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)

Public Relations Consultant

Carol Moore

Residential Programs

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: 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
Currently undertaking a Masters degree in Advanced Clinical Education
Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and other Drugs)
Diploma of Herbal Medicine

Psychologist

Steph Dartnall

Position: Clinical Co-ordinator
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Assessment and treatment of residents with drug and alcohol and problems and other related mental health conditions.

Qualifications:

Master of Psychology (Forensic) UNSW
Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) UNSW

Registered Nurses

Hayley Potten

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

Qualifications:

B.A Nursing UWS
Vaccination Cert

Medical Consultant's

Dr SacCordeiro

Dr Selvaratnam

Withdrawal Unit

Terry H.

Position: Administrator
Position Outline: Supervisor of Nurses and Counsellors

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Nursing

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

Marree H.

Position: Enrolled Nurse

Qualifications:

Diploma of Nursing

Marilyn P.

Position: Enrolled Nurse

Qualifications:

Diploma of Nursing
Certificate 4 Social Work

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

Drug & Alcohol Worker

Leonie M.

Position: AOD Counsellor

Qualifications:

Diploma Social Welfare
Certificate 4 Community Service
Certificate 4 AOD
Certificate 4 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

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
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
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.
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
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)

Gambling / AOD

Deacon To'o

Position: AOD Counsellor
Position Outline: Staff on Duty. To Supervisor the overall running of the facility, Monday through Friday. To follow up on Assessment residents legal matters.

Qualifications:

Current Training (AOD Cert 1V)
Clinical Treatment Training Courses (PTSD, Suicide / Self Harm, Critical Incident, Resilient Skills, Borderline Personality Disorders, CBT)
Senior First Aid(St Johns NSW)
OH&S Consultancy(NSW)
Fire Marshall (ComSafe NSW)
Therapeutic Community Training (O/H)

AOD

Alexander Moa

Position: AOD Counsellor
Position Outline:Supervise and facilitate Assessment residents in their daily schedule.

Qualifications:

Community Services Youth Work (DEPT ED & TRAINING NSW)
Senior First Aid( St Johns NSW)
Out of Home Care(CCWT)
Duty of Care(CCWT)
Managing Aggressive & Violent Behaviour(CCWT)
Therapeutic Community Training (O/H)

Psychologist

Emily Kwok

Position:Arc Psychologist
Position Outline:Overseer the running of the Arc Clinical & Medical Dept.

Qualifications:

Masters (Forensic Psychology)
Current Training PhD (Behavioural & Health Sciences)
Senior First Aid(St Johns NSW)
Clinical Treatment Training Courses (CBT, Depression, Narrative Therapy, Gestalt)
Conflict Resolution (CADL)
Therapeutic Community Training(O/H)

Weekend / Evening Staff

Matt Fitzhenry

Steve Hocking

Allan Medhurst

Position: Weekend Supervisor.
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

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
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 / Special Events Committee
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: House Counsellor
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Therapist and oversees Motherhouse Operations

Qualifications:

BA in Psychology with Honours; Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs Work)
Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training
Extensive experience in the field of Drug and Alcohol counselling.

Trish Margetts

Position: Assessment Women Therapist
Location: Main Residential Facility at Eagle Vale
Position Outline: Provide therapeutic and other assistance to female residents during the first phase of the rehabilitation program (four to six weeks). Probation and Parole Liaison Worker; MERIT Liaison Worker; Staff in charge of vehicles.

Qualifications:

B.A. Fine Arts (Honours)
Certificate in Arts and Culture Management
Certificate IV in Small Business Management
Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs Work (with Distinction)

John Park

Position: Level 1 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

Evening / Weekend Staff

Craig Sinkovic

Natalie Sabic

Jason Cameron

Mick Irvine

Di Jackson

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

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

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

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

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:

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

Candice Marsh

Position: Casual 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.

Qualifications:

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

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

Janice Grosetti

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 procedures.

Qualifications:

Certificate IV in Drug and Alcohol

Kate Taylor

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

Qualifications:

Diploma in Community Welfare
Certificate IV Alcohol and other Drugs
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Diploma in Childcare

ODYSSEY HOUSE - MAGISTRATES EARLY REFERRAL INTO TREATMENT (MERIT) PROGRAM – WAVERLEY COURT

Agatha Towski

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 Waverley Court to the MERIT Program.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Psychology Honours
Diploma of Social Health
Registration with the NSW Psychological Board as an intern Psychologist

Lance Shepherd

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts
Currently studying Diploma in Counselling and Post Graduate Certificate in Social Health

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 Mediation

Anne Flower

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

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Counselling (UNE)
Diploma in Social Science
Certificate 4 in Alcohol and Other Drugs

AFTERCARE PROGRAM

Lesley Mosbey

Position: Aftercare Program Administrator
Location: Campbelltown
Position Outline: Oversee the operations of the Aftercare Program, conduct educational groups and counselling sessions.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Counselling (UNE)
Diploma of AOD Work

Hong Lu

Position: Counsellor
Location: Campbelltown
Position Outline: Conduct educational groups and provide counselling to the clients of the Aftercare Program.

Qualifications:

Bachelor Science (Psychology)
Graduate Diploma in Counselling

Macarthur Community Centre

Pearl Clustre

Position: Admissions Coordinator
Location: Admissions and Intake Centre – Campbelltown
Position Outline: Oversee the Admissions Process of new inductees into the Odyssey House Program and participate in the assessment procedures.

Qualifications:

Associate Diploma – Library Practice
Certificate 3 Meetings & Events

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

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 expenditure, 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.