Career advice and opinions

Jacqui Vella

Coordinator, Northwest Disability Services

Jacqui is a Flexible Respite Coordinator with Northwest Disability Services and Australian Trainee of the Year for 2009.

Rachel Murphy

Supported Employee, Greenacres Disability Services

Rachel is employed at Greenacres Disability Services where she works on a wide range of packaging and assembly jobs.

When she's not working at Greenacres, Rachel enjoys having fun at her local drama group and knitting. Rachel has recently volunteered to be a carecareers' client blogger.

Naomi James

Operations Manager of NSW Day Programs, Lifestyle Solutions

Naomi has been working in the disability and community sector for 10 years and is currently the Operations Manager of NSW Day Programs at Lifestyle Solutions.

As part of her role, Naomi oversees the management, coordination and facilitation of the organisation's day programs in NSW which are accessed by more than 240 people with disability across NSW. These include Post School Programs, Transition to Work, Attendant Care Services, Respite, Home and Community Care and Day Programs for older people with disability.

Naomi enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing netball and soccer, walking and watching movies.

Deb Howard

Support Worker with Skills Options, Kurrajong Waratah

Deb has been working at Kurrajong Waratah since 2008, providing direct support to adults with a disability.

Deb enjoys making artist’s books, gardening and transporting her four boys around.  In 2007, Deb held her own artist’s book exhibition and has exhibited single books around Australia. Deb has taught book-making workshops to children as part of an Activart program with Wagga Wagga City Council.

Frank Sedmak

General Manager, People, Learning & Culture, The Spastic Centre

Frank has been working in the not for profit (NFP) sector since 1995 after deciding he wanted to work in a values-based industry that provided more HR and IR challenges.

Frank is currently in an executive management role at The Spastic Centre, and has worked there for 8 years, having previously worked with a non-denominational Christian aged care provider. Over the past 20 years, he has also worked as a part-time teacher with Northern Beaches TAFE.

Frank enjoys reading and watching lots of sports, current affairs and history programs. Frank has worked with other NFPs to establish a HR Forum for HR practitioners in the sector. In turn, the HR Forum has established (with third parties) annual remuneration and climate surveys.

Poppy Malone

Senior Community Educator, The Spastic Centre

Poppy started working in the sector in late 2008 and has worked at The Spastic Centre, in their CAS (Community Access Service) and also at St Ives Respite Accommodation.

Prior to joining the sector Poppy worked in the hospitality sector, whilst studying. In her current role she manages and is interested in assisting clients to achieve their goals and dreams, whilst attending to the care necessary for each individual.