Our Staff
Tracey Wallace
Policy and Projects 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.
Tina Mantis
Senior Administration Officer
Phone: (08) 8373 8330
Email: tinam (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
My work is in administration and governance. I support management by assisting with monthly board reports and meetings.
I also ensure the office runs smoothly and attend to staff needs and requirements.
Working at Purple Orange allows me to meet people living with disability and understand how the work we do makes a difference in their lives.
I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my beautiful grandchildren.
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.
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.
Natalie Guthrie
Financial Accountant
Phone: 8373 8803
Email: natalieg (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I work in the finance team where most of my time is spent preparing financial reports for management to help make decisions that impact the community we live in. I am also kept busy spending time with my young family. There are lots of weekend sport commitments, family walks with our dog, visits to the beach and also helping out on our family’s sheep and cattle farm.
Mikaila Crotty
Policy and Project 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.
Margie Charlesworth
Email: margiec (at) purpleorange (dot) org (dot) au
I work on a contract basis. Currently I am a co-organizer of the Our Lives, Our Say event to be held at the end of this year. 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.
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.
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
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.
Katie Bonner
Administration & Grants Officer
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.