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:
Territory Manager: Jo Huxley
The New South Wales Divisional Committee is as follows:
Chair: Philip Petrie, Chief Executive Officer, Allevia
Vice-chair: Julia Squire, Chief Executive Officer, Ability Options
Allan Young, Chief Executive Officer, Elouera Association Andrew Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Windgap Foundation Ltd Annie Doyle, Chief Executive Officer, Civic Disability Services Ltd Brett Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Interaction Disability Services David Carey, Chief Executive Officer, Connectability David Kneeshaw, Chief Executive Officer, Unisson Deb Sazdanoff, Voting Representative, Studio ARTES Edward Birt, Chief Operating Officer, The Disability Trust Lewis Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer, Huntington’s NSW/ACT Rosy Walia, Chief Executive Officer, Multicultural Communities
The Northern Territory Divisional Committee is as follows: Chair (Acting): Nadia Lindop, Chief Executive Officer, MJD Foundation Vice-Chair: Lawson Broad, Chief Executive Officer, Somerville Vice-Chair: Nadia Lindop, Chief Executive Officer, MJD Foundation Anne Gawen, Chief Executive Officer, Team Health Fiona Lodge, Director of Operational Support, Anglicare NT Janet Wright, General Manager, Integrated Disability Action Kim McRae, Tjungu Team Manager, NPY Women's Council Rachel Choy, Chief Executive Officer, Central Australia Supported Accommodation Scott Ferguson, Director, Disability NT, Life Without Barriers Steve Vitone, Chief Executive Officer, Carers NT Territory Manager: Mick Fallon
The Queensland Divisional Committee is as follows:
Brett Casey, Chief Executive Officer, Deaf Connect Cheryl Dalton, Chief Executive Officer, SBcare Incorporated Mark Townend, Chief Executive Officer, Spinal Life Australia Rachel Freeman, Chief Executive Officer, Yumba Bimbi Support Services Rob Galea, Chief Executive Officer, First Services Inc. State Manager: Jason McKey
The South Australian Divisional Committee is as follows:
David Panter, Chief Executive Officer, Minda Inc. Helen Sheppard, Chief Executive, UnitingCare Wesley Bowden John van Ruth, Chief Executive Officer, Lutheran Disability Services Kyp Boucher, Executive Manager – Disability Services, Sonder Liz Forsyth, Chief Executive Officer, Brain Injury SA
Mel Kubisa, Chief Executive Officer, Community Living Options Inc. Peter Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, PQSA Philip Brookes, Chief Executive Officer, Lifestyle Assistance and Accommodation Services Simon Rowberry, Chief Executive Officer, Barkuma Inc. State Manager: Janine Lenigas
The Tasmanian Divisional Committee is as follows:
Chair: Mark Jessop, Chief Executive Officer, Nexus Inc
Vice-Chair: Nigel Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Multicap Tasmania
Allyson Warrington, Chief Executive Officer, Community Based Support
Belinda Smith, Chief Executive Officer, The Parkside Foundation
Dee-Anne Kapene, Chief Executive Officer, Coastal Residential Service Inc
Donna Bain, General Manager, Self Help Workplace
Donna Blanchard, Chief Executive Officer, Autism Tasmania
Keryn Welch, Chief Executive Officer, Mosaic Support Services
Nicholas Connor, Chief Executive Officer, Langford Support Service
Russell Penman, Chief Executive Officer, Montagu Community Living
Ruth Chalk, Chief Executive Officer, NOSS Inc
State Manager: Lizzie Castles
The Victorian Divisional Committee is as follows:
Chair: Hayley Dean, Chief Executive Officer, Melba Support Services
Vice-Chair: Natasha Williams, Executive General Manager Residential & Individual Support, GenU Amanda Youngs, Chief Executive Officer, MiLife-Victoria Inc Drew Bewsick, Chief Executive Officer, Oak Possability Kate MacRae, Chief Executive Officer, Able Australia Peter Symonds, Chief Executive Officer, IDV Inc. Phil Hayes-Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Wallara Terry Symonds, Chief Executive Officer, Yooralla 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) Warwick Cavanagh, Chief Executive Officer, Bayley House (elected member and ex officio member as NDS Board Member) State Manager: Sarah Fordyce
The Western Australian Divisional Committee is as follows:
Chair: Joan McKenna Kerr, Chief Executive Officer, Autism Association of Western Australia
Vice-Chair: Marina Re, Chief Executive Officer, IdentityWA Vice Chair: Frances Buchanan, Chief Executive Officer, WA Blue Sky Caroline Watt, Chief Executive Officer, Nulsen Disability Services Darren Ginnelly, Managing Director, My Place WA Ltd Dawn McAleenan, Chief Executive Officer, Essential Personnel Justin O'Meara Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Interchange Justine Colyer, Chief Executive Officer, Rise
Kate Fulton, Chief Executive Officer, Avivo Kathy Hough, Chief Executive Officer, Far North Community Services Paul Fleay, Chief Executive Officer, Inclusion WA Cassie 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: Coralie Flatters
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 1200 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.