Our Staff
Alison Vivian
Project Officer
Phone: (08) 8373 8327
Email: alisonv (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
My work at JFA Purple Orange involves supporting Our Voice SA group to become stronger and to run self-advocacy workshops for people living with an intellectual disability in South Australian country regions.
I love being able to work alongside people to live their best life, being part of the Purple Orange team means I can help people understand their rights and give them the confidence to speak up and have a say about what happens in their lives.
When not working I enjoy crocheting, going to country music events and camping with my husband and two boys.
Angus Fowler
Executive Officer – Youth
Phone: (08) 8373 8311
Email: angusf (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I work with Julia Farr Youth, a committed group of young people living with disability, working with and advocating for young people living with disability in South Australia. I assist with the running of our youth Peer Support Network.
I’m passionate about working with young people. They are often overlooked when really they have so much knowledge through lived experience that can shape the community and support others to live a full life.
I’m a sports and music nut who loves the outdoors. You’ll find me at the cricket, footy or at a live gig.
April Dwyer
Digital Storyteller and Connector
Phone: (08) 8373 8335
Email: aprild (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I look after Purple Orange’s communications and social media. I enjoy sharing the personal stories of people in our community and letting everyone know about the awesome work Purple Orange is doing. I love my job because I get to amplify the voices of people living with disability and foster an online community where people can access information and make connections with their peers. When I’m not at work, I am exploring my new home city of Adelaide or hanging out at home with my partner and our cat, Benji.
Carey Scheer
Media Production and Connection Leader
Phone: (08) 8373 8332
Email: careys (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I help JFA Purple Orange tell stories that get to the core of what they do and why they do it. My favourite projects to work on are the ones that give voice to the people JFA Purple Orange exists for. It's an honour to listen to each and every person's story I have the privilege to share.
When I'm not behind a camera or in the editing suite, you may find me climbing a giant rock somewhere.
Christine Farina
Finance Officer
Phone: (08) 8373 8308
Email: christinef (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I work in the finance team and look after the day to day financial demands of the organisation. I have been lucky enough to work here for nearly ten years and have loved the ever changing environment and the progressive nature of Purple Orange.
When I’m not at work I’m kept busy by my gorgeous family, shopping and dreaming about travelling to new and exciting destinations.
David Elston
Policy & Research Leader
Phone: (08) 8373 8317
Email: davide (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I seek to understand the views and experiences of people living with disability and use what I learn to make policies better. I have a particular focus on making communities more accessible and on analysing the NDIS market and costs. I enjoy discovering insights and developing solutions that can make a real difference to people. When I’m not in the office, you’ll find me on my bike in the Adelaide Hills burning calories or with my church community putting the calories back on.
Geoff Barber
Chief Operating Officer
Phone: (08) 8373 8333
Email: geoffb (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I help Purple Orange implement its passion to make a difference in our community. I believe that good strategy and social policy is at its most vulnerable during implementation and as a community we have a responsibility to debate, guide and nurture reform. When I’m not trying to make a difference, I’m riding on a sunny back road or nailing pieces of wood.
Jackie Hayes
Team Leader, Policy and Projects
Phone: (08) 8373 8331
Email: jackieh (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I lead Purple Orange’s action research projects where our team looks at the way things are done or the way people think about issues and, together with those impacted, see if we can come up with a different or better way. We work on projects that aim to ensure people living with disability are the authors of their own lives. Connection with community and our peers is very important and so is choice and control. I love to travel and recently fulfilled my dream to walk the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea.
Karen Rogers
Project Leader Our Voice SA
Phone: (08) 8373 8327
Email: karenr (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
My work at JFA Purple Orange is supporting the Our Voice SA Group. This group of people are committed to ensuring that South Australians who live with intellectual disability have the skills to stand up for themselves and have the knowledge and understanding to have a real and meaningful say in what happens in their lives. This is called Self-Advocacy. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my 4 adult children (oh and my husband) and I enjoy walking and swimming. My goal in life is “to make a difference”.
Katie Bonner
Grants Officer & Executive Assistant
Phone: (08) 8373 8301
Email: katieb (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I administer our grants program and offer logistical support to various projects we run, as well as provide administrative support to the office.
It is really touching to know that I play a small part in making a difference to our grant recipients lives and that makes my job very fulfilling.
In my spare time I love taking photos, skyping my family back home and hanging out with my husband and our cats Reggie and Jasper.
Kathryn Mills
Project Officer
Phone: (08) 8373 8311
Email: kathrynm (at) purpleorange (dot) au
I support projects that aim to build confidence and capacity for people who live with disability. My favourite projects to work on are those that allow people living with disability to have a voice in their communities. I’m passionate about the work I do because I believe the sharing of knowledge through lived experience is a powerful influence on change. In my spare time, I love venturing out to parks and beaches to spot dogs.
Letitia Rose
Youth Leadership Coordinator
Phone: (08) 8373 8325
Email: letitiar (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I have the privilege of working alongside young people in our leadership and peer initiatives/events. I find joy in providing a positive, supportive presence to young people as they learn, grow and build happy and meaningful lives. I believe we need to listen to young people and provide them opportunities to shape our communities. My job is to ensure JFA Purple Orange stays connected to young people and continues to support the emergence of young leaders creating the conditions for social change.
Outside of work, you will find me practicing yoga or volunteering with kids
Linda Carapiett
Financial Controller
Phone: (08) 8373 8329
Email: lindac (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I lead the financial and administration areas of the organisation. Our team provides information to key stakeholders on financial and admin matters.
I enjoy working alongside talented staff to produce accurate information to help in the decision making of the organisation. I enjoy the progressive nature of the organisation and the diversity of work we are involved in, as no two days are the same.
When I am not at work, I enjoy cooking and baking with my family, catching up with friends and swimming.
Margie Charlesworth
Email: margiec (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I work on a contract basis. Working independently gives me the opportunity to take on roles that I feel passionate about. Among my greatest values and passions are that we all receive adequate and equal education, and that everyone has the ability to communicate. I am a passionate advocate for women with disabilites. When I’m not working, I can be found keeping up four life sustaining activities. Enjoying a good red with friends, spending time fellowshipping with my large church family, exercising deep under water, and pandering to my two purr children.
Mikaila Crotty
Policy and Research Leader
Phone: (08) 8373 8313
Email: mikailac (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
A big part of my work at Purple Orange is thinking about the issues and challenges for people who live with mental health conditions. I love this work because I adore studying people and trying to better understand human behaviour. Working at Purple Orange means I see the extraordinary lives that people living with disability can create and I’m constantly reminded of what is possible when people connect with each other.
In my spare time I love designing and making necklaces by hand.
Tracey Wallace
Policy and Research Leader
Phone: (08) 8373 8326
Email: traceyw (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I work with talented and passionate people to try to influence policies to improve the life chances of people living with disability. My particular focus is to influence policies that support people living with disability to gain employment and also looking at ways to improve how the NDIS works together with other mainstream services to provide the best outcomes for people living with disability.
When I’m not at work, you will find me hanging out with my three young boys and squeezing in a run, game of netball or Pilates class.
Rebecca Dowd
Policy and Research Leader
Phone: (08) 8373 8312
Email: rebeccad (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
Social justice is what drives me. I believe that together, we can achieve a world in which all people have the opportunity to live a positive life and fulfil their goals. My research and policy role at Purple Orange centres on community membership: what this means for people living with disability and how it can best be realised. I bring a human rights perspective to my work. Outside of the office, I love learning about the world through language, reading, teaching English to people who are new to Australia and, of course, travel.
Robbi Williams
Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (08) 8373 8333
Email: robbiw (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I lead the organisation’s work and I try to make sure each of our talented staff has what they need to make the biggest impact. I believe that life is too short to not have an opinion, and that an opinion needs to be well-informed and values-driven. I am also moved by the power of community, and how neighbourliness can create genuine belonging. In my personal life I see this every Saturday morning as the Event Director at my local parkrun.