Tim Martin - Administration Manager
Tim graduated from the University of Manchester in 1978 with a BA (Hons) degree in Art History, and worked for Sothebys in London before moving to Sydney in 1987 to become curator and then Membership Manager at the Powerhouse Museum.
He has been with Council on the Ageing (NSW) since 1993 as Administration Manager, and is coincidentally exactly the same age as COTA itself. He joined when the organisation operated out of a terraced house in Argyle Place, before it moved to York St in 1995, and then to its current office in Pitt St. in 2000.
Annette Barnes - Information Officer
Annette has been in the employ of COTA (NSW) for 4 years. She is currently undertaking studies at University for a Bachelor in Adult Education (as a mature aged student), and already has attained a Diploma in Community Services (Welfare), as well as various certificates in training and assessment, counselling and dealing with challenging behaviours.
Prior to coming to COTA (NSW) Annette worked in Western Sydney: 8 years as a casual Bar Attendant (while she raised her two children); 12 months in the Disability Services; and for 41/2 years with 'At Risk' youth and young people registered in Juvenile Justice. The youth service was focused on resocialisation, education and training, and in particular ran a Year 10 equivelency program, for young people who were expelled from school due to unacceptable behaviour. She feels the work was quite challenging, but very rewarding.
The lifeskills and knowledge she has accumulated of Centrelink processes and community services has served her well at COTA (NSW). She commenced duties as an information officer while COTA (NSW) still managed the Seniors Information Service, and was asked to stay on, when that program was re-defined and relocated as a call centre by Dept Ageing Disability and Home Care (DADHC).
Annette has an extensive history of working in the community and fits in well with the hands-on, proactive approach that COTA (NSW) offers.
Anne-Marie Elias - Policy and Communications Manager
Anne-Marie has over 20 years experience in advocacy and communication management having worked in corporate, government and community sectors. Anne-Marie has developed wide ranging campaigns, policies and strategies for people from non English speaking backgrounds, Indigenous Australians, young people, mature aged, women, and people with disabilities. She held executive positions in the Australian Tax Office and Workplace Authority managing national programs targeting vulnerable groups.
“I have landed the job of my dreams with COTA. I look forward to utilising my skills,experience and the networks that I have cultivated to the benefit of older people.The greatest challenge is to develop meaningful policy that can improve the lives of older people now and influence policy for successive generations of older people," she said.
Anne-Marie holds a Masters in Communication Management from UTS and is looking forward to further postgraduate study on ageing.
Danny Manich - Project Officer, Special Projects
Danny Manich joined COTA NSW in July 2010 as a Special Project Officer.
Danny has worked in senior roles in creative marketing both in Australia and overseas. Danny holds a Business Degree, Majoring in Marketing and Business Management from Charles Sturt University.
His passion for the community sector led him to complete a Community Welfare Certificate IV in 2010. Danny joins COTA NSW with a great deal of experience and enthusiasm for making a difference for older people in NSW. Danny will be working on Special Projects.
Policy Officer - Vacant - applications close 9 July 2010.
Enquiries anne-marie.elias@cotansw.com.au or 02 9286 3860
Sarah Davidson - Team Leader NSW Seniors Peer Education Centre
Sarah joined the COTA NSW in March 2010 after working with non government organisations in the community and health sectors for over twenty four years.
Sarah comes with experience and qualifications in the fields of education, assessment, management and project development. A major component of her career has been project and partner’s development within a Heath Promotional and Adult Education framework for the community and stakeholders.
Sarah has worked in a range of community sector settings including the aged, people with a disability and their Carers, long term unemployed, isolated, reagional and remore areas.
Sarah is passionate about adult education and sees this as a most effective tool to empower and increase the capacity of others to make informed choices. Sarah is committed to ensuring the Seniosrs Peer Education Program delivers quality education to seniors in NSW.
Suzanne Williams - Volunteeer Development Officer – NSW SPEC
Suzanne Williams has over 30 years experience in small business and partnership management, education, publishing and design.
Suzanne has been with COTA NSW since 2001 and has trained over 178 Peer Educators who have spoken with over 38,000 older people regarding their health and wellbeing.
Suzanne has a passion for health and peer education where she trains, mentors and supports volunteers. In 2002 she developed the Healthy Ageing Talk series for volunteers which was expanded to provide valuable information to all seniors, community and consumer organisations.
COTA NSW has recently co-joined with local and shire councils to present a range of topics that are relevant to older people throughout NSW.
In her current role as Volunteer Development Officer Suzanne is in a unique position to enable the health industry to better understand the needs of consumers as they age.
Karin Kruger - Project Assistant
Karin joined COTA NSW in May 2009, having worked for COTA Seniors Voice South Australia in 2007 as project assistant for the NSW Seniors Peer Education Centre.
Karin joins the SPEC team with wealth of experience in the non profit sector, having worked for the Home Care Service of NSW as Service Coordinator for a decade and as Centre Administrator for South East Neighbourhood Centre.
Karin works for SPEC two days per week and enjoys being part of a worthwhile programme providing support to the peer educators and SPEC team.