operating Officer, The Disability TrustLiz Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, Sunnyhaven Disability Services Ltd.Morgan Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer, Koorana Child and Family ServicesRosy Walia, Chief Executive Officer, Multicultural CareSam Sooialo, Chief Executive Officer, Finding Yellow
Julia Squire, Chief Executive Officer, Ability Options (elected member and ex officio member as NDS Board Member)
State Manager: Debbie Jaggers
The Northern Territory Divisional Committee is as follows:Chair: Lawson Broad, Chief Executive Officer, SomervilleVice-Chair: Annie Rily, Chief Executive Officer, CarpentariaJanet Wright, General Manager, Integrated Disability Action
Kerry Whiting, Chief Executive Officer, HPA IncorporatedKim McRae, Tjungu Team Manager, NPY Women's CouncilRachel Choy, Chief Executive Officer, Central Australia Supported AccommodationTerritory Manager: Mick Fallon
The Queensland Divisional Committee is as follows:Chair: Elizabeth Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Lifelong SupportsVice-Chair: Rachel Freeman, Chief Executive Officer, Yumba Bimbi Support ServicesBenjamin Keast, Chief Executive Officer, ARC Disability Services Inc.Cheryl Dalton, Chief Executive Officer, SBcare Incorporated
Leanne Rutherford, EGM - Home & Community, Endeavour FoundationMark Townend, Chief Executive Officer, Spinal Life Australia
Richard Littler, Chief Executive Officer, Xavier Children's Support NetworkRobert Galea, Chief Executive Officer, First Services Inc.
Sharon Wrigley, Chief Executive Officer, Community and Specialist Support Inc.State Manager: Jason McKey
The South Australian Divisional Committee is as follows:Chair: Mark Kulinski, Chief Executive, Community Living Australia
Vice-Chair: Myron Mann, Chief Executive Officer, Bedford GroupVice-Chair: Sue Horsnell, Chief Executive Officer, HCO Disability and Community Services
David Panter, Chief Executive Officer, Minda Inc.Liz Forsyth, Chief Executive Officer, Brain Injury SA
Mel Kubisa, Chief Executive Officer, Community Living Options Inc.Peter Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, PQSASimon Rowberry, Chief Executive Officer, Barkuma Inc.
Tim Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Enhanced Lifestyles IncorporatedState Manager: Janine Lenigas
The Tasmanian Divisional Committee is as follows:
Chair: Nigel Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Multicap Tasmania
Vice-Chair: Allyson Warrington, Chief Executive Officer, Community Based Support
Vice-Chair: Ruth Chalk, Chief Executive Officer, NOSS Tasmania
Belinda Smith, Chief Executive Officer, The Parkside FoundationDarren Mathewson, Chief Executive Officer, Li-Ve Tasmania, genUDeborah Byrne, Executive Officer, Brain Injury Association of TasmaniaDonna Bain, General Manager, Self Help Workplace IncDonna Blanchard, Chief Executive Officer, Autism TasmaniaKeryn Welch, Chief Executive Officer, Mosaic Support ServicesMark Jessop, Chief Executive Officer, Nexus IncMichael Sylvester, Chief Executive Officer, The Blueline Laundry Inc.Nicholas Connor, Chief Executive Officer, Langford Support ServiceRachel Wolf, General Manager, Operations, PossabilityRussell Penman, Chief Executive Officer, Montagu Community Living
State Manager: Lizzie Castles
The Victorian Divisional Committee is as follows:
Chair: Hayley Dean, Chief Executive Officer, Melba Support Services
Vice-Chair: Natasha Williams, Head of Housing Strategy, The Disability Trust
Amanda Youngs, Chief Executive Officer, MiLife-Victoria Inc
John Rowland, Acting CEO, Possability
Liz Cairns, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Scope Australia
Lynette McKeown, Chief Executive Officer, Able Australia
Mary-Jane Stolp, Chief Executive Officer, The Bridge
Phil Hayes-Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Wallara
Terry Symonds, Chief Executive Officer, Yooralla
Travis Heeney, Chief Operating Officer, GenU
Vaughan Winther, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Community Support Organisation
Rohan Braddy, Chief Executive Officer, Mambourin Enterprises (elected member and ex officio member as NDS Board Member)
State Manager: Sarah Fordyce
The Western Australian Divisional Committee is as follows:
Chair: Justin O'Meara Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Interchange IncVice Chair: Dawn McAleenan, Chief Executive Officer, CrosslinksVice Chair: Justine Colyer, Chief Executive Officer, Rise Network IncAlison Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, Therapy Focus LtdCaroline Watt, Chief Executive Officer, Nulsen Disability ServicesDarren Ginnelly, Managing Director, My Place WA LtdJane Forward, Chief Executive Officer, Valued Lives FoundationJohanna Cook, Chief Executive Officer, 4lifeskills IncKate Fulton, Chief Executive Officer, AvivoKathy Hough, Chief Executive Officer, Far North Community ServicesMarina Re, Chief Executive Officer, IdentityWACassie Atchison, Chief Executive Officer, Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (elected member and ex officio member as NDS Board Member)Julie Waylen, Chief Executive Officer, Diversity South Inc (elected member and ex officio member as NDS Board Member)Melanie Kiely, Chief Executive Officer, MSWA (elected member and ex officio member as NDS Board Member)
State Manager: Frances Buchanan
National Communities of Practice (formerly National Committees)
NDS National Communities of Practice (CoP) have replaced National Committees. NDS encourages all members to enjoy the benefits of collaboration and networking with other members from around the country who have shared interests. The National CoPs complement the role of State and Territory CoPs, which fulfill their roles of maintaining local community connections, exploring key local issues, and for support and development of the sector locally.
Communities of Practice are a great example of how NDS members can be more powerful when we work together. There's no doubt the combined voice of over 1000 members, representing every aspect of disability support, is critical to creating positive change for the sector.
View the National Communities of Practice
How to join a National Community of Practice
All NDS members are welcome to subscribe to and attend national communities of practice. To indicate your preferences, simply follow the steps on your member subscription preferences page. Once subscribed, you will receive National CoP meeting invites and information from your CoP Lead straight to your inbox.