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 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.

Catherine Elton

Secretary

Catherine has a background working as a Social Worker in aged care.

She has also worked in the role of counsellor and support worker for carers of people who are frail aged, people with a mental illness, and people with a disability or chronic illness.

In addition, Catherine has worked as Parish Secretary in two busy church parishes in Nowra and Queanbeyan.

Catherine is currently retired and is a committee member of two community organisations.

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.

Sheridan Keller

Our happy furry team members

EBONY the cat

Ollie