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 ValePosition 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 AssistantLocation: 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-ordinatorLocation: 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 OfficerLocation: 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 ManagerLocation: 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 NurseQualifications:
- 20+ experience, Cert 4 AOD
Rory B.
Position: Registered NurseQualifications:
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Certificate in Mental Health
Fay B.
Position: Registered NurseQualifications:
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Diploma of Nursing
Lesley D.
Position: Registered NurseQualifications:
- 20+ years experience
Enrolled Nurses
Sharlene J.
Position: Enrolled NurseQualifications:
- Diploma of Nursing
- Certificate 4 Aboriginal studies
Debbie Waplington
Position: Enrolled Nurse
Qualifications:
-
Diploma of Nursing
Assistant In Nursing (AIN)
Christine M.
Position: AINQualifications:
-
Over ten years experience
Patricia H.
Position: AINQualifications:
-
Under Graduate Nurse UWS
Sivailoa F.
Position: AINQualifications:
- Under Graduate Nurse UWS
Stan M.
Position: AIN
Michelle O.
Position: AIN
Drug & Alcohol Worker
Leonie M.
Position: AOD CounsellorQualifications:
- Diploma Social Welfare
- Certificate IV Community Service
- Certificate IV AOD
- Certificate IV Mental Health
Progressive Learning Centre
Kerry Waters
Position: PrincipalLocation: 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 TeacherLocation: 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 TeacherLocation: 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 TeacherLocation: 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 TeacherLocation: 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 AdministratorLocation: 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: CounsellorLocation: Assessment & Referral Centre, Ingleburn
Stuart Balzan
Position: Clinical Mental Health Worker / ARC OH&S RepresentativeLocation: 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 TherapistLocation: 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 MangerLocation: 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 TherapistLocation: 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 TherapistLocation: 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: AdministratorLocation: 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 SpecialistLocation: 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 TherapistLocation: 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 WorkerLocation: 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
Position: Family Support WorkerLocation: 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
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 WorkerLocation: 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
Lee Lawrence
Position: Weekend Family Support WorkerLocation: 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 ManagerLocation: 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 LiaisonLocation: 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
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 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.
