Our Staff
Working Together
The staff team at Fernlea works to support our clients and their families, as well as the volunteers who work across our services. We work together to deliver the best outcomes for our clients and to identify new opportunities to extend and grow our services to meet local community needs.
Management, admin and business support
SUE MCIVOR
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
NICOLE RILEY
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Nicole is an experienced administrator who provides admin support across all areas of Fernlea's work. Nicole’s main areas of responsibility include:
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overseeing HR administration for staff and volunteers, including OHS
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recruiting volunteers
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maintaining Fernlea's property and equipment
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providing admin support for the CEO
PRUE DONALDSON
ADMIN & ROSTERING ASSISTANT
Prue is an experienced administrator who provides admin support to the Client Service Team. Prue’s main areas of responsibility include:
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providing admin support to the Nurse Manager
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overseeing the rostering for in-home care
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overseeing the rostering for volunteers in guest service
Sue’s background is in business
management, with tertiary qualifications
in Business Administration, including an
MBA. Having worked in both public and
private sectors, including running her own business, Sue has spent more than 25 years managing not-for profit organisations at
local, state and national levels. Prior to
her role with Fernlea, Sue was CEO of
Playgroup SA, Playgroup Australia, and
the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Sue has been a volunteer in the community sector for more than 30 years, including
as a non-Executive Director on the Board
of Connecting Up Inc. for 9 years and consumer representative on Cabrini
Health’s Patient Experience and Clinical Governance Committee for more than
six years.
Sue became interested in the impact of
life-limiting illness following her own and
her family's experiences, and joined Fernlea because she is passionate about building
robust and sustainable community
services. Sue has operational oversight
of all of Fernlea's services, as well as
working closely with the Board to
ensure the strategic plan is
implemented throughout
the organisation.
JACKIE TALBOT
FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR
Jackie is an experienced bookkeeper and administrator, she attends to all finance related matters across all Fernlea services.
Jackie’s main areas of responsibility include – bookkeeping, accounts payable & receivable, payroll, statutory compliance, preparing financial and statistical reports, providing finance support to CEO, Treasurer & Board.
PATRICK BERRY
NURSE MANAGER
Patrick has extensive clinical and management experience, with particular interest in quality improvement, and patient centred care. Patrick’s goals include having a safe and supportive environment for all staff, guests, carers and volunteers. Patrick’s role includes:
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managing the clinical staff and day respite volunteers
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assessing client and carer needs, including developing, implementing and updating care plans
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developing plans to improve clients enjoyment and quality of life through supporting social, emotional, physical and clinical wellbeing.
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working to improve clients’ enjoyment and quality of life by supporting their social, physical, emotional and clinical well-being
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promoting the culture of Fernlea and its services
JANE JOSS
NURSE ( PAKENHAM )
Jane is an Enrolled Nurse with significant experience in clinical care. Jane manages Fernlea's day respite services at Berwick. Jane’s main responsibilities include:
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managing day respite staff and volunteers
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managing the clinical need of clients
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liaising with clients and their carers
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promoting Fernlea's services
GWEN MURPHY
PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT
Gwen is a qualified Personal Care Assistant (PCA) with experience in disability, aged care and palliative care. Gwen’s main areas of responsibility include:
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providing high quality, person-centred care to Fernlea's clients
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supporting carers in their role
Client Service Team
DAMIEN HANSOM
PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT
Damien is a qualified Personal Care Assistant (PCA) with other 30 years experience and has worked in lots of
settings from big rehabilitation facilities
to small independent living units & everything in between! Damien’s
main areas of responsibility include:
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providing high quality, person-centred care to Fernlea's clients
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supporting carers in their role
BARBARA CURRUTHERS
ACTIVITIES & LIFESTYLE COORDINATOR
Barbara develops and organises activities for our day respite guests. Barbara’s main areas of responsibility include:
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creating and implementing a range of activities that suit clients' needs and abilities, and that enhance their quality of life and enjoyment
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developing and updating client lifestyle plans
LISA HESSEY
CHEF
Lisa is a qualified Chef with over
20 years experience working in commercial restaurants and aged care facilities. She has a passion for creating beautiful meals, especially delicious desserts and cakes. Lisa’s main areas of responsibility include:
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creating nutritious seasonal menus that are varied and appealing, and meet the personal preferences and
dietary needs of our guests
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ensuring high food safety standards, including acting as Food Safety Supervisor under the Food Safety Act
Fernlea Shop of Opportunities
SHARON DONOVAN
MANAGER OF SHOP OF OPPORTUNITIES
Sharon is a former business owner with a background in business management, administration, marketing & bookkeeping. As the manager of Fernlea Shop of Opportunities, her main areas of responsibility are:
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to maximise donations and sales through marketing, promotion and various strategies
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continued planning and management of the Op Shop whilst working as part of a team to achieve the best possible results
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contribute to a workplace environment that supports all volunteers and develops teamwork
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provide support, maintain and increase volunteer staff skill levels