PICABEEN - Key Persons
Bronwyn joined Picabeen in 2018. Currently Bronwyn works at TAFE QLD in a teaching role and has international Community Development experience. She has worked with socially disadvantaged children and women, particularly in the areas of education and empowerment.
Job Titles:
- Administration Officer
- Finance
David's involvement with Picabeen commenced in 1995 when he was elected to the role of Treasurer. Since then he has held a number of positions on the Management Committee and in 2006 was awarded Life Membership of the Association. In 2011 David was appointed to the part time position of Finance and Administration Officer, a role that carries the responsibility of managing the Association finances and assisting the Centre Manager with administration tasks.
David has a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accountancy from Queensland University of Technology and prior to his mature aged tertiary study he worked at Westpac Bank for 23 years. He has seen a number of changes in Picabeen over the past 27 years and is committed to its values and ideals.
Jane has been with Picabeen for over seven years. She started on a student placement whilst studying for her Diploma in Youth Work. After completing her placement, Jane continued on in a volunteer role and was later offered a Youth Worker role which became available under the St. George Foundation funding. Jane works mainly in the local High schools delivering group work programs for Years 7-11.
Jane's previous experience includes supporting children in care and working with families who foster children. She has also worked in a primary school, supporting children with additional needs and spent many years working with seniors in residential care and in the community. With her down-to-earth attitude and naturally caring nature, Jane brings with her a passion to help and inspire all people she has contact with.
When Jane is not working she enjoys her time with her daughters, cats and their new fur ball cavoodle puppy who is regular at many group work sessions.
In July 2008, Jill commenced working at Picabeen in the role of Youth Information and Referral Officer (YIRO) and in 2011 was promoted to the position of Centre Manager. This is a role that is quite diverse and includes grass roots interactions with people who access the centre, managing the volunteer and student programs, applying for grant funds and more.
Jill has a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Community Development and Human Services Studies which she completed with Southern Cross University in 2006. Jill's work experience prior to Picabeen has been wide and varied and has included working in the disability sector, mental health sector, 5 years serving in the Qld Police Service in her early career and 8 years as a stay-at-home mother. Providing quality services in the North West Brisbane region is something that Jill is committed to; she has a passion for ensuring that vulnerable people are supported and that they feel a sense of connection and belonging within their community.
When not at Picabeen, Jill enjoys spending time with family, teaching Yoga and going to the beach.
Lola's involvement with Picabeen started after her participation in the student placement program in early 2024. Lola is working towards the completion of a dual degree in psychology and social work. Alongside her work at Picabeen, Lola tutors children from prep to Year 10 in mathematics and English, and acts as an Equity Support Assistant at her university for students with disability.
As a Policy Review Officer, Lola supports the staff in ensuring Picabeen's policies, procedures, and codes of conduct best reflect the centre's values. She feels passionately about the role language plays in constructing the lived experience of service users and is committed to safeguarding the needs of those in the Picabeen community through her policy work.
Outside of her professional and academic life, Lola enjoys spending her time reading, with family and friends, or playing with her two dogs.
Luke is currently completing a Bachelor of Law. He has a background as a youth worker in a variety of workplaces, including residentials, homelessness and mental health. Luke is now working in youth justice, legal education and policy reform roles. He looks forward to a career in law in which he will be able to represent young people. Luke has been on the Picabeen's Management Committee since early 2020. The work that Picabeen does is vitally important to the community and Luke is honoured to be able to contribute.
Job Titles:
- Change Room Coordinator
- Co - Ordinator for the Changeroom Op Shop
Lynne has a background in health administration in both the private and public sectors; and has also been a business owner - having owned cafes and a real estate business.
As co-ordinator for the Changeroom Op Shop, Lynne enjoys engaging with the local community and being able to help with clothing , having a chat and providing a safe happy place for them. Lynne is assisted by a dedicated band of volunteers to make this possible
Lynne also volunteers on the reception desk at Picabeen Community Centre one day a week - this enables her to keep her administration skills current and meet community members who seek assistance from Picabeen
In her spare time Lynne's interests include gardening, reading, and helping with the grandchildren.
Martin Turrell grew up in North West Brisbane and has been engaged in the local community in one way or another for over 40 years. He understands the importance of community organisations and services and seeks to support the operations of Picabeen through participation on the Management Committee. Martin has been a member of the Management Committee for 4 years and has been President since 2014. Martin also assists volunteer Anna Gillbard with policy reviews.
A previous employee at Picabeen, Martin is very familiar with the association's aims and objectives and aware of the challenges faced by staff and volunteers. With the growing demands on services and the increasing diversity of needs within the community, resources and finances are stretched thin yet the staff and volunteers at Picabeen continue to provide high level support and services that reduce the burdens faced by many in our community. Martin wishes to acknowledge this effort and hopes to assist through his participation on the committee.
With her involvement on the Management Committee Pauline is keen to support staff and operations that serve the community. She has qualifications in social work and has worked in a number of roles such as health support with homeless young people, a community legal centre, mental health work with adults and young people, program development, developing and funding services and team management.
Stuart grew up on a farm in South Australia and attended a Boarding School in Adelaide for his secondary education prior to gaining a Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the South Australian Institute of Technology.
After nine years working in private industry in manufacturing, Stuart worked for the Federal Department of Transport in Adelaide for four years before transferring to Brisbane, where he spent 12 years working as an Engineer / Project manager for what became the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. During that time he completed his Masters degree in Business Administration.
In 2004 Stuart bought into a Bookkeeping franchise, which he owned and operated for 16 years. He obtained a Certificate IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping) and was a Registered BAS Agent until July 2021.
Stuart has been involved in various not-for-profit community organisations over many years, including Pine Rivers Municipal Brass Band (30+ years, currently Treasurer), The Hills & Districts Chamber of Commerce (16+ years, currently Treasurer), an Aged Care and Community Services organisation employing more than 1500 staff (11 years on the Council including 2 years as Chair, currently a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee).
Job Titles:
- Administration & Centre Support Officer
Sue recently joined the Picabeen team after completing her Cert IV in Community Services. Prior to this, she successfully completed a Bachelor of Law (Honours) along with the Law Society Finals and certificates in Counselling and Communication Skills.
Before relocating to Australia, Sue gained experience in a number of diverse management and administrative positions, including her role as a House Manager at a housing association in England. She is committed to aiding and empowering vulnerable individuals within society, as evidenced by her volunteer work at a homelessness shelter and a citizen's advice bureau, as well as her extensive experience supporting individuals with disabilities.
Outside of her professional work, Sue manages her own yoga and meditation business, loves to travel, and enjoys spending time with her family.
Vicki has been with Picabeen for over 12 years. commencing as Information and Referral Officer, and later promoted to the role of Youth Programs Manager- funded by Department of Communities and other programs that are secured through grant funding.
Vicki was Acting Centre Manager during Jill's secondment in 2016.
Vicki completed a Master of Social Work at QUT, she also has a PGDip in Careers Guidance and a BA (Hons) in Communications and Criminology. She previously worked as a Team Leader in the UK for a government-funded youth initiative called Connexions. She coordinates our student Social Work placement program, supervising students from QUT and previously from UQ and ACU