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!

Secretary: Kate Hawes

I am Mum to Vanessa (22),a hugely intelligent art student extraordinaire with high functioning autism; Callum (19), also enormously bright, second year teaching student and ballroom dancer with a killer smile; and last, but not least, Alex, my autistic superstar, a cheerful, optimistic, social young man who is going to wow the world.

My connection to Kalparrin is as old as Alex when (breast fed) he accompanied me to early mothers' weekends. The camps fuelled my passion for Kalparrin - the networking, shared joys and sorrows, our individual and collective journeys. Kalparrin provided me with knowledge, support and unquestioning acceptance. As a board member, I have a chance to grow with the organisation, its staff and members.

Treasurer: Graeme Eaves

Graeme was born in Perth and is married with three children and two young grand-daughters. Graeme worked with State Government Health for five years and then moved on to pursue a career in private industry. He joined the Arnotts group of companies to hold the position of State Manager for Arnott's Biscuits.

Graeme has completed a Diploma in Public Administration and has an arts degree. He sits on a number of government and industry committees and has been actively involved in fundraising activities.

Graeme was invited to sit on the Kalparrin Board of Management. He believes it gives him the opportunity to give back to the community and put those skills that he has gained over the years in the corporate sector to a valued use.

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: Marianne Jablon

I first learned about Kalparrin from another mother at a workshop I attended, and from the warm greeting I got when I walked in the door, to the information and camaraderie I felt at my first camp, I have felt passionate about Kalparrin's vision of families sharing information and supporting each other. I have two daughters, one of whom has an intellectual disability, and I've been a Kalparrin member since 2003 and a Board Member since 2008. My professional background is in publishing, though currently I am mostly a stay-at-home parent who does some freelance work. On a personal note, I enjoy hanging out with my husband Jonathan and our beautiful girls Jessica (9) and Sophie (7), I love to read, I have an eclectic collection of dolls and action figures and I play trumpet with the W.A. Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

Committee Member: Stephen Connell

Stephen Connell is the proud father of 4 boys, one of whom has LEOPARD syndrome and has battled heart, skin, hearing and learning difficulties for over 14 years. His son has recently finished year 12 and now works full time which is a major success for this determined young man. Stephen enjoys being a father, husband and working within his local community as an active member of the Armadale, Roleystone and Kelmscott (ARK's) Rugby club. He still enjoys pulling on the boots and playing in the golden oldies tournaments and continues to coach and support the club as a sponsor.

On a professional note, Stephen has previously been involved in the security industry, as General Manager for Chubb Security, and over the last 3 years has been the Business Manager for McDowall Affleck, a consulting engineering company based in Midland. He has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and became a member of the Kalparrin Board of Management at the October 2009 meeting. He previously chaired the Willetton Basketball Association for 2 years and was a director for the State Representative Basketball Committee.

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.

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.