Carpentaria employs high quality staff in a range of specialist disability support and therapy service roles to support clients across our Allied Health Therapy Services for children, adolescents and adults, Pathways Program (skill development in the community and in a purpose-built facility), Supported Independent Living, Medium Term Accommodation and Short Term Accommodation services. Recruitment is based on values, skills and qualifications.
We are proud of our committed team of professional staff who are dedicated to providing evidence-based and person-centred treatment and supports to enable Territorians to build a bigger life.
Staff are provided with comprehensive training and skill development in first aid, epilepsy, diabetes and medication administration and management, as well as regular upskilling opportunities and ongoing specialist disability training, including positive behaviour support, person-centred active support and risk management.
Executive and Senior Management
Annie Rily
Chief Executive Officer
Annie Rily commenced as Carpentaria CEO in June 2017 and has a strong interest in achieving positive outcomes for people with a disability while developing high quality, contemporary direct service models. She was closely involved in the national reforms associated with the NDIS and has a keen interest in delivering services which enable individuals to fully benefit from the opportunities available under the NDIS.
Annie has a background in Allied Health, specialist disability and behaviour support with highly developed change management and leadership skills gained through experience in both the private and government sectors.
Kellie Hutchins
Deputy CEO
Kellie Hutchins has extensive leadership experience in a range of industries, all of which have a focus on providing more equitable opportunities for people to access services and supports to reach their potential. Commencing her career in Human Resources, Kellie has had a passion for improving the lives of others through access to various services including in health, children and family services, education, aged, and NDIS supports and is committed to the collective improvement of community outcomes for our most vulnerable through innovative, collaborative and considerate service design and delivery.
Kellie is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) holds an MBA, a GradCertHR, Certified Practicing HR (CPHR) status, and a Bachelor of Business (BBus).
Andrew Everingham
Director of Operations
Andrew Everingham has extensive leadership and management proficiency, spanning education, health and government sectors. With over a decade of hands-on experience in frontline emergency healthcare and government service provision, Andrew possesses expertise in leading and managing programs that prioritise accessibility and equity for the most vulnerable. His approach emphasises person-centred support, empowering communities to thrive and individuals to grow.
Andrew has a Bachelor of Social Science, Diploma of Recreation, and Diploma of Paramedical Science and holds an Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) Paramedic registration, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), completed the Executive Development Strategy 3 (EDS3) with the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM), and is currently completing an MBA.
Craig Willingham
Director of Regional Services
Craig Willingham is an accomplished Executive with extensive experience gained through roles in health, local government, police and banking. He is highly skilled in strategy development, business and technology transformation, portfolio and program governance, and complex operational management, and has a successful history of delivering complex, multi-year, multi-geography portfolios, programs and services.
Craig holds a Masters in Business Administration and has previously held senior positions across several NT Health portfolios in Alice Springs.
Owen Dutton
Senior Manager, Assets and Facilities
Owen Dutton has extensive experience in asset management, particularly in the social and affordable housing environment, procurement and contract management, project management, leasing and lease management, dwelling construction projects and land development. He has a Diploma in Management and Certificate 4 in project management, and is passionate about inclusive housing opportunities.
Nigel Fredericks
Senior Manager, Technology, Governance and Risk
Nigel Fredericks brings to Carpentaria his extensive experience in providing strategic, financial, risk, IT and governance advice to public, private and not for profit sector organisations throughout Australia. He has supported many disability support providers throughout their NDIS journey to achieve efficient and sustainable service delivery models.
Nigel is a Chartered Accountant and has degrees in Commerce and Information Technology.
Natalie Gibbs
Senior Manager, Communications
Natalie Gibbs has a Bachelor of Communications and more than 20 years of experience in the fields of communications, marketing, event management and stakeholder engagement. She is passionate about creating communication material that is easy to understand, and acknowledges the important role that well-developed and targeted communication plays in creating inclusive and accessible communities. She has previously held roles with Anglicare Victoria, Tourism NT and NT Cricket.
Camille Wakefield
Senior Manager, Therapy Services
Camille Wakefield is an Occupational Therapist and clinical specialist with over 25 years of experience in leadership and management roles in the health, tertiary education, aged care, mental health and not-for-profit sectors, in both adult and paediatric disability.
She has significant experience in the NDIS landscape and is committed to person-centred practice and the delivery of individualised and outcomes-focused services.
Sheena Baillie
Executive Officer
Sheena Baillie has worked in high level administrative roles in the banking, education and community service sectors and is a skilled communicator and organiser. She has personal experience of caring for a non-verbal family member with autism, sensory sensitivities and epilepsy.
Therapy Services for children, adolescents and adults
Camille Wakefield
Senior Manager, Therapy Services
Camille Wakefield is an Occupational Therapist and clinical specialist with over 25 years of experience in leadership and management roles in the health, tertiary education, aged care, mental health and not-for-profit sectors, in both adult and paediatric disability.
She has significant experience in the NDIS landscape and is committed to person-centred practice and the delivery of individualised and outcomes-focused services.
Megan Adams
Speech Pathologist
Megan Adams holds a Masters in Speech Pathology and is experienced in AAC, early intervention, language, speech, social skills and literacy development and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She enjoys working with children and has spent several years volunteering with children with different abilities from a range of backgrounds. She is passionate about supporting children and their families to achieve their goals.
Megan has completed courses in Keyword Sign, Learn to Play by Karen Stagnitti, PECS, Understanding Childhood Complex Trauma, Sounds-Write Literacy Program, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Assessment and Intervention.
Nikeisha Lange
Speech Pathologist
Nikeisha Lange is a graduate Speech Pathologist with a passion for rural and Indigenous health after completing a placement in Nhulunbuy. She has previously worked in a primary school as a School Service Officer and is particularly interested in supporting children and their families and caregivers to meet goals through speech, language, literacy and feeding interventions.
Rachel Tulla
Speech Pathologist
Rachel Tulla has 4 years of experience working with children and their families, and previously worked at a paediatric clinic in Mount Barker in South Australia. She is experienced in AAC, early intervention, language, speech, social skills and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Speech Pathology and has completed courses in Keyword Sign and LAMP. She is Hanen More than Words certified and is passionate about supporting children and their families through a person-centred approach to reach their goals.
Candace Coombs
Occupational Therapist
Candace Coombes holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from Curtin University and is passionate about providing client centred practice to empower people to achieve their dreams and improve their overall quality of life. She has experience working with children and their families and previously worked at a paediatric clinic in Perth.
Candace has completed courses in Quickshifts by Vital Links, The SpIRiT of Paediatric Therapy, Vestibular-Visual matters, Team Teach and The Traffic Jam in my Brain. She also attended the Camp Jabiru Therapist Practicum in Sydney 2023.
Ariana De Fransz
Occupational Therapist
Ariana De Fransz is a graduate Occupational Therapist who has completed a Masters in Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Health Science. She completed placements in an acute inpatient unit, in a paediatric school-based clinic in Broome WA and a student led paediatric clinic run by Charles Darwin University. She has previous experience working in the disability sector as a Disability Support Worker.
Ariana is passionate about providing high quality support that ensures individuals and families can achieve goals and enhance participation in everyday activities.
Maddi Hammet
Occupational Therapist
Maddi Hammet holds a Masters in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor of Health Science. She has 5 years of experience in acute hospital environments supporting individuals of all ages to reach their goals and safely discharge from hospital. She has also worked in community services in individual’s homes, completing functional capacity assessments to assist with all aspects of daily life and to ensure appropriate supports are in place.
Maddi has a special interest in supporting people with cognitive concerns and people recovering from stroke.
Emma Millsteed
Occupational Therapist
Emma Millsteed is a graduate Occupational Therapist who completed placements in early learning, paediatric and rehabilitation centres. Emma has a background as a disability support worker and personal trainer, specialising in supporting teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and mental health challenges.
Emma is passionate about helping people enhance their independence and holistic wellbeing through participation in activities that are meaningful to them. She utilises a client-centred and collaborative approach to support participants to reach their therapy goals.
Jacqui Ross
Occupational Therapist
Jacqui Ross holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Business and is experienced in working with adults in aged care, disability and community in regional and metropolitan areas. She has experience in a broad range of conditions and interventions and provides OT services for Carpentaria’s Ready for Home and Medium Term Accommodation programs.
Jacqui has a specific area of interest in manual handling, mental health, NDIS, risk management, the advancement of the OT profession and occupational justice. She is passionate about supporting everyone to live their best life.
Megan Schuitemaker
Occupational Therapist
Megan Schuitemaker is an Occupational Therapist with over 18 years of clinical experience working with adults in community, acute and rehabilitation settings, in addition to working with children and adolescents. She has additional experience working with adults and children with low vision and is a qualified wellness coach.
Megan enjoys working with people to maximise their participation in everyday activities and to live their best lives.
Rachel Chan
Senior Physiotherapist
Rachel Chan is a Titled APA Paediatric Physiotherapist and a member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists (MACP). She has over 24 years of extensive experience in assessing and managing different developmental, neurological, neuromuscular and orthopaedic conditions from birth to teenagers.
Rachel obtained her Masters of Physiotherapy (Paediatrics) at The University of Queensland in 2004. With broad experience in hospitals, early education centres, special schools, and private practice, Rachel has specialised in the early detection of movement difficulties, and has expertise in managing children with Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Prematurity and Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Courtney Byrne
Allied Health Assistant
Courtney Byrne has worked with Carpentaria since 2019 and holds a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance, with a focus area on Occupational Therapy. She has experience implementing Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology and Physiotherapy programs. Courtney enjoys the variety of her role, along with the opportunities to work closely with all members of Carpentaria’s Therapy Services team.
Cheyenne Luscombe
Allied Health Assistant
Cheyenne Luscombe has lived in Darwin for over 20 years. She holds a Certificate III in Individual Support – Disability Skillset and is currently completing a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance. She has extensive personal experience with people with disabilities and is passionate about improving the lives of people with disabilities, with a focus on helping children to develop and excel while appreciating their unique abilities.
Colleen Johnson
Allied Health Assistant
Colleen Johnson was born and raised in Darwin. She holds a Bachelor in Languages from Flinders University and is currently completing her Masters in Speech and Language Therapy at Charles Darwin University. Colleen is passionate about a client-centred approach to therapy and working closely with families to achieve their goals.
Accommodation Services
Stacey Hemara
Specialised Services Manager
Stacey Hemara has more than 10 years experience in the human services sector, working in a range of senior leadership roles in both disability and mental health services. She has extensive experience in the development and implementation of functions that ensure supports are person centred, high quality, best practice and compliant with relevant regulatory frameworks.
She specialises in the development and provision of flexible and innovative services and is focused on quality in practice and the development of team capability. Stacey is passionate about person centred design and creating opportunities for positive outcomes for individuals and their families.
Jarod Knowles
Complex Client Services Manager
Jarod Knowles has extensive experience in the disability sector and has held leadership and management roles with both national and NT service providers. He is dedicated to establishing and managing innovative person-centred programs that deliver tangible outcomes for participants, in both urban and remote settings.
Jarod is skilled at building trust and working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Human Services.
Claire Olssen
High Intensity Client Services Manager
Claire Olssen holds a Bachelor of Nursing and is a Registered Nurse with extensive clinical and leadership experience in acute, and subacute care services within hospitals as well as Aged Care and Disability Services.
Claire is passionate about providing the highest quality services and supports to patients and participants and works collaboratively across care teams, internal and external stakeholders and family to support individual outcomes.
Sunita Bhandari
Independent Living Coordinator
Sunita Bhandari has worked as both an Independent Living Coach and Team Leader, and has a strong foundation in the delivery of compassionate support and effective leadership. She is deeply committed to helping others and is passionate about making a positive difference in people’s lives.
She holds a Bachelor of Business and Management and a Certificate III in Individual Support.
Nchimunya Cheelo
Independent Living Coordinator
Nchimunya (Chi) Cheelo has 6 years of experience in the youth and disability sector, both in Disability Support Worker frontline roles as well as leadership and management positions. He is passionate about empowerment and autonomy to ensure participants lead fulfilling lives.
Chi holds an Advanced Diploma in Leadership Management, Advanced Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, a Diploma in Community Services and is currently completing a Master of Business Administration.
Nisha Deuja
Independent Living Coordinator
Nisha Deuja has more than 6 years of experience in the disability sector, as both a Disability Support Worker and Team Leader. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Certificate III in Individual Support. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Occupational Therapy.
Padam Dhakal
Independent Living Coordinator
Padam Dhakal has worked in the aged care and disability sectors for more than 7 years, primarily supporting participants with behaviours of concern and mental health diagnoses. He has completed a Master of Humanities, Master of Educational Leadership & Management and a Certificate III in Aged Care and Disability.
Gita Khadka
Case Management Coordinator
Gita Khadka has worked as a Carpentaria Team Leader since 2012 and took on the Coordinator role in June 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma in Disability, Certificate III in Aged Care and Disability and is currently completing her Masters in Business Administration.
Getrude Mapfumo
Independent Living Coordinator
Getrude Mapfumo has nearly 20 years of experience in the aged care and disability sectors. She holds a Certificate III and IV in Aged Care, a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, and a Diploma in Nursing, and is currently studying a Bachelor in Dementia Care.
She is passionate about ensuring participants live a full life, with a particular focus on ensuring people living with dementia enjoy a high quality life.
Ruby O'Callaghan
Independent Living Coordinator
Ruby O’Callaghan holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science and a Certificate III in Business Administration. She has also completed a number of cross cultural and trauma training sessions. Ruby has previously worked as both a Disability Support Worker and Team Leader, as well as a Cardiac Technician and Exercise Scientist.
Orna Sharpe
Independent Living Coordinator
Orna Sharpe has a background as a specialist swimming teacher for children and adults with disability in Ireland and holds a Level 1 and 2 Swim Instructor Certificate with Level 2 Aquatic Teaching for People with Disability. She has worked as a Disability Support Worker, Team Leader and SIL Coordinator and is currently completing a Diploma in Community Services.
Mandeep Singh
Independent Living Coordinator
Mandeep Singh has more than 10 years of experience in disability, aged care and mental health services. He has previously held roles as a Support Worker for Top End Mental Health Services and as an Allied Health Assistant (Physiotherapy/Plaster Clinic) at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Mandeep has a Diploma in Community Welfare and is part way through a Bachelor of Nursing.
Rabin Thapa
Independent Living Coordinator
Rabin Thapa has a range of experience in the disability sector, as both a Coordinator of Support and in an administrative role at National Disability Services. He holds a Certificate IV in Disability Studies and Certificate III in Aged Care, along with a Bachelor of Accounting, Diploma in Commerce and Accounting, Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management and a Certificate IV in Business Studies.
Surya Regmi
Independent Living Coordinator
Surya Regmi has worked in Service Coordinator roles in the disability and aged care sector for 7 years. He holds a Certificate III in Individual Support and has completed training in Dementia Essentials. He also holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering.
Pathways Program
Katelyn Blake
Pathways Program Manager
Katelyn Blake holds a Bachelor of Sport Science and has experience working in the disability sector as an Allied Health Assistant, Team Leader, and Assistant Manager. Katelyn has contributed to the development of new activities within the Pathways Program, and has experience implementing individualised training programs and supports to assist participants to achieve their goals.
Katelyn is passionate about delivering high quality programs to adults living with disability and enjoys working collaboratively to achieve positive participant outcomes. She firmly believes that everyone can achieve great things, and she applies this to all aspects of her role.
Jess O'Brien
Acting Assistant Manager
Jess O’Brien has a background in event management and operations, originally joining Carpentaria in the reception and events team before quickly transitioning to a Skill Development Coach and Team Leader in the Pathways Program. Jess is experienced in working with complex client behaviours and applying behaviour support strategies.
Jess is passionate about supporting skill development opportunities for people with disability, working with participants to understand their goals, and creating new activities and individualised projects to maximise participant engagement.
Deepika Dhimal
Team Leader
Deepika Dhimal has a background in the health care sector and two years of experience in the disability sector. She holds a Certificate III in Disability Support and is focused on providing high quality active support for Carpentaria Pathways Program participants.
Steve Hebblethwaite
Team Leader, Nailed It Program
Steve holds a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours and has extensive experience as a Team Leader and Case Coordinator working with refugees, trauma survivors, and people experiencing mental illness. Steve is passionate about repurposing materials and creating bespoke, high-quality timber creations.
Jonathan Munro
Team Leader, Media Program
Jonathan Munro holds a Bachelor of Design Arts and a Diploma in Community Services. He has worked extensively in creative, photographic and printing industries over the past decade along with leading engagement programs for youth mental health and community projects throughout the Territory. Jonathan is a firm advocate of person-centred practice and believes Media can be an incredible tool in expressing both creativity and individuality.
Quality, Safety and Risk
Sharni Cardona
Quality, Safety and Risk Lead
Sharni Cardona is a local Darwin woman from Larrakia, Iwaidja, Jingili, Bardi and Kungarakany tribes. She has extensive clinical governance and service quality experience, including the management of multi-disciplinary teams to provide health service access and person centred quality care. She is also an experienced nurse and clinic manager across a range of roles in the Health Sector.
Sharni holds a Bachelor of Nursing and a Diploma of Practice Management, and is passionate about addressing gaps in the community and empowering people throughout their life journey.
Kayne Mabey
Quality, Safety and Risk Coordinator
Kayne Mabey has worked in the disability sector for 10 years, a career he wanted to pursue as a result of having a brother with disability. He holds a Certificate III in Community Services, has an extensive background working with challenging behaviours and is a certified Maybo trainer.
Kayne is passionate about working with team members to grow and develop person centred active support skills and enhance the quality of life for all participants.