As a Disabled Persons and Families Organisation (DPFO), everyone at SWAN either has a disability, is a family member of a person with disability, or both. Between us we have extensive knowledge and experience about disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), mainstream and disability services available.
Our Team
Nick Avery – CEO
Nick is an autistic parent of two autistic young adults, and has been volunteering, advocating and working in the south west disability sector since 1999. Her background is in Youth Work, Community and Disability Services, and is a licenced Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer. Nick has been involved with SWAN as a volunteer since 2010, a year after the organisation was founded, and became an employee in 2014. Her knowledge of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is extensive, and she’s very experienced in providing individual and systemic advocacy. Nick also has physical disability.
Mel Jacobson – Coordinator
Mel works for SWAN one day per week, and is a Registered Psychologist for a local therapy provider in her other role. She’s a licenced Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer, and delivers the two-day workshop with Nick around the south west a few times each year. Mel does an amazing job working with Nick on grant writing, reporting, project management and is an huge support to the SWAN team. Mel has family members with psychosocial disability, and has been volunteering for SWAN since 2015, before joining the team as a staff member in 2017.
Kylie Robinson – Coordinator
Kylie has two autistic family members, and comes to SWAN from a background working in Education Support and as a Disability Support Worker, and volunteers extensively in the Busselton community. She coordinates our group programs, AutStars and YES Program, and is also in charge of our JumpStart Youth Film Project. Kylie is a fantastic mentor for youth with disability, and has been volunteering for SWAN since 2018 before joining the team as a staff member in 2020.
Ronnie Madge – Coordinator
Ronnie has two autistic family members, and has been volunteering for SWAN as a Board member (and former President) and mentor at our group programs since 2016 before joining the team as a staff member in 2022. She has a background as an Education Assistant and as a Disability Support Worker, volunteers extensively in the Busselton community, and has terrific knowledge and experience in a wide range of areas.
Tina Williams – Admin Volunteer
Tina has been volunteering for SWAN as Admin since 2013. She’s the backbone of SWAN, surrogate Mum to the whole team, and truly irreplaceable. Tina has family members with disability, and brings a lifetime of invaluable knowledge, experience and insight to SWAN and the work we do.
Jodie McGuinness – Finance and Payroll
Jodie has a physical disability, and works closely with SWAN’s Treasurer to manage our accounts, book-keeping and payroll. She has previously worked in employment services, and volunteers in other community groups. Jodie brings wonderful insight to SWAN and the work we do.
Our Board
Ant Pursell – President
Amy Munro – Vice President
Clare Gibellini – Secretary
Grant Avery – Treasurer
Luke Robinson – General Board Member
Jenny Griffyn – General Board Member
Suresh Rajan – General Board Member
Stephanie Knox – General Board Member