Our team
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 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).
Nigel Fredericks
Senior Manager, Technology, Governance and Risk
Nigel 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.
Owen Dutton
Assets and Facilities Manager
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.
Natalie Gibbs
Communications Manager
Natalie Gibbs has a Bachelor of Communications and more than 20 years of experience in the communications and marketing sector. She has previously held roles with Anglicare Victoria, Tourism NT and NT Cricket.
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
Heather Hewlin-Vita
Team Leader / Occupational Therapist
Heather Hewlin-Vita (MClScOT, BSc(H)) is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience in adult and geriatric acute care, rehabilitation, and community. She is active within Occupational Therapy research and will earn a Master of Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice in December 2021. Heather is passionate about providing person-centred, goal-directed services as well as facilitating the clinical learning of health professionals.
Genna Stiles
Team Leader / Occupational Therapist
Genna Stiles is an Occupational Therapist with experience working with children and their families across regional and remote parts of the Northern Territory. She has a primary interest in assistive technology and equipment prescription for clients with complex disabilities. Genna enjoys working with children and their families to achieve their goals and maximise participation in day-to-day activities.
Genna grew up in country Victoria and has a particular interest in working in and with regional and remote communities.
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 new 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.
Sarah Zippel
Speech Pathologist
Sarah Zippel is an enthusiastic clinician with a passion for working with people of all ages. She has clinical placement experience in speech, language, literacy, fluency, voice, dysphagia and social communication across the lifespan. Sarah also has experience working with high school students in remote and urban settings in Western Australia and Victoria.
Sarah operates under the principle of a family-centred team approach, and enjoys working with participants alongside their families and carers to collaboratively meet goals.
Sally Ennever
Occupational Therapist
Sally Ennever has worked for the previous 4 years as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist in a paediatric clinic in Sydney , as well as a Therapy Assistant Team Leader and clinical supervisor. She has a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from University of Queensland, and completed university placements in an Intensive Care Unit, an Early Intervention Clinic and 1 month placement in Vietnam.
Caroline Gilberg
Occupational Therapist
Caroline Gilberg has completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) and a Masters of Occupational Therapy, with clinical placements in rural school settings, community and in-patient rehabilitation settings and in OT Driving Assessments.
Her previous roles include working as a Radiographer, as a supervisor in a supported cafe workplace and as a community mental health worker. Caroline is passionate about providing person-centred support in rural and remote settings.
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.
Sarah McGuire
Occupational Therapist
Sarah McGuire is an Occupational Therapist who has experience working with both children and adults in a broad range of settings in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. She has a passion for working in rural and remote settings with clients and their families to assist individuals to reach their goals.
Sarah Waters
Occupational Therapist
Sarah Waters completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash University in Melbourne and completed placements in Melbourne in paediatrics, adult mental health and acute hospital settings, as well as a hospital work placement in Tanzania, Africa.
She has worked as a dance teacher for children and adults of all abilities and is passionate about supporting participants and their families to reach their goals. Sarah is based in Carpentaria’s Alice Springs office.
Rachel Chan
APA Paediatric Physiotherapist
Rachel Chan is a Paediatric Physiotherapist with over 22 years of extensive experience in assessing and managing different developmental, neurological, neuromuscular and orthopaedic conditions from birth to teenagers. She is a Titled APA Paediatric Physiotherapist and a member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists (MACP).
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.
Imogen Armstrong
Psychologist
Imogen Armstrong is a registered Psychologist with experience working in remote Indigenous communities, hospital settings and private clinics. She has experience in providing support across the lifespan, with individuals and families from diverse groups, ethnic backgrounds, systems and socioeconomic status.
Imogen has skills in the selection, administration and interpretation of evidence-based assessments and delivers a range of clinical interventions that aim to promote, restore, sustain and enhance functioning and emotional wellbeing. Imogen is passionate about mental health, trauma and neurodevelopmental delays. She values the importance of empowering those who need it most through overcoming challenges, while nurturing individual strengths.
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.
Xana Dasilva-Cruz
Counsellor
Xana Dasilva-Cruz joined Carpentaria in 2019 as an Allied Health Assistant. Since completing her Diploma of Counselling in 2021, Xana has transitioned into a counselling role.
Xana is passionate about creating a safe space for clients to be themselves while developing strategies and confidence to achieve goals and navigate life’s challenges. Xana uses person-centred and strengths-based approaches in her work with adolescents and adults, specialising in anxiety, depression and neurodivergent profiles.
Tara Intarapanya
Allied Health Assistant
Tara Intarapanya holds a Diploma of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant and has experience working with both adults and children in hospital and acute care settings including rehabilitation, complex care, neurology, musculoskeletal and medical wards, as well as community settings with the Hand Clinic, Children’s Development Team and Early Childhood Australia NT. She is passionate about the role Allied Health Assistants play in supporting participants and their families to reach their life goals through Allied Health evidence-based practice.
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.
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.
Angela Robertson
Client Services Manager
Angela Robertson has extensive experience in the disability sector, with a focus on ensuring participants in accommodation programs are best supported to live the life they want to and have the necessary supports in place at home and in the community.
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.
Louise Collett
Case Management Coordinator
Louise Collett has more than 10 years of experience in the aged and disability sector, with specialist skills in younger onset dementia care. She holds a Diploma in Adult Social Care and has previously worked as a Support Coordinator. She is passionate about supporting participants to access high quality services to meet their requirements.
Damaris Kabugua
Independent Living Coordinator
Damaris Kabugua holds a Bachelor in Social Science (majoring in Community Work). She has 7 years experience in the disability sector and most recently worked as a Carpentaria Team Leader before commencing in the Coordinator position.
Gita Khadka
Independent Living 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 16 years experience in the Aged Care and Disability sectors. She holds a Diploma of Nursing and a Certificate III and IV in Aged Care. She is currently studying a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management and a Bachelor in Dementia Care.
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.
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.
Pathways Program
Kayne Mabey
Pathways Program Manager
Kayne Mabey has worked in the disability sector for 8 years, a career he wanted to pursue as a result of having a brother with disability.
Kayne holds a Certificate III in Community Services and was instrumental in developing the Nailed It wood working program. He enjoys passing on his skills and knowledge and is passionate about providing choice and control for all participants.
Katelyn Blake
Pathways Program Assistant Manager
Katelyn Blake holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and enjoys working with participants to achieve individual goals. She firmly believes that everyone is capable of achieving great things and applies this to all aspects of her role.
Emmanuel Bantay
Team Leader
Emmanuel Bantay has worked in Carpentaria since 2021. He holds a Certificate III in Individual Support and currently leads the Nailed It Program, sharing knowledge and skills about woodworking, tools and machinery. He is passionate about supporting participant goals and interests through choice and control during each activity.
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.
Srijana Gaudel
Team Leader
Srijana Gaudel has a background in youth support and in employment programs for people with disability. She holds a Diploma of Community Services and considers empathy to be the key in realising individual goals. She is passionate about her role and enjoys supporting positive changes for the people she works with.
Dhaval Patel
Team Leader
Dhaval Patel has a background in the healthcare sector and 2 years experience in disability support. He holds a Certificate III in Individual Support, is enthusiastic about reaching individual goals and is passionate about working alongside participants.
Ram Mani
Team Leader
Ram Mani holds a Certificate III in Individual Support and has worked at Carpentaria since 2021. Leading the Media program, Ram shares his knowledge and background in video editing to enhance the lives of participants. Ram is passionate about skill building, creating an inclusive and supportive environment, and empowering people to reach their full potential.
Quality and Practice
Quality and Practice Manager
Justin Smedley holds a Bachelor of Public Administration. He has experience in frontline and management roles across education, Supported Independent Living, Out of Home Care and Support Coordination settings. He is passionate about employee coaching and empowerment, contemporary evidenced based practice and governance, and human rights centred supports.
Justin has a love for learning and is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws.
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 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.