Patrons, Board and Staff

The role of Director is to develop the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement in accordance with the Strategic Plan, to meet the Centre's stated mission, goals, objectives and strategies and to continue the enhancement of the Centre's reputation and professional standing

For the past 14 years Christopher Hall has held the position of Director of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, a government funded specialist bereavement service, which is based in Melbourne, Victoria. He is a psychologist who has developed a specialisation in the field of grief and bereavement over the past 20 years.

Chris has trained many health and education professionals in grief theory and interventions both in Australia and internationally. He has a strong interest in child and adolescent grief, traumatic and complex bereavement experiences and the organisational impact of grief and loss.

In 1999 he was elected to the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement (IWG) and currently is chair of the board of the organisation. He is a member of the US Association for Death Education and Counseling, a member of the UK Bereavement Research Forum and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Chris is an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and a lecturer in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the university. He is the Editor of the peer-reviwed journal Grief Matters: The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement and was the scientific and organizing committee chair for the 8th International Conference of Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society, which was held in Melbourne in July 2008. Chris is a member of the Victorian Bushfire Psychosocial Recovery Advisory Committee, the Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network and the Child and Adolescent Working Group (National Mental Health Disaster Response Taskforce). In 2010 Christopher was appointed to the Coronial Council of Victoria.

Wayne Lynch has worked with the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement for the past ten years as an educator, teaching in a range of courses and workshops. He has worked abroad, has managed a variety of organisations and provided education, counselling, and support across a range of services including detention and correctional services, health, and education settings. He has a particular interest in disenfranchised grief and the bereavement experience of the culturally and linguistically diverse population.

In his role as Manager - Bereavement Counselling and Support Service (BCSS), Wayne is responsible for coordinating ACGB's bereavement services. The Manager ensures that all program key result areas are achieved, develops systems and support structures to effectively manage operations of the service, and utilises effective management practices that enhance the operation of the service. Wayne's role also entails consultation and advice around community education and promotion; education and teaching; and ensuring that all BCSS staff, counsellors, practitioner associates and interns receive regular clinical supervision.

Danielle Ricato, in her role as Manager  -  Health Promotion and Education, is responsible for managing the education and training activities of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement. This involves managing the delivery of the Centre's metropolitan, regional, interstate and international educator programs and customized training and consultancy services.

In her role as Manager - Business Operations, Julie is responsible for the financial, administrative and business development functions of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement.

Dirk Shenton joined the Business Operations Team in October 2010. He has been an accountant for many years and currently assists with accounting administration and payroll. Dirk is also currently pursuing studies in mental health where he hopes to one day utilise his counselling and psychotherapy skills.

Janelle is responsible for the administration and reception duties at the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement. She is also responsible for maintaining a wide variety of books and resources to be available to professionals and the public, as well as looking after memberships and subscriptions.

The Education Programs Administrator, ensures that all training registrations are processed and appropriate material is sent out to training participants. This member of staff also undertakes a range of administrative functions such as reception, information dissemination and maintaining an extensive database.

The Courses Coordinator, coordinates extended courses for students wishing to specialise in bereavement counselling or bereavement support. Most students have a community service or health profession background as well as expertise in generalist counselling.

Courses offered in 2012:

• Foundations in Bereavement Support
• Vocational Graduate Certificate in Bereavement Counselling and Intervention

Natalie coordinates the production of the journal Grief Matters: The Australian Journal of Grief and Bereavement. Natalie manages each edition from the initial planning stage, commissioning articles, sourcing relevant books for review and articles to abstract, liaising with contributors through the editing and proofing processes, liaising with the designers and printers, all the way to the finished journal. Natalie reports to the Editor, Christopher Hall.

Profile under construction

Debbie works part time at the Centre managing the Reference Library. The Library provides a valuable reference service to staff, counsellors, educators, members, students and the general public. The library offers a range of books, journals, newsletters, videos, audio, CDs and DVDs. Although not a lending library, members and interested parties can visit and photocopy required material.

Renata joined the team in September 2011 and job shares with Rae Silverstein. They are responsible for the administration and coordination of services at the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement - Bereavement Counselling and Support Service. They conduct telephone assessments, initiate referrals, match clients to counsellors and oversee client satisfaction reviews. Renata and Rae implement and maintain client database systems, and assist in the marketing and operational maintenance of the service, in liaison with the Manager of the Bereavement Counselling and Support Service.

Rae is responsible for the organisation of the Community Outreach Service which provides counselling in the home for those who are unable to access an office-based service. This may be due to a number of factors including old age, disability, trauma or illness. She undertakes an initial assessment and, where possible, assigns an experienced counsellor to make home visits to the client. Rae also takes on some of the administrative coordinator roles together with Renata Gralinski.

The Bushfire Services Manager (BSM) is responsible for overseeing a range of services at the Australian Centre For Grief and Bereavement as a response to the bushfires of Saturday 7th February 2009. These services include, management and supervision of Bushfire counsellors based in Nillumbik, Melbourne Metropolitan, Marysville/Kinglake and Gippsland. The BSM also provides supervision and management for the Bushfire Discussion and Support group coordinators. The service also oversees the annual forum, the Bereaved Community Advisory Group, The Staying In Touch Newsletter and is involved in Anniversary/Memorial events.

This position is currently vacant. The Acting Manager is Wayne Lynch

Michal has been working with groups and one to one counsellng since 2003. She has been fully trained in trauma extreme stress, and trauma grief and loss, with her therapeutic background being one of an existential mindfulness based somatic therapy. Michal has a heartfelt passion for working with people in group settings and therefore is very excited about being in the role of Bushfire Bereavement Groups and Bereavement Support Groups Coordinator.

Simon is responsible for the smooth running of the Bereavement Counselling and Support Service's support groups. He assists Michal with the administrative details and runs the KG2 and Step By Step groups.

One of Wendy's roles at the Bereavement Counselling and Support Services is to provide supervision to interns on placement and Practitioner Associates who have completed their placements and continue to provide bereavement counselling in a voluntary capacity. She also organises professional development and case presentation evenings for interns and Practitioner Associates.
In her role as a Regional Coordinator, which she shares with Maria Smart, she provides supervision and support for the Regional Specialist Bereavement Counsellors across Victoria.

Maria has a number of roles within the Bereavement Counselling and Support Service. She provides supervision to interns on placement and to Practitioner Associates who have completed their placements and continue to provide bereavement counselling in a voluntary capacity. She also edits the regular Bereavement Practice Notes e-newsletter for practitioners in the bereavement field. In her role as a Regional Coordinator, which she shares with Wendy Thurling, she provides supervision and support for the Regional Specialist Bereavement Counsellors across Victoria.
Maria is also responsible for two toll free telephone services - the Bereavement Information and Referral Service and the Practitioner Consultancy Service. The first one provides callers with information on support options including counselling, bereavement support groups and other bereavement information. The second links senior bereavement counsellors with practitioners working with bereaved clients by providing advice and support.
Maria's last role is as Volunteer Coordinator. She keeps in close touch with the Centre's volunteers through a regular e-newsletter and organising training.
Maria worked for a number of years as a team leader and case manager in foster care. In this role she pursued her passion for and increased her knowledge in grief and trauma.

Gilliam is providing face to face counselling to those affected by the bushfires of Saturday 7th February and is based at Nillumbik.

Gilliam has worked with individuals, families and groups assisting them during the many challenges of living through grief and loss over twenty years. She has particular experience in working with those affected by trauma. She has a strong commitment to working with people identifying their strengths and encouraging them as they rebuild and reconnect with life again.

Nerida Melsmith is the bushfire specialist bereavement counsellor covering the Melbourne Metropolitan region.

Nerida has experience in grief and loss counselling in hospitals and community settings. She has been involved in bushfire recovery since 1983.

Vera joined the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement in June 2011 as Bushfire Specialist Bereavement Counsellor covering the Marysville and Kinglake areas. She has been working in mental health and private practice for some 15 years with particular training in bereavement counselling. Vera, herself, was caught up in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and feels a deep connection and commitment to the people who have experienced this traumatic event.

Sally is part of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement's Statewide Specialist Bereavement Service. Her role provides a supportive counselling service for bereaved clients as well as bereavement advice and consultation to workers in other settings. She works with a wide range of bereaved people, including those affected by the bushfires of Saturday, February 7th 2009.

Sally has worked in community mental health settings since 1987. She has extensive experience in working with people dealing with a range of grief and bereavement issues, particularly loss related to ill health, trauma and sudden death.

Greg is part of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement's Statewide Specialist Bereavement Service. He provides a supportive service for bereaved clients as well as bereavement advice and consultation to workers in other settings. This part time role provides specialist  bereavement counselling; facilitates the development of support groups; provides telephone counselling for those in remote areas and develops networks with practitioners to enhance the understanding and skills among mainstream workers in the health field.

Marie has worked with individuals, children and families for over 25 years in a variety of areas. This has involved Early Childhood, Mediation, Community Development, General and Specialist Bereavement Counseling. Humility, compassion and a listening ear are important traits that are reflective of her work practice

Evelyn is part of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement's Statewide Specialist Bereavement Service. She provides a supportive service for bereaved clients as well as bereavement advice and consultation to workers in other settings. This part time role provides specialist  bereavement counselling; facilitates the development of support groups; provides telephone counselling for those in remote areas and develops networks with practitioners to enhance the understanding and skills among mainstream workers in the health field.

Evelyn has worked in the community sector since 1984. Over the last six years she has been working in community health as a counsellor and health professional with small isolated communities.

Evelyn realised through her work and personal experineces that many of the issues people face arise around grief, loss and bereavement. She has developed her counselling skills through the ACGB to become a Specialist Bereavement Counsellor.

Jennifer is part of the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement's Statewide Specialist Bereavement Service. She provides a supportive service for bereaved clients as well as bereavement advice and consultation to workers in other settings. This part time role provides specialist  bereavement counselling; facilitates the development of support groups; provides telephone counselling for those in remote areas and develops networks with practitioners to enhance the understanding and skills among mainstream workers in the health field.

Jennifer has a broad range of knowledge and skills in counselling, group work, crisis intervention, advocacy and community liaison. She has worked as a social worker for 14 years in various agencies dealing with children, young people, adults and families. Jennifer has extensive expereince in working with people dealing with a range of grief and bereavement issues, particularly loss related to trauma, ill health and sudden death.