Board of Management

Chairperson: Fiona Payne

On the home front, I'm a proud parent to our two beautiful children Samuel (7) and Meg (4). I consider this to be the most important role in my life, although at times I wonder how I'll survive. I enjoy yoga, reading, gardening and holidays with my family and friends.

On the work front, I enjoyed many years working with children with disabilities and their families in my various roles as a physiotherapist and a health/disability services manager. While my children have been small I have been working on a casual basis at PMH developing community based supports for children on ventilators.

I became involved in Kalparrin about four years ago and quickly developed an appreciation for the great way the organisation brings people together to learn from and support each other. I feel really strongly that more parents should be able to benefit from what Kalparrin has to offer and I look forward to working as part of the team that helps to make this a reality.

Vice Chairperson: Leanne Bridges

I am the very proud parent of two gorgeous children Hunter (11) and Ella (8). Ella has an intellectual disability and is the reason I became involved with Kalparrin four years ago.

I have 27 years experience as a secretary in various roles and currently work at PMH as a secretary in Paediatric Nursing Education. Whilst working here I have been asked on several occasions to give a talk to post graduate and graduate nursing students about my journey as a parent of a child with special needs. In my talk I tell these students that something I have learned along the way is that I cannot change Ella into a ‘regular' kid, she is what she is, but I continue to work hard towards ensuring her future is the best it can be. The support and sheer joy I have received from other parents, and in particular the children I have met, has also made me realise that I may as well go along for the ride, and oh what a ride!

Treasurer: Tim Joyce

Committee Member: Jenny Bourke

Jenny completed her Masters of Public Health in 2002 and since then has worked in the area of intellectual disability studies at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. She is Manager of the IDEA (Intellectual Disability Exploring Answers) Database, which is held at the Institute. Jenny is involved in a number of studies at the Institute including an investigation into trends in autism in WA, the Down Syndrome Needs, Opinions, Wishes study and mortality associated with birth defects by race and location. She has presented at a number of national and international conferences on topics related to the epidemiology of intellectual disability.

Committee Member: Susan Cordell

I graduated from the University of Western Australia in Social Work in 1975. I worked in the UK for 2 years following graduation before returning to Perth and working at Royal Perth Hospital from 1978-1980. Between 1981 and 1986 I worked for the Department of Child Protection and also King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH). After a break to get married, have my two daughters, and a spell in Geraldton, I returned to work at KEMH and then Princess Margaret Hospital where I have worked since 2000 in most areas of the hospital. For the past 5 years I have worked in the Developmental and Rehabilitation area including the Early Intervention and Acquired Brain Injury Teams.

Committee Member: Beverley Gay

I grew up in country NSW, doing correspondence school until the age of 10 and then finishing school in Sydney. I trained as a physiotherapist in Sydney and have worked there as well as Canberra, country NSW and overseas. Princess Margaret Hospital has been my main place of work in WA but I have also worked at Midland and Joondalup Child Development Centres, the Association for the Blind and in private practice. After taking the plunge to ‘be my own boss' in 2007, I now work as a private paediatric physiotherapist.

I am married with two adult boys, one adopted, one un-adopted. I love gardening, walking, running and travel. My mission is to help families to stay healthy in mind, body and spirit. My goals are to walk in Nepal, visit Africa and to live healthily until I am 100 years old.

Committee Member: Shaun Murphy

Shaun Murphy is one half of a partnership that has 3 fantastic children, all of whom have special needs. With the loving support of my wife Dianne, I am able to be a Carer and stay at home Dad. Supporting our children on a daily basis is my main role.  In the past I’ve been employed in several different jobs working in many countries gaining life skills and understanding of other people and cultures.  I enjoyed my role on the Positive Behaviour Management Team with DSC as one of the Parent Representatives, currently I’m a member of the Angling and Sports Committee of the Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club as Fishing is one of my favourite time out, pastimes.  With my wife’s help I have organized a few weekends away and several nightly events for a male Carers group that was started to support Dads and male carers to enable those in a caring role to support each other without judgment. The group is still going and has expanded and is now being facilitated by DSC. Hopefully it will grow and become part of the community development role with DSC.  Other pastimes I enjoy are cooking, travel, music, poetry, movies, most team sports (AFL, Cricket, Football, Union & League)

I can be dogmatic and very practical with a great sense of humour and level headedness. A great thinker is a comment I would like to be known for and a strong advocate for my children and people with a disability. 

Committee Member: Patrick Horneman

I have enjoyed an eclectic career.  On leaving school I spent 3 years in a monastery studying Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, Theology and Ancient Scripture. While there I was a member of the local Bush Fire Brigade and fought many a raging fire in the Blue Mountains region of NSW.  I then completed my nursing studies at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney. Concurrently I completed my training with University of NSW Regiment as an officer in the Australian Army Reserve. Service as a volunteer youth worker in the seaside suburb of Manly followed.  With marriage and family responsibilities I then moved into Financial Planning for a number of decades, eventually working for NAB Financial Planning as a Practice Development Manager. I have since moved back into an advisory role dividing my time between Media Super an Industry Super Fund and Blue Zoo, a corporate advice firm and am based here in Perth.  I am also a member of the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) Professional Advisory board, and sit on the Committee of Management for the Catholic Record, am a Mentor for UWA graduate students and members of AIM.  

I am married to a wonderful woman, Patricia and have 4 children Josh, Ruth, David and Grace

Committee Member: Amanda Reed

I was born in Perth, growing up in rural Swan Valley.  I have been fortunate enough to have travelled extensively overseas, but Perth will always be home.  I hold several qualifications in Community Services and have worked primarily in the children's services sector for 22 years.  For the past 8 years I have worked at SMYL Community Services as a Lecturer, and am priviledged to work with a like monded and generous CEO Sam, that also shares my values of social justice and equity, and family first.

My association with Kalparrin began in 2006 when I learnt that my newborn son, Taj was born with Heart and Lung disease, plus multiple disabilities.  I draw my inspiration from him and my priority is to enrich and create opportunities for him during his life.  I am also blessed to have a beautiful circle of friends that I cherish.  My interests are in sustainability, aquaculture, travel, photography, advocacy and community participation. Being selected to sit on the Board of Kalparrin is a priviledge, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge and skills to help other Kalparrin families. 

Committee Member: Sarah Flanagan

I am a Perth girl - I was born and raised here and now have the pleasure of raising my own two children in this beautiful city.  In 1994 I graduated from Curtin University a a Dietitian and started my first job in Kalgoorlie where I soon met my husband, David.  Together we have travelled the world and I have worked as a Dietitian in London, The Channel Islands, West Africa and of course her in WA.

After returning from overseas in 1999, I worked at Hollywood Private Hospital for a year and then spent just over 2 years working for the National Heart Foundation of Australia, and was a board member of Nutrition Australia (WA division).  It was during this time that I gained an appreciation of the trials and tribulations of working for a charity.

Since having my own children I have worked in a Private Practice setting, as part of a multi-disciplinary team approach to weight loss surgery.  I also supervise final year Dietitics students as they complete their hospital internships.  My work is very part time now, allowing me the privilege of spending more time with my beautiful children and husband, as well as to become involved with charities such as Kalparrin.

Our Patron

Kalparrin's Patron is Professor Fiona Stanley, founding Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, and Australian of the Year for 2003. Professor Stanley officially opened the Kalparrin Centre on 29th March, 1993.

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