New Lake Peer Support Ltd. is managed by a voluntary Management Board, which overseas the strategic operations of the organisation. The Board is elected from the members of the organisation each year at the Annual General meeting.
Day to day decision-making is delegated to the Management team.
New Lake Peer Support Ltd. Board members have a wide range of skills and experience, as well as experience in the disability service sector.
Our Board is made up of:
Chairperson
Helen has been committed to the enrichment of the lives of people with disabilities for many years. She has extensive experience working with people with disabilities in various settings including speech pathology, early intervention programs, respite services and sporting activities.
Helen worked as a speech pathologist in a centre-based early intervention in the Newcastle area. Previously she was employed to provide a home-based early intervention programs for isolated children in a regional area.
She was employed by a community-based service being involved in the planning and delivering respite care programs and a holiday activity program for younger people with disabilities. Additionally, as a foster carer she regularly provided short term respite care.
She received a Fellowship for her commitment to encouraging people with disabilities to be involved in aquatic programs and for staff development in this area. Currently in her role as a coach, she continues to facilitate the involvement of people with disabilities in sporting activities.
Helen has formal qualifications in social science and speech pathology.
Vice Chairperson
Treasurer
Leanne has a passion for ensuring people with disabilities are valued and integrated into general society and has been involved with New Lake Peer Support for many years. She has had many years’ experience working with children with autism, early intervention programs, and classroom-based teaching that integrated children with disabilities into mainstream classrooms in the Newcastle area. She has also worked closely with refugee families as an English as a second language teacher.
Leanne is a qualified teacher working for many years with the NSW Department of Education. She is currently a Community Education Officer working closely with several Hunter Councils and designs and implements sustainability projects that encourage behavioural change.
Secretary
Sue worked in the management and operation of New Lake since 1994. She started as a disability support worker and held various positions across the organisation while working her way towards a management role. She retired in 2023 and joined the board. She has a Diploma of Frontline Management and qualifications in Workplace Training & Assessment.
Board member
Colleen has a wealth of experience in the secondary education sector, including administration, IT support and office management. Colleen implemented a number of innovative IT solutions, streamlined procedures and refined business processes to ensure effective office management. Colleen also has experience working in a not for profit organization that facilitated employment for persons living with a disability.
Colleen is passionate about persons living with a disability being supported to ensure access and meaningful participation in the community. Colleen has had the opportunity to pursue this passion through a number of voluntary roles over the past 35 years. As a parent of a son who lives with disabilities, Colleen has actively advocated to ensure disability services and funding for young people are maintained. Colleen was appointed to the Board in 2016.
Board member
Following a career in health administration (medical records), Pauline has adapted her skills to community management work. Pauline has formal qualifications in the Arts (Honours). She has also worked as a volunteer as a Museum Guide and within the Library. She has a strong history of community involvement and has served on Disability, Church, School and Education Committees. These include Hunter Carers for Intellectual Disability; Newcastle Temporary Care; Carers Action Network; New Lake Peer Support Inc.; and some ADHC Committees. She also served on committees for Glendon and Merewether Schools; and the Catholic Social Justice committee. Pauline is also the parent of a young lady with disability. Pauline was appointed to the board in 2004.
Board member
Paul is an accredited NDIS auditor, having conducted audits under ADHC and the NDIS for the previous 9 years. Paul has a long involvement in disability related services, holding senior management positions in both Disability Employment Services and NDIS registered services.
Paul has expertise in the requirements for quality service provision and ensuring that participants are provided the services that they are entitled to.
Paul has professional qualifications in School and Vocational Education Vocational and Management. He has also worked for TAFE as an interpreter and teacher of classes designed for students with disability.