A strong desire for social justice saw Jane work in areas of domestic violence and family support when she finished university. She went on to complete a further education degree after graduating and became a teacher. While teaching on the mid north coast she continued her involvement with support organisations, serving on the management committee of a women's refuge and a youth refuge.
On moving to Tamworth she became involved with TFSS. She has been on the committee for a number of years. Jane values the commitment of everyone involved with the organisation and is proud to play a small role in its existence. Jane has a partner and two grown children. She is the principal of Timbumburi Public School.
Emma Trigg joined the management committee in May 2016. Emma has a background in strategic planning, marketing and community partnership development. She has experience working directly with Boards and Management in the process of change and service improvement.
Emma has held managerial roles in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors and has a Commerce degree with post graduate Honours in Services Marketing. After growing up and studying in the Tamworth region, she spent almost ten years in Brisbane and returned in early 2011 to live and raise her family here. Emma works as a marketing consultant and trainer in business. She brings her marketing skills and qualifications in corporate governance to the committee.
“I am proud to become a member of the Management Committee for TFSS. The staff and management are a credit to this region and I am committed to assisting this great organisation, as part of the Committee, so that it can continue delivering the services throughout our community”.
Joanne Stead joined the management committee of the TFSS in late 2010 and currently holds the position of Secretary. She is a mother of three young children and has spent her working life in Tamworth in the fields of mental health, alcohol and other drugs, economic development and Aboriginal community development.
Joanne’s association with TFSS began when she was working with Community Mental Health in 1998 and thus she has borne witness to much of the growth in the service over this time. “The growth of TFSS and its genuine responsiveness to needs in the community sector has impressed me over many years,” Joanne says. “As a service it has a solid business model but thanks to the strong leadership within the organisation, the service is built on a sincere, compassionate foundation of giving back and supporting the community. It was an honour to be invited to join the Management Committee in 2010.”
After completing his schooling in Tamworth, Robert completed a Bachelor of Business (Accounting/Finance) by correspondence study at Charles Sturt University while working as a trainee accountant at Brosie Martin Barnett in Tamworth. After becoming a Chartered Accountant, he left the firm for a short period, before returning in 2007 to become a partner.
Robert has been a member of the TFSS Management Committee for over 15 years.
Barbara’s first association with TFSS began in the late 1980’s when her family relocated from the far north coast of NSW to the small township of Manilla. Today, as an employee in the Community Services industry and as an adult and community educator in the field, Barbara is passionate about giving back to the community, and the social inclusion for all people and families regardless of ethnic background, gender, disability or socio economic status.
Barbara states “I am privileged in being able to continue my involvement with TFSS and look forward to continuing to be a member of the Management Committee. I am proud to be involved in its growth in providing services to a diverse and large range of individuals and families, assisting them to bring about positive changes in their lives”.
As a mother, grand mother and great grand mother, Yvonne has had a lifelong interest in the wellbeing of local families, women, young people and children. She is dedicated to serving and representing her community in the areas of social justice, health, education and reconciliation.
Aunty Yvonne is a proud Gomeroi woman, and as an Elder in the local Aboriginal community, has been actively involved in practical reconciliation efforts, including the establishment of an Tamworth Regional Council Aboriginal Liaison Committee. She has also recently provided an example to young people by completing her Certificate IV in Community Services up at TAFE.
Yvonne currently also serves on the board of the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council, and is an active volunteer at the Coledale Community Centre.
Liz Shelton joined the management committee in 2014. Liz’s professional background is in Real Estate, property management and small business. She now holds a role with the State Government helping solve property issues through strategic property development and disposal.
Liz’s first involvement with TFSS came through an invitation to speak at a series of workshops aimed at assisting people to gain and maintain private rental accommodation, circa 2011.
Having been a single mother herself, she has an understanding and appreciation of some of the challenges of raising children in a single parent family.
When asked for her thoughts on TFSS, Liz says “I stand in continual admiration of the dedicated and compassionate approach with which the staff of TFSS care for their clients and the way they continually strive to improve their service to the communities they work with.”
Belinda has over 20 years experience working in the community services sector and has a strong awareness of the evolving context of national, state and local policy in relation to planning, service coordination and service delivery. Belinda began working for TFSS in 1998, initially as a front line worker and then managing the service. Belinda has been responsible for the successful growth of TFSS and its service delivery to clients across the region. She is passionate and committed to the FamS principles and to ensuring that they guide the work that is delivered. Initially TFSS was a single funded organisation delivering services in the Tamworth Local Government Area; currently TFSS has over 21 funded programs which are provided from a variety of locations across the New England region. Belinda is committed to raising awareness and issues specific to rural communities. Belinda says "As a leader, community member and mother, I see it as a priority to ensure that regional communities are supported and valued and that regional issues, including the complexity of issues relating to regional and remote areas and geographic isolation, are understood by all levels of Government, policy makers and funding bodies."
After growing up on a mixed grazing property outside Narrabri, Belinda learned the value of hard work from an early age. "My father taught me many lessons in life, but perhaps more importantly led by example with determination" Belinda says. In her spare time Belinda enjoys gardening on her 8 acres outside of Tamworth which she shares with her partner Ian and children Jack, Joe and Isabella.
Leigh Smith became the Business Development Manager for TFSS in early 2015 after experiencing a wide and varied work history. This has included heavy machinery operations, hospitality management (including hotels, restaurants and fast food), direct and tele-sales plus relationship management. Leigh has worked in the community sector for the past 7 years, working from the ground up; from outreach worker to service manager at Byamee Proclaimed Place Inc. Some of Leigh’s proudest achievements include leading Byamee through the Going Home Staying Home reforms, as well instigating a number of innovative new Community Awareness Programs such as the Hike for Homeless and Stories of Homelessness, Awareness Providing Education (SHAPE). Leigh is currently on the Homelessness NSW Policy Council, an area he in which he has great passion.
Born and bred in England, Julie arrived in Sydney, Australia in 1978 as a young backpacker looking for adventure. A few years later Julie left Sydney and relocated to Tamworth with her three young sons. Julie started out working for Family Day Care and at a local restaurant and later went on to work at the Adolescent Crisis Intervention Service, the Youth Centre, then spent 9 years working with The Smith Family as well as volunteering as a Lifeline Counsellor.
Julie has been with TFSS since 2010 in her role as the Children’s Service Manager, running a number of State and Commonwealth funded programs. She holds Diploma’s in Community Services (Welfare & Case Management) as well as a Diploma in Counselling and Communication. In 2013 she completed her Bachelor in Social Science/Social Welfare.
Julie has been a Director on the board of the Tamworth Community College since 2009 and in 2013 began her role as a member of the Medicare Local Advisory Committee.
Sue has an extensive history of over 30 years working within the Community Services sector. Born, raised and educated in Coonabarabran, Sue then headed south to Wagga where she graduated with the unfortunately named Degree “Life Management”. Sue completed one of her University practicals at Mt Penang Training School where she worked alongside a psychologist and this is where she was encouraged to pursue a position with the Department of Community Services.
Sue successfully gained a position with Community Services in Orange in a specially created position, “Field Assistant“. The following year Sue gained a position as a District Officer in the busy Dubbo Office. Sue remained living and working in Dubbo for the Department holding many permanent and “acting” positions within the Western Region. Sue gained valuable experience in Child Protection, managing staff, conducting Foster Care training and reviewing Casework decisions, often across the Western Region, whilst acting as a Community Program Officer. Sue’s interest in group work heightened when she co-facilitated a number of the Child Protection and Substitute Care Modules for the Community Services training branch at Bidura in Sydney.
Sue married and transferred her employment to the Tamworth Community Service Centre where she remained up until the birth of her first child. Sue re joined the workforce in a part time position as a Sexual Assault Counsellor with Gunnedah Community Health. After the birth of her third child Sue was the successful applicant with the Gunnedah Women’s Crisis Agency and spent time working with women escaping domestic violence.
Due to her husband’s mine employment Sue’s family relocated to the Hunter Valley and she gained employment with Singleton Family Support Service. A change in lifestyle choice resulted in Sue’s family moving back to Tamworth, this led to her taking up a position with TFSS in 2003. Sue has been with TFSS ever since and is now the Family Services Manager. Sue views her staff as the Program’s greatest assets.
Tanya was born and raised in Tamworth and completed an apprenticeship as a hairdresser after leaving school. Tanya worked in the industry for over 15 years and owned her own business for approximately 5 years.
After leaving a domestic violence relationship, Tanya began her journey in the industry, thinking: What happens to women and children who don’t have a supportive family? Where do they go? In wanting to work with people and make a difference, Tanya had found her calling. Initially enrolling in the Lifeline Telephone Counselling Course, Tanya engaged in further study and started working as a support worker at Tamworth Women and Children’s Refuge in 1999. TFSS began the auspice of the Refuge in 2007 where by she began her role as Team Leader. In 2010, Tanya became the Homelessness Services Manager, supervising the Women and Children’s Refuge, the Youth Refuge and many other homelessness programs under TFSS.
Tanya’s greatest achievement and joy has been “watching my 2 children grow into compassionate and confident young adults”.