Our people

CANH employs a small team under the leadership of an Executive Officer. This team works under the direction of a volunteer Board of Management comprising elected representatives from the sector. Board members represent each of the CANH regions - North, South, East, West and Country.

Staff

Gill McFadyen - Executive Officer - Ex Officio

Julie Day - Administration Officer

Patsy Littler - Finance Officer

Maree Davidson - Service Excellence Project Officer: Aboriginal Organisations / Workforce Development Support Officer: Qualifications

Janet Brinkworth - Sector Development Officer

Alison Harker - Workforce Development Officer

Marie Smith - Workforce Development Advisor: Qualifications

Nancy Knowling - Workforce Development Support Officer: Qualifications

Rosemary Rodrigues - Workforce Development Support Officer: Qualifications

Kristina Patzel - Project Support Officer

Elizabeth Chenoweth - Project Support Officer

Board members

Rille Walshe OAM - Chairperson

Rille has been the Manager of Wandana Community Centre in Gilles Plains for over seven years and has worked in the community services sector for approximately 25 years. Her areas of particular interest include community development, social justice, cultural diversity, sole parent issues, advocacy and policy development.

Heather Hewitt - Vice Chairperson

Heather is the Neighbourhood Development Coordinator at the Pooraka Farm Community Centre with a long involvement with the neighbourhood house and broader community sector. Heather's particular areas of interest are in improving the health and well-being of people in the community through development of various programs such as women's recreation activities and local community development art projects, including a Vietnam Veterans' project.

Shiona Marks - Treasurer

Shiona has been the Coordinator of the Fullarton Park Centre for 14 years. Shiona came to Fullarton from a strong commercial background with little knowledge of the community sector but feels that she has combined the two areas well. Her 'other' hobbies are community radio (Coast FM) and performing with 'Adelaide's Golden Girls' who are ambassadors for the Hansen Cancer Research Centre at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and who raise thousands of dollars for this wonderful cause.

Janette Brown - ANHCA Representative

Janette (commonly known as Jan) is Team Leader of Community Centres at the City of Onkaparinga. Jan has a long history with the sector including involvement in the development of Seaford Moana Neighbourhood House (started out as Beachside) and as the Neighbourhood Development Officer at Woodcroft Morphett Vale Neighbourhood Centre. Jan is very interested in the support and well-being of Centre Co-ordinators within the sector and working with centres to create a 'sense of community' in today's climate.

Tania King

Tania is the Chief Executive Officer of Kura Yerlo Inc. in Largs Bay where she has worked for seven years. Tania previously worked as Community Services Manager in Family and Community Services in the Northern Territory, where she was responsible for child protection, domestic violence, aged and disability portfolios covering 14 Aboriginal communities in East Arnhem Land. She has also worked as a family and youth counsellor and in various roles in the Education Department and the CES over the past 20 years. Tania's current interests sit within the welfare sector, in particular with policy, Aboriginal communities, research, good governance structures and practices and OHS&W.

Marion Wilson

Marion is the Coordinator of Mid Murray Community Support Service Inc and Community Help for the Isolated with Personal Support (CHIPS). Marion has served on the CANH Board of Management since 2006 and has been a member of the CANH Conference Working Party for several years. Marion is an Honorary Member of CANH.

Lyn Walkley

Lyn has worked in the community sector for the past 16 years. As a Community Development Officer with the City of Onkaparinga she is now based at the Coromandel Community Centre and has a passion for involving everyone in activities where they can participate to their fullest and enjoy the wonderful environment at Coromandel Valley.

Maggie L'Estrange

Maggie is the Team Leader, Neighbourhood Development and Youth Programs at the City of Tea Tree Gully. Maggie has been in the role for two and a half years, with Council for 15 years and involved in community development for 24 years. Maggie has particular interest in the areas of domestic violence and reconciliation.

Beth Shepherd

Beth has been the Chairperson at the Women's Community Centre for 2 years and involved with the centre for 6 years. Beth has a background in the Ambulance Service and Adult Education. She has a passion for governance and firmly believes that everyone should have the opportunity for lifelong education.

Cathy Wiseman

Cathy is a Neighbourhood Project Officer in theNeighbourhood Houses and Community Centres within the city of Marion

Ilka Walkley

Gill McFadyen - Executive Officer

Gill was involved in setting up a community house in the outer suburbs of Melbourne in the 80's and over her 16 years with the house held many of the paid and unpaid positions available. After returning to Adelaide in 2004 she was employed by CANH as Sector Development Officer and since late 2007 has held the position of Executive Officer. Gill is passionate about the vital role of community centres and neighbourhood houses in building more resilient, inclusive, connected, happier and healthier communities.

Honorary members

Kirsten King - 2003

Janet Chambers - 2003

Sue Goldsworthy - 2004

Rosemary Neal - 2005

Pam Dale - 2006

Cassandra Gibson-Pope - 2007

Ellen Jezierski - 2007

Mairi Spedding - 2008

Marion Wilson - 2008

Rosemary Rodrigues - 2009

Maralyn Blake - 2009

Clare Dilliway - 2010