Our Staff

 

Alana has a Bachelor of Human Services majoring in family and welfare studies, she is returning to university next year to complete her Bachelor of Social Work. Alana has worked in Sydney and on the Gold Coast with Women and children who have experienced domestic violence. She is passionate about empowering the lives of children and young people and believes that all children deserve to live in a world free from violence and abuse.

 

Amy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Psychology and a Masters of Applied Psychology. She is registered as a Psychologist in NSW and is waiting for registration in Queensland. Prior to joining the Bravehearts team she worked with children, adolescents and adult survivors of child sexual assault. Amy also had a private practice in NSW and has experience working in the juvenile justice system, writing victims compensation and court reports and counselling adolescents and their families. Amy is dedicated to assisting children, adolescents and their families to heal and move forward from the effects of sexual assault.

 

A founding committee member, Andrea has enjoyed watching Bravehearts grow from a handful of passionate people sitting around a kitchen table to a national force in child protection. Andrea comes to us after a few years away from Bravehearts, with many years experince in accounts and book keeping. She is a proud mother and grandmother and enjoys working for such a great cause.

 

Andrea has a Diploma of Community/Children’s services and is currently studying for her Advanced Diploma in Education. She has spent over 10 years working in child care as a Group Leader and Director. Andrea joined Bravehearts in April, 2008 as a part of the Education Team and enjoys being able to spread the ‘Keep Safe’ message.

 

Ben started working part-time for Bravehearts in June 2007. He has previously worked part-time as a shop assistant and later as a part-time electorate officer. As a victim of disgraced former New South Wales Government minister and convicted paedophile, Milton Orkopoulos, he understands the need to address current legislative inadequacies and, more importantly, to 'Break the Silence'. Ben was the only victim of Orkopoulos to reveal his identity and speak publicly about his ordeal. He feels honoured and privileged to be working with such an incredibly talented and passionate group of people, dedicated to making a difference and reducing the incidence of child sexual assault.

 

Carol worked for five years at Griffith University as a casual staff member and Associate Lecturer in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice before joining Bravehearts in early 2003. With a BA(Psych) and Masters in Social Research, Carol moved away from an academic life to work in an organisation that was dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those touched by child sexual assault. She is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology.

David has been working with children and young people most of his life. He has been a boarding college master and youth worker, has worked with children with disabilities and learning difficulties and was a co-ordinator with the School-age Care sector. David joined Bravehearts in 2007 and enjoys the opportunity to make a difference in children's lives.

 

Hetty is Founder and Executive Director of Bravehearts, whose purpose is to provide therapy, support and advocacy services to survivors of child sexual assault. Hetty is the author of the national awareness campaign, ‘White Balloon Day’, the “Sexual Assault Disclosure Scheme”, the “Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure!” child protection CD-Rom and her autobiography, “In the best interests of the child” (2004). In 2005, Hetty was announced one of 4 Queensland finalists for the 2006 Australian of the Year Awards.

 

Jo started working at Bravehearts early 2006 as a volunteer and started working full time as the receptionist/administrator in April of 2006. She is now working as Executive Assistant to Bravehearts Executive Director and to the Education Program Coordinator. Jo had previously worked at a doctor’s surgery for 10 years as a medical receptionist. In this role, Jo learnt how to communicate in an empathetic way. She is currently studying at the Australian Institute of Professional Counselling, and hopes to complete her course within the next few years. Jo is a mother of two children, and is very passionate about the cause for which Bravehearts stands for.

 

Prior to joining Bravehearts in November 2008, Julie has worked in education, nursing and health promotion. Julie has also performed in musical theatre and independantly since childhood. Her ambition has been to work in a job that combines all these things. PERFECT! Along came the Ditto Keep Safe adventure and voila! she has her dream job. Julie loves nothing better than starting her day knowing she is making a difference to children and their understanding of personal safety.

 

Katie is a registered Psychologist. Katie has worked in a variety of settings in Australia and the UK, her experience includes: working with abused children in a therapeutic residential program; group work with children and adolescents around a variety of issues; sexual assault counselling with children, young people and adults; and family counselling. Katie believes in the uniqueness and inner strength of all people to be able to overcome and move beyond life’s challenges.

 

Kay started at Bravehearts in 2005 as a student placement. Kay has a Bachelor of Social Science (counselling) from Christian Heritage College and has worked at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre for 8 years as a Chaplain. Kay is dedicated to working with survivors of child sexual assault and making a difference in the lives of her clients. Her goals are to develop coping skills, educational/protective behaviours to bring about positive wellbeing in children who have been sexually assaulted.

Kerri-Ann has an Advanced Diploma in Education and has spent 16 years working in child care as a Group Leader and Director and as a Teachers Aid (special education and primary). She joined Bravehearts Education Team as she wanted a rewarding and challenging position and a job where Kerri-Ann was able to make a positive difference in children's lives.

 

Leanne started at Bravehearts NSW in February 2008 as part of the Education Team. Leanne volunteers at schools in helping children to read and her hobby is directing and performing in musicals. Leanne is looking forward to spreading the personal safety message in schools.

 

Lyn began volunteering at Bravehearts in June 2003 wanting to take a proactive approach to the issue of child sexual assault and empower and support the survivors of this crime. She completed her Diploma in Professional Counselling and has taken on the role of Education Program Coordinator for Queensland. Lyn’s passion to work in the area of child sexual assault prevention has led to her developing Bravehearts’ school-based program based on the “Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure!” CD-Rom.

 

A registered Psychologist, Nadine has completed degrees in Behavioural Science, Criminology and Criminal Justice and Psychology (Honours). Nadine has worked both in Australia and the UK, counselling victims of crime and implementing a pilot program for serious young offenders in London. Nadine is passionate about supporting and empowering survivors of child sexual assault and is dedicated to continued research in this area. She is currently completing her PhD, investigating attachment insecurity and its implications for offending onset, with a particular focus on primary prevention.

 

Marina began work at Bravehearts in April 2008 after finishing study at JCU in 2007. She has a passion for working with children and making a difference wherever possible. Joining with the Bravehearts Team has given Marina a great satisfaction in helping to protect children. Rural remote areas are of a high interest to her and she is enthusiastic about taking the Bravehearts message to these areas. Marina believes that every road leads to somewhere and hopes that every child is on the Bravehearts road to safety

 

Nadine Slavin commenced at Bravehearts in April 2006. For the past 15 years Nadine has worked in finance, internal audit and general management. Throughout that time, she developed a passion for stream lining business processes and maintaining a stringent control of company funds. Spending 9 years working for a commercial investigation company, she is experienced with dealing with sensitive material and demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Upon completing her Diplomas in Business and Business Management, Nadine felt a desire to seek alternate employment and her genuine interest in children brought her to Bravehearts.

Natalie is a qualified journalist and supporter of Bravehearts since its inception. The Former Bravehearts management committee secretary, last year returned to Bravehearts after several years running her own media investigations business. Natalie has always been passionate about child sexual assault issues and is proud to be a part of Bravehearts.

 

Sam began counselling at Bravehearts in March 2008. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling. Her previous experience includes crisis counselling and grief counselling for children. Sam is passionate about the rights of all children to be safe from abuse and hopes to have a positive impact on the children she works with.

 

Sharon began working for Bravehearts as a part of the Education Team in April, 2008. She completed a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) at QUT in 2007 and taught Year 3/4 for Term 1 in 2008. Sharon is a trained singer/dancer/actor and has worked as a Dance teacher and performer. She loves being able to empower children with the ‘Keep Safe’ message.

 

Tania spent the early years of her career in property management. After having children, she decided a career change was due and began working as a farmhand at two separate farms. Tania also spent much of her free time managing her son's football team and assisting children with their reading at her son's school. Along with her love of working with children, Tania has long held a passion for child protection having had a lot of friends who had been victims of child sexual assault. Tania says working for Bravehearts has been the most rewarding and enjoyable job she has ever had.

 

Thania - Psychologist, Queensland

Thania is a registered Psychologist. She has several years experience working with children, young people and their families. Thania enjoys using expressive therapies in her work in order to empower young people in a safe and creative way.

 

Wendy comes to Bravehearts with extensive experience in leadership and involvement in the community sector having spent countless hours assisting with all manner of community organisations, including the Scouting Movement, the Shoalhaven Local Emergency Management Committee, the Berry Musicale Committee through to the Look Good Feel Better program (assisting women with Cancer). Wendy has owned and operated her own small business for the past 17 years. Her strength lies in her networking skills, bright ideas, good listening skills, emphatic nature and willingness to have a go.

 

Yasmin completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of Queensland in 2005. She is currently completing her postgraduate program, aiming to be a registered psychologist within two years. She has been working in child-safety since graduating and has a passion for working with children and young people. Yasmin hopes to make a difference for the victims of child sexual assault through the teaching of coping skills, protective behaviours and by improving their self-esteem.