Our Board
The service is managed by a voluntary, skills-based committee that meets bi-monthly to make high level policy, strategic planning and financial decisions with advice and recommendations from the employee group. Backed by the enthusiastic management committee, the staff group is committed to building collaborative community partnerships for the benefit of local families and their children.
The Family Place Organisational Structure
Shirlena Gallagher
Shirlena Gallagher is an Aboriginal Health Team Program Manager who works with Mothers & Aboriginal Babies to provide them with an outreach holistic health pathway from early pregnancy to school readiness. Shirlena knows the importance of supporting Aboriginal families starting with the foundation of building trust, understanding and rapport. Shirlena has supported families who have significant historical trauma to see them bring their first child into the world and go on to become wonderful parents. Shirlena is a certified Level 4 Aboriginal Health worker (Practitioner) gained at ‘Little Bay Aboriginal Health College’ La Perouse Sydney. She also holds certification in Information Technology gained at Tafe Illawarra. Shirlena holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree obtained at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Kerry Preo
Chairperson
Kerry has been involved in the Community Housing sector for a period of 33 years. Kerry has held the position of Regional Manager – Eurobodalla, Cooma Monaro & Sapphire Coast– for Southern Cross Housing for the past 27 years. Her extensive experience working within the Eurobodalla has allowed her to develop local knowledge and build a good rapport with local services enabling a strong collaborative to ensure the community has access to required services. She currently serves in the role as Chairperson for The Family Place & Treasurer for Impact Eurobodalla both these Organisations provide imperative services within the Eurobodalla. Kerry has strong communication and leadership skills, and is passionate that everyone deserves an opportunity of an affordable home.
Petrina Carden
Treasurer
Petrina is director of Strategy, Business Transformation in Services Australia, the federal government agency that manages Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support programs. Petrina is part of a large digital transformation program, making it easier for Australians to access government services. Petrina has 18 years’ experience working in public sector welfare service delivery and business transformation programs. She is skilled in public affairs, stakeholder engagement, programme administration and business development. In 2017, Petrina managed the Eurobodalla Domestic and Family Violence Service, including the women’s refuge in Moruya. She helped homeless people and people at risk of homelessness, leading a team of case managers and working collaboratively with community services providers to broker positive outcomes for clients. Her career began in the 90s as a graphic designer in Canberra, during which time she raised her two children. Petrina holds a graduate certificate in Public Sector Management and a degree in Graphic Design.
Jessica Hannan
Jessica is a paediatric occupational therapist who works with children to live a fulfilling and meaningful life regardless of their ‘disability’. She believes it is the little things that count, like unwrapping Christmas presents and blowing out birthday candles that can change a child’s life forever. Jessica has a special interest in working with children living with FASD which saw her travel all over Australia, providing assistance with diagnosis, intervention in remote locations and educating communities on the harms of alcohol during pregnancy. Jessica has won the 2019 NSW Business Chambers Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the Year for establishing her business Coast and Country Occupational Therapy here on the South Coast. Jessica is also a guest lecturer at Western Sydney University and established FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) in the OT school at Sunshine Coast University. She is also on the board for the Graduate Certificate in FASD at Western Australia University. Jessica holds a Bachelor Health Science/Masters Occupational Therapy from Western Sydney University. Jessica is also a guest lecturer at Western Sydney University, established FASD specific coursework in the OT school at Sunshine Coast University and is also on the board for the Graduate Certificate in FASD at Western Australia University.
Cath Reilley
Deputy Chair
Catherine currently works as a consultant and in the aged care industry. She brings diverse experience to the committee at senior management level from a career with responsibilities in communication and marketing, community and stakeholder engagement, events and tourism, and strategic development. Catherine’s 20 years in local government and practice as a consultant underpins broad industry experience and extensive networks in government and the private sector. In addition to The Family Place Management Committee, Catherine currently sits on the SAGE NSW Inc Executive Management Committee. Previous business board positions include the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation, Eurobodalla Tourism Advisory Committee, and Australia’s Coastal Wilderness Committee. Catherine is an active and involved member of the Eurobodalla community and has held voluntary positions as Chair of the Eurobodalla Youth Refuge, and on the committees of the Moruya High School, St Mary’s Moruya Primary School and St Peters South Coast Anglican College P&Cs, the Moruya Cycleway Committee, Moruya Jazz Festival Committee, Eurobodalla River of Art Festival Committee, and the Eurobodalla Slow Food Festival Committee.
Cathy Connor
Cathy has recently retired from being the Director of Public Health team at the National Health and Medical Research Council, a position held for 14 years. The role focused on developing evidence based national public health advice including guidelines, information papers and Public Statements. She is currently working part time in the Department of Health. Previously, Cathy worked as a paediatric physiotherapist for more than 20 years in government and private roles in community and hospital settings in Canberra and Sydney. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science (in Physiotherapy) and a Masters of Health and Community Development, and looks forward to bringing that mix of clinical and public service experience to the work of The Family Place Board.
