Our Management

Doreen Stoves
Chief Executive Officer

Commenced at Doncare: Mid-2001

Experience: Doreen worked for the Department of Human Services for 25 years before coming to Doncare; she held Management positions in several Human Services Programs including Child Protection, Accommodation and Support Services, Intellectual Disability Services, Aged Care Services, Child Care Services as well as being involved in the management of Institutions. Doreen is also a Clinical Family Therapist who works with individuals and Families; she has a particular interest in Domestic/Family Violence and is a strong advocate for quality service provision to the most vulnerable. In the time she has been at Doncare. Doreen has worked at developing strong links and partnerships with the service system in Manningham and developing programs that meet the needs of the Local Community.
 

Carmel O'Brien
Director, Clinical Services

Commenced at Doncare: 2002

Experience: Carmel is a registered psychologist, member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) & APS College of Counselling Psychologists. Carmel has worked as both a case manager and as a therapist with children, adolescents and families at risk, with individuals, couples and parents. She has a special interest in recovery from trauma and critical incident stress, and in the impact of family violence. She loves her role at Doncare, supporting clients and counsellors, and working with her team of experienced clinical supervisors.
 

Christine Ellerton
Manager, Family Services Program

Commenced at Doncare: 1997

Experience: Christine completed a Bachelor of Social Work at Melbourne University in 1986 after completing a Bachelor of Arts at Latrobe University. She has worked in a range of Community Service organisations and hospitals in diverse positions - encompassing direct service, middle & senior management, across the metropolitan suburbs of Melbourne, offering programs to vulnerable families. Over the last 4 years she has become involved in training and completed a Cert IV in Work Place Assessment and Training and has trained a number of Community Information Workers and Emergency Relief Workers over the years. Christine is also involved in emergency management. Her role at Doncare started in the Information and Emergency Relief Program which she managed for 8 years. Christine has now moved into the Family Services area which will draw upon all aspects of her previous experiences of direct service, management, training and emergency management.
 

Helen Mackenzie
Manager, Social Support Program

Commenced at Doncare: January 2010

Experience: .Helen studied and attained her degree in Human Services at Monash University and comes to Doncare with extensive experience. Helen has worked in social and welfare roles for 11 years and for the past 16 years held management positions within large Retirement Villages, thus giving her insight and understanding of retirees and senior citizens. Helen strongly believes that everyone deserves the best possible quality of life and that positive social interaction plays a large part in making this achievable.

Helen was born and brought up in Manningham and is proud to work for Doncare and give back to this community.
 

Angela O'Brien
Manager, Information & Emergency Relief  Program

Commenced at Doncare: 2005

Experience: Ange studied Arts and Health Promotion before completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability Studies) degree at Deakin University in 2001. She has 11 years experience working with people with disabilities, and 8 years in community housing services, with roles encompassing personal care, residential management, family support, IT and administration, policy and tender writing, budgeting, advice, referral, advocacy, resource management, assessment, case management, staff and volunteer training, and conflict resolution. In addition, Ange has worked as a volunteer in a childcare centre, in an adult training centre for people with acquired brain injury, in a sheltered workshop, in nursing homes, at a senior citizens centre, in a Community Book/Infoshop, as campus Women's Officer, in various women's collectives, in a homeless shelter, and in a Citizen's Advice Bureau in 2006-7 in the UK. In recent years she worked at Doncare as Housing Support Worker for youth and families in Manningham, and as a Family Mediator/Outreach worker in Knox.
 

Marilyn Steele
 Manager, Business Operations

Commenced at Doncare: June 2008

Experience: Marilyn has a wealth of business knowledge and considerable experience in the retail sector, having managed pet shops in the Manningham/Whitehorse areas for 8 years, since moving to Australia in 2000.  Prior to that Marilyn was the Registrar of Motor Vehicle Dealers for New Zealand for 18 years, where she had sole responsibility for managing a semi judicial authority.  She was also a member of a volunteer organisation who were concerned with welfare services in respect of inmates in the prison system where she had formerly been employed as a Prison Officer.  Marilyn is a Justice of the Peace of New Zealand and is also a past Director and Trustee of the Motor Trade Finances Superannuation Fund. At Doncare she manages 5 Opportunity shops - 3 in Manningham and 2 in Whitehorse and is striving to develop a broader role for Doncare as a Volunteer Resource Centre.
 

Helen Anson
Office Manager

Commenced at Doncare: March 2005

Experience: Helen holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Graduate Diploma of Business (Marketing) and a Certificate IV Workplace Assessment and Training. Helen joined Doncare in March 2005 with a background in marketing, office and database administration and IT. Helen oversees the general running of the office, manages all databases and looks after IT issues.
 

JeanetteKnight                                                                           Finance Manager

Experience: Jeanette is a CPA accountant with over 10 years post qualification experience. Prior to joining Doncare Jeanette worked predominately for corporate organisations including Mallesons Stephen Jaques, BBC Worldwide (whilst living in London) and Boral Ltd. Jeanette is new to the community services sector and whilst on a steep learning curve has been able to apply her experience from the corporate world.