Your Team
Executive Officer (PMC)
Kate Madden
Appointed February 2020
Executive Officer
Kate brings a wealth of experience to Hampton Park Community House, having more than 20 years of Community Development and leadership experience before taking on the role of Hampton Park Community House Manager in January 2020 and currently as Executive Officer for Hampton Park Care Group Inc.
Her achievements in community leadership are extensive, having previously been Executive Officer for Diamond Valley Learning Centre as well as Community Manager for Laurimar (in the City of Whittlesea) and Community Development Coordinator for Parkinson’s Victoria.
Kate has earned a Bachelor of Arts -Psychology (University of Port Elizabeth), Diploma of Management (RMIT), Advanced Diploma of Community Management (PRACE), Cert IV in Training and Assessment (TAE 16) Eltham Learning Centre and is Graduate of the Centre for Courage and Renewal Facilitation Program. A life-long learner, Kate is presently completing a Bachelor of Education at Swinburne University.
Kate was a Board Director for the Dear Dyslexic Foundation for three years. She is a current member of the Institute of Community Directors, IAP2 (International association for Public Participation) and ANZACATA peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region.
Contractors
Finance Officer -Asad Abassi
Principal of Cloudxaccounting, Asad has more than fifteen years of extensive work experience in accounting, finance, administration and compliance-related roles in Retail, Education, Banking, Financial, Medical and Manufacturing industries, accumulating strong knowledge in accounting and finance procedures. Having worked in professional services firms and NFP organisations in Australia and abroad, Asad has developed strong networks and expertise in navigating complex NFP regulations and risk including internal auditing and compliance experience. Asad has extensive up-to-date knowledge of Accounting Standards (IFRS/FRC/AASB/AUASB), sound knowledge of the Australian taxation system (BAS, CGT, GST, PAYG, FBT, etc.), Dashboard Reporting and Analytics. (Power BI). He has practical experience of filing APRA, ATO and ASIC returns, preparing financial reports, including budgeting, forecasting & variance analysis, financial reporting & data analysis and balance sheet reconciliations, office Support & staff management, budget control & administration and process improvement.
AIS expertise and controls.
Asad has a passion for supporting community organisations and through his work with the Executive team, he aims to raise awareness of our Sector in the broader community and be an advocate for increased funding for community services and research.
Marketing and Communications Officer - Sue Schreiber
Sue is your Marketing and Communication contact person who will handle all your Social Media and Website enquiries. She has a long history in design and a Cert IV in Graphic Design and has completed several courses with RMIT in Social Media Marketing. She brings a wide range of skills, bridging our gap in the digital world.
Information Technology Support - Razornet
Razornet is a two-person team; Fraser Lorimer and Ron Thomas. Both have been involved in the IT industry for over 20 years and are Microsoft Certified Professionals.
They have the experience, knowledge and ability to innovate, so that we can achieve the IT networking needs that we have. They are able to bring together the different aspects of IT into one all-encompassing, sustainable solution.
Children's Services
Staff
Director - Kate Madden
Children's Services Assistant Director/Manager - Athira Arun
Assistant Director & ECT Children's Services - Athira Arun
Athira been in early childhood education for many years, wearing different hats in this field; nevertheless, she states that she has always embraced connecting with my inner child! She is deeply passionate about creating an engaging and nurturing environment where your child can thrive. Athira believes in fostering not just academic growth but also the development of essential life skills and a lifelong love for learning.
Early Childhood Teacher and Educational Leader - Teagan Grigor
Teagan has worked professionally in the early childhood sector for nearly eight years.
A new Mum herself, Teagan married in 2022 and had a beautiful little boy who is her absolute world.
She says her family has made her the person she is today but, most of all, it has impacted the way she looks at things in everyday life, waking up with a smile on her face.
In her younger days, Teagan had no idea what she wanted to do or be. One day in 2009, she looked after her younger cousins, turned to her parents and said, “I know what I want to do, I want to work with children”.
She soon completed a Certificate III, Diploma and Bachelor of Education. She has since worked as a Baby and Toddler Room Assistant, before moving to pre-kinder (3-year-old Kinder) Teacher, then to a role as a 4-year-old Kinder Teacher.
Teagan believes that all children are different and have their own unique way to explore their world and grow and develop in their own time. As educators, she says ‘we are there to guide them through their own unique journey. I am responsible for providing meaningful, play-based experiences that are individualised, that reflect in our program and through children’s learning and development, observations and summative assessments.’
The children in her care drive her to be the best Early Childhood Teacher she can be. When she sees a child reach a milestone, or goal or are proud of something they have achieved, she develops more confidence herself in providing the children the best learning environment they deserve.
Her belief is that the space around them should enhance the children’s interests in all development areas, achieved most successfully through play stations and play spaces that can be visited, explored, and revisited again and again, and takes into consideration the social skills, communication skills, physical abilities or challenges, and learning styles of the children within the room.
As an Early childhood teacher, Teagan strives to be enthusiastic, patient and caring. She always follows policies, procedures and regulations and if she is ever unsure, will seek out advice and improve her knowledge.
Teagan is focused on creating a loving, caring, safe and welcoming environment that allows families, educators and children to find a sense of belonging, warmth, and confidence within themselves throughout the environment each and every day.
Community Services
Community Development Coordinator - Zorah Hasib
Zohra migrated to Australia over 30 years ago, and completed her VCE, Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma in Community Services Management in Australia. Recently having completed the ACFE Adult Literacy and Numeracy Program, she is a welcome addition to the Hampton Park Care Group Inc. Adult Community Education team. She is fluent in Dari, Urdu, Hindi, Pashto, Hazaragi. Zohra has over 15 years of customer service and leadership roles experience and is always determined to help everyone in any way she can. Besides work, she is a mother of 4 kids, loves both roles, and understands how important work-life balance is.
Always full of energy and happy to help others!
Family Services
Lorna Berry - Integrated Family Services Program Coordinator
Lorna immigrated to Australia as an 11 year old from New Zealand with Scottish Parents who intended to return to Scotland the next year. On leaving school Lorna did a cooking apprenticeship and qualified as a chef on completion, Lorna took on a role some years later as chef in a child care service where she changed careers.
Lorna has a diploma of children’s services and extensive experience as a youth and disability support worker.In addition, she has 2 daughters and a step son ages 25,17 and 9 as well as Cyndi and Prince the poodles.
Lorna has 15 years plus in customer service and leadership roles. She is also a volunteer for Guides Victoria and Centre for Research Excellence, women’s reproductive health. https://whirlcre.edu.au/ as consumer advocate for women with Ploy Cystic Ovarian Syndrome.