A loving home for people living with mental illness

meet our team

HOME in Queanbeyan staff work to provide a safe and loving environment where residents are encouraged to live active and fulfilling lives within their community.

Staff Members

Staff from left to right - Chris Tanzey, Sue Skinner, Susan English, Anne Pratt, Lynda Carbone and Zoe Ryan.

Committee Members

People who have contributed enormously to HOME.

NICK PELLE

STEPHEN CUSACK

President

Stephen was born in Canberra, eldest son of Marie (nee Dawes) raised in Church Lane, a stone throw from HOME.

Stephen's involvement in the Cusack Family business (father John) ranged from retail, farming, funeral and property. He has served on boards, commercial and community, in a variety of roles. These include Larche Genesaret, Floorstyle, Marist College Canberra, Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

Stephen was drawn to HOME through the essential good work it undertakes, the inspiring staff involved and the wonderful community spirit found in Queanbeyan.

NICK PELLE

Committee Member

Nick has been involved in HOME in Queanbeyan and has been on the Board since its inception. He is a practicing Architect, a director of Oztal Architects and designed HOME in Queanbeyan.

Nick is a strong advocate of community organisations and has been involved in various community organisations, often at executive level.

He has been a board member of various boards including St Gregory’s Primary School Queanbeyan, ACT Block Grant Authority, (ACTBGA), The Italo-Australian Club and various community organisations dealing with issues that affect people with a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

Kylie Maxwell

Secretary

For over 30 years, Kylie has been nurturing clients, teams and businesses to success across the local real estate industry.

A successful business owner, licensed agent, trainer, mentor and property management extraordinaire, Kylie has an impeccable reputation throughout Canberra, Queanbeyan and the nation. Her wealth of knowledge and experience is an absolute asset.

Loyal, energetic and kind, Kylie's naturally generous spirit and desire to see others succeed see her thrive off sharing her proven processes, strategies and clever insights with others.

When she's not working, you'll find Kylie mixing a mean cocktail, cooking for family and friends, keeping fit, exploring the South Coast, or relaxing at home in Queanbeyan with a good coffee - because life's too short for anything less.

Fr Peter Day

Committee Member

Peter was ordained a Catholic Priest in October 2000 – previously worked as a sports journalist.

He started wrestling with the vision for HOME in 2004. It was inspired by a number of profound personal experiences in inner-city, Sydney, including living on the streets for a brief period between June 1997 and March 1998, followed by an 18 month stint in a hostel for homeless men.

Peter has had the privilege of being a live-in caretaker at HOME since we opened in July 2010.

Michael Cockayne

Committee Member

Michael is a priest in the Anglican Communion and a member of the Celebration Community.

He has ministered in Queanbeyan for 40 years and is actively involved in several housing charities and in outreach ministries to the socially deprived. He has been on the Board since its inception and he continues to work within the Anglican Church in Queanbeyan.

Glen Jarvis

Committee Member

A local advocate for people living with mental illness, having worked in the mental health sector for many years. Born in the area and loving it after some time in big city environments. Passionate about improving quality of life for the community that HOME in Queanbeyan embrace.

Elenore Karpfen

Treasurer

Elenore is a chartered accountant with over 30 years experience in IT audit and related areas. Her interest in mental health stems from family experience, and she was a supporter of HOME from the early days before joining the Board as Treasurer in 2016

Franca Jones

Committee Member

Franca was born in Queanbeyan and worked for several years with the Queanbeyan PreSchool Association

Franca owned and operated DJ HOMES with her husband David which is now proudly run by her sons.

Franca has always been involved with Community projects and was there at the beginning of “HOMES” dream.

Franca has been part of several Queanbeyan community projects as well as Board member for the Housing Industry Association.

Neil Farrell

Committee Member

Neil Farrell is a medical student at the Australian National University committed to pursuing a career in psychiatry. He currently holds positions as a mental health worker with Flourish Australia, a youth worker with Oasis Youth Services and volunteers as a crisis supporter with Lifeline. Neil has worked closely with many of the HOME residents over the last 4 years, and looks forward to meeting those residents that he has not yet met.

Diane Bray

Committee Member

Diane Bray AM, FFIA, FAICD

Diane has been a tireless contributor to the Canberra community and as a mentor for people in the charitable and not for profit sector. In her role as Public Trustee, in this role she founded GreaterGood with an aim to raise funds for community projects for the perpetual benefit of the Canberra region. Diane was a founding member and past Chair of Hands Across Canberra, the Chief Ministers Charitable Fund, and of Common Ground Canberra, she is on the boards of Community Foundations Australia, ACT Directions Health Services, Mental Health for Mob and HOME. Diane was the ACT Local Hero in 2004, for administering the Canberra Bushfire Appeal, in 2007 was recognised by the IWD for services to the ACT Community; she is a Member of the Order of Australia for her work in philanthropy in 2009. In 2011 she was listed on the Honour Roll of 100 inspiring women in the ACT, she was a finalist in 2018 Senior Australian of the Year Awards for the ACT. Diane was also awarded the honour of being Canberra’s Citizen of the Year in 2018.

Dan Mallon

Committee Member

Dan has a partner, 2 kids & 2 dogs. Loves spending time with his family and will talk about basketball for as long as someone will listen. Dan is a qualified cabinet maker who now does Kitchen, Bathroom & Laundry renovations.

Richard Bromhead

Deputy President

Richard has been a Queanbeyan person for around 40 years, he has been involved in mental health and drug and alcohol services in Canberra during that time. He is now retired and is honoured to be able to contribute to Home in Queanbeyan.

Our happy furry team members

EBONY the cat

Ollie