Network Staff - ACT Mental Health Consumer Network
Staff
Dalane Drexler - EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dalane (Deigh) originally joined the Network as Policy and Participation Development Worker in March 2009, before transitioning into the Executive Officer role in October 2009. Prior to joining the Network, she was an Advocate for people with disability and/or mental illness for several years, which followed extensive experience in the mental health and disability sectors, both professional and personally. Deigh graduated from the Bachelor of Community Education in 2008, majoring in Community Development, and is currently working toward the Juris Doctor (Masters-level Law degree) at the University of Canberra. When she's not at work or studying, Deigh spends her time with her daughters and learning all they have to offer.
Sarah Stringer - CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES PROGRAM COORDINATOR / FINANCE OFFICER
Sarah rejoined the Network in July 2009 in the newly created position of Consumer Representatives Program Coordinator. Sarah had previously been involved in the Network from 2004 to 2006 when she was contracted as the bookkeeper during the period when Prue Borrman was the General Manager. Sarah first became involved with systemic advocacy when she joined Health Care Consumers Association ACT as the Treasurer in 1996. Sarah expects to finish her Commerce Degree, majoring in accounting and management studies, in February 2010 after spending some 16 years studying! Because of her continuing interest in finance, Sarah also undertakes the duties of the Finance Officer for the Network. Sarah is passionate about the value of consumer feedback and the lived experience that underpins the work of the consumer representative.
Leliana Setiono - POLICY AND PARTICIPATION DEVELOPMENT WORKER
Leliana first joined the Network in January 2010. Following her move to Canberra in 2009, she wanted to get more involved in an ACT community organisation that fits her passion for social justice issues. She completed her Bachelor degree in Psychology in Indonesia, where she comes from, before she obtained her Postgraduate degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Melbourne. Afterwards she spent two years working in the education sector with the British Council Indonesia in Jakarta. She is particularly interested in education, mental health, and human resources management. Leliana enjoys travelling, diving, playing cards, and watching lots of movies whenever she can.
I have arrived here at ACTMHCN after an 18mth or so position at Legal Aid ACT working as a paralegal in the Family Law Section. It was an amazing job, and really taught me the value of fighting for the little guy. I got to work with some really inspiring people. I’m currently in my second year of a Bachelor in Psychology at ANU, and so working part time here at ACTMHCN is complementing my studies well. I’m Brisbane born and raised, and I am not looking forward to my third Canberra winter. As admin officer I’m looking forward to expanding on and improving some of the internal systems at the office, like continuing the cataloguing of the library and helping everyone get things in order. In my spare time, I love to play any kind of musical instrument I can get my hands on. I’m traditionally a classically trained violinist, but I love to explore any genre I can. I also play in about three different soccer teams at the moment, as I enjoy staying active and love the team sports environment. Please drop in and say hi, I’m looking forward to meeting everone to meeting everyone and learning all you have to teach me.
Vicki da Silva - ADMINISTRATION WORKER
I started as Admin worker at the Network in April 2007. When I first started, I was also working at the ACT Council of Social Services, and prior to that I was employed at the Trades Hall of the ACT.
My passion is working with people, and I am constantly learning and growing (and humbled) by our members of the Network, including the staff here. We have a great new team and we are in an exciting and strong phase – Please call and come up to say hello!
Stephanie Shu-jen - COMMUNITY EDUCATION
My role in the organisation is to build Self Advocacy and Consumer Advocacy courses which aim to inevitably be taught to consumers by consumer representatives. Before my employment here, I worked as a project officer where I developed and delivered self-advocacy training, as a special teachers' assistant and assistant teacher. Currently I am working part-time as a primary school art teacher and am studying the Bachelor of Education at the Australian Catholic University, and look forward to the completion of my degree mid semester 2011. Outside work, I enjoy eating, sleeping and listening to good music! If I were to plan a perfect day it would include a siesta after lunch. In saying so, Spain would be my ideal place to live, mariachis (so musicians in very big sombrero's playing good music), included! I am very excited about my project here at the ACTMHCN, and grateful to be part of such a vibrant, competent and supportive team. I can't wait to continue to meet and collaborate with other consumers and employers involved with the network and within this field.
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IN MEMORY OF... Michael Firestone 22 October 1969 - 02 February 2010
Michael Firestone - INFORMATION WORKER
Michael originally joined the Network staff as an Administrative Officer in early-2008, having previously served on the Network’s Management Committee for 2006/2007. He began his tertiary studies at Monash University in Melbourne, and graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in 1992, majoring in Philosophy. Michael is currently the Secretary of the Mental Health Community Coalition ACT, and the Chair of the ACT Transcultural Mental Health Network. Recently, he has been interested in the way the legal system is used against mental health consumers, and in the possibility of recovery from depression. Michael seems to enjoy reading, TV documentaries, and fast food.
2009-2010 Committee members and roles
(Left - Right):
Front Row: Phillip Green, Jane Williams, Stephanie Bassingthwaighte, Philip Brown
Back Row: William Barreda, Colin Hales, Stephen Price, David Lovegrove
[ Not present: Kerry Fry, Irma Norris, Sarah Shepherd ]
Chair: David Lovegrove
Deputy-Chair: Jane Williams
Treasurer: Philip Brown
Secretary: Colin Hales
Assistant Secretary: Phillip Green
Committee Member: William Barreda
Committee Member: Stephanie Bassingthwaighte
Committee Member: Kerry Fry
Committee Member: Irma Norris
Committee Member: Stephen Price
Committee Member: Sarah Shepherd