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Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland Ltd
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  • staff
  1. About us
  2. Our team
  3. Staff

Our Staff

Our team members support the vital work we undertake within our communities.

Our Business Division supports staff working in retail, warehousing and recycling (Containers for Change). With 15 retail stores across our region and two Containers for Change Depots (in Toowoomba and Dalby), the Business Division provides employment, volunteering and training opportunities, as well as contributing essential income to support our community work. 

Our Corporate Services teams, including reception and administration, finance, workplace health and safety, human resources and information technology, provide organisational support essential to the provision of excellent service. 

Our Human Services Division includes social workers, psychologists, case managers, financial counsellors and provide a range of services and supports to individuals and families across the Darling Downs and South West Queensland. 

     

Our Executive Management Team

Rachelle Patterson

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

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Rachelle is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) responsible for the organisation’s strategic leadership, vision and effective operation.

Rachelle has been working for Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland since 2017 and prior to her appointment as CEO was the Chief Operating Officer of Human & Community Services.  Rachelle has extensive experience working in the NGO and Government sectors including areas of domestic violence, mental health, out-of-home care, suicide prevention, homelessness, youth, Indigenous affairs, research, policing and criminology. Rachelle has held several executive and leadership roles across a number of locations in Australia including remote communities, regional and inner-city locations.  Rachelle has also held Board Director Roles with the Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) and the Kimberley Community Legal Service (KCLS).

Rachelle is strongly committed to leading staff working with people and supporting staff to engage and empower individuals to build resilient communities.  She believes that this can only be achieved if staff individually live and work in accordance with our values, thereby leading by example.



Published: 13th January, 2020

Updated: 4th August, 2023

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John Pearson

COO - Corporate and Human Resources

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John is the Chief Operating Officer Corporate and Human Resources and oversees the Human Resources, Workplace Health and Safety, Quality Management and Corporate Support activities.

John has had extensive experience at the Executive Director level in the Private, Public and Tertiary Education sectors.  He has led the full range of human resource management activities with a particular focus on workforce planning, employee relations, change management, strategic advice and solutions, process improvement, quality assurance, compliance and risk management, and workplace health and safety.

John is a strong advocate for creating a great workplace culture where all employees feel supported and valued with an opportunity to grow professionally and personally.

Published: 6th May, 2021

Updated: 18th May, 2021

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Robin Waldie

PA to CEO

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Robin joined Lifeline in 2014.  The Executive Support Officer role sees Robin supporting the CEO and EMT as well as the Board of Directors and supervising the Administration team.

During her career, Robin has lived and worked both in Australia and overseas and has 40 years of experience in professional admin roles in the corporate and community sector. 

With a wide variety of experience including roles in Marketing, IT, Corporate Quality, Project Management and Recruitment, Robin brings this knowledge and understanding to her position at Lifeline. 

Communicating and interacting with people is what Robin enjoys most about her role and she loves having the opportunity to do this as a Community Recovery Worker and Accidental Counsellor trainer for Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Qld Ltd.

Published: 17th July, 2022

Updated: 17th July, 2023

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Bridget Wray

Chief Operating Officer Finance and Operations

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Bridget is the Chief Operating Officer Finance and Operations.  As well as being responsible for the finances of the organisation, Bridget also oversees the Business Division, including Retail and the ICT function.

Bridget joined Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland in November 2022. She has qualifications in Accounting and Psychology and is excited to have a role in an organisation that delivers mental health programs and community support to the rural and remote communities of the Darling Downs and South West Qld.   Bridget has extensive experience working and living in diverse multi-cultural communities in Africa, India, Timor-Leste and Australia. She is passionate about finding solutions to the challenges of financial sustainability in the NGO sector to help ensure ongoing quality service delivery to the communities they service. Her previous experience ranges from volunteering at a mental health NGO in India to being a Director at a Big Four accounting firm working on complex international projects.

Bridget loves working with others to find practical and innovative solutions to issues, and therefore contributing to building stronger individuals, teams, organisations and communities, enabling them to thrive.

Published: 1st July, 2023

Updated: 17th July, 2023

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33 Russell Street
Toowoomba
QLD 4350

Tel: 1300 991 443
Fax: 07 4699 1610

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Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Qld Ltd ABN 97075403959