MISSION AND HISTORY
Liberty Disability Services was founded in 2018 and is a collaboration between Directors Elle, Kathie and Amanda.
Having worked in the community and disability sector for some time, Elle was passionate about working with at-risk youth and taking on the complex cases that were often overlooked. Acknowledging that there was a lack of provider support for this it was the drive for change that saw Elle bring Liberty Youth Services to life.
It was at the same time Kathie and Amanda were recognising gaps in service delivery and it was through their passion to provide quality support that P.O.P Disability was developed.
The stars aligned and through a mutual desire to provide a professional inclusive service for a sector we are so passionate about, the collaboration between Liberty Youth Services and P.O.P Disability was born, giving you what we are known as today; Liberty Disability Services.
OUR COMMITMENT
We celebrated NAIDOC Week 2023 with an array of activities, including a morning tea event. Here, we voiced a promise to First Nations people that we wouldn’t stand in solidarity for just ONE week a year.. but do our best to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples every single day… and in particular, our First Nations people with a disability.
We know the importance of accountability and action, so we have formally produced and signed a written commitment that states WHAT we are doing to support and HOW we are going to achieve this.
Liberty Disability Services recognizes that we live, love, laugh and breath on Aboriginal land and water. We acknowledge our First Nations people; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first people and owners of the land and seas of Australia.
We make our commitment to the spirit and beauty of our First Nations Elders, past, present and emerging, including our First Nations peoples with a disability. We commit to deliver our services with respect, consideration and to always have First Nations Peoples at the forefront of our decisions and actions.
We will listen and learn from Elders, we will involve First Nations voices, ideas and knowledge in our decision making, we will know and feel the land we walk and wheel on, and we will embrace and respect the sea we swim.
Always was, always will be.
To view our full commitment click on the button below.
OUR TEAM
Meet the Liberty Disability Services team. Each of these passionate and enthusiastic individuals are dedicated to supporting our participants and their families.
Directors
Amanda Glasson
About Amanda
Amanda's pronouns are she/her/hers and is both Tongan and Australian. Her wife Jessie and 3 children create a hectic but fun and loving family home. Amanda is passionate about making sure people are represented equally in all aspects of life. E.g. are their books and songs in the kinder or school with same sex parents, kids with disability and aboriginal people? You'll find Amanda at every party, if not dancing, she'll be hopping between all groups saying hello! She loves to create 3D cakes, going all out on decorations at Christmas time and most of all being with her very large family! Amanda is a member of the Geelong Council LGBTQIASB+ Advisory Committee and has recently completed the Victorian Govermnets LGBTQIASB+ Leadership program.
Amanda brings an energy to Liberty Disability Services like no other. After years of extensive experience in Disability, employment, welfare and training she is passionate for change and driven by empowering people to have the opportunity to reach their goals. Amandas drivers are for Equality, Inclusivity and Diversity, she jumps at every opportunity to stand for human rights and has a particular interest in Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander rights.
In addition to her role as Director, Amanda leads Liberty’s PRIDE team who are currently undertaking the process of Rainbow Ready road map certification, plans for the MIDSUMMA parade 2025 and ensuring an all inclusive, safe space for Liberty team members and participants.
Kathie Denno
About Kathie
Kathie has three grown children, 2 boys and 1 girl and the lights of her life are her two grandbabies - Sydney and Winter. Kathie values family more than anything in the world and loves fun and happy family celebrations. Family is everything in Kathie's world. Kathie believes that participants are at the centre of every decision and direction the company makes. Choice, Control and Empowerment are not just words - they are the very essence of her belief system. Kathie loves the journey she is on with Elle and Amanda and couldn't think of better women to spread the disability word with. Kathie's pronouns are she/her/hers.
Kathie brings to Liberty Disability Services 20 years of experience in the sector, she has a passion for providing quality and transparent care. As someone who has lived experience , Kathie brings a wealth of knowledge to the Liberty team and has been working within the NDIS framework since 2015 (pilot).
Kathie’s primary focus is to ensure PWD voices are the first heard in any conversation around the support they receive and how they are delivered. Kathie’s current focus is to ensure people with a disability have access to cost effective and efficient services which meet there requirements.
Elle Cooper
About Elle
In her spare time Elle runs a working sheep farm and is passionate about all things Agriculture! Having a keen interest in Mental Health and the effects on rural/remote communities, in her spare time Elle likes to participate in raising awareness and engaging those communities to provide support where possible. Elle, has a herd of beloved horses who are all unique and individual in their own way - they provide a source of endless entertainment but most importantly the bring pure joy to Elle and anyone who visits! Not far from Elle's side are her treasured doggos, Moosey and Lulu who love pats, walks and smackos!
Elle brings over 15 years experience working within the communications, policy and advocacy space in a diverse range of areas including the Disability sector having worked in Canberra at Parliament House influencing policy at a national level. Passionate about community engagement and creating change, Elle is driven by achieving positive outcomes for participants and their families whilst advocating for their individual rights to have choice and control over their lives. Elle brings diverse experience to the Liberty team and is passionate to make a difference.
In her role of Director, Elle will be focusing on ensuring Liberty Disability Services provides quality and reliable support to our participants. Within this role Elle will also focus on ensuring to educate and empower our workforce to continue providing excellent support to members of our community and give them opportunities to grow their careers in the sector. Elle also holds responsibility for Liberty Disability Services marketing and communications, which is an area she is looking forward to growing!
Managers
Wendy James
General Manager
Wendy has a deep passion for supporting people with disabilities to best utilise their NDIS funding to support their daily life with positive impact. Wendy has worked within education settings supporting children with Autism. Wendy's role as General Manager provides support to our wonderful & dedicated teams of Support Coordinators and to ensure our participants receive the best delivery of support from our Support Coordinators. As General Manager Wendy also enjoys networking with all providers in the disability sector to build meaningful relationships with providers whose values reflect Liberty Disability Services of People, Options, Power.
Wendy loves to sing and dance to all her favourite songs with family and friends, caravaning road trips with her family and lots of couch cuddling with her snoring chocolate Labrador Ruby.
Wendy loves to sing and dance to all her favourite songs with family and friends, caravaning road trips with her family and lots of couch cuddling with her snoring chocolate Labrador Ruby.
Michelle Ball
Chief Financial Officer
Michelle Ball - the Chief Financial Officer of Liberty Disability Services since July 2021. I am a qualified FCPA with Financial, Strategic Business Planning, Resource Management, Project Management, HR, Risk and Compliance Management and Stakeholder Engagement experience and have worked in industries spanning Investment, Agriculture, Wholesale, Manufacturing, Education, Housing and now Disability Services – I love to learn.
I most enjoy a good catch up with friends, a laugh and have an interest in positive psychology. I like movies, walking, gardening, shopping and socialising. My favourite time of year is Easter – the weather is great and I love chocolate!
Leaders
Tina Rakovic
Psychology Senior Practitioner
About Tina
Tina is the Senior Practitioner for Psychology and has been with Liberty since March 2022. She is registered as a General Psychologist with experience working in the community mental health sector over the past 10 years. Tina has experience in working with clients across the lifespan in a variety of contexts.
Tina leads a team of dedicated and passionate therapists who take pride in their work and the ability to help clients from all walks of life achieve their goals.
In her free time, Tina enjoys anything related to music, dancing and having a good time. Some of her favourite hobbies are Zumba, salsa dancing and karaoke.
Tina leads a team of dedicated and passionate therapists who take pride in their work and the ability to help clients from all walks of life achieve their goals.
In her free time, Tina enjoys anything related to music, dancing and having a good time. Some of her favourite hobbies are Zumba, salsa dancing and karaoke.
Jo Arthey
Community Mentor Team Leader
About Jo
Whilst I have only been at Liberty for a couple of years, I have over 20yrs experience working in Community Services.
I am passionate about helping people to achieve their goals, connect with their communities and to live their best lives. I am a proud member of the Liberty Pride, Social and WHS groups, I enjoy getting to know Liberty participants and my work colleagues at the many activity days and functions Liberty is involved in.
When I'm not working I love to hang out with family, friends and my dogs. I enjoy walking, listening to music (especially the 80s), being active, dancing, being creative and I love lollies.
When I'm not working I love to hang out with family, friends and my dogs. I enjoy walking, listening to music (especially the 80s), being active, dancing, being creative and I love lollies.
Elisha Morrow
Support Coordination Program Leader
About Elisha
Elisha is the Support Coordination Program Leader. She moved into the disability sector over 6 years ago after studying Psychology. She found her passion in this field after working at a disability summer camp in America. She has in depth hands-on experience with all types of disabilities. She loves to be able to support people to achieve the goals they have and experience life to the fullest. Elisha loves travelling, being at the beach, camping, and being around friends and family. Elisha also loves football and follows Geelong. Go Cats!
Lauren Runia
Psychosocial Recovery Coaching Program Coordinator
About Lauren
"I've been with Liberty since 2019 and I cannot imagine working for any other organisation!
I have an Undergrad in Psychology and a Vocational Graduate Diploma in Counselling specialising in Family Therapy, Alcohol & Addiction and Grief & Trauma.
I developed a passion in working with people with disability from my time volunteering at Lifeline and working as an NDIS Senior Complaints Officer, this led me to Liberty as a Support Coordinator in 2020, eventuating to Community Mentor Team Leader and now entrusted with the exciting new role as Program Coordinator for the Psychosocial Recovery Coaching Team.
In my free time I enjoy being active and spending time with my family. Some of my favourite hobbies include pilates, calisthenics and going for runs with my Border Collie Max."
Jesse Nihill
Plan Management Program Coordinator
About Jesse
Bio coming soon!
Deeksha Shrivastava
Plan Management Program Coordinator
About Deeksha
Bio coming soon!
Our Team
Brad Phillips
Human Resources & Administration Coordinator
About Brad
I'm an avid ice hockey fan who has been with Liberty Disability Services for over 5 years now.
I've experienced all facets of the business in my time with LDS and am extremely proud of the team we've developed.
Herb Brooks once said, "hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard". Let us work hard for you.
I've experienced all facets of the business in my time with LDS and am extremely proud of the team we've developed.
Herb Brooks once said, "hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard". Let us work hard for you.
Jayne Thompson
Reception
About Jayne
Jayne is a compassionate, person-centred, and trauma informed support professional who values participant agency and empowerment.
She loves creating opportunities for growth and engagement within the community.
Well suited for queer identified participants, she draws upon a wealth of lived experience as a queer neurodiverse Australian.
Well suited for queer identified participants, she draws upon a wealth of lived experience as a queer neurodiverse Australian.
Kieren Kirby
Administration
About Kieren
Hi, my name is Kieren, some people call me Kiz.
I am Indigenous and my tribe is Ngemba, which is located around the middle of NSW.
My Pronouns are He/Him and I identify as Bisexual.
I am the friendly receptionist who is always happy to help.
Tahlia Macfie
Social Media
About Tahlia
Tahlia’s pronouns are she/her. She studied Public Relations and Digital Media at university and first joined the Liberty team during her internship in 2019.
She loves being outside in nature, travelling and dinner parties with friends. One of her favourite aspects of her job at Liberty is the chance to be creative.
She loves being outside in nature, travelling and dinner parties with friends. One of her favourite aspects of her job at Liberty is the chance to be creative.
