Odyssey House Staff

Organisations like Odyssey House don't just happen. The behind-the-scenes work that is carried out to ensure our continued success, year after year, is enormous. Certainly, a major contributing factor to achievements of Odyssey House is the personal investment that staff make in the young men and women who come through the doors of Odyssey House on a daily basis. The professionalism, dedication and passion of the staff at Odyssey House is inspirational!

Chief Executive Officer

James A. Pitts

Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: manages the human and fiscal resources needed to effectively operate Odyssey House.

Qualifications:

Worked in the alcohol and other drugs field for the past 27 years
James has been selected to a number of prominent boards within the alcohol and other drugs field
The author of many papers on residential treatment in the alcohol and other drugs field has seen James invited to present his offerings at many venues
James has been recognized for his achievements by being awarded the Ted Noffs Foundation Award for Individual Achievement in the alcohol and other drugs field in 2000
James was awarded the Australia Day Medal in 2001 by the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia in recognition of his contribution and commitment to the alcohol and other drugs field
In 2001 James was awarded the inaugural fellowship by the Harvard Club of Australia, Not For Profit Fellowship Program, to attend the course, “Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management”
In 2007 James was inducted to the Honour Role of the National Drug and Alcohol Awards. James was also selected to participate in the 2020 Summit held in Canberra in April 2008.

Admininstration

Jacqui Trusler

Position: Administrative Assistant
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: I.T. Co-ordinator and Personal Assistant to Chief Executive Officer and Residential Programs Manager.

Qualifications:

Diploma in Business Administration

Marketing and Fund Raising Department

Sandy Schofield

Position: Senior Marketing Co-ordinator
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Manage and provide direction within the marketing department, co-ordinate events and all related marketing activities

Qualifications

Certificate in Marketing
Diploma in Marketing Management
Bachelor of Commerce (FY)
Accredited Occupation Health and Safety Advisor (Work Cover)
Director of independent Marketing and Events Company since 2004

Gavin Lo

Position: Marketing & Fund Raising Co-ordinator
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Co-ordinate fundraising functions and marketing activities, liaise with internal and external stakeholders. Handle all inbound media and public relations. Co-ordinate the quarterly newsletter and administer the Odyssey House website.

Qualifications

Gavin was Managing Director for a sales and marketing company for over 10 years in the private sector
Self Leadership and Time Management (CCWT)
Work Cover NSW Course in OHS Consultation

Public Relations Consultant

Carol Moore

Residential Programs

Brendan Flynn

Position: Chief Operations Officer
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Provide oversight and supervision of all areas of operation of Odyssey House.

Qualifications:

Held Senior Executive positions in the not for profit sector for the last eleven years (1998-2009)
Held Senior Management Sporting positions for fourteen years (1985- 1998)
FELLOW of Australian Institute of Sport Management

Susan Cordeiro

Position: Residential Programs Manager
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Oversee the running our Residential Services including the Managers who supervise the running of the Detoxification Unit, Assessment & Referral Centre, Adult Residential Program including Clinical Services, Parents & Children’s Program and the Progressive Learning Centre (School)

Qualifications:

Diploma in Child Care Studies
Diploma in Community Welfare – AOD
Certificate Therapeutic Community Training

Clinical Department

Sharon Mestern

Position: Clinical Services Manager
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline:

- Manager of the withdrawal unit. Was the team leaver when the unit won the National Drug and Alcohol awards in 2005 for "Excellence in Treament Outcomes"

- Manager of the psychological clinical department that oversees clinical interventions, staff training and clinical review.

- Is responsible for the managemetn of all medical interventions in liaison with the visiting medical officer.

- Manager of the Janus program. An initiative to improve the capacity of the organisation in providing services for clients and residents with coexisting drug / alcohol and mental illness.

- The coordinator for student placements from all disciplines within the related fields.

- Oversees the Infection Control Program

- Supervise staff working within the Withdrawal Unit, the Medical Office and the Clinical Department.

Qualifications:

Registered Nurse with 25 years experience in mental health and dual diagnosis
Masters degree in Advanced Clinical Education
Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and other Drugs)
Diploma of Herbal Medicine

Psychologist

Stephen Schofield

Position: JANUS Psychologist
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Assessment and treatment of residents with mental health diagnoses, in addition to drug and alcohol and problems.

Qualifications:

Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology
Post Graduate Diploma in Social Science
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Associate Diploma in Social Welfare
Diploma in Theology
Certificate IV in Workplace Trainer and Assessor
Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Psychological Practise

Shirin Steev

Position: House Psychologist
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Assessment and treatment of residents with mental health diagnoses, in addition to drug and alcohol and problems. Working closely with the Consultant Psychiatrist. Development and updating clinical resident database for research and Clinicial Response Guide.

Qualifications:

Master of Science in Counselling Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Provisionally Registered Psycologist with NSW state

Trupti Dave

Position: After Care Psychologist - Janus Project
Location: After Care - Campbelltown
Position Outline: Counselling, Case Management, Building agency partnerships.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Psychology (overseas)
Master of Psychology (overseas)
Registered Psychologist with NSW state.

Registered Nurses

Sonia H.

Position: Registered Nurse
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Medical Office administration and client assessment.

Qualifications:

B.N. UWS
Grad Cert Emergency Nursing
Dip Business
Cert IV TAA
Grad Dip Psychological Studies (Current)

Renee Starr

Position: Clerical Assistant

Medical Consultant's

Dr SacCordeiro

Dr Selvaratnam

Withdrawal Unit

Registered Nurses

Christine B.

Position: Registered Nurse

Qualifications:

20+ experience, Cert 4 AOD

Rory B.

Position: Registered Nurse

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Nursing
Certificate in Mental Health

Fay B.

Position: Registered Nurse

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Social Work
Diploma of Nursing

Lesley D.

Position: Registered Nurse

Qualifications:

20+ years experience

Enrolled Nurses

Sharlene J.

Position: Enrolled Nurse

Qualifications:

Diploma of Nursing
Certificate 4 Aboriginal studies

Debbie Waplington

Position: Enrolled Nurse

Qualifications:

Diploma of Nursing

Assistant In Nursing (AIN)

Christine M.

Position: AIN

Qualifications:

Over ten years experience

Patricia H.

Position: AIN

Qualifications:

Under Graduate Nurse UWS

Sivailoa F.

Position: AIN

Qualifications:

Under Graduate Nurse UWS

Stan M.

Position: AIN

Michelle O.

Position: AIN

Drug & Alcohol Worker

Leonie M.

Position: AOD Counsellor

Qualifications:

Diploma Social Welfare
Certificate IV Community Service
Certificate IV AOD
Certificate IV Mental Health

Progressive Learning Centre

Kerry Waters

Position: Principal
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Teaches Remedial English and Vocational Guidance

Qualifications:

B.A, Dip. Ed. (Sec)
M.A (Special Ed’n)

Melissa Cranfield

Position: Visual Arts Teacher
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Manages the Visual Arts department and teaches art.

Qualifications:

B.A (Vis Arts)
Dip Ed (Sec)

Leon Kelly

Position: Maths and Computer Teacher
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Teaches computers, remedial Maths and Vocational Guidance.

Qualifications:

Dip. Teach. (ITATE)
Trade Certificate- Graphic Prepress (UTS)

Greg Hughes

Position: Woodwork Teacher
Location: Assessment & Referral Centre, Ingleburn
Position Outline: Manages the Woodwork department and teaches Design and Technology. Also conducts the choir.

Qualifications:

B.A (Design & Technology)
B.A. Ed’n (Sec)

Clara Hali

Position: Arts and Crafts Teacher
Location: Assessment & Referral Centre, Ingleburn
Position Outline: Manages the Arts workshop and teaches arts and crafts.

Qualifications:

Dip Creative Arts (Visual)
M.A. (Fine Arts), Higher Cert (NAS)
Sculpture, Post Cert (NAS) Sculpture
Ornamental Ironwork (TAFE)
National Engineering Program (TAFE)

Assessment & Referral Centre

Brian Holt

Position: ARC Manager/ Detoxification Unit Manager.
Location: Assessment & Referral Centre, Ingleburn
Position Outline: ARC Manager: To oversee the office administration and day to day running of the facility and programs. Detox Manager. To oversee the administration of a team of Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses & Assistant in Nursing staff. OH&S Committee: Employers Representative. Level IV Therapist: Conduct Level Fours group and attend After Care groups on a weekly basis.

Qualifications:

Extensive experience in the Drug and Alcohol Field (20 years)
Certificate in Advanced Drug & Alcohol
Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs Work)

Steph Leau

Position: ARC Administrator
Location: Assessment & Referral Centre, Ingleburn
Position Outline: Supervise and facilitate the running of the Departments at the Assessment Referral Centre, Ingleburn.

Qualifications:

Diploma in AOD (Aust)
Human Resource Management (ACAP, Aust)
Managing Ambiguity & Change Corporate Management(ACAP, Aust)
Conflict Resolution Management (ACAP, Aust)
Senior First Aid Cert (NSW)
Cultural Awareness (NSW)
Cross Cultural Conflict Cert (NSW)
Fire Marshall(Fire Brigade NSW)
OH&S Consultancy (NSW)
Child Protection Training (NSW Health)
Clinical Treatment Training (Personality Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Suicide Preventions, CBT, PTSD)
Community Welfare Cert (NZ)
Youth Work Cert (NZ)
Cultural Safety / Awareness Cert (NZ)
Structural Analyses Cert (NZ)

Geoffrey Compton

Position: Counsellor
Location: Assessment & Referral Centre, Ingleburn

Stuart Balzan

Position: Clinical Mental Health Worker / ARC OH&S Representative
Location: Assessment & Referral Centre, Ingleburn
Position Outline: To provide services to clients who are affected by drug and alcohol issues combined with a mental health disorder through counselling and assessment. To continuously provide clinical interventions and keep up to date resources through research and current treatment guidelines. Represents ARC staff in relation to OH&S issues.

Qualifications:

Cert IV in Community Services Work (TAFE NSW)
Post Graduate Certificate in Social Health (Macquarie University)
Post Graduate Diploma in Social Health (Macquarie University)
OH&S Consultation
Brief Solution Focused Therapy (CCWT)
Mental Health Connect (NADA)

Russell Bickford

Position: Assessment Group Therapist
Location: Assessment & Referral Centre, Ingleburn
Position Outline: To facilitate the rehabilitation of residents in the Assessment Referral Centre program by working collaboratively with all Odyssey House staff to provide counselling services, general supervision, advocacy and support within a Therapeutic Community.

Qualifications:

Certificate IV Alcohol and other Drugs (Tafe)
Obtaining Certificate IV Mental Health (Tafe)
Senior First Aid
Mental Health First Aid (Youth)

Weekend / Evening Staff

Steve Hocking

Allan Medhurst

Position: Weekend Supervisor.
Location: Assessment & Referral Centre, Ingleburn
Position Outline: Supervises the overall running of the Assessment and Referral Centre over the weekends. This also includes AOD and Mental Health Counselling and Therapeutic Group Facilitations.

Qualifications:

Certificate 111 In Aboriginal AOD (AHMRC / TAFE NSW)
Certificate 1V In AOD (TAFE NSW)
Certificate 1V Mental Health (TAFE NSW)
Diploma In Community Welfare (TAFE NSW)
Senior First Aid (Red Cross Australia)
Fire Marshall Certificate (NSW Fire Brigade)

Craig Sinkovic

Jason Cameron

Alley Espinosa

Residential Treatment Facility

Robyn Ritchie

Position: Program Manger
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Management of residential services situated at the Eagleville Facility.

Qualifications:

Diploma in AOD
Certificate IV in Management (Human Resources)

Steve Hocking

Position: Program Administrator / Level 3 Therapist
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Program Administrator, supervisor of counsellors at residential treatment facility and therapist

Qualifications:

Extensive experience
Diploma in Community Welfare, B Ec.

Counsellors

Lea Griffiths

Position: Staff On at main facility / Level 2 Therapist
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Oversee the running of the facility / Facilitate Level 2’s Group / Help the residents plan recreational days

Qualifications:

Diploma of Community Services
SAP First Aid Certificate
Practical First Attack Fire fighting
TAFE Course in Drugs in the Community / Drug Actions

Debi Ingram

Position: Level 1 Therapist / Kitchen at main facility
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Oversee the running of the facility’s kitchen / Facilitate Level 1’s Group / Assist in running the main facility

Qualifications:

BA in Psychology with Honours
SAP First Aid Certificate
Practical First Attack Fire fighting
Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs Work)
Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training
15 years experience in the field

Natalie Sabic

Position: Assessment Counsellor
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale

John Park

Position: Level 4 Therapist
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Provide therapeutic and other assistance to Level 1 residents during the second phase of the rehabilitation program, facilitate level 1 male and female therapy groups.

Qualifications:

Completing Certificate 4 AOD and Mental Health

Justin Famularo

Position: Sport and recreation worker / Level 2 Therapist / Special Events Committee / Young adults worker
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Work with closely with young adults in the program / Facilitate Level 2’s Group / Help the residents plan recreational days

Qualifications:

Diploma of Community Services /youth work
First Aid Certificate

Evening / Weekend Staff

Craig Sinkovic

Natalie Sabic

Jason Cameron

Mick Irvine

Parents & Childrens Program

Carmen Iancu

Position: Administrator
Location: Parents and Children Program, Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Overview the daily running of the Program, supervision of the Program’s staff members in their roles, facilitation of therapy groups.

Qualifications:

Bachelor Degree in Special Education
Masters Degree in Psychology
Diagnosis and Psychotherapy
Registered Psychologist

Melissa Eldridge

Position: Child Development Specialist
Location: Parents and Children Program, Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Conduct psychological assessments for children and parents, assess parent-child relationship, create relevant educational packages and facilitate educational groups for parents, liaise with family support workers in order to assist any psychological needs of the children.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts (Major Psychology)
Post Grad Dip of Psych (Child and Adolescence Psych)
Registered Psychologist

Tania Crofts

Position: Parents in Contact Therapist
Location: Parents and Children Program, Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Oversee the residents in the program whose children do not live with them whilst in the program, liaise with the Department of Community Services, facilitate a group every fortnight in order to assist them with parenting skills and rebuilding their relationships with their children.

Qualifications:

Graduate of Odyssey House – Parents and Children Program
partial Certificate IV Alcohol and other Drugs
First Aid Certificate

Angie Rhodes

Position: Family Support Worker
Location: Parents and Children Program, Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Oversee all the parents and children that reside in the program and the day to day care, basic nutritional needs of children, implement and review family action plan goals and strategies for each focus family, facilitate parenting groups for parents.

Qualifications:

Associate Diploma in Early Childhood/Mothercraft
Critical Incident Management Training
Child Protection Training
Contact Workers Training
Resilience Training
Conflict Resolution Training
Work Cover NSW Course in OHS Consultation

Candice Marsh

Qualifications:

Graduate of Odyssey House- Parents and Children Program
Statement of Attainment for Alcohol and other Drugs
studying Certificate IV Alcohol and other Drugs

Amanda Mason

Position: Weekend Family Support Worker
Location: Parents and Children Program, Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Oversee all the parents and children that reside in the program and the day to day care, basic nutritional needs of children, supervise recreational activities on a fortnightly basis

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Psychology
Child Protection Training with South West Sydney Area Health
Critical Incident Management Training
Child Coaching

Marilyn Proud

Qualifications:

Community Welfare Advanced Certificate IV
Certificate IV Mental Health
Certificate IV Alcohol and other Drugs
Certificate IV Nursing

Lee Lawrence

Position: Weekend Family Support Worker
Location: Parents and Children Program, Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Oversee all the parents and children that reside in the program and the day to day care, basic nutritional needs of children, implement and review family action plan goals and strategies for each focus family, facilitate therapy groups for parents.

Qualifications:

Statement of Attainment in Train Small Groups
Work Cover NSW Course in OHS Consultation
Therapeutic Community Certificate of Attainment
First Aid Certificate, Certificate III Health Office Procedures
Child Protection Training
Resilience Training
Critical Incident Management Training
Statement of Attainment Work Opportunities for Women
Certificate Family Counselling Workshop

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Michelle Tziarkas

Position: Community Services Manager
Location: Admissions and Intake Centre – Surry Hills.
Position Outline: Responsible for managing Odyssey House Community Services – Aftercare Program; Admissions and Intake Centre; Waverley Court MERIT Program, and Counselling Services.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Community Counselling

ADMISSIONS AND INTAKE CENTRE

David Ridyard

Position: Legal Liaison
Location: Admissions and Intake Centre
Position Outline: Guiding inductees prior to admission; liaison between Odyssey staff with Police and Courts

Qualifications:

BN, LLB
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Notary Public

Pearl Clustre

Position: Admissions Coordinator
Location: Admissions and Intake Centre - Surry Hills
Position Outline: Oversee the admissions process of new inductees into the Odyssey House Program and participate in the assessment proceedures.

Qualifications:

Assoc Dip - Library Practice
Cert III Meetings & Events

Kate Taylor

Position: Assessment Coordinator
Location: Admissions and Intake Centre - Surry Hills
Position Outline: Responsible for overseeing the assessment of applicants to the Odyssey House Program.

Qualifications:

Dip in Comunity Welfare
Cert IV Alcohol and Other Drugs
Cert IV in Mental Health
Dip in Childcare

Odyssey House - Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) Program - Waverly Court

Lance Sheperd

Position: MERIT Case Manager
Location: MERIT Office - Odyssey House Admissions and Intake Centre - Surry Hills
Position Outline: Provide assessment and ongoing case management services to clients referred by the Waverly Court to the MERIT program.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts
Currently studying Diploma in Couselling and Pos Grad Cert in Social Health

Dean Brown

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Health Administration
Registered Nurse (Diploma App. Science)

Doris Kumuran

Position: MERIT Administrative Assistant
Location: MERIT Office - Odyssey House Admissions and Intake Centre - Surry Hills
Position Outline: Provide services to clients referred by the Waverly Court to the MERIT program.

COUNSELLING SERVICES

Harrison Whitecloud

Position: Counsellor
Location: Counselling Services - Admissions and Intake Centre - Surry Hills
Position Outline: Counsellor, Trainer - EAP Services.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Counselling (UNE)
Diploma in Psychotherapy and Relationship Counselling
Master Practitioner NLP
Practitioner in Eriksonian Hypnosis and Certificate in Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy and Certificate of Accreditation in Meditation

AFTERCARE PROGRAM

Hong Lu

Position: Aftercare Program Administrator
Location: Aftercare - Campbelltown
Position Outline: Administrator, Counsellor.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Schience (Psychology) UNSW
Graduate Diploma in Counselling (ACAP)

Alicia Constable

Position: Aftercare Drug & Alcohol Counsellor
Location: Aftercare - Campbelltown
Position Outline: Counselling, group facilitator.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Schience (Psychology) UOW- Final Session
Graduate Diploma in Counselling (ACAP) - first year
7 years working experience in D&A work

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Dawn Paterson

Position: Finance Office Manager / Foundation Accountant / Company Secretary
Location: Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Responsible for all financial matters for Odyssey; reports for Government funding; Company Secretary responsibilities; general administration for organisation.

Qualifications:

Associate Diploma of Accounting

Daniele Aberhard

Position: Accountant
Location: Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Preparation of Financial Accounts, responsible for Asset Register, oversee payroll.

Qualifications:

European CPA

Sharon McRae

Position: Assistant Accountant
Location: Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Responsible for accounts receivable, processing donations, functions, stock control, bank reconciliations, general accounting work.

Qualifications:

Accounting Diploma

Donna May

Position: Payroll / Accounts Payable
Location: Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Process payroll, accounts payable, bank reconciliations, oversee motor vehicles.

Kerrie Bruce

Position: Resident Welfare Officer
Location: Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Responsible for all resident income and expediture, including Centrelink benefits.

Penny Moody

Position: Clerk (part-time)
Location: Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Responsible for various clerical duties to support the Finance Office staff.